Теннис

[Vardan]

2005 WIMBLEDON - The Lawn Tennis Championships

London, England

June 20 - July 3, 2005

Ј4,708,630 /128 Draw

Grass

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Singles - Third Round

[1]Roger Federer (SUI) d [25]Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 62 67(5) 61 75

[2]Andy Roddick (USA) d Igor Andreev (RUS) 62 62 76(4)

[9]Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) d Novak Djokovic (SCG) 75 64 57 64

[12]Thomas Johansson (SWE) d Janko Tipsarevic (SCG) 62 63 61

[15]Guillermo Coria (ARG) d Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 36 36 62 62 64

[18]David Nalbandian (ARG)d Andrew Murray (GBR) 67(4) 16 60 64 61

[23]Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) d Florian Mayer (GER) 36 62 61 61

[27]Richard Gasquet (FRA) d Gilles Muller (LUX) 76(3) 63 63

[28]Max Mirnyi (BLR) d Jiri Novak (CZE) 57 75 64 76(2)

[31]Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) d Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 75 63 36 76 (9)

Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) d Alexander Popp (GER) 57 76(5) 62 62

Doubles - First Round

[5]Paes/Zimonjic d Arnold/Bracciali 76(3) 67(5) 63 63

Doubles - Second Round

[1]Bjorkman/Mirnyi (SWE) tied with Fisher/Haggard 60 63 57 46 44

[2]Bryan/Bryan d Auckland/Kiernan 63 36 63 64

[11]Suk/Vizner d Fyrstenberg/Matkowski 64 57 76( 16 75

Malisse/Rochus d [12]Gonzalez/Massu 61 76(7) 62

[14]Etlis/Rodriguez d Bachelot/Clement wo

Karlovic/Wassen d Hilton/Marray 46 63 26 61 75

Hernych/Zib tied with Schuettler/Waske 46 76(1) 76(2) 26 55

Doubles - Third Round

[4]Black/Ullyett d [14]Gaston Etlis/Rodriguez (ARG) 64 62 36 76(3)

Huss/Moodie d [9]Cermak/Friedl 62 63 64

Edited June 26, 2005 by Vardan

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Serena Crashes Out in 3rd Round

Saturday, June 25, 2005

With her sister progressing into the fourth round earlier in the day, Serena Williams spent a frustrating afternoon waiting to get on Centre Court for her own third round match. She finally made an appearance around 7.30pm but not on the main show court. The Referee, Alan Mills, was forced to switch the match to No.2 Court, the infamous "Graveyard of Champions".

The cause of the switch was the time being taken by the Murray versus Nalbandian match. That also meant that most spectators were more engrossed in watching that encounter than the performance of the two-times Wimbledon Champion.

That fact must have irritated Serena Williams who prides herself on being an entertainer, but the show must go on, much to the appreciation of those who did watch the start of the game. Only when news of her possible defeat filtered around the ground did the spectators arrive like vultures to watch the dying throes of a champion.

The court lived up to its reputation as Jill Craybas, the 30-year-old from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, a graduate in telecommunications and world ranked 85, held her nerve to pull off a well deserved 6-3,7-6 (7-4) victory.

The disappointment was evident as last year's runner-up dumped another service return into the net on match point. It was the culmination of a series of errors and it was evident from the start of the match that Serena was off-form. She failed to hold serve until the third game of the second set.

A victory for Serena would have pitched her against her sister Venus in the fourth round so there was some consolation in the loss as neither sibling enjoys having to play against the other. Venus, however, will be sharpening her own weapons to avenge this embarrassing defeat.

The loss is the culmination of a disastrous week for Serena, the fourth seed, who has never before had to survive three-set matches so early in a Grand Slam event. Her groundstrokes were all awry during this encounter. Even though Serena eventually got them under control in the second set, Craybas, who had never won a set off her in their two previous encounters, held her own nerve to eventually outplay her more illustrious opponent.

