No Heimlich for Choking Gasquet from Murray at Wimbledon

by Staff | June 30th, 2008, 8:39 pm
  • 19 Comments

Federer, Nadal Into Wimbledon Quarters; Murray Thrills

World No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 Rafael Nadal both advanced into the quarterfinals in straight sets Monday at Wimbledon, on a collision course for a third straight meeting in the finals at the All England Club.
ADHEREL
Federer toughed-out a difficult first set to subdue former champ Lleyton Hewitt 7-6(7), 6-2, 6-4, while Nadal had an easier 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 time against an opponent that has given him problems in the past, Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

“Everything is positive,” said Nadal, who had an injury scare after slipping on court. “I simply made a bad movement and my muscle hardened. I was scared at first but I lasted the whole match.”


But the real story Monday at the All England Club was the comeback by homecountry hero Andy Murray against the mentally-fragile Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

The No. 8-seeded Gasquet served for a straight-set win in the third set at 5-4 before a Murray push-back ended with the Frenchman nervously double faulting on game point. At 5-5 Murray weathered a seven-deuce game before eventually winning the tiebreak then crusing through the fourth set. In the fifth set Murray jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then at 5-4 served the match out over the disconsolate Frenchman.

“I think he got a little bit nervous toward the third set,” said Murray speaking to the BBC. The Scot will next face Nadal. “It’s a match I feel like I can win if I play well.”

Upsets abounded on the Monday where every remaining player in the singles draw was in action. Spanish players have suddenly become grasscourt experts on the slower lawns, and yesterday No. 31 seed Feliciano Lopez joined Nadal in the
quarters, while No. 22 Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco just missed.

Lopez lost the first set, then came back from 1-2 sets down to oust No. 10 seed Marcos Baghdatis 8-6 in the fifth, saving three match points. Verdasco led unseeded Mario “Baby Goran” Ancic two sets to love before losing 13-11 in the
fifth.

Ancic was out for half a year with mono in 2007.

“The match…was unbelievable, dramatic,” Ancic told reporters. “I felt after the second set I had done nothing wrong but I was two sets down…If I think where I was a year ago, I feel like I’m a winner, whatever happens.”

Former No. 1 Marat Safin also moved into the quarters, with the unseeded Russian besting No. 13-seeded Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

Winners in all-unseeded play were French veteran Arnaud Clement in a surprising victory over Croat powerhouse Marin Cilic (or perhaps not so surprising as ESPN commentator Brad Gilbert picked Cilic), and German Rainer Schuettler who
stopped the streaking Janko Tipsarevic in four.

Men’s singles play resumes Wednesday at Wimbledon.

Cream of Williams Sisters Rise to Top at Wimbledon

With only the shaky Elena Dementieva seeded above them among the remaining competitors, Venus and Serena Williams continued on their favored trek Monday at Wimbledon for a meeting in the final. The No. 6-seeded Serena defeated fellow American Bethanie Mattek 6-3, 6-3, while the No. 7-seeded Venus topped Alisa Kleybanova 6-3, 6-4.

Dementieva, the No. 5 seed, has little problem with No. 24 Shahar Peer 6-2, 6-1.

The previously-highest remaining seed on Monday, No. 2 Jelena Jankovic, was upset by hot-handed Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-3, 6-2.

At No. 2 in the world, Jankovic was not happy with her Monday assignment on Court 18.

“I was almost playing in the parking lot,” Jankovic said. “I almost need a helicopter to go to my court.” Jankovic suffered what is reported to be a muscle tear in her knee earlier in the tournament. “I don’t know what they are doing, you know, to put Venus on number two and I’m on number 18, especially having an injury and asking for a favor to play a little bit later on in the day.”

Other players into the quarters with upsets were (14) Agnieszka Radwanska (d. (4) Svetlana Kuznetsova in three), (18) Nicole Vaidisova (d. (8) Anna Chakvetadze in three), and unseeded Jie Zheng (d. (15) Agnes Szavay). Also a winner was (21) Nadia Petrova, who tamed the Sharapova-killer Alla Kudryavtseva 6-1, 6-4.

Matching up in Tuesday quarterfinal play are (5) Elena Dementieva vs. (21) Nadia Petrova in an all-Russian affair, (14) Agnieszka Radwanska vs. (6) Serena Williams, (7) Venus Williams vs. Tamarine Tanasugarn, and Jie Zheng vs. (18) Nicole Vaidisova.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Roger Federer has won 63 straight grass matches. He’s also won 38 straight at Wimbledon and has now reached 17 straight Slam quarterfinals…

By reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinal Roger Federer will keep his No. 1 ranking after the event…

Andy Murray is in his first career Slam quarterfinal after Richard Gasquet blew his first career two-set lead…

Rafael Nadal has won 21 straight matches…

Marat Safin is in his first Slam QF since his Australian Open title in 2005. Rainier Schuettler and Arnuad Clement are also turning back the clock to Australia. Clement’s last Slam quarterfinal came at ’01 Australia, and Schuettler’s last was in Australia 2003. Now they play for a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals…

Ana Ivanovic will remain No. 1 after Wimbledon…

For the first time in the Open Era, no Top 4 women’s seeds are in the quarterfinals at a Slam. How’s that for a weak Top 5 after the retirement of Henin?..

