The Championships, Wimbledon 2006 Grand Slam Tennis thread.

Anyone watching Wimbledon 2006? I've not seen enough action so far but I'm going to watch a lot more of the action from now on, though I know it is already the second week. From what I've seen I was wondering whether they had reduced racket size or something, as there's been a bit more rallying going, particularly noticeable in the men's game as before it was somewhat lacking. Saying that, the players I have watched weren't the biggest of big hitters.

So, who are you rooting for and why? For the woman's game, I am backing Justine Henin-Hardenne (Bel), I have backed her for many years and I am surprised how strong she has come off just winning Roland Garros for the third time. She had a disappointing second round (I think) exit last time around but she is no doubt one of the favourites here. It's an all Belgian semi-final with her sparing partner Kim Clijsters and that should be a good match. Well, in the men's game Sebastian Grosjean (Fra) is already out. This isn't his strongest year. Note that both Henin-Hardenne and Grosjean aren't exactly tall, it was difficult for me to choose who to support back then. I guess this is one common point.

Today I am sad (not really surprised though) that both E. Dementieva (Rus) and A. Myskina (Rus) are out to M. Sharapova (Rus) and A. Mauresmo (Fra) respectively. I like E. Dementieva and A. Myskina for lame reasons, I do find them hot. I personally can't stand M. Sharapova. Her cry is annoying, and it's not a low grunt either, there's that insertion of head voice, a scream. Do you not find her battle cry to be OTT? It's not good when you turn that TV up and you are watching with your family.

Anyway, how do you feel about the quality of tennis on display? Any real surprises? I think A. Roddick's (USA) loss to A. Murray (Sco) was one, I didn't expect that, I know Andy Murray is a rising British tennis star but still, could it be indication that the biggest of big hitters aren't having it all their way with change of racket size (or if there is indeed a factor to this).

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It will be Federer or Nadal that walks away with the men's title. I went to Wimbledon in 2003 and saw Federer play in the flesh and he really is that damn good, but he's not been able to finish Nadal who is looking supreme (well on clay), so it seems kind of tight, also great to see 34 year old Bjorkman in the semis what an effort that is. But if your looking for an outsider bet Safin is the man to go for.

In terms of the Women's title I would love for Clijsters to put in a performance and win it, she plans to retire next year (She's only 24 wtf?), but I expect Sharapova or Hennin Hardenne to push for the title, but its so tight in the womens also with the 4 best players left, so you probably cannot count out manly Maresmo either.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I think before, Nadal had yet to deliver on this surface but now this is his best shot yet. I watched the Federer (Sui) vs. Ancic (Cro) and Ancic hardly done any wrong and played a high level of tennis, it was a good game. When Federer is in that kind of form though he can be unplayable. I feel it will be a fourth title for him, and he will have to 'update' his jacket...

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Federer was supreme he absolutely anihilated Ancic who actually played very well. It will take something short of a miracle to beat him, the winners he hit were jaw dropping at times.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Men's side: I'm picking Federer vs. Nadal or Baghdatis in the final. Either way, Federer has this tournament in the bag if he plays like he did today. Nadal is in for a rude awakening if he thinks playing Federer will be anything like their previous match at the French Open.

Women's Side: I'm hoping to see Mauresmo beating Sharapove and Clijsters beating Henin-Hardenne. Winner: Clijsters.

If it ended up Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne, Mauresmo would win by default because Henin-Hardenne would surely forfeit the match if she was losing due to a stomachache once again.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Turns out it will be Mauresmo against Henin-Hardenne in the final, nice to see Mauresmo silence Sharapova. In their respective games Mauresmo played a good game, she didn't make an unforced error until the penultimate point which came about via a double fault. If anything, sometimes when it looks like she is about to have control of the game (remember winning that rally and leaping for a celebration?) she seemed to ease off and had Sharapova take the advantage. In contrast, Henin-Hardenne had Clijsters break serve and was able to recover the situation. Will it be that Mauresmo will claw out such an advantage and Henin-Hardenne having to recover the situation? I am definitely going to be watching this final.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Going to be another Federer vs. Nadal final. This time I think it will be Federer who comes out on top.

Federer in 4 sets.

FELIPE NO

I actually think Nadal might just do over Federer again, he's already 4-0 up this year, on clay granted but even on 2 of the 4 occasions Federer has had 2 match points and still lost to Nadal, he simply can't finish the guy. But in saying that Federer is looking supreme but the same could be said the first 4 times he lost to Nadal, this is going to be oh so close, but I'm rooting for the champ.

In the womens I really hope Mauresmo comes out on top, it would be nice to see her win it after going out in the semi finals on 3 occasions previously.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

It'd be nice if Henin-Hardenne can complete her Grand Slam set, but equally Mauresmo prove to be a regular Grand Slam winner. I'll be rooting for Henin-Hardnenne of course.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

This is turning out to be a swell final. How do tiebreaker sets work at Wimbledon?

I miss having a good American girl on top (hated the Williams sisters though), but this is great tennis. Too bad for the people in the US who didn't get up to watch this.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Fantastic by Mauresmo. she totally deserves it, her first 'proper' Grand Slam title, and I think she may after gaining confidence from this win could go on and create a period of dominance for a few years perhaps like Hingis, Serena and Venus have in the past.

She showed alot of character in this final and beats Hardenne for realz.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Henin-Hardenne got beat before she could quit with another stomachache. She has never really been a great sport when she's lost. Her excuse this time was that she was tired from all the other tournaments she played before this one. :eyebrow:

Great job Amelie, you deserve it.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by BlueMikey

This is turning out to be a swell final. How do tiebreaker sets work at Wimbledon?

