Wimbledon 2015

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Hindrance from Serena there, surely?

smurfs5

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

He's useless. He still struggles with the difference between game, set and match. He has about 5 go to phrases that he could get away with when he was doing the highlights show but on commentary he's being exposed for the gormless fool he is.

Never heard him struggle to distinguish them. "gormless fool", really? You might think he's sexist after his Bartoli comments and a bit gaffe-prone. Many would agree. However, he's an exceptional broadcaster who is no worse than.most tennis commentators. Having watched him present ITV's French Open coverage, he clearly does have a decent knowledge of tennis and asks interesting questions. As much as I like Clare Balding, her level of questioning and knowledge of tennis is very shallow. Preferred Inverdale on the highlights show if I'm honest.

HeidiHeidi

smurfs5 wrote: »

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Never heard him struggle to distinguish them. "gormless fool", really? You might think he's sexist after his Bartoli and a bit gaffe-prone. Many would agree. However, he's an exceptional broadcaster who is no worse than.most tennis commentators. Having watched him present ITV's French Open coverage, he clearly does have a decent knowledge of tennis and asks interesting questions. As much as I like Clare Balding, her level of questioning and knowledge of tennis is very shallow. Preferred Inverdale on the highlights show if I'm honest.

Quoting system seems to have got a bit garbled there, not sure how it happened but I'd just like to clarify that I never called Inverdale a gormless fool :eek:

smurfs5

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Quoting system seems to have got a bit garbled there, not sure how it happened but I'd just like to clarify that I never called Inverdale a gormless fool :eek:

Oh I know you didn't. Apologies for making it look otherwise. Don't know what happened with the quote there. Wouldn't want to put words in your mouth :-)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

smurfs5 wrote: »

Quoting system seems to have got a bit garbled there, not sure how it happened but I'd just like to clarify that I never called Inverdale a gormless fool :eek:

I called him a gormless fool and I stand by it. The only person worse than him working for the BBC when it comes to tennis is Andrew Castle.

HeidiHeidi

Can't help feeling that Serena will just keep ratcheting it up.

Azarenka's first service game will be the teller - can't quote stats but her serve was looking flakier every game last set.

My money is on a break in her first service game - and game over.

HeidiHeidi

Hmmm, can't see Serena getting broken any time soon......

CFlat

Exciting stuff....

Rjd2

Dislike Serena, but she is so bloody clutch. Its hard to see she loses from here really, think that was probably her biggest threat today.

whiterebel

MikeSD wrote: »

The Monkey is just a negative, intolerable gobshyte.

Use the ignore feature, you'll find the threads fly by, especially if no one quotes their posts.

the_monkey

I wonder is Serena being pressured to do this ?
She looks absolutely miserable out there - even when she's winning - so horrible watching her play - she's just vulgar

the_monkey

whiterebel wrote: »

Use the ignore feature, you'll find the threads fly by, especially if no one quotes their posts.

All right all right leave it out

Aidric

walshb wrote: »

According to some the howling and screeching of the women is no different than the men and the noise they make.....

Forgive me if this has been discussed already but the noise from Azarenka seemed excessive. Is there a warning system in place against what could be construed as distracting levels of noise?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Aidric wrote: »

Forgive me if this has been discussed already but the noise from Azarenka seemed excessive. Is there a warning system in place against what could be construed as distracting levels of noise?

Are you genuinely asking this or trying to stir?

Very Bored

Didn't realise there was this thread. Think Serena is the best bet for the women's. Think men's is between Novak, Andy and Roger. I would make Federer the best bet of those three, he is quietly creeping through the rounds and playing very well. Would love to see him become the clear Wimbledon men's singles record holder. Djokovic came under serious threat in his last match and I think Murray may still be too prone to wobbling.

Don't understand why they are making such a fuss of Kyrigos to be honest. He seems a decent player but no more. His attitude stinks though, tanking that game yesterday was a disgrace and he owes a lot to the game of tennis after behaving like that.

One question, can someone more knowledgable about tennis than me explain why the mixed doubles always picks up the lowest prize money please?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Very Bored wrote: »

One question, can someone more knowledgable about tennis than me explain why the mixed doubles always picks up the lowest prize money please?

I assume because there's no real market for it. It doesn't exist outside of the Slams really. There'e not that many tournaments where the men and women both play at the same time and even the ones where they do they entry lists are smaller so there's no regular teams. There's nothing really to latch onto with it or to sell.

Very Bored

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I assume because there's no real market for it. It doesn't exist outside of the Slams really. There'e not that many tournaments where the men and women both play at the same time and even the ones where they do they entry lists are smaller so there's no regular teams. There's nothing really to latch onto with it or to sell.

