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Thursday 4 July 2013

Wimbledon womens semi final

Hi Tennis lovers,
                           Today saw the two Wimbledon's semi finals between Marion Bartoli of France and Kirsten Flipken from Belguim, and Agnieska Radwanska number 4 seed and the hero from the Williams match Sabine Lisicki.

Well the real final was right here in the semi, Lisicki won the first set 6-4 but having broke early in the second lost out 3-6 the third was deserving of the final Radwanska took a 3-0 and she looked to have the golden racket yet again, lead but Lisicki broke back and the game ebbed and flowed until at 7-7 the German broke the Polish player and then held serve for a fine win 9-7 in the final set, to take her place in the final. It was a magnificent match and had all the drama that this Wimbledon has produced. The only bad note was the hand shake at the end, Radwanska was not sporting in defeat there must be some history here or something that happened during the game that we simply didn't pick up.

As for Bartoli a previous finalist and it showed. She simply swept aside the attempts of Flipken, who could not reproduce her fantastic win against Kvitova she was out played out gunned and had no answer to the powerful yet predictable two handed approach of Bartoli. Who won 6-1 6-2.

The final, will we see Lisicki on her A game a little inconsistent but brave or the more predictable but consistant Bartoli win the crown. My only comment would be Lisicki has had her name on the trophy since her amazing win against Williams. But who can forecast any of these games in this wonderful torno?
O yay and then we have the little matter of the mens semis tomoz WOW

Until tomoz Enjoy..

Hawkeye 4030... for free coaching advice and help click here..tennis-coaching

Wednesday 3 July 2013

Wimbledon mens quarter finals

4 matches all filled with pressure and emotion, but of the four its the man BOOM BOOM Del Potro from Argentina that deserves the biggest praise. He not only came into the quarters carrying an injury he went over in the first game of the first set dust and grass all over his tennis-clothing, and looked to be out with a retirement through injury and playing against one of the best players in the world David Ferrer and they don't call him the wall for nothing.
Del Potro took the first and second set and just when it looked like Ferrer was going to turn it around in the tie break in the third set which would have put more pressure on Del Potro's injury but incredible Del Potro won it and therefore won in straight sets what an achievement in pure smash and grab tactics.
Djokovic looked a little uneasy in the first set he won on the tie break and then never looked back despite some fine play by Berdych including a 3-0 second set lead he could not maintain this on a consistant level Djokovic coming through in straight sets and he continues to look awesome.

The all Polish affair went the way of 24 seed and tall big hitter Janowicz in straight sets he was very emotional but deserves this semi final appearance.
Then there was our man Murray, well what a performance from the left hander Verdasco from Spain ranked 9 in Spain please explain why because he was awesome big hitting, risk taking and took the first 2 sets. Murray took the third in comfortable fashion but the fourth was a titanic struggle which Murray took. But still the Spaniard was on the front foot giving Murray the run around in the deciding set, but Murray got the break just at the right time and served for the match in a 5 setter that he turnaround.
Given these performances and I did expect these four to go through Murray is going to struggle against Janowicz, however in Murrays favour is the fact that emotions might just have taken their toll on the tall Polish player giving Murray the experience to go to the final but I'm not so sure.

Given the way that Djokovic is playing and Del Potro's injury there has to be only one winner here. But who knows.. John McEnroe today suggested that some of these players have moved to larger tennis-rackets and made the point that Roger Federer should do this to give him a stronger contact with the centre of the Racket interesting.
Enjoy the Ladies semi finals tomoz..For free coaching tips click here tennis-coaching

Hawkeye 4030..









Tuesday 2 July 2013

Wimbledon Womens Quarter Finals

And again more surprises, of the 4 quarter finals all the experts were reserved about predictions but the overall opinion was that the semi final line up would read; Li Na v Lisicki and Stephens v Kvitova and the results 1 out of 4 correct.

