Sokol, what's with all this defeatism?
I just like that nobody gives Lena a chance.
We'll see who will laugh the last.

Game Lover, I dunno about Cilic gifting...I mean, Haas was 2 sets to 1 up, and then had a brain cramp in the 4th set TB. Maybe he needed some help to win the fifth. But, tennis-wise, he had the quality to get in done in 4. Of course, if he lets Novak back in it, that'll be the end of him. I really like Haas' game on grass...and not so much Novak's. So, the pick is partly stylistic preference. I can see reasons why Novak would win ;-).

CherryNYC -- I believe the USO is the only tourny Novak needs for the Retirement Slam. I think it was a match against Nadal a few years back he retired from during Wimbledon.

lollipop, Nole seemed to be getting his groove back yesterday. If he gets past Haas I think he'll have a pretty good shot against Fed.

For the record Nole has retired from a Wimby match. Happened in the SF against Rafa in '07.

One almighty effort on Thursday and Dinara can tick off the third element of the Safina Slam!

I know that probably both Sisters will advance to the final, but if (very big IF) there would be an "upset" who would have a better chance to upset Williams? Lena (h2h with Serena 3-5) or Dinara (h2h with Venus 1-2)? For some reason I would give Lena more chance with Serena rather than Dinara vs Venus

thanks, Andrew. :)

Ugh...I'd hate for Nole to have *that* career slam. It feels awfully hot here, for me...hasn't been this hot for years.

The schedule is up:

http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/scores/schedule/schedule17.html

Thankfully Novak-Haas is at the same time as Ivo-Roger. That way I can watch Haas-Nole, and skip over for the TBs.

"Sokol, what's with all this defeatism?"

I don't know, just doesn't look good for "my" girls :-(
Venus is too good on grass, and Dinara's having so much trouble with her game, and Serena is just a "beast" (in good meaning :-))

Jewell - its got a way to go before its like the summer of '03!

The fragrant Laura Robson continuing her experiences of winning on a decent-sized stage ...

Mick, anybody has a chance but neither Lena or Dina have a good H2H against the Williamses. And Lena's serve compared to Serena is a great liability. I believe Venus has a 5-1 record against Dinara, with Dinara's only win on clay and that was a close match. I think Sokol is being realistic.

I thot Elena got a couple(?) of wins over Rere this year? Of course, the way Re played today....there's only 1 person who could take her out.

I'll go with the predictable Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Roddick semifinal lineup. Withholding further predictions, until I see the level of play tomorrow.

Yep, the Djoker and global warming don't go well together.

"I believe Venus has a 5-1 record against Dinara'

it's 2-1 according to WTA site http://tinyurl.com/l7zwma

"""
Withholding further predictions, until I see the level of play tomorrow.
"""

LOL! Then, it won't be a prediction. Ok, maybe if you make it after the first set. But that's already too much info.

"CherryNYC -- I believe the USO is the only tourny Novak needs for the Retirement Slam. I think it was a match against Nadal a few years back he retired from during Wimbledon."

evie : LOL. But wasn't some fitness-related reason offered for the one-sided fourth set last year against Federer at the US Open?

Jewell: "Two DFs, sad way to end that doubles match."

I can do that :) (Well I did DF on my last official doubles match).

Who was serving though?

*shudders*

2003 was just too hot altogether. Didn't it get to 38 degrees C or something? Ugh. Cannot cope with that.

"fragrant" - LOL. Poor Laura.

VC, that was a mental fitness-related reason. Aka, brain cramp.

"Q: People might be expecting an all‑Williams final. Do you think we can have an all‑Russian final instead?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Can we play just two finals instead?"

LOL

If this were clay I would agree that it would be 5O/5O, but this is the best surface for both Williamses and neither has dropped a set. Also, Safina hit a hard flat ball with a lot of pace and power. Venus love this and has very little problem with this type of ball. Lena will hit many DFs and have difficulty holding her serve. Serena has no problems holding hers with a great first and second serve. I don't see this as a good matchup for the Russian but hey tennis gives us a lot of surprises.

Pspace : I'm withholding predictions for the results of the semifinals and finals, for now.

I think the WTA SFs are well matched. However, based on the match statistics of the top four seeds I am pleasantly surprised that Vee and ReRe have played the cleanest matches of the four consistently having +ve W/UFE differential in all their matches while Dinara and Elena have had a few -ve W/UFE differential. However Elena D has not dropped a set on her way to the SF similar to Vee and ReRe. So I think the matches should be interesting and should not be blowouts for the winners. Of course I hope for a Vee win and ReRe win.