Serena's attempts at bludgeoning her way past a determined opponent failed and her grunts could be heard across the grounds in direct relation to her efforts and frustrations. She did regroup to force a tie-break but again the errors crept back and eventually she could not prevent herself becoming another victim in the Graveyard of Champions.

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Nalbandian Ends Murray's Run

Saturday, June 25, 2005

It was a midsummer night's dream, and it could not last. Andy Murray, ranked 312 in the world, forced former Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian to do what he had never done before in his entire career - dig his way out of a two-set deficit to come back and win.

For two glorious sets, a chilly Centre Court became Crazytown as the 18-year-old Scot shredded the 18th seed. But troubled by hip and ankle injuries, Murray ran out of gas and Nalbandian triumphed 6-7, 1-6, 6-0, 6-4, 6-1.

On a day when Murray - who received a wild card into the main draw - should have been embarking on his campaign in the Boys' Singles, he instead joined the very big boys' league. He lost the battle, but things are looking good for the years ahead.

The first set was concerned with which player could hang on to his serve. Break points littered the Centre Court like so much confetti. Nalbandian opened with a love service game. But next time around he left a drop volley way too short for a Murray break point.

A moment later a wayward forehand went wide, and Murray was 2-0 up. But three mistakes and a double fault handed the break back cheaply. Next time Nalbandian required four break points to rupture the Murray serve, but he did it. It was 4-2. Then a muffed half-volley from the Argentine gave Murray a chance to come back, and the Scot grabbed it. He held, going for his shots, trading the risk of error against the likelihood of success.

A Nalbandian double fault gave him the break for 6-5, but Murray couldn't hold. Come the tiebreak, clever work at the net brought up two set points for Murray, which he converted with an unreturned serve. Cue scenes of frenzied joy among the 14,000-strong crowd. Up in the relatives' box Willie Murray was on his feet, urging his son on.

"Come on, my boy!" he roared. "Get in there!"

Newcomers to the Murray phenomenon had of course been thinking before the start of the match: well, it's very nice that he's reached the third round, but for goodness' sake - Nalbandian isn't just a former Wimbledon finalist, he's made the semis at Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows too.

Of course even the most feverish sufferers of Murraymania would grant it was a little early to talk of no-one beating the Scot this Wimbledon. But it was impressive in the second set to see him gallop off to a 3-0 lead, bringing up the break at the first opportunity with excellent baseline work. Murray was beating Nalbandian at his own

game, intimidating him with big approach shots and fierce groundstrokes. At 4-1 the Argentine was being completely outplayed.

One game later a Nalbandian backhand down the line went too far and Murray was serving for the set. Another overlong Argentine backhand, and that was that. Nalbandian was two sets in arrears - and for all his superlative credentials, not once before this match had he ever turned around such a deficit.

But suddenly Murray was like a marathon runner who had hit the wall.

In the third set he had nothing to offer, and Nalbandian broke him without reply to waltz away with it in 29 minutes. Murray stopped the rot by holding serve at the start of the fourth, grabbed a break point and watched Nalbandian send the ball into the net.

Once again, everything seemed possible. But Murray was tiring desperately, and he could not hang on. Nalbandian came back to 4-4. Three times Murray had a break point for 5-4, and the chance to serve for the match. Three times they went begging. Murray's groundstrokes were drifting wide, and Nalbandian obliterated his serve to love to level the match.

Murray was feeling it. The trainer was summoned to tend the Scot's left hip during an injury time-out. When play recommenced Murray's fatigue was so great that it was painful to see. It was only a matter of time before the end.

So the dream is over, for now. But to those who shake their heads at the British hysteria over their new Wimbledon hero, note this: a certain James Scott Connors of this parish is a fully paid-up subscriber.

"Of course a career is not made on one or two weeks of play," said America's eight-time Slam champion. "It's made over years and years. But what Andrew Murray is doing now at 18 is wonderful. Is the hype warranted? Certainly it is."