I miss having a good American girl on top (hated the Williams sisters though), but this is great tennis. Too bad for the people in the US who didn't get up to watch this.

It'd get in a tangle explaining it, but this should do it.

I thought this was a good final but not an outstanding one. There were loads of unforced errors and this wasn't helped by the wind. This was a game of nerves and in the end Mauresmo was stronger than ever and able to hold on. It's nice to see her win this Grand Slam because it would a real shame if she only ever won that Australian Grand Slam, which did come about in the most unusual circumstances. She has been in the game in the while and I'm not sure if she'll be able to create such a period of dominance, but I'm sure it will have done her confidence wonders and more Grand Slam titles to follow.

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*Just realises there's a Wimbledon thread*

I've been staying up and watching Wimbledon non-stop. I was hoping Mauresmo would win, she really deserved it. She really executed the serve-volley skill to the best of her ability, like she said in a post-match interview. It was nice to see a funny quote from Mauresmo at the end: "Hopefully now people will stop talking about my nerves" (or something similar to that).

Overall, a good match, but not the best I've seen. I really liked the Sharapova V Mauresmo match - very diverse in play and some excellent shots were produced. Congratulations to Henin-Hardenne anyway. It's unfortunate for her that she has to wait another year for a chance at the Wimbledon trophy, but she's doing very well for herself with 5 grand-slam titles.

As for the Federer V Nadal match, I hope to see Federer take home the trophy, and I think he will in straight sets.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by electric_eye

It'd get in a tangle explaining it, but this should do it.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I like it when the final set is not played out with a tiebreak. Thanks for finding that.

FELIPE NO

This may be one of the best finals of all time I just can't call a winner, everything points to Federer but you just get that voice in the back of your head saying Nadal.

LoL he's still wearing that blazer jacket even on the interview.

EDIT: WOW how did Federer return those volleys and break Nadal with a god almighty shot down the line. Both players look shakey Nadal maybe a bit more especially after losing his first service game, and now his second.

Nadal has lost 2 service games this whole tournament, but now loses 2 in 15 minutes, the champ is applying the pressure but this is early days.

EDIT: Oh my word what a backhand shot by Federer to win the set (6-0), that is simply unreturnable theres nothing you can do, he's just anhilated Nadal in the first set, if it carries on this way this will be a very shot afternoon, simply stunning by Federer.

But still early days second set is another ball game. Yup Nadal breaks Federer this could be the French all over again.

Federer has lost all confidence and is starting to make alot of errors, I think Nadal may just do him over again and take Federer's number 1 spot while he's at it.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

This match started so EARLY, it's not even 7:30 and they're almost done with the second set.

I'll be watching the rest though.

I feel like I don't even know anything about Nadal, and he's like just a step behind Federer right now. So I think that's what makes me cheer for Federer. Tennis is one of the few sports where I'm not always cheering for the underdog.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

After a plethera of mistakes by Federer in bucket loads, Nadal makes 3 mistakes in the tie break and loses the set. I'm rooting for the champ but this still does not mean its over, this could be a 5 setter. Nadal is playing better now but finds himself hard done.

EDIT: Nadal wins the 3rd, I think he could just come back and beat him, Federer really struggled in the tie break he played a shocker.

Double Post:
Wow Federer just taught him a lesson in the 4th set, he absolutely crushed Nadal.

A deserved win he played some of the most amazing tennis in this tournament and finished it off like a champion, 4 in a row, time to update the snazy jacket.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Muzza

It was nice to see a funny quote from Mauresmo at the end: "Hopefully now people will stop talking about my nerves" (or something similar to that).

Overall, a good match, but not the best I've seen. I really liked the Sharapova V Mauresmo match - very diverse in play and some excellent shots were produced. Congratulations to Henin-Hardenne anyway. It's unfortunate for her that she has to wait another year for a chance at the Wimbledon trophy, but she's doing very well for herself with 5 grand-slam titles.

Yeah that was a funny moment. I thought the Sharapova vs. Mauresmo was okay, Sharapova is weak at the net and of course Mauresmo would exploit this. My favourite game has been Nadal vs. Baghdatis. I really enjoyed watching Baghdatis, he makes use of his shot selection and disguises the drop shot well and the execution was top. He'll be one I will look out for.

Congratulations to Federer on his 4th Wimbledon title. He really is supreme.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Federer and Nadal played a great match. Some of the shots Federer pulled off were just amazing and those shots being on a grass court made them that much more fast and unreturnable. Federer took full advantage of Nadal's sloppy play, especially in the first and fourth sets.

In order to even come close to beating Federer, you have to be playing you absolute best, and Nadal was unable to do that.

Congratulations Roger Federer. Good luck trying to catch Sampras.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Although not his best match, Federer clearly deserved that victory. Such well placed shots by both players but Federer's proved to be more effective. There's no doubt that both players were under pressure during the match, and in my opinion Nadal handled it better but it's so difficult to beat the world number one on grass. Well done, Roger Federer.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I really wished I could've been able to watch the final between Federer and Nadal if it weren't for my neighbor replacing their fence, which resulted in the electricity going off in the entire block for a few good hours. Errr! I would've been pleased with either Federer or Nadal winning, as they are both excellent players. Although I knew Federer could not simply be beat on grass, and when I saw the shocking score (6-0 in the first set) it further claimed my belief. Federer has always been graceful with his movements.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?