Game on...

...in Wimbledon!
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by PAM


It's been a while, and I need to really do this!  I need to write about Wimbledon 2017, especially that so much drama has been unfolding.  It wasn't even quarterfinals yet, and Rafa Nadal has been ousted already... and it was in 4.5-hr five-set epic of a match with Gilles Muller.  My heart went to Rafa... seriously.  And yet, I'm very happy for Gilles Muller.  He did fight a good fight at SW19, but it wasn't so much his tennis as his resolve to win that was absolutely impressive.  What with Rafa, who just snatched an unprecedented 10th title at Roland Garros, on the other side of the net?  Rafa Nadal was looking and moving imperious on court - looking absolutely unbeatable.  Muller really packed a steel of nerve in his mental game, and just fired away.  He was rewarded in the end... but to the dismay of the multitude of Nadal fans who watched their idol walk out of Center Court in defeat at the end of the match, and it was only the Round of 16.

Gilles Muller was eventually beaten by Marin Cilic in the Quarter-final.  And then, one by one, the 'big four' bowed out.  The defending champion, Andy Murray, fell in the hands of Sam Querrey in another

Garbine Muguruza: A new ladies tennis superstar is born...
and she took on both Williams sisters in the 'big courts'.

five-set slug-fest in their QF match.  A few minutes later, Novak Djokovic retired from an elbow injury after losing the first set on a tie break and the first two games in the second set to Tomas Berdych in their own QF.  That left Roger Federer as the only 'survivor' of the 'big four' into the semi-finals after beating Milos Raonic in straight-set.

Yesterday was the big Semi-final matches between RF and Berdych, and between Cilic and Querrey.  RF beat Berdych in a straight-set while Cilic was given a run for his money by Querrey in a four-set thriller.  These leave the Gentlemen's Championship match to be truly special with RF on the verge of making history with a record-breaking eighth win at Wimbledon, and 19th Grand Slam titles overall to his name.  On the other hand, Marin Cilic could be the first player in fifteen years to win Wimbledon outside the formidable 'big four' in Men's tennis. So much is at stake... so much to look forward to.  Game on!

But, today, the spotlight is on the women.  The really charming, Garbine Muguruza of Spain, set up a championship clash with five-time Wimbledon winner, Venus Williams. Garbi, the 2016 Roland Garros winner, clashed with Serena Williams at SW19 two years ago, and she finished as a runner-up to the mighty Serena.  Now, with Serena on leave, Venus was dominating the All England Club among the ladies.  But, Garbi was unstoppable today... she walloped Venus, big time, 7-5, 6-0, and snatched her first Venus Rosewater Dish.  She carried her trophy as if it was meant for her... one would think that she was born for this... to be a Champion at Wimbledon. And, what a beautiful champ she is, too! 🎾🏆

Congrats, Garbi! 🎊

Here's a piece of that adorable Spanish charm...

"...once I go to a big court, I feel good.  I feel like that's where I wanna be.
That's where I practice for. That's where I play good."

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the Wimbledon video link.
Photo credit:  The photo was snapped on tv screen during the live coverage of Ladies Championship match in Wimbledon by Fox Sports via Skycable - thanks.

***

And Andy grabs the big green one...

...for the 'first time'.
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by PAM

It must have been truly special for Andy Murray, as he hugged the Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles Championship trophy to himself, after beating Milos Raonic from Canada in this year's championship in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2) at the All England Club.  

The temperamental Scot was absolutely emotional from the time he raised his hands in victory, more so when he received his trophy.  One would think it was his first time to win the championships when, in truth, it was his second time.  The first time he won in

To win the second time is sweet, one can cry.

Wimbledon was three years ago, in 2013 - against the Number One player in the world, Novak Djokovic.  The year before that, he was runner-up to Roger Federer, who collected his 7th Wimbledon title to equal the record set by Pete Sampras in 2000.  Prior to this, Murray and Federer clashed at SW19 for the 2012 Summer Olympics where the Scot emerged on top of the Swiss Maestro to win his Olympic gold for Great Britain. It was a big win for Andy, and for Team GB, too.  But the man and the country remained wanting for more, hungry for more, thirsty for the 'big green one', the one that belonged to the British soil.  Both finally quenched their thirst when, after 77 years, Murray won their first Wimbledon - and from a back-breaking, nail-biting terribly exciting of a contest with the 'iron man' himself, the World #1, who was perceived by many then as utterly unbeatable.  That year, Murray took the Wimbledon title as the reigning Olympics gold medalist - only the second tennis male player to do so in the open era, after Rafael Nadal.  Now, he is the first male tennis player in the Open Era to win SW19 twice as the reigning Olympics gold medalist.  

In 2013, when he collected his first Wimbledon championship trophy, it was for his

country, and only a little bit for himself.  UK had waited long enough to see a Brit win in

Dave Cameron, the outgoing Brit PM, took the jeering with humor.

the most revered tennis court in the world.  Before seeing Murray win in 2013, the whole nation would usually express their 'eloquent disappointment' whenever he came up short within mere inches from the trophy... and it drove him over the edge, making him not just temperamental and moody, but utterly sulky.  His self-doubt was almost tangible, palpable, always muttering to himself on court at every error - forced or unforced... and the whole tennis world grieved with him, while the Brit crowd expressed how unforgiving they can be.  Such is the terrible cruelty of the British public when their lofty expectations are not met.  Andy knows this, that was why he felt compelled to sort of defend the outgoing British Prime Minister, David Cameron, when he was jeered at by Brit fans when Andy acknowledged his presence. 

But, yes, in 2013, UK's #1 son in tennis finally delivered the goods: he won Wimbledon for the 'first time'... and it heralded a national celebration that freed Murray from the 'obligation' to win any more.

Therefore, when lady luck favored the Scot to get a hold of the Wimbledon trophy once again, he hugged it to himself - this time, he won it for himself.  This one he will keep as his, and his alone.  This one he will actually enjoy, and the taste of victory in garnering it he will savor with true gusto.  And we all rejoice with him - nuts of tennis fans that we all are!

Congrats, Andy!  Enjoy your victory... you so deserve it!