Feliciano Lopez saved three match points against Marcos Baghdatis to reach his second Slam QF. Lopez’s buddy Fernando Verdasco is still looking for his first Slam QF…

Tamarine Tanasugarn had lost her previous eight Slam fourth round matches until today…

Roger Federer is the only player yet to drop a set at Wimbledon…

Andy Roddick is the last non-European to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals…

Tamarine Tanasugarn is the first player from Thailand to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal…

Venus Williams is on an 11-match win streak at Wimbledon, and she’s won 20 of her last 21 matches here…

Beijing Olympic wildcards were given to Nicolas Massu, Jonas Bjorkman, Max Mirnyi, Kevin Anderson, Kei Nishikori, Peng Sun, Alicia Molik, Maria Koryttseva, Chan Yung-jan, Ayumi Morita, Nuria Llagostera-Vives and Selima Sfar…

From Tennis.com’s Peter Bodo on Venus Williams’ Monday opponent at Wimbledon: “Venus was on first, facing Alisa Kleybanova, a pale Russian lass who doesn’t appear to have missed many meals lately. In fact, I was trying to figure out the endorsement patch above her right breast, and for a long time I was (wrongly) convinced it said, “Haagen-Dazs.””…

Russian Olympic officials won’t let Maria Sharapova carry the Russian flag in the opening ceremonies: “She wanted to be a flag-bearer but I advised against it,” Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev told Reuters. “I don’t want her to spend three or four hours in hot weather waiting to march in the opening ceremony. We want her to be fresh, not tired, during her matches.”…


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19 Comments for No Heimlich for Choking Gasquet from Murray at Wimbledon

JCF Says:

“Upsets abounded on the Monday where every remaining player in the singles draw was in action. Spanish players have suddenly become grasscourt experts on the slower lawns, and yesterday No. 31 seed Feliciano Lopez joined Nadal in the
quarters, while No. 22 Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco just missed.”

What do people mean that “suddenly” the grass courts have gotten slower? Federer himself was asked how the courts have changed since 2003 and he says they haven’t changed at all. He disagrees with people who say the courts have slowed down.

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2008-06-30/200806301214844257816.html

Q. How have the courts changed here from when you won first in 2003 until today?

ROGER FEDERER: Nothing. I really don’t think so. It’s been the same pretty much through. People are talking this year is slower. I completely disagree with that.

If Nadal ever wins this, people are going to take away from his achievement by saying the courts were slowed down to suit him and that he’d never have won it on the courts of 5 years ago.

June 30th, 2008 at 10:10 pm


Tennis Fan Says:

Its pretty obvious that the Wimbledon courts have slowed considerably over the last few years. Add to that the new heavy (dead) balls they introduced last year and you have a surface that the clay courters are very competitive on. Its too bad … I enjoyed watching serve and volley tennis … and they should have kept one grand slam that gave an edge to this kind of player.

June 30th, 2008 at 10:50 pm


JCF Says:

Apparently it isn’t obvious to the guy who won it the last 5 years in a row and going for his 6th. I wonder. I’m inclined to take his word over the armchair viewer.

June 30th, 2008 at 11:54 pm


NachoF Says:

I guess roger means that they arent slower than last year… but Im sure I have heard him say that they are definitely slower than longer ago.

July 1st, 2008 at 12:05 am


Hypnos Says:

Also, Sampras says it hasn’t slowed — though he’s watching on TV. Roddick disagrees.

Article at Time magazine on the issue:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1815724,00.html

My eyeball assessment is that the flat balls don’t penetrate as well — grass is firmer, less slick. Add to that the racket technology and improved strength of players that allows them to handle bad balls more reliably (Nadal being a great example).

July 1st, 2008 at 12:13 am


bbbby Says:

I dont agree that courts have slowed down.It is just that spanish players have started to take wimbledon seriously after nadal started making good results.Nadal just inspired spaniards to take wimbledon seriously.Nadal even in 2003 said that he wants to win wimbledon.In the past spanish players even avoided playing wimbledon.I think it is just the attitude of spanish players that has changed.Anyway i would have been watching some other sports if tennis just consists of service which i felt sometimes.

