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Post by iLuV_ARod_&_MaRaT on Jun 15, 2005 18:24:48 GMT 3
Oh God!!!just 5 days to go before wimbly!!!!
Cant wait to see marat play & andy too....
I just want to know, who do you think is the most strongest player in wimbledon?let's not base in the rankings or seedings....just an opinion.... ;D
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Post by annie on Jun 16, 2005 10:20:15 GMT 3
tough one iLuV.....but putting all feelings, rankings and Marat adoration aside...I think the champions this year will be the same as last year's
Federer and Sharapova
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Laney
Full Member
Posts: 326
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Post by Laney on Jun 16, 2005 11:26:28 GMT 3
I hope it's not gonna be Federer and Sharapova again, that would just be boring! (not too fond of either of them) I think on the women's side it's gonna be very tough for Maria to defend her title, she seemed to struggle quite a bit at Birmingham (although she did win it), but I think the competition on the women's side is so strong this year: Justine Henin is back, maybe Clijsters will be able to win her first GS, I'm hoping Serena's back in full form, and let's not forget about the Russian girls! I think we've got some great matches ahead of us to look forward to!
As for the men, is it just me, or does Federer seem to be struggling a bit? He's just not so dominant as he was last year, when he was almost invincible! I think some players seem to know his weaknesses and know how to take advantage of it. I'm really hoping Marat's gonna win, I know grass isn't supposed to be his best surface, but he did great playing Roger in Halle! If it had been a five setter, I'm not so sure Roger would have won in the end (or maybe that's just me being too hopeful)! Anyway, what a shock it would be if Marat won, especially after him saying how he doesn't like Wimbledon! Go Marat go!
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Post by annie on Jun 16, 2005 11:55:14 GMT 3
I agree laney..I would LOVE to see Marat win Wimby...I would probably fall off my chair laughing if he did....
Re: Federer..yeah, he's not as invincible...then again, he's a human being (even though sometimes I REALLY get a feeling he has a chip of some sort in him LOL) and he has his ups and downs. If there's gonna be a battle...it will be between Roger, Andy and Marat (if everything is OK with the mood and knee)
Re: Sharapova...totally agree....I have no idea why but I cannot force myself to like her even though she plays for my country...seriously, I don't know what it is about her but I just can't stand her....I would love to see Dementieva do well...but she's better on clay...you never know anyway. I like Justine a lot...hope she does well, too
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Post by Teresa on Jun 17, 2005 19:55:09 GMT 3
10 burning questions for Wimbledon
Dan C. Weil / Special to FOXSports.com
The tennis tour's grass-court season is short, lasting only five weeks. But it peaks with the world's most historically prestigious event — Wimbledon. The tournament at London's All England Club runs June 20-July 3. Grass courts highly reward athleticism, so it should be quite exciting. Here are 10 Burning Questions heading into the Big W.
1. Can Roger Federer pull a three-peat?
Yes, the Swiss wunderkind is a strong favorite to take the title for a third straight year. He has taken over from Pete Sampras, who won Wimbledon a record-sharing seven times, as king of the grass. Federer's game combines genius and serenity. He can play aggressively from the baseline, serve and volley and defend well when necessary. Last week, he won a Wimbledon tune-up tournament in Germany, giving him 29 straight match wins on grass. With that record and only three losses this year, Federer comes into the tournament with huge confidence and leaves the other players with doubt that they can beat him.
2. Can Maria Sharapova win again on the women's side?
Maria Sharapova is looking to capture her second consecutive Wimbledon title. (Sang Tan / Associated Press)
Yes, though she isn't the overwhelming favorite that Federer is. Last year, at age 17, she shocked the world by taking down Serena Williams in the final. The Russian native has backed it up since, rising to No. 2 in the world rankings. Her powerful serve and booming, flat groundstrokes put opponents on the defensive. She also keeps the ball low, which is very effective on grass. And Sharapova is a very feisty competitor. She won a Wimbledon tune-up event last week without playing her best tennis. So she comes to London with a lot of self-belief.
3. Can Andy Roddick challenge Federer for the crown?
Yes. Roddick has had his ups and downs over the past year. But the American gave Federer a strong run for his money in last year's Wimbledon final. And Roddick enters Wimbledon with some confidence of his own, winning a tune-up tournament in London last week for the third year in a row. The strengths of his game remain a huge serve and forehand. He has worked hard to improve his volley, though it's not always a pretty sight. Roddick would have an edge over almost everyone except Federer. But the world number one would have to slip in his level of play for Roddick to beat him.
4. Can Justine Henin-Hardenne win her first Wimbledon?
Yes. She is an equal favorite with Sharapova. Having just won the French Open, the Belgian has to feel good about her game. She has the most all-around ability on the women's side, which will serve her particularly well at Wimbledon. Her groundstrokes are strong and varied, and her movement is impressive. She can volley well when she is willing to come to the net and is perhaps the tour's most intense competitor. But she has suffered from a variety of injuries over the past year and isn't playing any Wimbledon tune-ups. So she may be a bit vulnerable.
5. Can Lleyton Hewitt threaten for the title?
Yes. But it's hard to know exactly what the feisty Australian will bring to the table. He won Wimbledon in 2002, with an aggressive baseline game. His retrieval skills are amazing, and he never gives up. But a cracked rib kept him out of the French Open, and he lost in the quarterfinals of a Wimbledon tune-up last week to hard-serving Ivo Karlovic. Hewitt plays with a chip on his shoulder, which hasn't always served him well the past couple years. And Federer has beaten him seven straight times.