***
Photo credit: The photos are a screen captures I took from the live telecast by Fox Sport - thanks.

***

QOTD

QOTD #4
======================================================
by PAM

Following the alleged racist abuse by the Chelsea FC captain and former English National Team captain, John Terry, on Anton Ferdinand of QPR during a heated argument on the pitch in their London derby sometime back, England (and the world) was forced to ponder the stark contrast between the implication of JT's trial at the Westminster Magistrates' Court last Monday to English Football, and the beautiful game, as a whole, and the glorious Roger Federer-Andy Murray Wimbledon Gentlemen's Final at the SW19 Centre Court the day before and its implication to the Gentlemen's sport:    

"The Wimbledon men's final is a perfect distillation of the human qualities that come our way packaged as sport."

          - Paul Hayward
            The Telegraph, UK

Fairly accurate statement indeed
Federer and Murray: hurrah for gallantry!about last Sunday's Centre Court action and the emotional trophies presentation ceremony that followed.  Needless to say, I couldn't agree more... Federer and Murray played the "gentlemen's sport" and accepted their prizes exactly the way tennis should be played and the way classy players should behave after the match - as true gentlemen!  It makes one think... and believes that, wow, gallantry is alive and well, and it isn't just wishful thinking either!  Really heartwarming... precisely why tennis is a worthy sport to follow.  

And yes, I agree with most of the criticisms on English football as well.  It really is unfortunate how
JT, on the wrong
side of history.the beautiful game and the incredible talent of most men playing it is marred by the behavior of a few players so obsessed with self-importance and macho mentality, which can push them into the dangerous grounds of disrespect and racism.  Then again, it's probably because many greedy people, including women (shallow, gold-digging WAGs et al.), join malicious forces to corrupt these men. Tsk!  At the end of the day though, with all that glory and with all that mind-boggling compensation that could easily bailout a financially strapped nation just to recognize their exceptional talents, they should be intelligent, or at very least, grateful, enough to know what is good, idiotic... and beyond idiotic! Gah!  

Even the Spanish football, specifically on the arrival of José Mourinho at Real Madrid, had been suffering from a similar problem, specifically during those El Clásico matches.  Good thing Vicente del Bosque was able to
La Roja: hopeful cheers for the beautiful game.unite the National Team into a cohesive force that wanted to play football the way it should be played - beautifully.  With their undisputed success and joyful display of camaraderie and teamwork on the pitch (and out of it, too) despite previous bitter competition in their National League, the present Spanish side is now arguably the best National Team ever assembled.  Hopefully, Roy Hodgson would find the same success in the English National Team because Englisb football and those who believe in the game deserve as much.   

***

"The Return of the King"...

...of grass!  Talk about adrenaline rush! ======================================================= 
by PAM


Aah, what a fortnight that was!  The great players in this era of men's tennis created yet another good story, worthy of mention in the tennis history book's golden pages.
The All England Club Cup and
Roger Federer - perfect match!  I know I asked for adrenaline rush, and forced it via The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King but, hey, I didn't realize that went with a bonus - an adrenaline flood straight from the Centre Court of SW19!


I know, this took a while... being a Roger Federer fan (nevermind that I've been turned off by his less than carefully-thought-of, bordering Jose Mourinho sounding, remarks on his talents and other guys' on a number of occasions), this should have come flying right after Andy Murray sent a forehand wide to hand RF the championship point at the Gentlemen's singles final match at The Championships at Wimbledon 2012.  But moments like this deserve to be savored thoroughly... not by talking about it, but by watching, and re-watching... and re-watching again the whole match! :)  Not that am writing about the highlights of the match, 'cause I'm not! :)  I love tennis... and RF, but I have "real life" concerns to afford enjoying life... too much. :)


***
Contrasting emotions... all for the love of the game


After seeing the winning point slip into the money bag to complete a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 victory, the Swiss Maestro fell on the ground in tears - tears of joy.  The "King of Grass" is back... and he
"...the world number one doesn't get gifted
to you...."rolled in one spectacular ride to victory once again - playing brilliantly as if it was 2003-2007 again!  How fantastic that at the end of this fortnight, and two years of ups and downs (mostly downs, actually), RF, in front of his twin daughters, wife and parents, won his record-tying (with Pete Sampras) 7th Wimbledon title, and extending his record Grand Slam wins to 17.  And he is back to the #1 spot in the ATP World ranking, too... just when almost everyone has already written him off as a 'has-been' in men's tennis!  Considering that he is almost 31 years old now, one of the oldest in this illustrious tennis generation that boasts of numerous twenty-something "men of steel", including the one he just beat at SW19's Centre Court, and the other one whom he deposed as Wimbledon Champion and #1 in the World, Novak Djokovic, that is one incredible feat! Too perfect of a story... it just doesn't get any better than this - no way!

I don't think there is anything else that RF fans could ask for from the King after this, nor do they need to keep standing up for Federer when the young "men of steel" in men's tennis make a comeback in the tour, or when a debate on who is the greatest to play the sport arises once again... we rest our case!


But why all these tears of sadness? Uhm, yeah... it's because the British #1, Andy Murray, remains #1... but only to the British, not the world. Will he "conquer
"I'm getting closer...."the world" - ever? On June 8, in SW19, he was the #1... the Champion's #1 challenger that is. But after four gruelling sets, he was the unsuccessful challenger once again, the second fiddler, the one who didn't win... the one who was left to wait another time.  


It really breaks the heart. But he did behave like a winner, which is totally admirable.  Holding back justified tears, he reminded himself, and a dejected nation, in good humor, that hey, he is "getting closer" to the coveted prize. That cheered everyone up... myself included. :)  How he could still summon humor at the most emotional moment of his tennis career so far tells that Murray's "good guy" image is not just an image, really.  This guy is for real! He then congratulated the victor - his conqueror, throwing in humor here and there again as he did, and then thanked his supporters wholeheartedly.  Everyone can tell that every word of gratitude was from the heart because when emotions became too overpowering to be held back, everyone saw a glimpse of his badly broken heart... tears did finally fall.  And the whole tennis world's heart broke, too.  Oy, Andy!  :( 


Such is the beauty of men's tennis these days. Everytime the final in a Grand Slam is played, too many things, on both sides of the net, are at stake. Usually, it's a claim to a
Left? Right? History waited to unfold
either way.glorious place in the history of the sport, sometimes it's to conquer one's weaknesses and finally lift the coveted prize, or lift the prize again on an opportune time. And in rare but truly meaningful moments, what's at stake is a matter of pride. Many times, Murray fought to conquer his personal weaknesses, to break through that massive wall of undisputed greatness in the sport that he loves.  But on the 8th of July 2012, he fought for sheer pride... for the nation he represents, for the nation that wholeheartedly believed in him and in his capacity to re-write the history of the sport in their favor, for the nation whose aching longing for victory of one of their own on their own turf he carried on his shoulders.  Sadly, they would have to wait another time... and with the majestic showing of RF in their Centre Court, outshining their lad, they could hardly complain either.  