Ah OK, thanks. I know that outside the slams the men and women rarely play in the same tournaments, I also knew the mixed doubles is rare. The logic never hit me though that that could be the reason, always seemed strange to me that the money was different from the other doubles.

RosyLily

Mattek-Sands & Safarova still in the hunt for the third leg of their doubles Grand Slam. In QF action tomorrow against Kop-Jones and Spears. Hope they win the whole thing!

Anyone make predictions for tomorrow's Men's QFs? Will the top 4 come through or will Cilic or Gasquet cause an upset??

Very Bored

RosyLily wrote: »

Mattek-Sands & Safarova still in the hunt for the third leg of their doubles Grand Slam. In QF action tomorrow against Kop-Jones and Spears. Hope they win the whole thing!

Anyone make predictions for tomorrow's Men's QFs? Will the top 4 come through or will Cilic or Gasquet cause an upset??

Think the four will come through handy enough.

Very Bored

This is possibly a stupid question, but if the prize money is lower and there is, seemingly, less prestige what attracts players to compete in the mixed doubles?

RosyLily

Very Bored wrote: »

This is possibly a stupid question, but if the prize money is lower and there is, seemingly, less prestige what attracts players to compete in the mixed doubles?

It's mostly the doubles specialists that play Mixed. Bethanie Mattek-Sands is probably one of the few that plays singles and doubles competitions. An opportunity to pick up some extra £££.

Very Bored

RosyLily wrote: »

It's mostly the doubles specialists that play Mixed. Bethanie Mattek-Sands is probably one of the few that plays singles and doubles competitions. An opportunity to pick up some extra £££.

Thanks. Seems a shame that's the only reason for playing it but I can understand the reasoning. Would love to know if there is a player who has won all the slams at singles, same-sex and mixed-sex doubles, even if someone has won them at all of two of the two sets.

I see Hingis is going well at Wimbledon in the Doubles. I think she never quite did quite as well at singles as she could have done given her talent. Nice to see her doing well, as she seems to be going well in general, at some form of competition.

RosyLily

Very Bored wrote: »

I see Hingis is going well at Wimbledon in the Doubles. I think she never quite did quite as well at singles as she could have done given her talent. Nice to see her doing well, as she seems to be going well in general, at some form of competition.

I wouldn't say that. 5 Majors in singles, 9 in doubles and 2 in mixed. 87 (I think) career titles in singles and doubles. Spent 209 weeks as #1. Hall of Famer.

Injuries may have hindered her career but it's not too shabby.

Rikand

Just on the possibility of the top 4 seeds getting through, when is the last time that all 4 top seeds got through to the semis of a grand slam tournament?

Bobsammy

Very Bored wrote: »

Thanks. Seems a shame that's the only reason for playing it but I can understand the reasoning. Would love to know if there is a player who has won all the slams at singles, same-sex and mixed-sex doubles, even if someone has won them at all of two of the two sets.

I see Hingis is going well at Wimbledon in the Doubles. I think she never quite did quite as well at singles as she could have done given her talent. Nice to see her doing well, as she seems to be going well in general, at some form of competition.

I think Martina Navratilova won all the grand slams in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Serena has won them all in singles and doubles as well as Olympic gold medals in both.

RosyLily

Rikand wrote: »

Just on the possibility of the top 4 seeds getting through, when is the last time that all 4 top seeds got through to the semis of a grand slam tournament?

2013 Aussie? Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Ferrer were the top 4 and made the SFs.

Very Bored

Bobsammy wrote: »

I think Martina Navratilova won all the grand slams in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Serena has won them all in singles and doubles as well as Olympic gold medals in both.

Correct, fair play. Thanks, its interesting to know. Always wonder though would Martina Navratilova, and indeed Steffi Graf, be as successful in the modern era when there are some very good female tennis players around.

Rikand

RosyLily wrote: »

2013 Aussie? Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Ferrer were the top 4 and made the SFs.

Didn't think it would be so recent. Cheers

MikeSD

Very Bored wrote: »

Thanks. Seems a shame that's the only reason for playing it but I can understand the reasoning. Would love to know if there is a player who has won all the slams at singles, same-sex and mixed-sex doubles, even if someone has won them at all of two of the two sets.

I see Hingis is going well at Wimbledon in the Doubles. I think she never quite did quite as well at singles as she could have done given her talent. Nice to see her doing well, as she seems to be going well in general, at some form of competition.

Margaret Court I think.

yerwanthere123

Finally up to speed. Didn't see the first set, but the Azarenka-Serena match was pretty thrilling for the most part today. It was incredible how Azarenka kept Serena pinned behind the baseline for so many of the rallies. Pity her form dipped and she let Serena back in, and of course when Serena's serve started firing in the third set there was no going back.