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Day 7 Preview

Saturday, 25 June, 2005

This second Monday of The Championships is regarded as the best day of the tournament, the time when all the guys and gals play their fourth round matches in one glorious outpouring of top tennis. No wonder this is regarded as the hottest ticket of all by the lucky holders. And how much more enjoyable the day would have been if Andy Murray had still been around to wow the thousands who have flocked to the banner of Andy's Army. That would have guaranteed another bumper attendance on the mound once known as Henman Hill but now dubbed Murray Field.

Alas, Andy has limped off into British sporting lore beneath a hero's halo, but the other Andy, the American called Roddick, is still very much with us as the men's singles narrows down to the last 16. There is a heady mix of nations with the United States, France, Russia, Spain and Argentina leading the way with two each. Like Murray, Roddick must now face Argentinian opposition and like the rest of the survivors, Roddick is just happy to get through to the second week, although this is the time when things get serious.

Roddick, the second seed and runner-up here last summer, is doing his best to tiptoe closer to another booking for the last day of The Championships. He cannot be too worried about the prospect of tackling Guillermo Coria, who used to be the best clay courter until Rafael Nadal and his pirate pants came along. Coria, a little chap in what has very much become a big boys' game, will be thrilled to be into the fourth round, since his best in three previous trips here was a second round last year.

Roger Federer, top seed, defending champion and seeker of a Wimbledon hat-trick, will similarly be satisfied at coming up next against someone who prefers the red dirt of the sport. Juan Carlos Ferrero won the French Open two years ago but has been on a downward curve ever since, with injury and illness very much to blame. Ferrero was in Wimbledon's fourth round once before, the year of his Roland Garros triumph, and though he has managed to win three of his eight previous matches against the world's numero uno, he could be facing a more industrial Monday than most.

Of the top two, Federer seems to be facing the rockiest route to next Sunday's final, with the prospect of the feisty Lleyton Hewitt awaiting him at the semi-final stage. There are many points to be navigated before then, of course, but Roddick's half of the draw is, on the surface, much less hazardous. In that lower section Sebastien Grosjean, a contrary Frenchman who prefers the life in Florida and who thinks grass is better than clay, will test that theory against Dmitry Tursunov, the California-based Russian who undermined the hopes of Henman Hill, not to mention the man that piece of real estate was named after.

France's other survivor, the 19-year-old Richard Gasquet, gets to test whether David Nalbandian has much left in the tank after that draining Centre Court experience with Murray, while the sole Swede still standing, the 12th-seeded Thomas Johansson, will face the tooth and claw assault of Max Mirnyi, who rejoices in the nickname of Beast of Belarus. The Beast is even happier than the rest to have made it this far at The Championships, having gone out in the first round of 12 of his previous 13 Grand Slams, the exception being Wimbledon of 2003, where he also got to the last 16.

Hewitt, rapidly shedding the rust accumulated in a long injury lay-off through the spring, will fancy his chances of withstanding the rocket serves of the other surviving American, Taylor Dent. If he does, the likelihood is that he will be required to don the body armour for another big boomer, Tim Henman's nemesis Mario Ancic, who faces Nadal's pal and doubles partner, the left-handed Feliciano Lopez, conqueror of Marat Safin.

Among the lasses the biggest story is the match that won't take place, the much-anticipated collision between the Williams sisters. Venus made it safely through but Serena, hobbled by ankle problems, could not get past Jill Craybas in the gloaming last night. Now Craybas, a 30-year-old from Rhode Island, will attempt the Williams double by seeing off Venus, too. Wins over the Williamses on consecutive days could well set up Jill for a place in the world's leading trivia quizzes.

The defending champion, Maria Sharapova, who has yet to concede a set, next takes on the16th-seeded French lady, Nathalie Dechy. Since Dechy has not dropped a set so far either, prepare for someone's personal record to crash. Sharapova, and her thousands of admirers, hope it will not be her.