"VC, that was a mental fitness-related reason. Aka, brain cramp."

Maybe it was just something I read here, then. But I remember Djokovic's press conference after the Roddick match at the Australian Open and it wasn't pretty.

I'm looking forward to the all-Williams final, their recent encounters have been very exciting. It's the best tennis you can see on the WTA side.

Thanks Sokol and that l win was on clay where Dina is the better player. I think Venus can beat her in straight sets on the grass.

The W guys must be breathing a sigh of relief that S & V landed on opp sides of the draw, otherwise, the semi-final would have been double-the-eventual-final-mismatch, and continued the recent WTA tradition in slam finals since the AO.

If there is no one with wilanders enough to 'challenge' (note challenge not beat) the Williams sisters in a slam for what seems like eons, then let them rake up 50 GS between them, then, maybe, just then, someone will pull the sponsorship out of the WTA, something it would deserve.

At the moment, its totally upto Serena to wake up and say, I am not in the mood to lose today and the WTA can pack their bags and go home.

"VENUS WILLIAMS: Well, we've talked about playing the 2012 Olympics. We've talked about playing doubles in the 2016, because we hope it goes to Chicago."

some long plans for sisters...

The Fed's match against Divo is a nightmare in so many ways, first of all the Fed has been returning like crap for most of the year, Divo's serve when the Fed was returning better was still unbreakable...I mean he could conceivably loose the match 6-7, 6-7, 6-7...I would be frazzled if the serve pre Madrid was still present, however, the Fed has at least found his 1st serve, so he should be able to hold with ease and Divo has never made it to slam QF before, how fit is he?! I wonder if his shoulders are tired from serving soooooo much...lol...unfreakingbelievable. The Fed FTW, anything else is unthinkable!!!

My picks
Mosquitoe loses in straights
Randy wins in straights
Kvetcher loses in straights (most interesting match!)

As for the women, I wouldn't mind Lena taking out Rena, the only WTA that scares me against Vee in this form is well Rena...

VC -- I don't recall a fitness issue. I think he was still shook up from the crowd debacle after his Roddick qtr-final match.

Looking at this draw, one can't help but think this is the weakest era ever. Sampras should come back to destroy this dog-poop competition. :)

or we could have Kuzzy at the FO. Or did I dream that one?

Oh how I wish Sampras was playing. I'd love to hear NP when he gets smacked all over the place ;-)

VC -- don't remember that: re: Djokovic's fitness against Fed at the USO being an issue. Seemed more that Nole's bad NYC vibes entered his head after Fed took the third set.

Btw, I still think that was Fed's most important match in kick-starting Fed 2.0 or Fed: the twilight years. Up till that match his footwork had looked horrible by his standards, but he found his game that Saturday against Djoker and then came out flying in the final against Muzz.

I think that the SFs would be very interesting (of course, with the Williamsovas having the better chance to win, coz they are truly magnificent on grass). The top 4 players in the world have reached the SFs. Perfect. ;-)

Well NP that's not what Sampras said yesterday (about this era) ;)

I was actually surprised that most people think that Nole is the most vulnerable tomorrow. Maybe I just have more confidence in him than most people. I would love for him to be the last man standing

"As for the women, I wouldn't mind Lena taking out Rena, the only WTA that scares me against Vee in this form is well Rena..."

Beckham - How could you? ;-)

Federerfan, I would agree that on all surfaces except the clay, I think Serena could dominate. Sharapova used to be competition, but since her shoulder injury I no longer think that. Out of all the Russians I think she was the one that had the best chance,even though she hadn't beat Serena in almost 5 year. To me, she was still the best after Venus. Kuzzy and Safina are the two best now, I'm not sure which one is better. Maybe Kuzzy.

Beckham, lol. So, they're all going to be straight set affairs?

"of course, with the Williamsovas..."

Arun - LOL! In that case we already have all Russian SFs ;-)

But then again I can't wait for Mr. Federer to get #15, 16, 17 (that will keep Pete in his rightful place) ;-)

Thanks, mcakron and evie. I need to lose some of my paranoid-ness when it comes to Djokovic.

Who are all those people in the stands (and on Henman Hill) on this very, very hot day when only women's tennis is being played on the two main show courts at wimbledon?

Those people must be photoshopped in since, over the years (especially during equal prizemoney debates), all I've heard is how the English fans aren't that crazy about women's tennis, how they can't/don't sell as many tickets on ladies' day (Enberg said it was sold out today) yada yada yada. LOL

What avid said at 1:20 goes for me, too!

