After a lengthy rain delay, 2012 Wimbledon carried on with the remaining first round matches and the first section of the second round started. Today, was a day that was full of rain, losses, slow play, and a tired gallery of spectators.
012 Wimbledon Round 1 & 2 women’s action
There have already some somewhat surprising upsets today, mostly on the women’s side. Former WTA #1, Caroline Wozniacki [7] fell to her first round opponent Tamira Paszek (Austria). Who? I have no idea who Tamira is, I have not seen much of anything from her. I honestly was not surprised that Caroline fell early at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. She struggled with her serve and her movement. Who knows what happened in Wozniacki’s head, though a loss is a loss and Paszek gets to move on to the second round.
Probably the most shocking loser today came from the 2011 US Open champion fell hard and fast against her first round 2012 Wimbledon opponent, Arantxa Rus. The lefty didn’t have the best game, though it was good enough to outlast the Australian. I suppose I should not be that shocked that Sammy lost in the first round, Wimbledon is by far her worst surface, only reaching the third round once (2009). Stosur is one of my favorite female tennis players, I enjoy watching her play, so I am a bit saddened that she was given an early exit.
Maria Sharapova’s second round match against Pironkova has been suspended, with the world #1 leading a set and 3-1 in the second. For a few games there, Maria looked confused, being broken once and saving 6 break points. Maria has not been serving awful, like she normally does. She just looks shaky out there. I’m sure she’ll wrap up her second round 2012 Wimbledon match tomorrow.
Some other notable winners on the women’s side include, Vera Zvonareva, Kim Clijsters, and Ana Ivanovic.
2012 Wimbledon Round 1 & 2 men’s action
On the men’s side, it was a little more business as usual at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. Federer made an easy win over Italy’s Fabio Fognini, winning straights. Roger Federer seems to have been playing some of his better tennis today, though I have the feeling that the slow soggy conditions helped him with his victory.
Andy Roddick had a chance to complete his first round match today against Britain’s Jamie Baker. The 26 year old really hung in there with Roddick. Only dropping serve twice in the entire match (first and third set). I was quite impressed with Bakers’ game, he has a very nice, solid, patient tennis game. He is not overly powerful though he had enough to make Roddick work. Roddick on the other hand, even though he won the match, his 2012 Wimbledon first round match was not very impressive. It was more of his poor attempts to volley and silly mistakes that made him have to play extended points. At one point, you could hear Roddick tell his team “It’s so slow.” Referring to the court conditions, Roddick’s serve and forehands were not going through the court as they normally do. Roddick will face Germany’s Bjorn Phau (Roddick leads head to head 3-0).
There have been two upsets today at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships; Ernest Gulbis was edged out by Polands’ Jerzy Janowicz. Gulbis send Tomas Berdych home packing after their first round meeting. I was a bit stunned that Ernest was out only in the second round, he put on a nice performance in the first round.
The second men’s upset from 2012 Wimbledon first round came from the “other Swiss guy,” Stanislas Wawrinka. Stan fell to, a great player, Jurgen Melzer. The two battle over five sets in two days, with the Austrian coming out on top, 8-6 in the fifth.
World #1, Novak Djokovic had an easy second round match against American Ryan Harrison, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Novak Djokovic, looking to defend his 2011 Wimbledon titles has cruised in his first two matches at 2012 Wimbledon. He looks to playing near the level of where he was this time last year; very confident and strong from all spots on the court. I have to hand it to Ryan though, as tough of an opponent as Djokovic is, he was able to hang in there and play tough, good for him. Novak will likely face Radek Stepanek, that will be easy as pie.
I know, the weather at 2012 Wimbledon makes it difficult on the players, with all the starting a stopping, crummy court conditions. I still am finding the 2012 Wimbledon Championships quite entertaining. What about you? Are you finding the matches good to watch or are you bored?
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