One thing is for sure though, after that emotionally draining moment at the Centre Court of SW19, and after giving the man who spells greatness in men's tennis a royal run for his money, the whole tennis world will be rallying behind Andy Murray... next time around!  Gofer it, Andy, ya can do it!


***
Gone too soon...


As for FBC, I sent her away to a "Retreat".  She needs to find herself... 'cause imagine calling tennis "boring"?  Gah!  That was a totally misguided view... considering that she enjoys playing badminton where they don't even use balls! Madre mia!  =)  She'll come around.


***
Photo credits:  All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!

Ballin' siege

by FBC 

Just got the "key" here, yeah!  


So, while PAM is spending time figuring out how "to be busy" again, lemme take over the tennis and footie business around here.  Nope, I wasn't recruited from the outer space or something.  In fact, I'm from this world, only I hang more often in the ballin' wavelength, where PAM is a frequent visitor.  I just thought I'd volunteer to take note of important tennis and footie events 'cause our old girl will be busy getting back to the "healthy lane" over the next couple of months or so... and cruise down the "busy highway", uh, sooner than the planned one-year hiatus methinks.  Who was she kiddin' anyway?  Her spirit is "too round" to stop rollin'... for a year!  That simply isn't possible... not unless Cristiano Ronaldo stopped running the turf like a high-heeled diva - 'cause that'd be the day. ;) Oops... hey, that was close!  Aw, c'mon CR7 fans, touchy much?  Put away all the rotten tomatoes, will ya? Geez....  


***
About the ball business now


I meant to write about Serena Williams's Wimbledon 102-ace triumph, a record in Wimbledon, but that might not be a good way to start the tennis writing takeover 'round here.  So, I'll just go over it quick, afraid that if I lingered around the topic longer than necessary, I'd write things that would forfeit my accepted volunteering here.  


After getting rid of the defending champion, Petra Kvitová of the Czech Republic, the mighty Serena fired something like 24 aces, a record in one match, to erase the name of the a-month-ago-former-#1-but-now-#1-in-the-World-again Viktoria Azarenka in the ladies' draw during their boring-than-boring semi-final 
Killer serve... "anti-tennis"?match.  Seriously, they should set an "Aces Quota" in the Grand Slams!  While great service game usually adds to the "sweet tension" during tight matches when summoned during key points, it can take away the excitement in the match, too, when it is the "only reliable" weapon an aspiring champion carried with him/her to the court.  Why do you think Andy Roddick had been tucked away in the forget-him trunk by most tennis fans, regardless of Jimmy Connors in his box as coach?  It's annoying how his big serve ruins his matches!  Variety is what tennis fans look for.  Variety of shots is what makes this, let's face it, otherwise boring sport exciting (oops, PAM is going to fire me on this, I'm afraid.).  Relying on big service throughout the match is equivalent to "parking the bus", "anti-football" über defensive football tactic.    


Serena's final match with Agnieszka Radwanska was predictable.  And that doesn't mean that the first Polish woman to reach the final in in a Grand Slam since 1939, Radwanska, didn't 
Better luck next time. have the requisite talent to be in the final because she did... maybe a bit short in all departments to be considered a promising Champion in the same realm as Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert... okay, make that SHORT - for now, at least!  But, hey, three different women hold the other three Grand Slam trophies presently!  And the World #1 spot in the Women's ranking had been swapped four times already since January.  Let's face it, everybody had a shot at the "big prize" at SW19.  But, and that's a big fat BUT, the result of the final match was predictable because everyone knew that when Williams starts getting the service game going, she is unstoppable.  The game of the mildly sick Radwanska collapsed predictably easily in the first set, but she returned with a vengeance in the second set when Williams decided to try to play lawn tennis.  In the third set, on Williams's serve at 1 set all and 2-1 to Radwanska, the American hit four blistering aces in 47 seconds, leveling at 2-2.  Radwanska stared into space after that.  Like the whole world, she knew how that final was going to end.  


And it did end with Williams raising her fifth Venus Rosewater Dish over her head.  It was her 14th 
The reverse was simply hard
to imagine.Grand Slam title, too - the third biggest Grand Slam title haul in women's tennis in the Open era.  At 30 years, and after an embarrassing first round exit at Roland Garros less than a month ago, that was indeed a great achievement.  However, it is also true that trophies only tell half of the story.  Of course, with the media, at Williams's own cue, playing the from-sick-bed-a-year- ago-to-SW19-story-of-triumph, that worked really wonderfully, too.  Serena did charm the world with her reply to the "is 30 the new 20" question: "Well, gosh, of course - hello!"  That was too cute, sister! :)


Uh-oh, just when PAM was beginning to embrace the Maria Sharapova women's tennis reign, and trying to convince herself that Azarenka can be humble and "acceptable", too (nevermind her just-look-away fashion sense, e.g. the Rocky look she sported on her way into the court with Serena in the semi-final match), Serena Williams is just gettin' started.  You go, sister!  Oh, and good luck, old girl! ;)


***        
Photo credits:  All photos were grabbed at the Zimbio website - thanks, guys!
   

June 28, 2012...

...what was wrong with you??? ====================================================================
by PAM


The morning after....

Now, it feels like I floated blindly through one of the most "anomalous" days of tennis and football yesterday! Now, watching BBC's Sport Today in bed, I still ask myself... what the heck happened???  ;) Uhm, ahem... sorry, please excuse my language. It's just that it really feels strange how these catastrophes came like an unexpected avalanche. :/

***
Wait, weren't they supposed to "fire at will"? 

First, Mario Balotelli took Italy to the Euro 2012 final with a brace of goals in a "whoa-whaaat" semi-final match with Germany in Warsaw, Poland! Yes, yes, and yes, sir... to THE EURO
The explosively brilliant German "young guns"...
...gunned down in Poland - by the Italian "Mafia".2012 FINAL!!  And, yes, AGAINST GERMANY, too!  Yeah, that team that was captained by Philipp Lahm and which had Mesut Özil, Mario Gomez (yeah, the real "super" one), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Nauer, the toast of World Cup 2010, Thomas Müller, and a host of other incredibly talented young players. Yes, them, who are Europe's hotshot young players... who have played their way into the semi-final round like they were on their way to winning the EURO 2012!  Their performance yesterday was lacking in coherence and depth against Italy's solid defense and aggressive attacks with very defined purpose... plus the "veteran" goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, was a "beast" out there! 