The world number one, Lindsay Davenport, is doing even better, having conceded a mere eight games in three rounds. What on earth is Lindsay talking about retirement for at the age of 29? We may find out the reason when she faces a resurgent Kim Clijsters this afternoon, though when they last faced off, a month ago at the French Open, Lindsay won fairly comfortably.

Counting the Florida-based Sharapova, six Russian women remain in contention among the last 16. We have had several all-Williams finals here. Might we be expecting an all-Russian final?

Written by Ronald Atkin

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Davenport Strides Past Safina

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Listen carefully. What's that sound? Can't hear anything? Exactly. What you are hearing is the quiet progress of Lindsay Davenport through the women's draw. On Saturday, with typical lack of fuss, the unheralded No.1 seed made short work of Dinara Safina, eclipsing the Russian 6-2, 6-1 for a place in the last 16. It brought the total number of games the American has conceded in three matches so far this Wimbledon to a miserly eight.

Despite the unseasonal chill in the air on No.2 Court, there was never any danger of Davenport being buried at the so-called graveyard of champions. The 29-year-old American may not have played competitively between her quarter-final defeat to Mary Pierce at Roland Garros and her arrival in SW19, but let no one doubt she is back in the groove of grasscourt excellence.

Safina began confidently, but at 2-2 she had one of those service games where suddenly she seemed to crumble, and Davenport had three break points. A poor return saved the first, but a pinpoint backhand down the line sealed it for the American. Pumping away from the baseline, Safina made Davenport work to clinch the set, but clinch it she did in half an hour.

What is it about Davenport which makes her the player they are not all talking about? Why do so many simply fail to mention the 1999 champion as a threat this Wimbledon? What prompted bookmakers to price her at just 12-1 to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish for the second time? It is as if her place at the top of the rankings was something she acquired by accident.

Yet the facts do not tally with this fantasy version of events. Despite Maria Sharapova's best efforts to unseat her, Davenport about to embark on her 75th week at the world's pre-eminent player, her current stint on the throne having started last October.

Of course, it is five years since she won her last Slam title, at the Australian Open, and it was in Melbourne this year that she won through to her first major final since that victory, ultimately losing to Serena Williams. But if it's consistency you're after, then Davenport's your woman. She ended last year at the top of the tree by making at least the semi-finals in 13 out of 17 tournaments, winning seven. This year she has won titles in Dubai and at Amelia Island, making the finals at Tokyo and Indian Wells too.

Today she simply wore down 19-year-old Safina, whose frequent exclamations of frustration sounded as if they might make colourful listening for any Russian speakers at courtside. At 1-1 in the second her service crumbled again, and she was helpless to stop the rot.

It must be Safina's greatest hope that one day her achievements will see Marat Safin referred to as her brother. For now she is remains Marat's sister, although she is making progress. This was her best Wimbledon, having lost twice in the first round previously. Two years ago she made the fourth round at Flushing Meadow.

Safina will be disappointed not to have made more of a match of it against Davenport. But she may take some comfort from the fact that, on current form, it will take an excellent performance to test Davenport this Wimbledon.

Written by Kate Battersby

[Vardan]

Federer Wants Hat-Trick of Wins

Saturday, 25 June, 2005

Roger Federer, the defending champion, has made it clear he wants to retain the Wimbledon title, a feat that would match the early achievements of two modern greats of the game, namely Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras. Both won the title for three consecutive years. Borg then went on to extend his run to an incredible five, while Sampras ended his career with seven titles.

The feeling is that the wizard from Switzerland will more than match those achievements over the coming decade having, for instance, already won three of the majors last year. He only just failed to collect the French Open, reaching the last four on what he considers is his worst surface.

The undisputed world No.1 has already established, prior to today's meeting with Nicolas Kiefer, 31 back-to-back wins on grass, 10 less than the seemingly indefatigable Swede Borg.

There is one thing about Mr Federer. He believes in himself and that self-belief sustains him through thick and thin, the good and bad times. There has not been much of the latter, just three losses in the year, but they should be noted. First was the Australian Open semi-final defeat at the hands of Russia's Marat Safin, then there was that epic Monte Carlo upset by the French teenager, Richard Gasquet, and, finally, another semi-final loss at Roland Garros to another fast rising teenage star, Spain's Rafael Nadal.