Li Na and Radwanska produced the tie of the round and one of the best of the tournament Li Na hard hitting and a solid all round game and Radwanska tactically very astute and clever with the choice of shots, somehow Li Na failed to win the first set despite 4 set points and a healthy lead in the tie break, worst still she hit an ace to win the set however it was called out and Li didn't challenge the call..WHAT speechless. Radwanska on the other hand had her first set point and converted it.
The Polish player was on the back foot but somehow managed to get ahead and although Li won the second set She failed in the third the 6-2 score did not do justice to Li as most games went on to deuce and more such a long and entertaining game of contrasting styles. Still do not know how Li did not win it!
The only match that went with pre match prediction was Lisicki v Kanepi, no hangover here for the German she looked great and loves playing here, she continues to enjoy each appearance winning 6-3 6-3.
The third match was 2011 winner Kvitova v Flipkens from Belguim, Kvitova was suffering from a virus but still produced solid Tennis and big serve and although she took the first set in a tight affair 6-4 the second set was equally tight Flipkens got the break for 6-3 and in the decider crucially Flipkens broke at the perfect time for a 5-4 lead and served out the game similar to the first quarter game the big server and big hitter came off second best to a smaller but gifted player Kipkens who used to have Steffi Graff as her hero and certainly tries to emulate her style very clever and well done after coming back from awful injury problems that saw her drop out of the top 300 in the women's game.   

Finally Bartoli came out a winner against Sloane Stephens, the American has a great future but was gunned down by again a different style of play Stephens slim athletic fast around the court. Bartoli  mainly two handed forehand and backhand with such a tight tennis-grip on the tennis-rackets won in 2 sets 6-4 7-5.
So the semis are Radwanska v Lisicki and Bartoli v Flipkens who would have thought it dare I say the Champion will come from the first game. I can but I would not put money on it not a penny or even my tennis-shoes! What do you think?
Mens tomoz well Enjoy

For Free Tennis Coaching click here tennis-coaching_

Hawkeye 4030







Monday 1 July 2013

Wimbledon day 7 The biggest shock yet!

WIZZ BANG WALLOP, Out goes Serena Williams what a game and what a performance from 23 seed Sabine Lisicki from Germany. Out manoeuvring Williams in the first set then going down 6-1 in the second and then 3-1 down and Williams had 40-15 to go 4-1 all over? well then it was 4-4 another break and Lisicki was serving for the match held her nerve and won. Despite the shocks of last week this was even bigger. In truth Lisicki a former semi finalist 2 years ago was one of the few left that had the big serve and love of grass to beat Williams, and she gave the performance of her life. No more slips from players today they must be wearing the right tennis-shoes after last week.

Sadly Laura Robson went out, had chances but showed inexperience in her game against Kanepi who remember just beat Brit Tara Moore in the first round. In the quarters its Lisicki v Kanepi, then a too close to call match between Radwanska and Li Na who is playing real good Tennis. In the second
half of the draw we have young star Sloane Stephens against French player Bartoli and previous Wimbledon champion Kvitova against the most unknown player Flipkins from Belguim. Who can predict any of these games let alone a winner at this years events. After what she did today Lisicki would be a deserved winner but this game could have drained her she has to play again tomorrow but its anyone's guess.
As an aside, I cant remember seeing as many Wilson tennis-rackets as I seen this year, great advert for them.

Murray made it and now has Vardasco from Spain, as did Djkovic who now faces the dangerous and previous finalist Thomas Berdych in the quarters Del Potro looked outstanding today and will have a very close match against Ferrer in the quarters, and finally the all Poland tie sees the giant Janowicz against Kubot.
Well its taking shape but it has to be one of the most open Wimbledon for years. Day 8 will have all the women back for the quarters, no rest for them, just hope it hasn't taken too much out of Lisicki in that epic struggle today.
Enjoy
Hawkeye4030
 





   