I am mightily disappointed by the outcome because I really like that 'breath of fresh air' that these German boys generate on the pitch, I do love the way they play... just like I would've loved seeing them going through to the final in South Africa in 2010... if only the draws were worked differently, and they weren't up against Spain in the semis.   Uhm, ahem... perdón, "Mama España", I didn't mean to sound like I wasn't rooting for you because I was then, and I am now! And will do again in 2014! :) I just thought it would be fantastic to see Germany's exciting "young guns" playing Spain's tasty blend of "fine wine" and "new brew" at the Euro.  I was imagining getting "sweetly intoxicated"! :) And without the "Lionel Messi factor" this time, make that a truly, unadulterated European "intoxication" right
La Furia Roja de Mama España - European Champs...
...still the side to beat!there!  Who else could give you that these days but Spain and Germany, whose pool of talents in their own Leagues are of high concentration of talents from their own countries - the best of them all?  But, apparently, Joachim Loew had a real reason for feeling stressed out all the time... and I thought he was "over acting" a bit considering what a talented team he's managing!  These boys seem to be a bit prone to panic when stared down by the 'big guys' with passionate purpose... I still find it disturbing how Manuel Nauer stood immobile when Balotteli & Co. was gunning for an Italian goal   Aaargh...  Or... it's as simple as a case of Italy remaining to be a massively strong pillar of European (and world) football despite the tumultuous sea of controversies that their National Team had to navigate a couple of months before travelling to Poland and Ukraine, which is very good, too.      

SW19 "tragedy": Big Four - 1

Aaargh...
==================================================
Philipina A. Marcelo


And so, Roger Federer did it again! *sigh* Yeah... he messed with our minds again, and it's so not funny! No! Especially not in Wimbledon, no! Grrrr...

I'm mad! I'm not happy! I want to scream... especially that RF has not
Uh, yeah, that's right... think
about it all, RF!been screaming after letting the live-wire Frenchman, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, snatch victory from him after a 2 sets to love "almost victory"... yeah, almost, just almost! And that's all that it will ever be! Ugh! Losing to Rafael Nadal in the could've-gone-the-other-way final at Roland Garros, while disappointing, was forgivable. But in Wimbledon... it's a different story altogether! I don't understand... how, how, and how? How could a legendary grass champion go two sets up and in control of most of the third set against a player he'd beaten four times in their five previous meetings only to lose in the end... and in the quarter final where he arrived dropping only one set, too? It's unthinkable! Yes, that's what it is - unthinkable! Incredible, illogical, unbelievable! I'm mad - so, so mad!

No, I am not trying to diminish the brilliance with which Tsonga played to dig himself out of the two-set hole in which RF buried him at the beginning of the match. The Frenchman played with a single mind - to win the match regardless
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, flying high! of the legend on the other side of the net! He didn't stop giving himself chances even when the numbers on the score board were damning, to say the least! In the end, he managed to turn the table around... and prevailed! It was heroic, fantastic, admirable! And yet, what RF fan could take all this without feeling cheated, betrayed... abandoned in the hope of seeing the great champ re-write history once again in the most legible and beautiful strokes that only he could ever do??? Aaaargh...

OK, I know, I'm not being fair... I'm being a terrible bully. I'm sure RF does not enjoy losing, too. But that's exactly the point, he doesn't have to! *sigh* I think I need time... away from my precious tennis
The Centre Court of the All England Club, the most
hallowed ground of tennis where the very best and
legendary Champions emerge.world for a while! This is too hurtful. It is! And it is unbelievable that the terrible hurting was caused by the tennis champion who, I will always believe, is the very best to walk the earth - even now when I thought he did some terribly disappointing thing out there in SW19 - letting it all slip away as if the "love and lust" for tennis of half of the tennis world did not depend on him holding on... in his favorite court of all places - the same court most tennis fans consider the most revered of all courts in the universe! Aaaargh... No one, just no one, should step onto the Centre Court of Wimbledon - and all the hallowed grounds of SW19, for that matter - without winning in his/her mind - seriously! Ugh, Roger! *sigh* :(

***
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!

Bits and pieces, and some tasty chunks of Wimbledon

The heat is on in SW19!
====================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


And so, the courts at SW19 sizzled as the remaining 16 men and 16 women in whites battled one another to book their places in the quarter-finals of the 125th Championships at Wimbledon. Most matches were heart-thumping... and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wowified the audience in the Centre Court, too. Oy! :)

***
World No. 1 beaten by a fiery little one

So, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships was not going to be "the one" for the
Wozniacki, not again.World No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki - yet again. She was ousted by the "little lady" from Slovakia, Dominika Cibulkova in their Round of 16 match. Wozniacki, in her usual less than modest attire and interestingly lacquered nails, was out in Court No. 2 with her boringly predictable game... what else? *sigh* She took the first set... but Cibulkova decided to inject some excitement into their match with fiery shots - good for her! - and took the second set in a tie break. At 1 set all and 5 games all in the third set, on Wozniacki’s serve, 0-40,
Cibulkova, fantastic win!Wozniacki moved Cibulkova around and then hit an overhead, which Cibulkova had no hope of saving. There was an emphatic “oh” from the crowd... but no appreciative clap! :) At that point, there was no denying who the crowd was supporting. I know I also gasped with an “oh”... in my disappointment – I would’ve wanted Cibulkova to have caught it! :) But the "little one" went on to break Wozniacki and then took the match on her serve, 1-6, 7(7)-6(5), 7-5. Brilliant! :)

***
An Aussie in the House!

So, the teenager from the Land Down Under, Bernard Tomic,
Bernard Tomic, hot!who sent Robin Soderling packing from the third round, got rid of the tough Belgian, Xavier Malisse, in a straight sets win. He booked a big place in a quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic, who put away the Frenchman, Michael Llodra, in their own Round of 16 match - nothing spectacular, just routine win for The Djoker. Tomic, on the other hand, looked sharp. And the teenager seemed to be having fun - and it was nice to see. :)

***
Sisters, over and out!

Venus Williams was totally murdered by Tsavetana Pironkova in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3. Williams was moving like she needed help to get her through the match... from whom? If she was expecting a helping hand from her defending Champ little sister, tough luck for her because, unfortunately, Serena Williams, was already out of the Championships as Venus struggled in the Centre Court. Serena was walloped by the Frenchwoman Marion Bartolli in straight sets, 6-3, 7(8)-6(6).