July 1st, 2008 at 3:25 am


Roddick disagrees because he didn't do well these days! Says:

If he doesn’t find him an excuse, it is like telling people that he is only a second rated player. Well, this guy has a good serve, average groundstrokes. But a poor mental game. Hewitt could also kicks his ass!

July 1st, 2008 at 3:33 am


Roddick disagrees because he didn't do well these days! Says:

When Connors, McEnroe, Sampras, Agassi, Courier and Chang were at their best are all better players than Roddick! They are all tough mentally.

July 1st, 2008 at 3:37 am


Kevin Says:

Whether it is beause of the grass, the ball or there is not much rain in the first week, the speed of the ball is slower this year. Grass is slippery after the rain or due to high humidity. Nadal will get better chance this year to win Wimb. Federer plays better on grass than other courts though his form down. Hope that he could get in the final and and play in better form. He will mentally better on grass than hard or clay court. Sooner or later Nadal will be the next No.1

July 1st, 2008 at 5:41 am


MD Says:

Murray says, I will win the title. Roger says, Dream on, kiddo, the extravaganza of the tournament is only my coronation for the 6th title. Rafa says, What about me? Murray and Roger say, Go bandage your knee. Roger invites both, Party at my crib right after the coronation is over on Sunday.
Unhappy, Rafa persists, What about my fans? Roger replies, Your fans are not as crazy as mine. They have an excuse of your knee to talk about how you’d have won if and if and if…ad infinitum. Anyway, don’t forget the party.
As Rafa turns to leave, he makes face and mumbles to himself, Yeah, right !
Is that mumble a real prognostication of something ominous, an imminent party pooper?

July 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pm


JCF Says:

NachoF Says:

“I guess roger means that they arent slower than last year… but Im sure I have heard him say that they are definitely slower than longer ago.”

The quote clearly says 2003, when he won it the first time.

July 1st, 2008 at 6:55 pm


Daniel Says:

Strange thougth: Ancic was the last player to win a match on grass against Fed, IN Wimbledon! Just kidding!

Only Safin could trouble Fed before the final and tomorrow match between Murray and Nadal is a secure spot to the final, they should skip the semis to save energy. Noway Clement or Schutler can win against one of them!

July 1st, 2008 at 10:27 pm


All_Roger Says:

For those of you who haven’t seen this – and maybe also for those of you who take their comments too seriously …
Have fun watching it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-fSdrlNUog

July 2nd, 2008 at 4:12 am


matt Says:

I saw recently an interview with Alan Mills and he said they changed the grass in 2001 and it has been the same since that year.

The only change was from 2000 to 2001.

But the same grass may look “faster” or “slower” depending on the humidity, sun, weather…..

The reason why nobody plays serve-and-volley these days is the racket and string tecnology.

Give them wooden rackets (with former strings) and you would see they start playing serve-and-volley all the time.

With modern racket and string tecnology you can hit some passing-shots and return-of-serve that were absolutely impossible with former rackets.

The Luxilon (and similar) string allow you to get 50% more top-spin and you can easily find your opponent feet when they come to the net.

If they speed up the courts then you will only see aces all the time. That is not the solution.

What they have to do is to cut the racket and string tecnology.

They should allow only rackets similar to the one Sampras used during all his career, the first graphite rackets from the early eighties.

July 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 am


jane Says:

I figured Mario wouldn’t make it much further than the quarters, not only because he’s facing Fed, who’s cruising through his draw, but because he’s played so many marathons here. In his interview, he was already deferring to Roger, saying he’ll “try his best” and such. I like it when players are a little more fired up about their chances, even if they are slim.

Safin is also not playing his best today, giving back the break he earned in the second set. F-lo is serving beautifully overall though.

July 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm


Vulcan Says:

The ITF apparently has a scientific method for determining the “surface pace rating” of each of the court surfaces. However, I was unable to located an ITF web page which has a breakdown for all of the courts/tournaments year by year.

July 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm


Von Says:

jane:

‘I figured Mario wouldn’t make it much further than the quarters, not only because he’s facing Fed, who’s cruising through his draw, but because he’s played so many marathons here. In his interview, he was already deferring to Roger, saying he’ll “try his best” and such. I like it when players are a little more fired up about their chances, even if they are slim.”

I agree with the above. Mario was already waving the white-I-surrender flag. He did put out great effort in the earlier rounfs though, especially, given the circumstances — his leg injury. However, i would like to hear these players inject more enthusiasm into their speech. I suppose they call them as they see them. This is where the unpredictability stops.

July 2nd, 2008 at 3:38 pm


JCF is dreaming Says:

I hope that, Safin would gives Roger a real tough match. I remember 1 time. Federer and Safin played @ Halle. It went to three sets. And he is going to make Federer tired going into the final.

July 3rd, 2008 at 3:01 am

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