Again, before the Kiefer match, Federer arrived on Centre Court having lost just seven sets in the 85 he had played in the 31-match winning streak. And, more incredibly, of the 78 sets that he has won on grass, 24 have been for the loss of no more than two games.

Considering those statistics, his match with Kiefer has more than helped to reinforce his current position as the "supremo" on grass, despite being given quite a scare by the 27-year-old German, a former world number four, who took a set off him and broke the defending champion twice.

All that can be said is that Federer was always able to raise his own game to meet the challenge and, while he may have stuttered slightly, he has been able to improve on those already impressive statistics. And one should not bet against him winning his third consecutive Wimbledon title.

After the match, Federer said: "This was definitely a test today. I think I had to survive some tough moments. Tiebreakers are always tough. I should have never lost that one. But he stayed in it, you know. In the fourth I had to really turn it around. I just started to play better in time."

Looking forward to his next opponent, 23rd seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, Federer said: "That's a nice match because we haven't played much over the last few years."

Written by Henry Wancke

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Roddick Happy With His Form

Saturday, 25 June, 2005

Andy Roddick's form picked up again today after his five-set struggle against Daniele Bracciali in the second round as he defeated Russia's Igor Andreev in straight sets.

For the third straight year, Roddick arrived at Wimbledon as winner of the Stella Artois title at London's Queen's Club and he now holds the best win-loss percentage on grass of any active player - 38 victories and seven losses. Six other players, Lleyton Hewitt, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Tim Henman, Sebastien Grosjean and Greg Rusedski, have won more matches on grass but do not possess such a good won-lost percentage.

Having struck 15 aces against the 21-year-old Andreev, Roddick pronounced himself content with the way he had played. "That's as well as I've hit the ball this tournament," he said. "All in all, I'm happy. It's always good to get to the second week. Now it's time to get down to business. I've won a few matches on the grass now, dating back to Queen's, so I feel pretty good.

"It's definitely always a relief to get through the first couple of rounds, to be alive come the second week. That's where the big matches start happening. A lot of it is about survival. The Bracciali match was big for me. It really felt good to get through that one because I had struggled a bit in five-setters. That was a big stage for me to start turning it around. I feel so relieved."

Now that The Championships are coming down to the bigger names and the important stages, Roddick said he would be watching Federer, the man who beat him in last year's final. "I watched his match today before I went on court," said Roddick. "But I'm not calling him at home or anything. If his matches are on, I definitely watch them.

"The biggest thing is I'm still alive at Wimbledon with a shot at the title."

Written by Ronald Atkin

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Federer Shrugs Off Kiefer Scare

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Wimbledon Champion Roger Federer today survived a scare before sealing his place in the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1, 7-5 victory against Nicolas Kiefer of Germany.

The match was watched by a galaxy of stars in the Centre Court crowd, from five-times Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave to actor Sean Connery. But the one still shining brightest in the men's event at the most famous tournament in the world remains Federer, despite Kiefer's best efforts.

The Swiss has now won 32 matches in a row on grass, closing in on Bjorn Borg's record of 41, but the main thing is that he is still on track for a hat-trick of triumphs at the All-England Club.

Federer had shown little sign of being burdened by the pressure of being the defending title-holder. With a minimum of fuss, he brushed aside Ivo Minar and Paul-Henri Mathieu in the previous rounds, losing his serve just once. But in Kiefer he had, on paper at least, an opponent who might have extended him more.

After all, the German is that rarity in the men's game, a player with a respectable record against Federer, who is touted as potentially the greatest player of all time. But Kiefer's third victory in their previous seven meetings occurred three years ago, albeit on grass at Halle.

Any hopes of finding a chink in Federer's armour appeared illusory as the Swiss took early control.

