Tennis

[Vemsie]

Wow. Nadal was immense... when tested, which wasn't all that often unfortunately. I've never seen Federer so completely outclassed and bereft of form and ideas. It was sad to see, especially as it now seems pretty clear that he'll never conquer the French.

Indeed. It was almost painful to watch.

[Miner Willy]

I've been thinking about this year's Wimbledon, and we could have a real paper/scissors/stone effect with the top three. I know it'll be very close between the three of them, but on grass at this point in time I think you could make a decent case for the following:

- Federer to beat Djokovic

- Djokovic to beat Nadal

- Nadal to beat Federer

If that were the case, the title could be decided by which half of the draw Djokovic ends up in: if he's in Federer's half, Fed beats him in the semis but loses to Nadal in the final; if he's in Nadal's half, he beats Nadal in the semis, but loses to Fed in the final.

Obviously that's hugely simplistic, and there are a few others worth bearing in mind, but the top three is just such an interesting scenario right now, especially in terms of their differing styles and how they play against each other. Federer's dip is disappointing, but you can't fault the drama.

[utopastac]

I don't know if he'll have recovered in time, but I think good old All American Andy Roddick is going to be a real Dark horse this year at Wimbledon. I think Federer will go out in the Semis, he's entirely lost his aura of invincibility - everyone is having a go. And then, on grass, there really aren't that many people who're better than Roddick. I only ever go to the grass court events (I used to live in Queens Club Gardens so got tickets there. Boooo moving house) and (other than Federer) i've never seen anyone more impressive than A-Rod.

[Miner Willy]

I don't know if he'll have recovered in time, but I think good old All American Andy Roddick is going to be a real Dark horse this year at Wimbledon. I think Federer will go out in the Semis, he's entirely lost his aura of invincibility - everyone is having a go. And then, on grass, there really aren't that many people who're better than Roddick. I only ever go to the grass court events (I used to live in Queens Club Gardens so got tickets there. Boooo moving house) and (other than Federer) i've never seen anyone more impressive than A-Rod.

Roddick's a dark horse for sure, but I don't think he can win it because the big three have all-round games that are just that bit better than his. When he's serving really well he's pretty much unbrakeable (see his hard court win against Federer a few months back), but it's a lot harder to do that for three sets than just two.

Even if he's not playing well, I don't see anyone beating Federer on grass apart from Nadal or Djokovic, so if Djokovic ends up in the other half a final appearance is pretty much assured.

I'd love to go to Queen's. I've tried to get tickets a few times, but never managed it. Still, can't complain: I have tickets for three days at Wimbledon this year.

[utopastac]

I'd love to go to Queen's. I've tried to get tickets a few times, but never managed it. Still, can't complain: I have tickets for three days at Wimbledon this year.

For the first time in ages I don't have any tickets for either.

I think Roddick in the final would make a more interesting spectacle than the others. I've always though he's made the most of a rather limited game, and plays with an intensity rather like Nadal's on clay. I have a soft spot for him, I guess, and I'd love to see him play Nadal in the final. The 3rd set yesterday was an embarrassment, i'd hate to see that again. It really seemed like Federer was sulking by that point, Nadal certainly didn't do anything particularly special in the 3rd.

One thing is for certain, Nadal certainly puts our Andy Murray to shame. I hate watching him. He's such a whiner, intensely dislikeable.

[Miner Willy]

I think Roddick in the final would make a more interesting spectacle than the others. I've always though he's made the most of a rather limited game, and plays with an intensity rather like Nadal's on clay. I have a soft spot for him, I guess, and I'd love to see him play Nadal in the final. The 3rd set yesterday was an embarrassment, i'd hate to see that again. It really seemed like Federer was sulking by that point, Nadal certainly didn't do anything particularly special in the 3rd.

I really like Roddick too. He seems like a genuinely down to earth guy, and I also think he's worked hard without having bundles of talent compared to some of the others (although a 150mph serve probably helps a bit ).

I don't think Federer would get demolished by Nadal on grass. He might lose, but it would be a decent match whichever way it went. Nadal's game is getting better on the other surfaces, but he can't hurt people in the same way as on clay, because he can't defend so effectively, and because the forehand doesn't kick up so viciously. I also don't think it's a certainty Nadal will reach the final anyway: I think Djokovic would have a great chance against Nadal on grass, so if they're in the same half it'll be very interesting.

[utopastac]

(although a 150mph serve probably helps a bit ).

I guess, really, this is why I like him so much. There are few shots in sport more impressive in the flesh than his serve (and Roger's forehand). I always thought a cross between Roddick and Rafter would have been an awesome combination; one all class, the other all power.