***
La guerra en SW19!

There was a WAR in the Centre Court, and it’s between the defending Champ Rafael Nadal and the 22-year old 2009 US Open Champ Juan Martin del Potro! The two men started out taking the Centre Court
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge... wow!crowd, which included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to a tense atmosphere right away! Big points were played from the beginning, and even bigger serves were issued from the racquets of the two power hitters! Rafa showed off surprising volleys, which are brilliant, too. Both men were dissipating the tension by taking a long time in-between points (both averaging 26 sec). At 4-4 on Rafa’s serve and at 15-0, the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos, warned him for exceeding the max 25 sec in-between points service time, and the Majorcan warrior was, of course, pissed... and protested heatedly. His annoyance was not helped by del Potro’s reminding the umpire about taking a point from Nadal, which made the defending champ fumed... and he retaliated with an ace! WAR!!

At 5-5 and 30-30 on Rafa’s serve in the first set, a HUGE point was played won by del Potro – break point for del Potro, which sent the crowd surging to an appreciative clap! And then, Nadal regrouped... an awesome passing
Rafa Nadal, needed more than just brilliance
to go through... he had to "sacrifice" a foot. :(shot here, a hot volley there, and he moved on to 6-5! On del Potro’s serve... the big Argentine was moving slow and tentative, even if he won the first point – via a fantastic winner! Nadal retaliated with a brilliant passing shot! Wow! And then they went seesaw on points – fantastic point, each time... del Potro held, 6-6! And then Nadal, typically, called for a trainer... his left ankle hurt (or foot, was it?) – from a big point he played, which happened to be a game point. Of course! Haven’t we seen this before in his third round match with Gilles Muller... and in many other occasions in the past? That's just the way he plays - he kills himself. Tsk! Del Potro protested the game delay, which was reasonable as far as rules were concerned. Hey, the Matador is defending his crown here, let’s be patient, OK? :) The tie break was painful to watch as Rafa Nadal pushed his left ankle (or was it his foot?) to severe punishments, del Potro going ahead 3-0. Oh, dear... But del Potro has been making unforced errors... 3-3 – shame! At 5-5, Nadal missed a forehand, and he grimaced in pain – around his ankle and the way he couldn’t control the ball via impaired ankle. Oh, gosh.... And then, Nadal powered his shots through the complacent Argentine... and took the set, 7(7)-6(5)! Vamos!

The second set was a display of brilliance from the two men - too awesome! And then, at 4-3 for Del Potro on Rafa's serve, something big happened: a break of serve - first in the match! Del Potro howled! And
Juan Martin del Potro, the big
and hard-hitting Argentine is a
formidable competitor. then he went on to win the set with a fantastic serve-and-volley and a great dropshot - awesome! :)

Nadal opened the third set... more fiery shots! At 2-2, on Nadal's serve, he double-faulted! Just an indication of the killer heat in Centre Court... and then he returned with a beautifully set game, finished with a smash and an applaud from del Potro! Next point, del Potro went down, holding on to the side of his stomach... and a trainer was called in - 15-minute injury break. The game resumed... both men held serves. Nadal shaking head over how long del Potro taking time in between points - so, the Matador met his match, huh? ;) They slugged it out, both holding serves... and took the third set of their WAR to a tie break - once again! Rafa won it... vamos!

After more than three hours, the drama continued in the fourth set... both men holding serves at 2-2. And then, at 30-40 on del Potro's serve, the Argentine served and followed up with a half-hearted shot, which Nadal punished to a terrific winner - break of serve!! And then there were brilliant rallies and mini-rallies - too good! Holding serve, the Argentine brought the set to 5-4 in favor of Nadal... and on Nadal's serve, the epic war ended with the defending Champ claiming a spectacular victory! Whew!

***
El Maestro was pushed... and he pushed back - hard!

There is no way one could ever discount the do-or-die Russian player, Mikhail Youzhny. And now that he is in-form, his middle name might
El Maestro, into the
quarter-finals.as well have been the celebratory "C'mon"... regardless of the legendary Roger Federer on the other side of the net at Court No. 1! :) The Russian pushed hard, taking the Swiss Maestro to tie break in the first set of their match where the determined Russian prevailed. But RF was not going to be derailed... he pushed back and claimed the second and third sets. Youzhny hanged on to dear life in the third set... but RF prevailed. The Russian proving his staying power at 5-3 in the fourth set to RF, and 15-40 on Youzhny's serve, the Russian climbed his way up to survival for a deuce and then going up before RF bringing the game back to deuce... and then a repeat of the deuce-and-then-up before the Russian double faulted - back to deuce! Another Russian double fault gave RF a matchpoint, which he completed to a win! El Maestro is through to the quarter-final - nice! :) He will face the on-a-roll Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who earlier put away David Ferrer in their own fourth round match. Oh... :(

***
Sweet bits of grass delight

Sabine Lisicki, the wild card who downed the 2011 Roland Garros Champ from China, Li Na, in the second round, lived up to expectations. She moved on to the quater-finals to face Serena Williams' conqueror, Marion Bartoli. Maria Sharapova, who has been looking quite good, screamed (and incredibly and super-annoyingly loudly, too! Dang!)her way to the quarter-finals against Shuai Peng of China. She will face the fiery "little one", Cibulkova. I heard that Andy Murray was through to the quarters, having downed Richard Gasquet in straight sets with Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the audience... okay, fine. Didn't see him though. Tomas Berdych was routed by the American, Mardy Fish, in a surprising less than stellar performance by the Czech... then again, maybe Fish just played stellar!

Can't wait for the quarter-finals! Uhmm... of course there's (huge) work to do though!

***
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio websites - thanks.

All-day Monday...

...because I'm back in the grind!
=====================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Once again, doing that thing I (usually) do (for a living) with enjoyment, acute fascination, and severe passion...

