All Part of My Fantasy: My Wimbledon Brackets

Thanks to Nadal and Murray, I finished respectably in the top 33% for my men's bracket. My women's bracket, on the other hand, was a disaster: bottom 9%. That's what I get for underestimating Serena!

Wimbledon Day 13: Berdych

Curtain Call

Player: Tomas Berdych
Nation: Czech Republic
Age: 24
Current Ranking: 13
Notable Conquests: Roger Federer (1st seed, Switzerland) and Novak Djokovic (3rd, Serbia)
Tour Page
Player Page
Today's Results: loss to Rafael Nadal (2nd, Spain) in straight sets

Let's be honest. The fact that he took out Federer and Djokovic and made the final is not the big surprise with Berdych. The surprise is that it took him this long. Berdych's always been plenty good but has long been seen as a hot-headed underachiever. He's now where his talent dictates he should be: in the top 10. Some have said it's his racket strings that have brought him recent success but for my money, it's the improved footwork. Berdych has always hit big but I always thought he looked surprisingly awkward in his movement - no more. This was his first Slam final but it's difficult to imagine it will be his last.

Hats off to Nadal - what a regal champion he is! He is now tied for 7th place on the all-time Slams list with an esteemed group including Connors, Lendl and Agassi. And he's just turned 24. He barely broke a sweat today.

Wimbledon Day 12: Zvonareva

Curtain Call

Player: Vera Zvonareva
Nation: Russia
Age: 25
Current Ranking: 21
Notable Conquests: Yanina Wickmayer (15th seed, Belgium), Jelena Jankovic (4th, Serbia) and Kim Clijsters (8th, Belgium)
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Player Page
Today's Results: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in straight sets; loss to Vania King (USA)/Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) in straight sets

What a brutal way to end a fantastic tournament. Zvonareva lost both the singles final and the doubles final with partner Elena Vesnina (Russia) today. As great as her singles run was, their doubles run may even be considered more impressive: taking out four seeded teams, including the top-seeded Williams sisters (USA). I am actually glad to have missed her emotional breakdown during the doubles final, though I'm constantly amazed to think that viewers would rather see a match replayed from a prior day than a live doubles match.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Jurgen Melzer (Curtain Call, Roland Garros Day 13) - Melzer is having quite a remarkable summer. First, he makes it to the semis at the French Open, his career-best Slam performance. Next, he makes it to the fourth round in Wimbledon, his best performance here, and goes on to win the doubles title with partner Philipp Petzschner (Germany). It is the first doubles Slam title for either player.

Wimbledon Day 11: Benesova

Curtain Call

Player: Iveta Benesova
Nation: Czech Republic
Age: 27
Current Doubles Ranking: 27
Current Mixed Doubles Partner: Lukas Dlouhy (Czech Republic)
Notable Conquests: Mariusz Fyrstenberg (Poland)/Zi Yan (China) (8th seed)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Leander Paes (India)/Cara Black (Zimbabwe) (2nd seed) in straight sets

For the first time in 2012, mixed doubles will be a medal event in tennis at the Olympics. As such, we are likely to see more mixed pairs from the same nation over the next two years. Benesova and Dlouhy had a very good run to the semifinals but succumbed to two doubles legends today in Paes and Black.

Wimbledon Day 10: Kvitova

Curtain Call

Player: Petra Kvitova
Nation: Czech Republic
Age: 20
Current Ranking: 62
Notable Conquests: Jie Zheng (23rd seed, China), Victoria Azarenka (14th, Belarus) and Caroline Wozniacki (3rd, Denmark)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Serena Williams (1st, USA) in straight sets

Kvitova was also my Curtain Call for US Open Day 8. Many Grand Slam dreams end at Serena Williams's door. Kvitova's in good company. She'd never been past the first round at Wimbledon before so her ranking will sky-rocket. She should be in good position for a seed at the US Open.

Wimbledon Day 9: Two More Years?

Curtain Call

Player: Yen-Hsun Lu
Nation: Chinese Taipei
Age: 26
Current Ranking: 82
Notable Conquests: Andy Roddick (5th seed, USA)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Novak Djokovic (3rd, Serbia) in straight sets

So, Lu's fairy tale ends. But his quarterfinal finish is the best Slam result of his career. Can this catapult him into a big hard court season or is he a flash in the pan?