Doubtful, NP. Remember, we already saw what Hewitt could do to him. ;-)

"""
But then again I can't wait for Mr. Federer to get #15, 16, 17 (that will keep Pete in his rightful place) ;-)
"""

Tfactor, you sure you're a Rafa fan? ;-)

What I wouldn't give for a fit and motivated Henin, and some one like Steffi Graf, in this current WTA era. Ironically, I think Graf didn't get the competition she deserved (no fault of hers) in the mid-90's after the sad Seles incident.

Ah, Tfactor, but that was about a 30th-rank player. Pete also said there were more Slam contenders in the '90s.

Anyway I'm off. Later, folks.

If anyone has a chance its Elena, Safina not so much. Its still on Serena's racquet. If she serves and retuns well Elena is toast, but Serena can play so well and then so badly in one match. Elena moves well and plays solid. This is what happened in the olympics, strangest match i've ever seen.

In all seriousness, mcakron, Hewitt's movement and passing shots were superb in his prime, which is why he gave net-rushers like Pete a hard time and also partly why his ranking slipped when the power baseline play took over. Pete in his own prime was actually an all-court player who would S&V. That Pete would've taken out Hewitt without much trouble.

""Pete in his own prime was actually an all-court player who would S&V.""

ROFL.

"of course, with the Williamsovas..."

"Arun - LOL! In that case we already have all Russian SFs ;-)"

LOL

Pspace,
Yes, a proud one since 2005 but I like Fed also ;-)

Beckham: I'm taking the liberty of reposting something I put up late last night.

If Federer fans (like me) can take great pleasure in seeing Federer hit four aces in a row against Soderling in the RG 2009 F second set TB, then I think we're on thin ice complaining about a big serving opponent.

FWIW, in 9 matches (one five setter, Wimbledon 2004) Federer has been broken just once - Paris Bercy 2007 R32, second set. Karlovic is 1/16 on break chances. Federer is 9-3 in TBs, and has broken Karlovic 11 times. Karlovic's one victory was in the middle of Federer's time of toil last summer - L Nadal, L Simon, W Ginepri (Ginepri served for the match in set 2), L Karlovic, L Blake at the Olympics in QF.

Worthy opponent, you bet. Reason to quake, no, I think.

I recollect Sampras having to go through a nightmare draw, and suffering from some fatigue against Hewitt in the 2001 US Open final. I don't think Sampras ever brought it up, though. The following year, he had the easier semifinal opponent compared to Agassi.

It's not Sampras Hour yet!

*confused*

YAY for the lovely Laura, anyway. :)

I hope Roger can come through against Ivo,a win against Roger would give him a good chance to make the finals. I'd really like to watch the mens final and a few groundstrokes are nice

"Elena moves well and plays solid. This is what happened in the olympics, strangest match i've ever seen"

the only thing is that Olympics was the "biggest career goal" for Elena, so she really wanted it and the other part (maybe even bigger) is how good Serena on grass...

"If Federer fans (like me) can take great pleasure in seeing Federer hit four aces in a row against Soderling in the RG 2009 F second set TB, then I think we're on thin ice complaining about a big serving opponent."

Agreed. The serve won Federer his fifth Wimbledon title against Rafael Nadal in a match where he was largely outplayed from the baseline. It will be very tough against Karlovic, and a test of Federer's concentration when it inevitably comes down to a few important points.

Q. You played every Grand Slam for 12 years. Are you the type of person that soaks up everything around you, or do you just do your job and go home?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You know, it's really hard to stay away from tennis, even if you're trying to be concentrated on your own. Still wondering what's the score on this court and that court and you're trying to check all other players.

I like to watch tennis. When I have a day off, I always watch on TV or I stay here on‑site. Because this is a Grand Slam, you know, and I just feel very exciting as a player, but also very exciting as a spectator, as well.
=======================
Don't you just love her!

VC, Pete does mention it briefly in his autobio. Having to go thru Rafter, Agassi and Safin in consecutive rounds did take a toll on him. Fortunately his '02 draw was easier.

OK, really off. Ciao.

Worthy opponent, you bet. Reason to quake, no, I think"

I quite agree. I just don't see Ivo beating Fed again.

