| 29 June 2011
Being at a big match on Centre Court at Wimbledon should be right up there on the '100 things to do before you die' list.
Even if tennis is not your bag, or should I say racquet, the ambience is unlike anything else you are likely to encounter.
From a purely human perspective it can be intoxicating, adrenaline fuelling and totally mesmorising.
On Monday I managed to ‘blag’ some tickets for my sister and I, to see the last two hours play in the great arena. We were blessed with a great display from both Nadal and Del Potro.
My sister has not been to Wimbledon for twenty years plus, and would hardly call herself a tennis fan; yet the excitement has had her glued to the square-box ever since.
She is captivated by the Sabine Lisicki story in particular. German born Lisicki has been out for five months after an ankle anjury and captured the hearts of many with her emotional first round victory, her smile and her sheer joy of just being here.
She has cruised through to the semis and is now due to battle it out with Sharopova on Thursday.
I will also be routing for Lisicki, as I don’t think I can bear another final of grunts, screams and firework impressions. If Azarenka and Sharapova win through to the final, this is exactly what we will get. I hear that they are already selling ear plugs for £20 a pair at the entrance, just in case. About the same price as a punnet of strawberries and cream, I believe.
In the Men’s Quarter-finals today we have seen the much improved Mr Andrew Murray, against Feliciano Lopez of Spain. Or should I say 'deliciano'. Andy's mum, Judy, apparently nick-named the adonis-like Spaniard on twitter. (Andy) Murray seemed to take it all in good humour. And, the mere fact that he seems to be taking things a little lighter this year may bode well for Andy's chances of winning the tournament, and emulate his brother Jamie.
Louis Cayer, the British team doubles coach and former coach to Jamie Murray, has used these kind of strategies before to help players deal with the pressure of ‘the big occasion’. Notably, in 2008 when he worked with mixed doubles pairing Jelena Jankovic and Jamie Murray. He set them a simple goal of 'getting the media to talk about a marriage proposal between them'. It worked; the pair won the title and had a lot of fun in the process. However, the flirting was purely strategic, much to the disappointment of their adoring fans.
Briefly back to Andy Murray. He certainly seems to be producing his best tennis at the right time, and today he made Lopez look like a rank amateur; pretty impressive stuff. Murray won convincingly in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-4.
In the other Quarters Federer played well, and was looking comfortable at two sets to love, but was unable to handle the serving power and formidable ground-strokes of Frenchman Jo Wilfred-Tsonga. Tsonga threw everything but the kitchen sink at him to play the match of his life and won in five. 3-6 6-7(3) 6-4 6-4 6-4.
American Mardy Fish put up a good fight against Nadal after going two sets to love down, but could only manage a set against the supposedly injured Rafael Nadal. Nadal won in four 6-3 6-3 5-7 6-4.
Bernard Tomic, the young 18 year old Australian, had an incredible tournament after coming through three rounds of qualifying to get to the Quarter-finals of the tournament. He managed to take a set of this years’ in form player Novak Djokovic, and for many parts of the match outplayed the Serbian. In the end Novak had just a little too much experience for Tomic, and tiredness seemed to get the better of the youngster. Djokovic won in four 6-2 3-6 6-3 7-5.
Novak Djokovic vs. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray
Ladies Semis:Maria Sharapova vs. Sabine Lisicki
Victoria Azarenka vs. Petra Kvitova
Predictions: Well I stand by my original prediction for the men which was Nadal vs. Djokovic final. With Nadal winning. And for the ladies, I’m hoping for a Lisicki vs. Kvitova final, for my ears sake and a Lisicki victory.
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