I don't think it's time to hit the panic button for Federer. I do think, however, that perhaps the time has come to adjust our expectations for the greatest player who ever lived. First, some perspective. Yes, two consecutive Slams failing to reach the semis is surprising by SuperFed standards. On the other hand, 25 consecutive quarterfinal-or-better Slam results is pretty darn good by anyone else's. It would appear that, nonetheless, in filling out one's bracket, one need no longer write Roger's name in pen for the semi slot.

Some time ago, Federer said that his goal was to play in the 2012 Olympics in London. That's just two years from now. I'm guessing that summer will be his last. I hope he can be spared a George Bastl moment and there may still be a Slam or two in his bag. But the guard has changed. It was going to happen eventually. Let's hope he can conduct this part of his career with the same grace he displayed at his peak.


All Part of My Fantasy

In Federer, I have lost one of my finalists. Only Nadal can help me now. Vamos!

Wimbledon Day 8: Kanepi

Curtain Call

Player: Kaia Kanepi
Nation: Estonia
Age: 25
Current Ranking: 80
Notable Conquests: Samantha Stosur (6th seed, Australia) and Alexandra Dulgheru (31st, Romania)
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Player Page
Today's Result: loss to Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) in three sets

What a great run for Kanepi, who had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw! Although boasting a career-high ranking at #18, Kanepi's ranking dipped out of the top 100 earlier this year, forcing her to qualify at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She's certainly back on track now.


All Part of My Fantasy

With Venus Williams losing, my women's bracket is officially kaput.

Wimbledon Day 7: Brands

Curtain Call

Player: Daniel Brands
Nation: Germany
Age: 22
Current Ranking: 98
Notable Conquests: Nikolay Davydenko (7th seed, Russia) and Victor Hanescu (31st, Romania)
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Player Page
Today's Result: loss to Tomas Berdych (12th, Czech Republic) in four sets

This is by far Brands's best Slam result. Previously, he had never made it out of the first round. In his match with Hanescu, the big Romanian retired in the fifth set, down 3-0, denying Brands the honor of a full five-set victory.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Justine Henin (Curtain Call, Australian Open Day 13) - Undoubtedly, today's loss to Kim Clijsters (8th, Belgium) was disappointing. But her ranking will rise again with this result and she should have a decent seed for the US Open, a tournament she has won twice.

Chanelle Scheepers (Curtain Call, Roland Garros Day 8) - Scheepers was awarded a wild card into the singles draw, apparently on the strength of her strong showing at the French. Unfortunately, she lost in the first round. Her showing in doubles was better, teaming with Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) to make it to the third round, taking out the 13 seeds along the way. However, Jankovic pulled out of their match today.


All Part of My Fantasy

It was a brutal day for my brackets. I lost a finalist (Sharapova) and a semifinalist (Henin) on the women's side and a semifinalist (Roddick) on the men's side. For the women, the only semifinalist I have left is my champion, Venus Williams.

Wimbledon Day 6: Fognini

Curtain Call

Player: Fabio Fognini
Nation: Italy
Age: 23
Current Ranking: 80
Notable Conquest: Fernando Verdasco (8th seed, Spain)
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Player Page
Today's Result: loss to Julien Benneteau (32nd, France) in four sets

Fognini matched his Roland Garros result by reaching the third round, his best showing in a Slam.

The junior tournament began today. The last junior girls' champion to also win the women's title was Amelie Mauresmo who won the juniors in 1996 and the seniors in 2006. The last to do it on the men's side is none other than Roger Federer - big surprise. Fed won the junior title in 1998 and the first of his senior titles in 2003.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Tobias Kamke (Curtain Call, Roland Garros Day 4) - Kamke went through qualifying to reach the main draw. His third round effort is his best Slam performance. Sadly, he was no match for Jo-Wilfred Tsonga (10th, France).

Wimbledon Day 5: Great Arm!

Curtain Call

Player: Greta Arn
Nation: Hungary
Age: 31
Current Ranking: 136
Notable Conquest: Kateryna Bondarenko (34th seed, Ukraine)
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Marion Bartoli (11th, France) in straight sets

At age 31, Arn went through qualifying, then reached the third round, the best Slam performance of her career. She has dual citizenship with Germany and has competed as a representative of each country. Hungary is her birth nation.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Angelique Kerber (Curtain Call, Australian Open Day 5) - Kerber made it to the third round, equaling her performance in Melbourne. She also managed to take out a seed in the second round: Shahar Peer (13th, Israel). She lost in straight sets today to Jarmila Groth (Australia). Only 22, Kerber's career is definitely headed in the right direction.