Of tomorrow's matches, the one I worry about is Roddick/Hewitt. I would like Roddick to get through but I don't think it's going to be easy.

avid: I'm a Vee KAD, I make no apologies, Rena was downright frightening...lol

Pspace: ummm yep, Haas is 31 and has played too much tennis, I don't know if he still has the legs, Djoker OTOH has spent the least time on court...Hewitt has nothing to threaten Randy, he doesn't move as fast as he used too, at best he'll get a set, but he's NOT winning, only way he wins if Randy suddenly forgets his ability to serve, Muzzah/Mosquitoe is going to be the most one sided affair ever, if this was clay, Mosquitoe would have a shot, even in his prime he didn't do much on grass and now he's going to take out Britain's last hope on centre court?! Methinks not...the match that can conceivably get an upset is the Fed's match and not because Divo is the better player but because of his serve...the Fed's return game has been in the toilet for most of this year, while Divo's serve has even gotten more fearsome, is that even possible?! The good news is that the Fed is apparently very confident, according to his last presser, he doesn't panic on court anymore, even when it get's tight...thank heavens for the Madrid win, wowzer...who woulda thunk it...dude now has a 16 game winning streak he hasn't lost a match in over 2 months...LOL

Pheewww, I didn't think I was going to write a memo...

I miss the Rafa so much, anybody know when his fist tourney back? He has a lot of points to defend, but I hope he doesn't come back until he's fully recovered. I would agree that Lena has a chance, if Serena decides to self destruct. But that match is in Serena's hands not Lena.

Elenas -- I like Elena's nerves much better than I like Safina's. Problem is Elena has the tougher match up. Serena's playing out of her mind, even by her high standards.

VC -- yeah, this is about the worst patch of the WTA I can remember. Funny thing is, only five or six years ago, it seemed like the golden era.

LOL

"""
Q. What trophy makes the best makeup brush holder?

SERENA WILLIAMS: My Indian Wells '03 (smiling). Or was it '01? Whatever year that was.
"""

Pspace- Earlier you had posted Verdasco's interview, where they asked him about Laura Robson. Here's a picture of him watching her match. lol :)

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=2069331&id=15690358731

Beckham - LOL! She was too at the beginning of the finals last year and look at how that ended *sigh* Anyways they both need to win their SF matches first!

I'm no good at predictions, so I'm going to say who I would like to see in semis:

Hewitt vs Roddick: Hewitt
Murray vs Ferrero: Murray
Haas vs Djokovic: Djokovic
Federer vs Karlovic: Federer

Beckham, hehe. You gave me tennis reasons? *faints* Fwiw, Mosquito played well against TMF in '07 Wimby QF. Four sets 7-6 3-6 6-1 6-3. I think he's playing better now, from what I saw in the first week. Murray will have his hands full.

NP and VC -- yeah, I was mostly yoking. Sampras was past his prime years and Hewitt just entering his. But at the same time that's why I think what Fed's been doing of late is rather remarkable. 27 going on 28 is not an age a guy should be competing for every Slam final.

lollipop, hehe, that's such an unfair caption to that pic. He was prolly not even watching the match...just getting some air on the balcony. Please...Hott Sauce dates the hottest women in tennis...Robson? The press are really just too much. That's prolly illegal.

"Paris Bercy 2007 R32, second set."

Andrew,
Was that the set that both players could not believe that the set was over as both players just stood on their respective baselines?

Sokol,
You just added to my Roddick frazzling ;) but I agree with your other picks.
I'm hoping to see 2,3,4 & 6 in the semis

If Ferrero can remain steady on his serve and from the baseline, he can definitely grab a set or two against Murray, if Murray dips slightly. Don't see him winning the match though.

"Murray will have his hands full."

...of pens, to sign autographs with after a routine win.

haha Pspace, I know. But it still made me laugh, so i posted it. :)

"Sokol,
You just added to my Roddick frazzling ;)"

sorry ;-)), I just can't root against Lleyton :-))

"""
thank heavens for the Madrid win, wowzer...who woulda thunk it...dude now has a 16 game winning streak he hasn't lost a match in over 2 months...LOL
"""

Yep. I was just thinking that. If he wins Wimby, it's like the old days again going into the HC season. Anyways, that's unlikely :-P.

Yay back on line,thank goodness

To me Venus sent out such a strong message in her game

Her all court coverage on grass is just amazing she is a pleasure to watch

Hoping to see her win her 6th title here

For me she is just the consumate grass court player

Grant -- agreed. Can't see the skeeter winning more than a set.

Grant, jajaja, so Ferrero is your "bag of tennis balls" from the crazy picks. What're your picks for the SF?

I understand Sokol and I think Hewitt's got a real chance :-)

LMAO, Pspace, at that Serena quote! Nice cheeky way of telling the IW organizers to suck it.

