Grazing in the Grass - Wimbledon Day 2

by Savannah

There were two major upsets yesterday. On the men's side Fabio Fognini, took out the number eight seed Fernando Verdasco 7-6(9), 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-4.

Verdasco has played a very heavy schedule so far this year. It's very rare to see someone on the men's side use the Jelena Jankovic method of playing every tournament you can stand up and walk into but that seems to be what Fernando was trying to do. I hope Fernando takes the time to rest.

The other upset was perpetrated by Kaia Kanepi who beat women's sixth seed Samantha Stosur 6-4, 6-4. Everyone always giggles when one of the women, after winning a big tournament, pronounces herself the target of all the other women. Stosur, to my knowledge, has never said anything like this but it seems to me the pressure of expectations is getting to her. Maybe her game is more suited to the dirt than to grass. Like Verdasco a break at this time could be good for her.

Match News

There were three matches called due to darkness that will be played to completion today. American Vania King was giving veteran Daniela Hantuchova all she could handle yesterday. The women split sets with Hantuchova winning the first set 7-6(4) and King winning the second by the identical score.
In the second match Thiemo de Bakker heads into a fifth set with Santiago Giraldo after the two men each won two sets 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-3, 5-7.
In the third darkness delayed match Nicholas Mahut and John Isner will play a fifth set after each man won two sets. The line score is 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(7), 6-7(3).
There was no drama when the matches were called. The officials came out and said that there was no way a fifth set could be completed for the men or a third set for the ladies and stopped play. None of the players argued.

Xavier Malisse, gutted out a five set win over Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 4-6, 6-1. And yes the pun is intended.

For some reason a lot of otherwise reasonably sane people thought that Robert Kendrick of the United States was going to upset Jo-Wilfried Tsonga . Tsonga, who had to retire from his last match in Paris due to hip and back injuries seemed to literally be feeling no pain as he dispatched Kendrick 7-6(2), 7-6(6), 3-6 and 6-4.

Venus Williams and Serena Williams continued their quest to dominate doubles at the majors by winning their match 6-4 and 6-2 over the team of Julie Ditty and Renata Voracova minutes before play was called due to darkness.

The Fashion Parade

Nike presented, for our viewing pleasure, two views of top players in bolero jackets. Maria Sharapova, seen above wore hers over a dress that was very similar to a style she's worn before. I remember not liking it in its first incarnation but I like this version.

It makes her body look less angular and doesn't get into the way on court.

The other bolero jacket was worn by Serena Williams. It's nice to see the designers put time and effort into making sure the jacket and dress both fit Serena well.

Nice work.

Dear Stella, The dress is fug no matter what color it is. Regards, Savannah

Dear Aravane, Tennis is a hot, sweaty sport. Most outfits are designed to give the illusion that the player is cool, calm and collected out there despite sweating like a pig. There is a reason no one wears satin-like fabrics on court. If your intention is to raise your opponents body temperature ten degrees by just looking at you you're succeeding. If that is not your intention, the dress is simply fug. Of course the black and gold was worse but now we're at Wimbledon. Please consider the fans who are often sitting in the hot sun and don't need their temperatures raised anymore. Savannah