...and yet, I wish there was time to write about Wimbledon... the fantastic way by which Roger Federer ousted old nemesis,
El Maestro, through to
the Round of 16.David Nalbandian of Argentina, from the Championships in SW19... the nerve-wracking way by which the defending Champ Rafa Nadal had to dig deep to push through to the Round of 16 via a hard-fought straight sets victory over Gilles Muller in their two-day rain-delayed third-round match... the way 2010 Roland Garros Champ Francesca Schiavone was sent out of the Championships by the unseeded Austrian, Tamira Paszek, in an epic third-round battle (3-6, 6-4, 11-9) that showed off their very best grass tennis - truly engaging! The way the hard-hitting Argentine warrior Juan Martin del Potro just barely edged off the brilliant Frenchman Gilles Simon last Friday, 7(10)-6(8), 7(7)-6(5), 7-5, to book a place opposite Rafa Nadal in a Round of 16 WAR today... the distasteful way by which Novak Djokovic
An "ugly win" for Novak Djokovic
in a beautiful third round
showing by Marcos Baghdatis.lost his cool (as in his old, immature days) while he figured out a way to prevail over the upbeat and crowd favorite Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis, who pushed the annoyed Serb to an exciting four-set duel... how the #5 in the World Robin Soderling ran out of gas to manage another escape from the fiery attacks of yet another Aussie, Bernard Tomic, and exited the Championships disappointingly... the same goes in the case of the lady who has been attempting a return to the Top 10 limelight, Ana Ivanovic.

Oh, well...

***

Red hot in white on green...

...in the All England Club!
======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


There's serious work, of course... but there's also serious play - courtesy of Wimbledon!

Just three weeks after my Knights' successful negotiation with the "hooded one" for my "visa extension" in this "valley of tears", I'm just very thankful to be back in the swing of things at España Blvd. While I'm only about 70% fine, all at once, busy, busy, busy is the story of my life again... but I'm not complaining. After all, I imagine it's a (big) "clause" in the negotiation "agreement": I'd get an "extension", I'd use my time productively... not that I haven't been trying to do exactly that. But it's a fair enough "clause"... therefore, I'm just very happy to comply. :) However, no matter the level of "busyness", there's always time to enjoy the fabulous tennis on display at the 2011 Championships, Wimbledon. I have to make time... it's a part of the "negotiation", too, you know. ;)

***
First and second rounds roundabout...

So, the Big Four in men's tennis are once again parading their tennis hotness... with the other men close "behind them" making the "grass show" at SW19 all the more alluring. And yes, there had been a number of well-documented baring of chest and abs on court, too, among the beautiful men, which received a lot of ooohs and aaahs from the smitten crowd. :) And from the looks of it, unlike in football world, I don't think the officials of tennis are about to outlaw such acts. Uhmm, nah, not complaining - never! ;)

The first round was full of heart-stopping "scares". The defending
Rafa Nadal, having fun? Champion, Rafael Nadal, was broken in the first set by USA's Michael Russel in their first round match on Day 1, going down to 0-2. Of course, after that first round scare courtesy of John Isner in Roland Garros, this was kind of unbearable - emotionally unacceptable! I had to give up my lecture slides preparation for a bit to pay close attention. But the World No. 1 recovered fast, re-calibrated his game to beat the American, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. I was too tired to stay up all night on Day 3 to see him take care of another American, Ryan Sweeting, in the second round. But I had just enough viewing time to notice that while he still glared a lot on court like the hot Spanish Matador that he is, he had been more than generous in flashing his charming Mallorcan smile in the first and second rounds - sweet! Purr.... :)

Roger Federer walked into Centre Court for his first-round match with Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin with the "gentleman of distinction" swagger that only he can carry without looking in-your-face arrogant - I think it's called "elegance". He seemed very aware of the admiring smiles all around him, obviously still conveying their appreciation of his good run in Roland Garros... and hoping he'd exceed his performance in the City of Lights at the All
The Swiss Maestro, en concieto.England Club. The Swiss Maestro most graciously returned the open admiration with an awesome grass repertoire: beautiful full-body lift for right-on-the-tee serves, full-body twist in mid-air for a blistering forehand down the line, full stretch of the sexy chest with a twist of the torso and a graceful bending of the knees to issue a precise one-handed backhand, brilliantly executed serve-and-volley, graceful groundstrokes that earned breathtaking winners... too beautiful! Undeterred, Kukushkin pushed El Maestro to earn his swagger to a tie break in the first set... kinda scary. But RF was not about to be robbed of "his moment", and went on to beat the Kazakh, 7(7)-6(2), 6-4, 6-2. While I enjoyed the match... I felt there was a bit too much of the RF awagger though as he went deep into the match... and I'm not liking it too much. He'd better concentrate on his game more, I think. Then again, it's his opening match... he's allowed a little All England "grass flirting". :) He was more of his serene and focused self in his second round straight sets victory, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, over Adrian Mannarino of France, which was good. And he was fantastic to watch, of course! He will face the dangerous Argentine, David Nalbandian, in the third round. And the uphill climb begins....

No. 2 in the World Novak Djokovic has been winning clinically as he resumes his phenomenal 2011 run, suffering a hitch only from that
Novak Djokovic, look-at-me, look-at-me!derailment courtesy of RF in Roland Garros. He dismissed Jeremy Chardy of France via a convincing 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 win in no more than 80 minutes in the first round. He followed that up with another clinical straight sets win over Kevin Anderson of South Africa, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. He's living up to expectations, that's for sure. However, somewhat like RF, he's been walking with swagger, too. His is a bit overdone though... and there are some of those tell-tale signs of ego-swell with a "look-at-me, look-at-me" show on court that I can surely do without. As if the whole tennis planet's attention wasn't enough! Ugh! Then again, who am I to judge? Nobody, I guess... it's just that I prefer The Djoker in the brilliant Djokovic.

British Numero Uno, Andy Murray, scared the hell out of me in his first-round match with Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver. The
Andy Murray, British #1.
Aaaw-wooo... Scot looked red hot as he started his SW19 campaign... until he was broken, and lost the first set, 4-6! Into the second set, he was looking vulnerable - again! Dang! I had to make tea in the middle of the night to force butterflies in my stomach to settle down! But he prevailed... 6-3. And then, he realized that he had a "mission" to fulfill in SW19... he then gripped his racquet with a steel determination and downed the Spaniard, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-0! Of course, he growled in the end! Aawww-wooo! His second-round match with Tobias Kamke of Germany was less tense, winning it in straight sets... and I hope it stays like that for him for the rest of the tournament... except that he's in the same half of the draw as Rafa Nadal! Aaaawww...

