Category Archives: Grand Slams
No, And Never
Wimbledon, Final (2) Djokovic d. (1) Nadal, 6/4 6/1 1/6 6/3 The sport’s most prestigious title hung in the balance. Rafael Nadal’s inevitable and ferocious counterattack had delivered him the third set 6/1, and the looming questions became if and … Continue reading
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Definitive Moments
Wimbledon, Semifinals (1) Nadal d. (4) Murray (2) Djokovic d. (12) Tsonga I do not generally subscribe the idea of a single definitive turning point in tennis matches, and am slow to discuss any encounter in such terms. Fundamentally, the … Continue reading
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The More Things Stay The Same
Wimbledon, Semifinals The Final Four The Earth having made its way around the Sun precisely once since the Wimbledon semifinals were last contested, we may safely declare that a year has passed. And yet, in both senses, it seems we’ve … Continue reading
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Little Points Unnumbered
Wimbledon, Quarterfinals (12) Tsonga d. (3) Federer, 3/6 6/7 6/4 6/4 6/4 In previewing today’s quarterfinal between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Roger Federer, I suggested that the result would hinge on Federer’s assertiveness at the big moments. Would he go after … Continue reading
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Those Fabled Mole People
Time to finish my preview of the Wimbledon quarterfinals. High time. The first part can be found here. (3) Federer v (12) Tsonga Proving emphatically that there is momentum to be gained from a strong showing at Queens, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga … Continue reading
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Found Very Out
The central narrative of Wimbledon 2011 has thus far followed those players who aren’t of the top four, yet have progressed to the final eight. That the top four are there as well no longer merits a chapter apparently, although … Continue reading
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Varying Efficacy
Wimbledon, Third Round (Q) Tomic d. (5) Soderling, 6/1 6/4 7/5 My heartfelt determination to leave off writing about Bernard Tomic for a while has hit a snag, namely that by defeating Robin Soderling and moving through to the fourth … Continue reading
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The Future Thus Assured
Wimbledon, Second Round Tomic d. Andreev, 4/6 5/7 6/3 6/4 6/1 John Newcombe was back in full voice last night for the concluding sets of Bernard Tomic’s five-set win over Igor Andreev, a victory that has apparently saved Australian men’s … Continue reading
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The Paradox of Experience and Decline
Wimbledon, Second Round (5) Soderling d. Hewitt, 6/7 3/6 7/5 6/4 6/4 The choice of commentary, ultimately, came down to Greg Rusedski or John Newcombe. Who was less unbearable? On the one hand, Newcombe’s approach was neatly summed up by … Continue reading
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Expected Upsets
Wimbledon, Second Round If an upset is not unexpected, is it still an upset? If a defective seed tumbles in the forest, does anyone really give a toss? If that’s too philosophical: if Stanislas Wawrinka is handcarted out of Wimbledon … Continue reading
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