6. Can Lindsay Davenport live up to her top seed?
That will be tough. The American won Wimbledon in 1999. But despite her No. 1 ranking, Davenport hasn't won a Grand Slam tournament since 2000. Her game certainly works well on grass. She possesses power-packed groundstrokes and a cannon serve. The issue with Davenport seems to be self-belief against the top players. When those matches start to turn against her, she often slumps her shoulders, puts an anguished look on her face and appears to give in to defeat. She'll have a tough time against the other top favorites.
7. Can Marat Safin have an impact?
Yes, but he faces a steep climb to win the tournament. Safin advanced to the finals of the Wimbledon tune-up in Germany last week, losing to Federer in a hard-fought match. The Russian has a strong game for grass, built around power with superb all-around skills. However, Safin is fighting a knee injury, and his fragile psyche is subject to frequent meltdowns. After losing in the first round of Wimbledon last year, he briefly suggested he wouldn't return. Still, he has a better attitude about it this year and beat Federer at the Australian Open in January.
8. Can the Williams sisters win again?
Yes, but they aren't the favorites like they once were, particularly Venus. Serena won Wimbledon in 2002-2003, and she took the Australian Open this year. But the victory down under was due more to force of will than scintillating tennis. Serena hasn't won a tournament since and skipped the French Open with a sprained ankle. Venus hasn't conquered a Grand Slam event in four years. Both sisters seem pre-occupied with outside interests, particularly fashion. But with their big-hitting games, if either Williams gets hot, she's a threat to win the whole thing. And Serena may have the confidence to get through big matches.
9. Can Rafael Nadal do damage?
Yes, but he's unlikely to win the tournament. The 19-year-old Spaniard was awesome in taking the French Open. He cares about performing well at Wimbledon, unlike some past French Open champs, and isn't afraid to volley. But Nadal's big swing on the forehand and extreme grip changes make grass a difficult surface, because the ball will come to him more quickly than on other surfaces. He lost in the first round of the Wimbledon tune-up in Germany last week. Nadal is vulnerable to big servers, though his speed, strokes and attitude could carry him to Wimbledon's second week.
10. Can Tim Henman finally win Wimbledon?
No, but you have to respect his effort. Nearly all of Britain seems to root hard for its native son, almost as if he can bring back the country's lost empire. Alas, he's never reached the final, though he has made it to at least the quarterfinals eight times. Henman has a beautiful athletic game, serving and volleying with panache. But at age 30, his time is running out. It would be a wonderful story for Tiger Tim to win, but fairy tales don't often come true.
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Post by iLuV_ARod_&_MaRaT on Jun 17, 2005 21:29:47 GMT 3
I hope it's not gonna be Federer and Sharapova again, that would just be boring! (not too fond of either of them) I think on the women's side it's gonna be very tough for Maria to defend her title, she seemed to struggle quite a bit at Birmingham (although she did win it), but I think the competition on the women's side is so strong this year: Justine Henin is back, maybe Clijsters will be able to win her first GS, I'm hoping Serena's back in full form, and let's not forget about the Russian girls! I think we've got some great matches ahead of us to look forward to! As for the men, is it just me, or does Federer seem to be struggling a bit? He's just not so dominant as he was last year, when he was almost invincible! I think some players seem to know his weaknesses and know how to take advantage of it. I'm really hoping Marat's gonna win, I know grass isn't supposed to be his best surface, but he did great playing Roger in Halle! If it had been a five setter, I'm not so sure Roger would have won in the end (or maybe that's just me being too hopeful)! Anyway, what a shock it would be if Marat won, especially after him saying how he doesn't like Wimbledon! Go Marat go! I actually think your damn right..... If those two win wimbledon....haha!!!not that interesting.... I really hope its eother Andy or Marat win wimbledon.... |
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Post by Jasmine on Jun 18, 2005 7:16:59 GMT 3
Just saw Ladies's draw from Wimby, seems that the media really want Sharapova for TV rating. Her querter looks very easy, com pare with Davenport and Henin.(Justine has Serena.) Hope she won't let the Wimby down for all their affort.
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Post by annie on Jun 20, 2005 10:43:21 GMT 3
ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jasmine...GOOD ONE!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by annie on Jun 20, 2005 16:39:59 GMT 3
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Myskina and Kouznetsova are through to the second round!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by annie on Jun 20, 2005 16:42:44 GMT 3
Hewitt - C. Rochus 6:3 6:3 6:1 Lleyton is through..no surprises there..yet  |
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Post by annie on Jun 20, 2005 17:05:52 GMT 3
Federer beat Matheu ..what's new?? LOL
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Post by Andrada on Jun 20, 2005 17:11:52 GMT 3
Federer beat Matheu ..what's new?? LOL U're right, Annie. That's the problem when Ferderer plays....NO surprises...  i mean,they are extremely rare...thank U, Marat   not taking any credit away from Nadal... he has his merits... |
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Post by annie on Jun 20, 2005 17:16:56 GMT 3
LOL Andrada, you're right |
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Post by Teresa on Jun 20, 2005 20:30:54 GMT 3
I loved the way they said "He's injured, He hates grass, but he is through to the second round and he was impressive" ;D |
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Tine
New Member
Posts: 36
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Post by Tine on Jun 20, 2005 23:36:53 GMT 3
Pim Pim is also in second round  |
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i mean,they are extremely rare...thank U, Marat 
not taking any credit away from Nadal... 