Wimbledon Day 4: Dodig

Curtain Call

Player: Ivan Dodig
Nation: Croatia
Age: 25
Current Ranking: 193
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Sam Querrey (18th seed, USA) in four sets

Another day, another brilliant performance by a qualifier on Court No. 1. Alas, the seeded player won again. Dodig impressed the commentators as well. He's been featured in this space before as the Curtain Call on Day 4 of the Australian Open. This was his first Wimbledon and his performance today gives him something to build on for the summer.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Martin Fischer (Curtain Call, Roland Garros Day 3) - Fischer qualified for his first Wimbledon. He won the first set in his match with Thomaz Bellucci (25th, Brazil) and forced two others to tie-breakers. His ranking is definitely headed in the right direction.

Julian Reister (Curtain Call, RG Day 6) - Reister made it to the main draw as a lucky loser. This was also his first Wimbledon. He won a set off of Xavieer Malisse (Belgium).


All Part of My Fantasy

Svetlana Kuznetsova (19th, Russia) was my undoing once again.

And so, it's time to check in on my brackets. All of my semifinalists are still around for the men. For the women, not so much: Sam Stosur (6th, Australia) was sent packing in the first round.

Wimbledon Day 3: The Match That Never Ends

Curtain Call

Player: Ilija Bozoljac
Nation: Serbia
Age: 24
Current Ranking: 152
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Player Page
Today's Result: loss to Roger Federer (1st seed, Switzerland) in four sets

I loved the way Bozoljac played today. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his match on the big stage with Fed and played with an air of confidence. No shrinking violet was he! The crowd was appropriately appreciative at the end, too: standing ovation.

I'd comment on the Isner-Mahut match but 9+ hours in, it's still a bit early to pass judgment, don't you think? Holy cow! And I was amazed that when they finally called it for the day, Isner was the one who wanted to keep playing. Of course, he was about to serve and wouldn't want to give Mahut a better chance to break him tomorrow. But still, the man looked like the walking dead.


All Part of My Fantasy

Maria Kirilenko (27th, Russia) was my choice today in the women's suicide pool and she came through for me.

Wimbledon Day 2: Project 45

Curtain Call

Player: Guillermo Alcaide
Nation: Spain
Age: 24
Current Ranking: 238
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Gilles Simon (26th seed, France) in straight sets

Alcaide went through qualifying to reach his first Slam main draw. Well done!

I was glad for the chance to see Kei Nishikori (Japan) today, even though he got tuned by Nadal. Only 20 years old, Nishikori would seem to have a very bright future ahead of him. A couple of years ago, he went through both Sam Querrey and James Blake pretty efficiently to win the title at Delray Beach. He's a very smart player and highly enjoyable to watch. The Japanese have high hopes that he will become their highest-ranked male singles player ever. He has been dogged by injuries over the past year or so. It's good to see him back.

Our Girl asked today why the crowd is so quiet at tennis matches. I explained that the players need to be able to hear the sound of the ball coming off of their opponents racket and so forth. Then John McEnroe started yapping. "Why does he get to talk?" she asked. I have often wondered the same thing.


Catching Up with Old Friends

Anastasia Pivovarova (Curtain Call, Roland Garros Day 7) - She just turned 20 last week and this was her first Wimbledon. She got creamed by Maria Sharapova (16th, Russian) today but Sharapova is, after all, a former champion here.

Pivovarova made it into the main draw as a lucky loser. When a main draw player pulls out after the draw comes out but before the tournament begins, the highest ranked player to lose in the last round of qualifying takes her place. Quite a lot of players pulled out this year so there are several lucky losers in both the men's and women's draws this year. Pivovarova is one of the beneficiaries.


All Part of My Fantasy

I picked Serena Williams (1st, USA) for the suicide pool today, a considerable risk. I am, of course, completely doomed if she wins the title. However, I actually believe that she will lose in the second round. You heard it here first.

Besides, I could have gone with a lower risk pick as I did with Nicolas Almagro (19th, Spain) in the men's draw. He lost, of course. At least with the women's draw, I'm still alive.

