DAY TWO

HENMAN AND SANIA ADVANCE

Tim Henman took more than four hours and five sets to thwart the challenge of Carlos Moya. The first round match was spread over two days because of the rain. The final set alone lasted more than two hours. Henman used all his experience to advance to the second round. In his prime, he would have dispatched Moya in straight sets without breaking any sweat.

Sania Mirza scored a straight sets win over her Russian opponent only to face another Russian in the form of Nadia Petrova. In the only encounter between the two, Sania was the winner. But Wimbledon is a bigger event and Petrova is a far superior player.

DAY ONE

ANOTHER STEP FOR FEDERER

It was a rain-curtailed day at Wimbledon. The rains are part of the tradition at the famous grass courts. In the midst of all the rain delays and interruptions, one man took another step towards tennis immortality.

Roger Federer the reigning champion easily overcame the Russian, Gabashvili in straight sets. The champion needs to win another six matches to win a fifth straight trophy to equal the record of Bjorn Borg.

Andy Roddick has lost the last two finals to Federer and the American scored a straight sets win over his countryman. A former ladies champion. Martina Hingis also advanced to the third round, with a three set victory.

LAST ROUND OF HENMANIA?

I was browsing through www.wimbledon.org the official website for the premier grass court tennis event and for many, the greatest tennis tournament. I found a link about Tim Henman, the perennial British favourite at SW19.

Henman is now past his prime and despite his confidence, few would give the Brit a chance at this year’s championships. Henman had all the tools that one needs to have to win on grass. The serve though not big, still was good. The volleying was crisp. But time and again, Henman could not hold the famous trophy.

This, I believe, was due to the presence of a certain player named Pete Sampras. Henman was at his best when the American was also at his best. It is sad that Henman had to contend with arguably one of the best grass court players of all time. In another era, Henman and the British could have celebrated a victory.

This may be the last year of the Henmania.

NEW TECHNOLOGY AT WIMBLEDON

The AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club) has decided to introduce ‘hawk-eye’ in order to remove errors on part of the people who judge the lines. With this measure, players can now challenge the calls. After the US Open and the Australian Open, it is the turn of Wimbledon to accept the new technology.

Purists may not be too pleased with the advent of this technology. From the viewpoint of the viewers, there might not also be players to question any bad calls. Of course, the game does not have characters like John McEnroe now.

It is not the first time that new technology has been tried out at the famed grass courts of SW19. Since 1980 a machine called ‘Cyclops’ is being used to judge serves.

But technology cannot be completely relied upon. There have been instances of hawk-eye giving wring calls. Cyclops also beeps even when the serve has not taken place.

WIMBLEDON 2007

FEDERER IS THE FAVOURITE

The 2007 edition of Wimbledon is less than 24 hours away. The most intriguing question is regarding the fifth crown for the reigning champion, Roger Federer. If the Swiss manages to do it, he will equal the record of Bjorn Borg. Borg won the top prize in tennis for five years in a row. It is a special record, which eluded even the great Pete Sampras. With the French Open record of Borg matched by Nadal, and with the grass court ability of Federer, there is little to bet against the top seed.

However, Nadal advanced to the final in 2006, only to lose to Federer. That is not impossible and Federer has the clear edge on a surface that is not favoured by the Spaniard.

Justine Henin is given the top billing in the women’s side and she just won the Eastbourne event beating Amelie Mauresmo. Both are contenders and strong challenges are expected from the likes of Sharapova and Serena Williams.

Indian fans would like to see Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi do well but with different partners. Bhupathi is to team up with Sania Mirza for the mixed doubles event.
Speaking about Sania, the Hyderabadi is to partner Sahar Peer from Israel in the women’s doubles. Will this partnership elicit reactions from the moral police?