Sunday 30 June 2013

Wimbledon day 6

Phew, half way there in this great torno, and after a fine Saturday what a week it has been. Yes Laura Robson did it she reached the last 16 and goes into week 2 with Andy Murray and becomes the first female Brit since Sam Smith15 years ago.
What a game she looked down and out having lost the first set 6-1 and with her opponent serving for the match at 5-3, an incredible turnaround fast unfolded. Laura won 8 games on the trot to win the second set and take a 4-0 lead in the final set only to gives us more heart skips before winning 6-3. Brill performance. Williams won through easy enough and with the winner from 2 years ago Kvitova still there in the other side of the draw she really looks the only one who could beat Williams. Radwanska (4 seed) and Li Na (6 seed) are the other two with experience and ability still in it.
Well done Sloan Stephens she is still there as well.
In the men's Ferrer won through in a tough 5 setter, Janowcz the 6ft 8ins polish player looks set to meet Murray in the semi and looks a real test for our man, while Bernard Tomic unseded showed his ability with a fine win over seeded Gasquet from France.
Djokovic once again made it look easy and a special mention to Del Potro who is playing some fine tennis he had a straight sets win over Zemlja and could be on course for a semi final place with Djokovic. It is so noticeable during rallies just how much spin is on tennis-balls  out there it just makes grass courts that bit more special. Week two and no smashed tennis-rackets in temper just yet!
Till next time..
Enjoy Haweye.
    

Friday 28 June 2013

WIMBLEDON DAY 5

More rain but hey yes yes Tennis as well..Laura you star through to the next round, and Murray is looking so impressive, but the guys who produced the shocks in round two, all gone?? how? why?
The adrenalin and the interviews that follow big wins every 30 minutes mean that when you have the next game its hey I had kinda forgotten about this. Very little preparation and still playing a top professional so the outcome EXIT until next year. Brown so entertaining beat Hewitt but goes out, De Brito beat Sharapova out, Stakhovsky beats Federer but goes out. Its no coincidence.

Look out for the new Goran, 6 FEET 8 INS Janowicz from Poland looked impressive in his win today could meet Murray en route.
And finally poor Dimitrov seeded 29 lost to Zemlja in 5 sets and yet he has all the ability to make it to the top 10 and more, but wait O yeh he has the burden of having to spend time with his Tennis girlfriend a Russian player someone called Sharapova I think? 
Until tomoz then..

Hawkeye Enjoy
  

Thursday 27 June 2013

Wimbledon Tennis day 4

Well Well Well, after all the drama of yesterday normal service was resumed today with no major upsets and no one going out through falls or slips/splits and this time we had rain welcome to wacky England..
Djokovic looks in scary form after his comfortable win today, Murray Djokovic final?? who would dare predict anything after the last 3 days.

Special mention of the day has to go to Date-Krumm in the women's game she made it through to the third round age at the tender age of 42. Yes 42 what an incredible achievement has anyone else ever reached the third round of a grand slam at this age? She first appeared at Wimbledon in 1990 so much respect. And her secret? well she says "I eat plenty of food" There work that one out all you nutrition experts...O and her 4th round opponent is..Serena Williams wouldn't you just love it if.... we can but dream you just never know in sport or in life.

Enjoy
Hawkeye 4030www.mytennisstore.co.uk

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Wimbledon Tennis day 3

Slip Sliding away... well player after player going down and out due to sliding and falling badly on the famous grass. It just shows no rain and its still the weather to blame! This time blame is for the last two months of rain. Wozniacki, fell and lost, Azarenka number 2 seed withdrew knee injury didn't play, Darcis (beat Nadal previous round) withdrew without playing shoulder Cilic withdrew without playing knee, Shvedova withdrew without playing arm.
Isner retired while playing Knee, Stepanek retired while playing hamstring and Tsonga retired while playing knee. All on day 3. Be sure to watch Casualty BBC1 this Saturday night great drama..

Bang out goes Federer and he was playing decent what a performance from Stakhovskyold style serve and volley thumping those Tennis balls, he was 225-1 before the game to win in 4 sets and Federer was 100-1 ON to win the game, who would be a gambler....big big shock
And no more Sharapova out in 2 sets to De Brito once considered a future Grand Slam winner but hasn't won a match in god knows how long, how did that happen, (did you hear the squealing jesus) sadly no grudge match with Serena now in the semis..
Former champion Hewitt goes out to German Dustin Brown the man who travelled in a camper van to tournaments. All credit to the guy, well how could this be overtaken on another day?

