Second seed Novak Djokovic showed no signs of easing up after his amazing winning streak was ended by Roger Federer in Paris. The confident Serb needed just one hour and twenty minutes to top Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-1, 6-1. Djokovic exploded from the locker room and took charge of the match on Centre Court. It is clear that Djokovic wants this event. With one Grand Slam and six other titles in hand this season, Djokovic is focused and in top form.

Third seeded Roger Federer acknowledged a case of nerves in the first set, but once on the roll, the Swiss could not be deterred. Roger downed a game Mikhail Kukushkin 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-2. Federer’s support was widespread and if Andy Murray cannot win, the crowds would rally behind Federer, a six time winner at Wimbledon.

On a day where many of the game’s biggest and most revered players were in play, the tightest match of the day belonged to Marcos Baghdatis and James Blake. The two veterans went toe-to-toe in a thrilling five set match of wills, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-4 in two hours fifty minutes. Baghdatis, the 32nd seed, seemed in control after dominating the first two sets. Blake came back in the third set tiebreaker and appeared to have the momentum heading into the fifth set. In the end, it was the American’s 50 unforced errors that lost him the match. Baghdatis only had 31 errors.

Robin Soderling, the fifth seed, seemed sluggish as the match proceeded. He toppled Philipp Petzschner 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5). Soderling lost the momentum but hung on in the three hour plus match. Soderling will have a rocky road to reach the quarters against Djokovic. He will next meet fan favorite Lleyton Hewitt who takes the competitive game to new heights every time out.

The Americans did not fare well in Paris, but they are off to a strong start in London. John Isner tackled Nicolas Mahut much more easily than in last year’s memorable marathon. Isner sought to avoid another long match and was crisp in his 7-6(4), 6-2, 7-6 (6) triumph. Isner and Del Potro are two players nobody wants to see on the other side of the net.

Juan Martin Del Potro trounced Flavio Cipolla 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 and promptly declared he had much work to do to hope to continue. He is in Rafa Nadal’s brutal quarterfinal bracket. There are no easy rounds for Nadal this trip.

Three time finalist and combatant against Roger Federer in one of Wimbledon’s most fascinating finals had a solid outing against Andreas Beck 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-3. In the 2009 finals, Roddick had the match on his racquet but could not capitalize. The result was that Federer gained his 16th Grand Slam Title and sixth Wimbledon title.

The impressive American only committed 10 unforced errors, fired 30 aces and had just one double fault. Those are pretty impressive numbers for a man who hasn’t played competitively in a few weeks.

As in Paris, the top four seeds all looked strong. Nadal has by far the trickiest journey but the Spaniard does not lack for competitive genius. Murray is prone to err, but this is still his tournament to lose. To down either Federer or Djokovic will be mighty tough. Somebody will have to come up with a superlative effort to oust the big four.

Similar Posts

Federer, Djokovic and Soderling Dominate

Nadal, Djokovic, Federer and Murray All Move On

Australian Open 2009 – Day Five – Federer, Roddick Impressive, Cilic Assertive, Djokovic Survives