[Miner Willy]

Well, the draw is done and the big news is that Djokovic ended up in Federer's half - I expect giving a huge boost to Nadal.

Nadal has to be the favourite now: given Djokovic's placing it's extremely likely that he'll reach the final, and based on his ridiculously good performance at Queen's you'd have to assume that he would beat Djoko should they meet in the final. However, if Federer reaches the final it could be amazing: he could arrive either knackered from an epic semi, or on top of the world and full of renewed confidence if he's given Djoko a beating.

As a Federer fan I'd have preferred to see Djokovic in the bottom half, but I think this makes for the most exciting tournament. It could be epic.

Murray is in Nadal's half, and has an interesting first round match against Santorro.

What a tournament this should be. Can't wait.

[utopastac]

Well, the draw is done and the big news is that Djokovic ended up in Federer's half - I expect giving a huge boost to Nadal.

Nadal has to be the favourite now: given Djokovic's placing it's extremely likely that he'll reach the final, and based on his ridiculously good performance at Queen's you'd have to assume that he would beat Djoko should they meet in the final. However, if Federer reaches the final it could be amazing: he could arrive either knackered from an epic semi, or on top of the world and full of renewed confidence if he's given Djoko a beating.

As a Federer fan I'd have preferred to see Djokovic in the bottom half, but I think this makes for the most exciting tournament. It could be epic.

Murray is in Nadal's half, and has an interesting first round match against Santorro.

What a tournament this should be. Can't wait.

Murray is probably the least likeable sportsman in the world, I hope he gets knocked out early.

I think Djokovic will beat Roger, if he gets that far. Nadal was awesome at Queens, but certainly not un-beatable. I think he struggled against the bigger servers (Karlovic) and could come undone against a real grass-court specialist, maybe even someone out of form like Ancic or Hewitt? It's kind of a shame that only Roger really exists now as a real grass court player, I miss Rafter.

I'd really like to see Roddick play well still. He peaked a bit early at Queens and his serve let him down in the end - I don't think the others would find it easy against him if he was really pumped up.

[Miner Willy]

I have no doubt that Federer will reach the semis, and I think I'd have him as favourite to beat Djokovic. Djoko still doesn't move too well on grass, and I think a lot of people are forgetting just how amazing Federer is on the surface because of the year he's had. I'd have him as favourite to beat Djokovic, and perhaps evens to beat Nadal... but one after another? Ouch.

Nadal could conceivably lose early if he meets the right opponent (he's had epic five setters early on in each of the past two Wimbledons, as I recall), and perhaps that's Djokovic/Federer's best chance of winning - but while a good server or volleyer on top of his game could cause him trouble (like Mahut* at Queen's last year), I just can't see it happening over five sets, because he's just getting better and better.

* There's a grass court specialist for you, by the way. He's great to watch. But yes, Rafter in his prime was wonderful.

[utopastac]

I have no doubt that Federer will reach the semis, and I think I'd have him as favourite to beat Djokovic.

Sorry, I meant that if Djokovic gets that far then he'll beat Federer. Federer will certainly be in the semis. Federer is still definitely the better player, but people aren't lying down and accepting defeat quite like they used to anymore.

[Miner Willy]

Sorry, I meant that if Djokovic gets that far then he'll beat Federer. Federer will certainly be in the semis. Federer is still definitely the better player, but people aren't lying down and accepting default quite like they used to anymore.

Ah, got you.

I'd still argue Federer's the favourite should they meet in the semis though. Djokovic has been undoubtedly the best player on hard courts this year, but Federer beat him (on clay) the last time they met a few months back, and I'm just not convinced Djoko moves well enough on grass - and we all know about his occasional fitness issues (plus he looked exhausted after just two sets Vs Nadal last weekend). I'm wondering if a fairly tired Djokovic will turn up for the semi - he might not find he has too easy a passage there, with the likes of Safin (2nd round), Wawrinka, Baghdatis, Karlovic & Nalbandian in his quarter. By contrast, Federer has Monfils, Ancic, Berdych, Gonzales & Hewitt to potentially worry about, but I'll be surprised if he drops more than a set or two en route to the semi.

Nadal's definitely got the easier route though, so will probably turn up on finals day looking like he's been on the beach for two weeks. Maybe Gasquet or Murray could cause him problems, but otherwise his quarter is pretty clear. The third quarter looks very lacking in genuine threats, so Nadal should meet (err, beat) either Roddick or perhaps Davydenko in the semi.