Wimbledon Day 1: Witten's Back

Curtain Call

Player: Jesse Witten
Nation: USA
Age: 27
Current Ranking: 186
Tour Page
Today's Result: loss to Michael Llodra (France) in four sets

I have featured Witten in this space before. He was my Curtain Call for Day 6 of the US Open after his brilliant run to the third round. His ranking shot up to a career high of #163 in January but had been gradually heading southward since. He qualified for his first-ever Wimbledon last week and taking a set off of Llodra, one of the world's under-appreciated grass court talents, is a good result.

Wimbledon: My Picks

Men -

Semis: Federer v. Roddick, Murray v. Nadal
Final: Nadal def. Federer

Women -

Semis: Sharapova v. Stosur, Henin v. V. Williams
Final: V. Williams def. Sharapova

My suicide pool picks for Day 1 are Mardy Fish (USA) and Nadia Petrova (12th seed, Russia).

Why You Should Watch Wimbledon

Tradition

Tennis was born on the grass lawns of England and to England the game returns every summer. Wimbledon is, of course, the world's most prestigious tournament. One could argue about the relative merits of the four Slams but the fact is, if you wanted to cement your legacy in the sport by winning only one tournament, this would be the one.


Grass Court

Switching from the clay of Paris to the grass of Wimbledon is one of the most abrupt and dramatic transitions on the world sport calendar. The two surfaces, as discussed in regards to Roland Garros, benefit very different players. Grass is for the gunslingers. Big serves and booming ground strokes are rewarded by the low bounce. If you like the power game, sit back and enjoy. Also, from an aesthetic stand point, there is something very satisfying in seeing the summer sunshine on green grass. Neither red dirt nor concrete can quite compare.


Champagne and Strawberries

Looking for a weekend brunch idea? Watch the tournament over the traditional treat served on the grounds: champagne with strawberries and clotted cream. Don't forget, though, that the tournament takes the middle Sunday off. Not that you couldn't have brunch anyway.


No Vuvuzelas

Don't get me wrong. I'm going to have to make tough choices with Wimbledon and the World Cup running concurrently. But I think I can promise you that the tennis coverage will be quieter without the senseless drone of the vuvuzelas. However, should Andy Murray falter for even a point or two in a given match, I can virtually guarantee that comparisons will be made to Robert Green, England's unfortunate goalkeeper. Especially if Murray is facing an American at the time. Never mind the fact that Murray is actually Scottish. This will happen. Count on it!


Serve and Volley

If you watch tennis at all, you've surely heard the old guard (John McEnroe and friends) complaining about the fact that players don't come to the net enough anymore. At Wimbledon, you will hear references to the fact that the grass on the court wears differently from how it did in the good ol' days. You'll see comparison shots of the court in 1979 and the court now. There is now far less wear near the net, far more at the baseline.

The old guard really needs to let this one go. The fact of the matter is that modern racket technology better enables the baseliners to fire soul-crushing passing shots by any would-be volleyers. Johnny Mac wouldn't be quite so gung ho about coming to the net himself if he had Nadal staring him down from the other end of the court, AeroPro Drive in hand.

But if you like serve and volley tennis, Wimbledon is the most likely place to see it.


Federer vs. Nadal

In the story of tennis's greatest rivalry, the best chapters have been written at Wimbledon. Who knows what this year's edition will bring? Federer's brilliant career seems to be trending downward. Nadal has bounced back from his injury-plagued '09 and has returned to the top of the rankings. They are the top two seeds so the possibility of their meeting in the final is there.


The Williamses v. The Belgians

The Williamses have owned Wimbledon. Over the past decade, Venus has won the title 5 times, Serena 3. They've met in the final 4 times. They've also won the doubles together 4 times. Neither Kim Clijsters nor Justine Henin has ever won a singles title at Wimbledon.


Women on the Rise

Sam Stosur's big serve and strong showing in Paris make her a serious dark horse at Wimbledon. One wonders how she will react emotionally to her loss in the final at Roland Garros. Francesca Schiavone, the surprise RG champ, is unlikely to replicate the feat in England but as was her motto, nothing is impossible.


Andy Murray

He is not my favorite player but I have to admit that I feel for Britain's #1 when Wimbledon rolls around. It will be such a relief when a British player finally wins here again. Then we can stop hearing about how long it's been!


Fantasy Tennis

- Tennis Channel bracket challenges for men and women

- Wimbledon suicide pool