I still can't get over the fact that Muguruza is in a Wimbledon semi-final, but there you go. If Aga can play well and keep Muguruza on the move then she'll probably win. Aga's progress through the draw is reminding me a lot of Bartoli's 2013 run, where she was in horrible form all year and the draw gods clear the path for her. It's highly unlikely she'll achieve the same result as Bartoli, but it's nice to see her year revitalised nonetheless.

As for the Sharapova-Serena match on Thursday.... as long as it's more competitive than the Great Wimbledon Massacre of 2012 then I'll be happy

CassieManson

Very Bored wrote:

I see Hingis is going well at Wimbledon in the Doubles. I think she never quite did quite as well at singles as she could have done given her talent. Nice to see her doing well, as she seems to be going well in general, at some form of competition.

Very Bored wrote:

This is possibly a stupid question, but if the prize money is lower and there is, seemingly, less prestige what attracts players to compete in the mixed doubles?

Maybe for the chance to win a slam tournament? If you look at the attendance you will see that the mixed does not attract a lot of spectators.

loyatemu

Very Bored wrote: »

Always wonder though would Martina Navratilova, and indeed Steffi Graf, be as successful in the modern era when there are some very good female tennis players around.

they're 2 of the best of all time; of the current players only Serena is in their league.

fryup

Wicklow Brave wrote: »

I like Murray but I can't stand it when he starts effing and blinding when he is being outplayed and his opponent is clearly superior rather than when he himself is playing badly and making silly errors (then it is fair enough). Djokovic aswell is always at it, just shaking his head as if his opponent has no right to hit winners against him.

:rolleyes:

they're effing & blinding because they're angry with themselves

the_monkey

Djokovic Cilic could be another tough one for Nole, big servers ... he has a problem with ..

RosyLily

Rikand wrote: »

Didn't think it would be so recent. Cheers

Me either. I thought it would be when Nadal was in the top 4.

Looking forward to the QFs today!:)

walshb

The craziest fact of Wimbledon 2015? He has won all 58 of his service games, plus 49 from his victorious run in Halle. So, that’s 107 consecutive grass-court games unbroken.

Mousewar

He'll be broken today I reckon. Simon is a bad match up for him but I'd still expect him to win, especially as it's grass.

lostcat

Interesting (maybe) that all current slam holders are on the same side of the draw today....and at least one of them will be packing their bags..

CassieManson

lostcat wrote: »

Interesting (maybe) that all current slam holders are on the same side of the draw today....and at least one of them will be packing their bags..

Also interesting (I think) that none of the 2015 womens quarter-finalists made it to the Qr finals last year.

John.Icy

I wonder what the chances are of BBC and Setanta showing the same match again? They did Monday, both showed the Novak match in the evening so I missed out on Federer. BBC are obviously showing Murray. Really hope Setanta go with Federer/Simon, going to be a far better and closer match.

Really miss having the red button.

EDIT: Thank you Setanta!

Memnoch

Can't believe I'm actually rooting for Federer to win comfortably in three sets.

CassieManson

Memnoch wrote:

Can't believe I'm actually rooting for Federer to win comfortably in three sets.

Can't believe that the BBC are not showing the Murray match. It's on Setanta but not live.

John.Icy

CassieManson wrote: »

Can't believe that the BBC are not showing the Murray match. It's on Setanta but not live.

Rain delay! BBC are showing Murray, just showing the Federer one during the delay.

walshb

Roddick is a breath of fresh air. Sick of the old dinosaurs like Mac and Cash and Castle!

HeidiHeidi

walshb wrote: »

Roddick is a breath of fresh air. Sick of the old dinosaurs like Mac and Cash and Castle!

+100

Loving his contribution. Sue looks and sounds smitten!

Sever Tomorrow

Roddick is a great analyst.

walshb

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

+100

Loving his contribution. Sue looks and sounds smitten!

Their conversation and flow was so natural and sounded interesting.

WaterLily.

I love Andy Roddick, he is absolutely fantastic. It's just very interesting to hear what he has to say, he comes across so well and really knows what he's talking about. I have to say I still enjoy MacEnroe though! Have no time for Castle, he is very irritating and contributes virtually nothing.

I miss Boris though

CassieManson

John.Icy wrote:

Rain delay! BBC are showing Murray, just showing the Federer one during the delay.

Thanks for that. Switched on late and got confused. Should have known that the BBC would show Murray!

Hoping for a Murray Federer semi

John.Icy

Federer will need to keep this serving up. Simon's excellent defense is really starting to take hold in the longer rallies now and he's drawing plenty of errors out of Roger.

EDIT: Or not, Simon still not fully at the games.