But what a day of upsets could there be more drama! Yes on day 4....

Enjoy
Hawkeye..

  www.mytennisstore.co.uk

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Wimbledon Tennis Day 2

Boom!! Laura Robson, what a performance brave, stylish, powerful and up against a very good number 10 seed Kirilenko awesome one of her very best so far, can I have one of those Wilson Tennis rackets please! Never realised Robson is 5 feet 11 ins tall has she grown overnight or did I miss something..Well done amazing, future looks rosy. Can you believe its been 15 years since a Brit beat a top 10 player in the women's game.

Unlucky on Heather Watson still recovering from her glandular fever, special mention for Madison Keys the American only 18 looks like a bright future for her sound. And what a gutsy performance from British wild card Tara Moore going out in 3 sets..

Can we please give a very special congrats to Kimiko Date-Drum from Japan who won her first round match against Carina Witthoeft 6-0 6-2 at the age of just 42! yes she is still going strong first here 22 years ago wow.

Serena Williams made light work of her first game on court, but not off it more controversy/spat with Sharapova this time over comments made by Williams about the rape of a young girl in the states. O dear no need for a shovel here the hole just gets deeper without the digging! By the way did you see those football skills from Sharapova with a game of kick ups with the 4 coaches she certainly has some skill you can get this on the red button some ball skills.
No trouble for Djokovic in the men's side through but he says it was sticky. No other big upset five setter for the youngest man left at 20 Aussie Tomic but he came out on top. Keep that sun shining Enjoy!!

Hawkeye4030.

Monday 24 June 2013

Wimbledon Day 1

Wow what a first day...Bang out goes Nadal, poor guy suffering with injury great performance from Steve Darcis though. Murray through safely. James Ward our own number 2 goes out after taking the opening set against Yen Hsun Lu, he will now face Murray. British teenager and future star Kyle Edmund aged just 18 also goes out but has gained valuable experience.

In the women's game fifth seed Sara Errani has gone (she does not like the grass surface) out to teenager Monica Puig. Third seed Maria Sharapova is through to round 2. Serena offered an apology to Sharapova at the pre tournament dinner following their recent spat ooo! She is on court tomorrow what a great start to this great torno...


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Sunday 23 June 2013

Wimbledon Grad Slam!

So the great Wimbledon Grand Slam Tournament in SW19 gets underway on Monday much more than strawberries and ice cream!
 
In the men's game we have the great Djokovic as number 1 seed he remains the one to beat. However Murray with one Grand Slam behind him and with last year's Olympic Gold medal achievement at Wimbledon he has the belief and confidence like never before, this will be his best chance yet! Not to forget or write off defending Champion Roger Federer (write him off at your peril!!) remember he has won more Grand Slams than any other player here, and despite press reports of his demise he remains a talented and fantastic Tennis player. Finally Nadal has made an amazing comeback from injury to win yet another French Open on clay recently to add even more spice.
 
In the women's game my o my was that good timing in the war of words between Williams and Sharapova? Serena decided to have a swipe at a player who is "pretty boring" because she always says at interviews  things like "I am so lucky" "I am so happy" clearly aimed at Sharapova who just happens to be dating Serena Williams ex boyfriend the Bulgarian player Dimitrov. O dear the claws are out now as Sharapova has retaliated about the fact that Williams is dating her coach who is married with two children O dear... anyway back to the Tennis can anyone beat Serena? I have to say its not good for the women's game when a player can come back out of semi retirement to play for fun and then go 20-30 games unbeaten. We have our own Laura Robson and Heather Watson who continue to make good progress and there is tremendous potential in Donna Vekic the Croation who has only just turned 17 surely a star for the future. But for this year can anyone beat Serena? Tennis is such a great game we just Love it and Wimbledon has everything including rain like no other Grand Slam..
For great prices on all  things Tennis and coaching tips for all ages and levels visit 
 
Until next time Hawkeye signing off ENJOY........