Anybody else agree that both Serena and Venus are playing better than they did last year, fewer errors and better serving? I just remember last year that their earlier matches weren't as good.

"NP and VC -- yeah, I was mostly yoking. Sampras was past his prime years and Hewitt just entering his. But at the same time that's why I think what Fed's been doing of late is rather remarkable. 27 going on 28 is not an age a guy should be competing for every Slam final."

mcakron - Yes, he paces himself very well across GS tournaments. There is a lot of talk that he gets preferential scheduling and such, but I've never seen him affected by these things either way.

I do Samantha. I just don't see anyone beating them and while at the beginning of the tournament I was sure Venus was going to defend her title now I'm doubtful. Serena is playing well enough to beat her this time.

Oh no its too early for the Pete Sampras Hour

Sokol Love your dedication for Lleyton,though I feel Roddick will win

if the russian girls decide to have some fun anyway, thinking they aren't meant to win the SFs, and swing freely and find the lines, who knows what would happen? yes, while elena's serve is rickety (much improved, but still), not to mention her nerves, the rest of her game is world-class.

Andrew: but there's serving well to get yourself out of tight situations and then there's Divo, the good news is that Divo's groundstrokes are a hail of a lot better, still doesn't stop me from being bitter, my bitterness with Divo is far deeper than him serving aces/unreturnables all the time, we have a long history...lol

Pspace: 07 was the year the Fed basically had to play 2 tourneys because he had like a whole weak off (please do not bring up the ills and evils of Wimby scheduling, I am not interested! lol), too many days off during a slam or even any tourney for that matter and the Fed's game goes south, from what I remember after he lost the 2nd set, he proceeded to completely destroy Mosquitoe, so nope, I'm not optimistic for him, at least this result should give him direct entry into USO, no?!

"Grant, jajaja, so Ferrero is your "bag of tennis balls" from the crazy picks. What're your picks for the SF?"

Yeah, I'm calling him Bob (seems classier than t-bag) from now on.

Boring, Realistic Picks:
Roddick
Murray
Nole
Fed

Awesome Picks:
Roddick or Hewitt, really
Bob
Haas
Fed
(Winner: the turn of the century)

Beckham, surely Muzz is not as good on grass as a rusty TMF in '07...or do you feel that he is? If yes, then Fed has no chance of beating Murray in the final.

Samantha - I do think they are playing better stats-wise than last year even though they both did not drop a set before the Finals last year as well.

"Beckham, surely Muzz is not as good on grass as a rusty TMF in '07...or do you feel that he is? If yes, then Fed has no chance of beating Murray in the final."

Pspace, Federer in Wimbledon 2007 wasn't all that you make him out to be. The Australian Open 2007 was another story altogether.

That he still won 3 Slams that year is a testament to how good his peak level must have been.

Samantha E -- based on today, I'd certainly say Serena is. That smackdown of Renka was mightily impressive. Except for the last two games, I thought Aza brought a game that would have taken out 95% of the women in the draw. Against Serena, she was struggling just to stay on the court.

Well I feel there will be an upset in the mens q/finals,

As you know I did pick the DR to beat The Chick Magnet

Still thinking about the upset

hmm.. I wonder why Ivo wasn't part of the awesome picks... :-))
Anyway, give the boring ones and I'll be a happy camper

I agree that Elena D has an excellent game, strong groundstrokes, great return, but the serve counts for so much on the grass that it is a huge liability and it has kept her from being a slam winner for her entire career. Tfactor, I agree that Serena can beat Venus. She completely destroyed Azaranka. Patrick, how did you know the Azaranka match wouldn't be close? NOBODY saw that one.

Pspace: Muzzah only hopes he could be as good as the Fed on grass...not even in his wildest dreams...funny thing is that Fed wasn't TMF (I have very high standards, TMF requires that the opponent be playing out of their mind and still getting beat comprehensively, i.e. please see USO 07 4R against Lopez)...dude, was just being Roger...I'm aware I sound as arrogant as the Fed right now...lol

If you click on Lollipop's link up above to see the picture of Verdasco watching Laura Robson, be sure to read the comments people have added underneath

VC, no. That's not what I meant. Yeah, Fed's played much better in other tournaments. But '07 Fed in Wimbledon and USO, was still one scary sonofagun. Ground game may not have been the best, but he was serving lights out. I don't think Murray is at that level, or as good as Rafa circa '07. But, he doesn't need to be to win the tournament.