With people queuing outside, only half the ticket-holders bothered to arrive in time for the start. The subdued atmosphere of the crowd reflected the leaden grey skies overhead and the cool temperatures. Federer's girlfriend, Miroslava Vavrinec, the former professional player, wrapped up warm with jacket and scarf.

But down on the court Federer was enjoying himself. It seemed early on as if any nervous tension he might have felt coming into the tournament had been dissipated by his opening round victories.

He chose to experiment more by mixing his game up, coming to the net on occasion, whipping forehand and backhand winners from the baseline and showing a delicate touch on the volley. One delightful backhand half-volley, which forced him to bend low, was despatched to secure him the opening set.

The master was at work and seemed so self-contained. He opened his shoulders to get maximum power only when it was required. The aura of the player gives him an instant advantage no matter who he plays and Kiefer was left muttering self-criticism into his dark beard as the first set fell apart and Federer led 5-2 in the tie-break in the second.

But suddenly the Iceman melted as Federer dumped two simple backhands in the net and Kiefer was level. Federer screamed at himself, his mask of calm cracked.

It was a reward for the way Kiefer had hung on, yet it stung the champion to take swift, positive action. As John McEnroe put it in commentary for the BBC, the "bear came out of hibernation". Federer's determination and intensity increased as he showed his claws and his unlimited array of shots.

But Kiefer was still not about to roll over and he took advantage as free-flowing Federer cramped his own style, most notably when producing two double faults to gift his own serve for a second time in the fourth set.

Fortunately for the champion, Kiefer dropped his own serve three times before Federer secured his place in the second week of The Championships. A glorious backhand crosscourt earned him two match points and an ace did the rest.

Written by Mike Donovan

[Vardan]

[Vardan]

Sharapova Satisfied with Success

Saturday, 25 June, 2005

"Of course, it's going to be difficult" said Maria Sharapova with a rueful smile, contemplating the prospect of another Wimbledon title on her mantelpiece, following another straight sets victory in the third round over the Slovakian Katarina Srebotnik, 6-2, 6-4.

So far, Sharapova's progress has been very steady, but only by her own high standards, almost anyone else would have been more than happy to be in her exclusive 18-carat gold shoes out on No.1 Court this afternoon. "I always feel excited to play in front of a Wimbledon crowd. But I try to block a lot of that out when I step out onto the court", said the Russian Superstar casually.

At this stage last year she had dropped only 11 games in three matches, a feat she has emulated again this year, in only her third appearance at The Championships. As she admitted: "last year I was really excited to be in the second week of a Grand Slam, and this year, I expect myself to be in the second week".

The young Russian is a great believer in the "work hard, play hard" ethic, well aware that success can only come from personal achievements, rather than what other people may do (or say!), "it's not really about how your opponent plays; it's about your game", she said. Her attitude is such that it commands the respect of her peers, "She had to fight for it, and that's what I'm happy about it, that I made her work for it", said Srebotnik after the match.

Maria Sharapova demands attention, whether she asks it of her own game or that of her opponent, that is when she is happiest. "I enjoyed having those tough situations" she said, "If you don't have those positions, in later rounds you get to that point and you might be a little bit struck by it".

It is this hunger for success that helps Sharapova keep her concentration on court, which in turn feeds the insatiable appetite of her captive audience. The tall Russian is content with her performance so far, and claims to "feel really satisfied", but the world is still hungry. Will she satisfy us?