Of course, I've been watching Robin Soderling, too. It scared me
Robin Soderling escapes!silly, too, to see him being pushed to four sets by the German, Philipp Petzschner, losing the third set, and going on a heart-stopping tie break in the fourth! He won, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7(7)-6(5). As if that wasn't enough, the Swede had to dig deep in his shots kit to prevail in his second-round confrontation with former No. 1 in the World and 2002 Wimbledon Champ, the Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in the second round. I was torn, of course, because I like both men! I was glad to see Hewitt finally broke through his bout with injuries and arrive
Lleyton Hewitt, nice try. healthy in SW19 this season... but I couldn't completely celebrate as I watched him kill Soderling's "programmed game" in the first and second sets! Hewitt, brought his champion caliber game to Soderling, displayed fantastic moves that shook Soderling some... and more! But the Swede re-grouped... concentrated in winning points - one at a time - to re-emerge from a two-set deficit to go even in the fourth. He barely edged the passionate Aussie in a heart-thumping five-set battle, 6(5)-7(7), 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Whew, too hot!

***
Bits and pieces of awesomeness...

Speaking of "scares", Roland Garros 2011 finalist and 2010 Champ, Italian Francesca Schiavone, made me sit up as she battled
Dokic & Schiavone, tight match!Australia's Jelena Dokic in a three-set first-round thriller! I couldn't make up my mind between the two ladies as I like Dokic, too. To be honest, I think the former Juniors World No. 1 Dokic was shooting the more outstanding winners - such a natural talent... but she looked rusty and "too heavy" to effect her former top caliber moves. She has been in and out of the tour due to various reasons... and it's a pity how her natural talents are being put to waste... I'm glad she's back, but Schiavone was too much of a wild force for her to tame. Maybe next time....

Of course, the big Argentine, Juan Martin del Potro, is making his presence felt once again with his booming shots! But I have been too busy to include his matches in my limited "relaxation time". Caught a few of his big shots though - whew, frightening! He just set up a third-round match-up with the brilliant Frenchman, Gilles Simon! Dang, how exciting is that! For sure, that's a must-see match... and it's going to be one of my priority matches in the third round! :)

Serena Williams has been moving beautifully on court. She's
Serena Williams, too good!playing a perfect game so far - fast, powerful shots, nicely put games for impressive winners. But then again, it's Serena. What else can be expected? She's too good, it's almost boring! Venus Williams, on the other hand, is painful to watch in her yet again trying-hard-to-wow outfit. Sorry, I know she's a great champ, and I like her personality... but that's exactly the point - she plays brilliant tennis, she doesn't have to try too hard to wow!

Ana Ivanovic is looking like she's on the right track... and I'm so
Ana Ivanovic, getting there.glad. I'd really like this former No. 1 in the World Serb to regain her great form and her Top 10 status. She's one of those great ambassadresses of tennis - very talented, and with a wonderful personality, too. She's through to the third round! Yaay! :)

The French Showman, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, once again wowed the crowd with his emphatic second round four-set win over Gregor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, 6(4)-7(7), 6-4, 6-4, 7(10)-6(8) - very exciting and emotionally charged match. Tomas Berdych is flying under the radar, gliding from one round to the other without hitches. I haven't seen David Ferrer in action, but he seem to be doing fine, playing the second round now with American, Ryan Harrison. I'm hoping to see Julia Goerges of Germany in action, too. She's through to the third round - good. I've yet to see Maria Sharapova's outfit... okay, and her, too. :) I'm not too excited to see Caroline Wozniacki in action though... could this be "the one" for her? I wish her luck... I'm serious! :)

***
And then the upsets...

While Robin Soderling marginally escaped a second round upset as Lleyton
Sabine Lisicki, sweet
victory!Hewitt faltered on critical points in their match, the 2011 French Open Champ, Li Na, was not as lucky. She was ousted by the wild card Sabine Lisicki of Germany in a truly fantastic second-round match that turned out to be the biggest upset so far! The 21-year old German had an answer to all the great shots thrown at her by China's No. 1. Li Na's usually unruffled faҫade was visibly shaken and in distress as the German assaulted her with big forehand shots send in winners and sprinted blindingly fast, covering the court easily, to save points! The high intensity of the match and her dramatic win, 3-6, 6-4, 8-6, sent Lisicki to her knees as she shook from tears of joy. Great match!

Seeded #13, Viktor Troicki of Serbia - the man who pushed Andy Murray to his limit in Roland Garros, was sent packing by Taipe's aggressive Yen-Shun Lu in a straight sets second round victory. Another high-quality match right there. #20 seed, Florian Meyer of Germany, suffered a second round ouster from the hands of unseeded Xavier Malisse of Belgium. Fernando Verdasco of Spain, a former Top 10 player and now seeded #21, exited in the second round after a four-set upset in the hands of Robin Haase of the Netherlands. Verdasco is slowly slipping down in the ranking - pity.


***
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!

Wimbledon!

"And the world makes sense again!" :)
======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Hmmm... as I prepare to go back to "serious work", it frustrates me that I can't seem to push my throat to high gear. :(

Good teaching is all about effective communication. It's about the art of stringing pieces of well-known information together in a fluid narrative, defined by coherence, punctuated by important concepts that are tossed in at the right places... to capture the students' interest, and build their confidence as they allow themselves to be led and go deep into the womb of the narrative. As the story is weaved, a few new things are thrown in here and there to titillate the students' curiosity, pieces of information are withheld in strategic places to challenge students to fill in the gaps... all the time building some suspense... until the students' curiousity is about to burst at the seams, aching to find out if their guesses and deductions were correct... and then you deliver the "punchline" - new pieces of information that fill some critical gaps in the narrative. As you watch the students' faces light up, you know you've accomplished the day's task. A big sigh of relief... and pleasure! :)

But all this has to do with the teacher's voice... and the manner by which the voice is maneuvered as the narrative slows down, takes sharp turns, speeds up, and rises to the climax of the lecture. My voice isn't 100% back yet... and I have difficulty maneuvering whatever "little voice" I have gained so far despite the great help I'm getting from my Knights. While I know that it's only been 18 days, and it's way too early to expect 100% recovery, I hate to disappoint my students. And so, I'm feeling blue... and the rain isn't helping either. :(

But it's June 20! It's the beginning of the Wimbledon Championships fortnight! It's the beginning of the most prestigious of them Grand Slams (at least, for me)... played on sentimental tennis fans' most revered surface, that one on which tennis was first played - grass! Hmmm... the world makes sense again! Yaaay!

