Wimbledon. Thank you Andy. It’s been an absolute blast.
Wimbledon, has also broken new ground by reaching the last 16 with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia. She’s the fourth American woman to reach the second week.
Daniel got it spot on the other day when he wrote about how Murray’s retirement makes us all keenly feel the passing of time. I was just starting out as a tennis reporter in 2004, when Murray won the US Open junior title; it was my first overseas grand slam as a journalist. It feels like a lifetime ago. And now Murray is departing, Roger Federer has already departed, Rafael Nadal is nearly departed, Djokovic is hanging on – and things will never quite be the same again.
It’s been an incredible era for tennis, and Murray can be so proud of the part he played in that, defying the odds against the three all-time greats through his sheer will to win, unwavering dedication and relentless work ethic. The sad irony is that his attritional style of play and desire to always hit one more shot than his opponent probably played a part in his body then breaking down. At least he’ll still get one final send-off at the Olympics in Paris next month.
Wimbledon before is looking in superb touch. She’ll face Anna Kalinskaya in the last 16 and, for me, is the favourite for the title going into the second week, just ahead of Coco Gauff, whom she could meet in the final.
Over on No 1 Court Rybakina is in the zone, leading 6-0, 4-1, and 30-40 on Wozniacki’s serve. Wozniacki is probably wishing right now that she hadn’t come out of retirement. But Rybakina – generously – throws in a rare error. Deuce. Advantage Rybakina. Wozniacki lets out a bit of frustration by battering a backhand down the line; that’ll have felt good. Deuce. Advantage Rybakina. Game Rybakina, when Wozniacki lobs long. Rybakina, the former champion, will serve for the match at 6-0, 5-1.
15-0, 30-0, 40-0, three set points to level up this match. Ace down the T. No messing about there.
Djokovic is looking stronger and stronger. 4-2 is quickly 5-2, and then he’s scenting blood on the Popyrin serve at 30-all. Popyrin edges to 40-30 but is soon pulled back to deuce. Popyrin survives the next two points to hold but Djokovic, in this mood, looks set to serve this set out.
But 40-30 turns into deuce, and advantage Popyrin turns into deuce too. And deuce becomes advantage Djokovic. Popyrin saves the break point and should go on to win the game at his advantage, but miscues. Deuce. Eventually Popyrin holds, but it’s Djokovic still with the break, leading 4-2 in the second, having lost the first 6-4.
The hugest of cheers on Centre Court – but it’s not for Djokovic or Popyrin – it’s for England’s victory of course. Ladies and gentlemen, quiet please. But they’re not calming down. Popyrin and Djokovic are smiling, they don’t seem to mind too much. They eventually resume at 30-all on the Popyrin serve, and the Australian shows real composure to recover from the interruption and slam down another serve …
At advantage in the next game, Djokovic delays his serve – he’s being distracted by the noise of those watching the penalty shoot-out around the grounds. And probably in the stands too. He’s brought back to deuce but soon returns to advantage. And holds for 4-1. And the phones are out in force at the changeover. Jessica Ennis-Hill has now snuck down to the front row of the Royal Box because it looks as if Jason Kenny has his phone hidden on his lap. They’re both caught out by the cameras.
Djokovic is in danger at break point down, 30-40, 1-1. An ace gets him to deuce. And a second-serve ace brings up advantage. Popyrin’s return is then long and Djokovic holds … before he picks off Popyrin with the pass to give himself two break points in the next game at 15-40. Popyrin goes for a one-two punch before coming to the net … but he makes a mess of the volley! Djokovic breaks for 3-1 in the second set – could this be a turning point?
Source: theguardian.com