Written by Luis Lopez

[Vardan]

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Singles - Third Round

(12) Mary Pierce (FRA) d. (19) Ana Ivanovic (SCG) 61 64

Kveta Peschke (CZE) d. Conchita Martinez (ESP) 64 61

( Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (WC) Cara Black (ZIM) 64 63

(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 62 64

(1) Lindsay Davenport (USA) d. (30) Dinara Safina (RUS) 62 61

(14) Venus Williams (USA) d. (20) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 75 63

(16) Nathalie Dechy (FRA) d. Alyona Bondarenko (UKR) 61 64

(15) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 63 64

(26) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Eleni Daniilidou (GRE) 64 63

Jill Craybas (USA) d. (4) Serena Williams (USA) 64 76(4)

Doubles - Second Round

Kuznetsova/Mauresmo (RUS/FRA) d. Granville/Lee (USA/TPE) 61 62

(10) Asagoe/Srebotnik (JPN/SLO) d. Dominikovic/Nakamura (AUS/JPN) 36 62 63

(2) Black/Huber (ZIM/RSA) d. Morigami/Musgrave (JPN/AUS) 62 61

( Groenefeld/M.Navratilova (GER/USA) d. Chladkova/Razzano (CZE/FRA) 64 61

(7) Hantuchova/Sugiyama (SVK/JPN) d. Miyagi/Myskina (JPN/RUS) 75 76(5)

(9) Medina Garrigues/Safina (ESP/RUS) d. Russell/Santangelo (USA/ITA) 61 76(7)

(5) Likhovtseva/Zvonareva (RUS/RUS) d. Hopkins/Washington (USA/USA) 67(5) 62 61

Doubles - Third Round

Douchevina/Peer (RUS/ISR) d. (17) Callens/Gagliardi (BEL/SUI) 57 63 75

[Shadow]

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Vardan jan esli mojno pishi komentarii k kartinam, a to ne vsex uznaju

P.S. kto tot paren spjashij na trave?

[Vardan]

Braveheart Murray Reflects on Loss

Saturday, 25 June, 2005

At the top level of international tennis the game is as much about frame of mind as physical strength and skills on the court. Andy Murray - ranked 312 in the world - has shown he has the composure to avoid being put off by the gamesmanship of the likes of Czech Radek Stepanek in the second round, saying after the match: "He was trying to put me off. Everybody told me before the match like he's gonna try a bit of gamesmanship, and he ends up looking a bit stupid because he lost."

In his match today against 18th seed, and former Wimbledon finalist, Argentine David Nalbandian, Murray experienced his first tie-break on the ATP tour. But Murray kept his cool, his composure and his precision to take the set.

Murray has said he just loves playing in front of a big crowd. After his first round win, his tongue-in-cheek comment about playing on Court No. 1 against the 14th seeded Czech was successful, and similarly cheekily he said it would be good to play on Centre Court against the seeded Nalbandian. Not even Centre Court could hold a big enough crowd for this stuff-of-dreams.

As Britain's new tennis icon he can be guaranteed of massive home support whenever he plays on home soil from now on. After his match today he said: "To play on Centre Court has always been kind of a dream. And when it comes true, and I went out and played like that, it was unbelievable. The support I got the whole way through the match, even when I was struggling to move towards the end, they were still very good. And when I went off the court, the noise was unbelievable."

After the cramps he experienced at Queen's in a cracking round of 16 tie earlier this month, his stamina as well as mental mettle were tested in more than three hours of gruelling action - the longest match of his career so far. He gave a gutsy and gritty performance, with excellent depth and breadth of shot play, but he clearly needs to work on the physical part of his game.

At just 18, time is on his side. "I think your body just gets used to it.. he said. "The more five set matches you play, physically you're going to get better. But maybe I just need to work a bit harder on court, play longer hours, or eat differently. I don't know. It's difficult to say. But physically, I don't think I'm in bad shape; I just got tired because I'd never played a five set match before."

18th seed David Nalbandian, complimented Murray's game: "He serves very well and he has a very good return. It looks like he plays very confidently on grass courts. He has a good forehand, good backhand, good slice. He's fast. He can see really good how is the games going. So [the match] was very tough."

Of Murray's stamina Nalbandian added: "He's too young, but I think he needs to work more. I think he lost this match because of his physical problems."

Murray still seems unfazed by the hype and expectation, saying after his defeat: "I know I can play well now and I can compete with some of the best guys. Unfortunately, physically, I'm not strong as them yet which I think is understandable as I've only just turned 18."

Written by Sally Easton

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