***
Tennis hotness

So, it's game on over at the All England Club! O, ya! :)

And what's hot? It's the gentlemen's singles, of course! With the Top 4 men in the rankings filling out the big stage in the semi-finals at Roland Garros just two weeks ago, there is every reason to expect that the grass of Wimbledon is going to be a fierce hunting ground for silverwares in the next fortnight. Even the legendary grass court specialist, Pete Sampras, could not resist giving his take on the matter of the Wimbledon run of the "Big Four". Then again, which tennis fan could resist speculating?

After the excitement left by the Nadal-Federer championship in Roland Garros, the men's draw is expected to sizzle under the moody London
Rafa Nadal, the defending champ.clouds. Having captured his 10th "big one", and his sixth Coupe des Mousquetaires in the City of Lights to step on the same ledge of Clay Greatness with Bjorn Borg, No. 1 in the World and defending champ Rafael Nadal gets to SW19 once again with an air of invincibility about him. While the 25-year old Spanish Matador continues to downplay his phenomenal achievements, it would be foolish to doubt his capability and determination to defend his title - right down to the wire - as always!

Roger Federer - he who has the most number of "big ones" in the history of men's tennis - on the other hand, continues to baffle sports
Roger Federer, rendezvous
with history?analysts. With his unrelenting genius that sparked brilliantly again in Paris after less than impressive runs in Madrid and Rome, battling old rival Nadal in the final, he left many naysayers openmouthed - yet again - not knowing which stage to put him now in his brilliant career. Is he nearing the end? Did he just mount his second wave of men's tennis domination? Just like in 2003, when SW19 revealed its precious historical find in this sublime genius of Switzerland when the tennis world was hungry for one, the All England Club seems to possess the answer to these questions again. And, whatever the answer is, it's going to be totally fantastic to once again savour El Maestro's mesmerizing grass repertoire - that's for sure!

The ball of fire Novak Djokovic, who came to Roland Garros as the man to watch, threatening to snatch the #1 spot in men's ranking from Nadal, and poised to make history to become the man with the longest
Novak Djokovic, resuming an
exhilarating run.winning streak, fell short only in the semis in Roland Garros against the Swiss Maestro. But with his 41 string of straight wins in the 2011 season, before falling in the hands of Federer, the No. 2 in the World Serb was only one win short of equalling John McEnroe's record of 42. While The Djoker ran out of steam to complete a demolition mission in the City of Lights, he comes to SW19 with another lethal threat to edge Nadal from the #1 spot. And so, we await as he continues his exhilarating run this season at the All England Club... and quite trembling, too - in excitement!

And then there's that fine lad who continues to stand and run around the peripheries of Greatness, just behind Nadal, Djokovic and Federer - the British No. 1, Andy Murray. Hmmm... will the 2011 SW19 major stop be the MAJOR point in Murray's career? Thinking - deep - to
Andy Murray, the man with
a mission. answer this question gets me a little bit emotional, to be honest. Because, how many times... just how many times should one try, and just how hard, until the elusive goal finally surrenders to captivity? Like I said before, Andy Murray does not lack talent - that's for sure! His shots kit is comparable with the rest of the Big Four. He just needs a more compelling reason, a real meaningful one to propel him past those three in front of him... and finally win a Grand Slam! Perhaps, he shouldn't "chase" it... perhaps, he should strive to tame it instead, so it comes to him. And to tame it, he should believe - and stay faithful, like his Mum - that he can do it! That's how Federer and Nadal, and later Djokovic, did it. Andy Murray shouldn't think about the rank, or just how many world records does the guy on the other side of the net hold. He should focus on playing each point - on his term... and winning it, one by one. I really want to see him win a Grand Slam soon! How soon? Very soon!

So there. Four men... and many others (Robin Soderling, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych, Gilles Simon and Juan Martin del Potro just to name a few) - all oozing awesomeness! Whew! Sweet, so sweet, this Wimbledon affair!

***
My "grass money"

So, how am I playing my "grass money"? I'm putting it on the Swiss Maestro! All Big Four and their exciting reasons for winning are worth rooting for. And then, the "other men" who have made the runs of the Big Four some staggeringly perilous battles are also worth a second thought. But RF exceeded all expectations in Roland Garros two weeks ago, and clay is his least favorite surface. Grass is his favorite surface... and the grass of Wimbledon is special to him. Roger Federer, with all his genius and incredible talent, is a sentimental guy - he understands "special". With a seventh Wimbledon title, he'd tie Pete Sampras's record, and perhaps cement his hold on the record of the most number of Grand Slam titles in the history of men's tennis. That would give him a compelling claim on the Greatest of All Times... and a compelling reason to aim for victory in SW19. Now, if he could only forget about the "big one" in the meantime, and concentrate on winning every single point on court with steel resolve, it would be great. In any case, history beckons... and where else is most appropriate to re-write history but in the All England Club of Wimbledon?

***
Oh, and there's more...

As for the women's draw....

OK, history seemed to have closed its doors on the glamorous but inconsistent women of tennis these days. Aaah, if only Justine Henin was around, or Kim Clijsters was fit to compete, or Amelie Mauresmo was still interested to come to the party... wishful thinking.

Well, there's 2011 French Open champ Li Na - there, that's something... and Serena Williams is back - uhm, so? *yawn* Well, she's in the same quarter of the draw as Li Na - ok, sounds like fun. Admittedly, I'm interested to find out if Samantha Stosurs would finally conquer her nerves, rake up enough aggression and passion, to allow her talents to dominate her game instead. *sigh* Maria Sharapova is looking all-determined for some grassy affair-to-remember - loudly, I suppose... but I wonder how Nike's dressing her up for the occasion. *yawn* And, of course, there's the No. 1 in the World Caroline Wozniacki... that's it, I'm taking a nap! ;)

***
Photo credits: All photos, except the first one (mine), were grabbed from the Wimbledon website - thanks.