If only it were so straight forward! But what a pair of semis that would be: Federer Vs Djokovic, and Nadal Vs Roddick. Hmm.

[utopastac]

Nadal's definitely got the easier route though, so will probably turn up on finals day looking like he's been on the beach for two weeks. Maybe Gasquet or Murray could cause him problems, but otherwise his quarter is pretty clear. The third quarter looks very lacking in genuine threats, so Nadal should meet (err, beat) either Roddick or perhaps Davydenko in the semi.

Federer's definitely got the better chance of winning, for sure. I didn't realise Djokovic had such a tough draw. The other half is totally empty!

Despite my dislike for Murray, I kind of hope he beats Nadal, only to then go and lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 to some no mark in the next round so I can hear him complain about his fitness, the umpires and how young he still is.

[Peter Hitchens]

I have a question about Hawkeye. I assume I'm wrong, but it seems to me there's an obvious flaw with it... and for some reason I've never heard anyone (i.e. commentators) discuss it.

The thing is that when they show a Hawkeye replay, they always show a circle on the ground which is exactly the same size each time - the size of the circumference of a tennis ball, presumably. Now, unless someone can show me a selection of super-slo-mo shots that prove otherwise, I can't believe that when a ball bounces, it actually depresses its shape sufficiently to touch an area the full circumference of a tennis ball. It would normally be a smaller area, and usually not a circle... depending on the angle, power and spin on the ball. So while Hawkeye probably makes the right judgement MOST of the time; on any close call it would be hopelessly inaccurate: any of the ones where Hawkeye shows it as only just catching the line probably didn't really touch the line.

Why am I wrong?

[JubJubBird]

Without looking into the specifics, a tennis ball is probably soft enough to compress on contact with the ground so that it produces a fairly large footprint, especially in comparison to a cricket ball. If I remember rightly hawkeye shows a sort of elongated eclipse rather than a perfect circle so this might be already taken into consideration.

I also seem to remember that hawkeye has an average error of 5%, which seems quite high to me but probably a lot better than a line judge.

[Andross]

In the Federer match today, the commentators mentioned that Hawkeye's error margin is 2mm.

[Avuncular]

[Salsa Party Animal]

Are there any video clip of this Ivanovic playing in High Def anywhere to see what she is like and check out PQ. As I don't have Freesat HD or Sky HD yet.

[Miner Willy]

Wow - what a pic. Funnily enough there was a rather large crowd watching her warm up on the outside courts yesterday morning.

Great day at Wimbledon yesterday: nice atmosphere for the start of the championships, awesome weather, and a decent line-up for us on court 2.

[marcus]

Im hoping Tamira Paszek can overcome her 1-set deficit today

[Bluetooth]

Does anyone actually watch the women matches for the tennis, and not the frilly skirts/tight bodies?

[Anne Summers]

Has tennis only attracted 5 pages of posting in the last two years? I thought English was considered a Great British Game we all loved. Or is it losing popularity? Personally I have always considered tennis as something of a twat's sport - played by twats (McEnroe, Becker, Sampras, Henman...) and watched by twats.

[Avuncular]

Does anyone actually watch the women matches for the tennis, and not the frilly skirts/tight bodies?

Me. There really aren't that many attractive women that play professional tennis.

[SteveH]

So what errm, were errm the BBC thinking errm, taking on Henman errm, as a errm commentator, when he errm, can't string errm, more than 2 words errm, together errm, without errm, errming all the fucking errming time.

[marcus]

Me. There really aren't that many attractive women that play professional tennis.

Agreed, but theres something about that outfit on a (actually) fit young girl

Not trying to sound TOO perverted or anything..

[the_debaser]

Yup, I'm definitely gay for Ivanovic.

[Bluetooth]

Just Do It.

[Miner Willy]

I thought it was a remarkably assured performance from Murray yesterday, all things considered. Great match to watch too - Santoro is just superb fun.

Looking at his quarter, I really don't see Murray failing to set up a fourth round encounter with Gasquet, and I think he would have a decent chance of beating him. That would surely set up a monster quarter final Vs Nadal, and although Nadal is clearly the favourite, I think Murray has the game (or specifically the backhand) to trouble him on grass - especially with a Wimbledon crowd behind him. What a match that would be. I still remember their epic 4th round at the 2007 Aus Open - one of the best tennis matches in years.

[Miner Willy]

Fucking hell. Safin is two sets up on Djokovic. I expected him to give Djokovic a real test, but this is something else. I'd love to see Safin win - he's an awesome player, and a total nut job to boot.

[utopastac]

Djokovic was awful in the first match as well, but he's been really bad in this game. I love Safin.