Stars on Monday 23rd!

 

Murray to retain his Grand Slam title?

I don't think Murray will progress pass the Semi Finals tbh - I think it's going to be a Nadal victory!

I would be surprised if Murray retained it. Being honest I'm backing Nadal for nearly every grand slam now, gotta beat Federer's slam total :D

 

Not sure what to expect from the women's side, it's so much more changeable than the men's. I suppose my ideal would be Venus (lol) or Serena but I'd be surprised if we didn't have a new champion and it's most likely Simona Halep.

I'd personally be surprised to see Nadal win, he wasn't massively better than Djokovic on his favoured clay courts, and Djokovic is definitely the stronger of the pair on grass courts. Nadal hasn't had a very good run up, straight out at Halle... although neither has Murray, yet I still have confidence in him.

 

It's a shame Djokovic and Murray are set to meet in the semis if everything goes to plan, but if I had to put money on anyone winning, it'd have to be Novak this time. Fingers crossed for Andy though!

This weekend has seemed so long probably because I know Wimbledon is starting at beginning of next week. I'm going to love having it back, no other tennis tournament excites me as much.

 

I have a feeling this year could well be Djokovic's as the next four seeds all seem like they have their problems. Not yet sure who I'll fully back this time but I'll at least have goodwill for Murray doing well again.

Watching the Djokovic match, I feel kinda sorry for Golubev - at least he got big cheers from the crowd after finally winning a game :lol:

Murray was just walking all over Goffin like that earlier too, but it's to be expected I guess.

 

It's been a decent first day.. nothing massively shocking yet though, I was a little surprised at Stephens going out first round after QFs last year but I guess that's just another example of the volatile womens' game and hardly the weirdest example - Verdasco's given us an equivalent in the men's already.

Delighted to see Venus back and winning at Wimbledon after so long! Had thought she had essentially retired due to illness and injury so I was pleasantly shocked to see her again. Always loved how laid-back she is.

 

Also, Dimitrov v Harrison was great for a first round match. Hope the former can really break through and do well in this tournament.

^ Totally agree with this about Dimitrov. I really like watching him, definitely one of my favourite players in the men's game. His match against Lopez at Queen's the other week was fantastic viewing, I think he could go far this year and we might well see Dimitrov vs Murray in the quarters.

My favourite player along with the British players of course, Sabine Lisicki, is on Centre Court now! :D

Cannot believe Azarenka is out already :o

The Djokovic match just now was very exciting, I was hoping the Czech could come back and win after being two sets down but he was putting up a great fight until the end.

The Djokovic match just now was very exciting, I was hoping the Czech could come back and win after being two sets down but he was putting up a great fight until the end.

 

Same! You could tell how much he wanted it. I at least wanted it to be five sets - it was thrilling to watch. Plus if Djokovic got knocked out, Murray would have a greater chance of being in the final. Ferrer is out, which has made Murray's Quarter Final opponent someone easier now.

Same! You could tell how much he wanted it. I at least wanted it to be five sets - it was thrilling to watch. Plus if Djokovic got knocked out, Murray would have a greater chance of being in the final. Ferrer is out, which has made Murray's Quarter Final opponent someone easier now.

 

Not necessarily - Ferrer is consistent but he's never really been a contender on grass. Dimitrov is now the projected QF for Murray and he just won at Queen's.

 

Stepanek is so fun to watch - really milks the drama, I think he got into Novak's head.

Sabine Lisicki is through to the third round! :cheer: Her next match is against Ana Ivanovic who is seeded higher so it's obviously going to be Sabine's toughest match yet.

Ivanovic and Lisicki are my two favourite women's players. :( Awful match-up for me so early. It'll be a must-watch, but I think Lisicki will take it if not super easily.

I have given up on supporting Lisicki honestly. Until she shows signs of progress OUTSIDE of grass I don't see much point supporting her. She'll always be a one tournament a year girl if she doesn't change.

Lisicki kind of reminds me of Dementieva - I could see her being a fairly regular fixture in Grand Slam quarters and semis (maybe the odd final) but never being able to finish it out. But maybe that's all because she looks a bit like her, I don't know :unsure:.

 

Anyone see any of the Gasquet/Kyorgis five setter? Kyorgis won after Gasquet had eight match points! Nerves of steel and impressively composed throughout. He's the youngest in the tournament at 19 and will definitely be one I'll be watching from now on.

Gasquet is always such a disappointment :( I love him, always wanted him to amount to more than he did. He is so bad at grand slams, too.

 

Really hope Isner can finish out his match (currently 7-6 7-6 3-4), it'll be his first time to make the third round at Wimbledon and I quite like him.

Incredible from Murray today, made Bautista-Agut, 27th seed, look like a very average player. I thought Djokovic would win it going into the tournament as Murray hasn't been in the best of form, but I see absolutely no reason why he can't win this again. He's playing so well again and I'm excited to see what he can do for the rest of the tournament.