Here are the likely (my guesses by seeds and form) opponents that each will have to beat before meeting each other in the final:
Rafael Nadal:
First Round: Michael Russell Second Round: Ryan Sweeting Third Round: Milos Raonic Fourth Round: Juan Martin del Potro Quarter Finals: Tomas Berdych Semi Finals: Andy Murray Finals: Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer
Roger Federer:
First Round: Mikhail Kukushkin Second Round: Adrian Mannarino Third Round: David Nalbandian Fourth Round: Nicolas Almagro Quarter Finals: David Ferrer Semi Finals: Novak Djokovic Finals: Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray
Wimbledon seeds announced, draw out today, Friday.
What are the Wimbledon seedings for 2011? Rafa is seeded first for the first time in his career (the seeding does not follow ATP rankings, but adjusts for recent performance on grass). Roger starts at No. 3 – here is the top ten:
1) Rafael Nadal (ESP)
2) Novak Djokovic (SRB) 3) Roger Federer (SUI)
4) Andy Murray (GBR)
5) Robin Soderling (SWE)
6) Tomas Berdych (CZE)
7) David Ferrer (ESP)
8 ) Andy Roddick (USA)
9)Gael Monfils (FRA)
10) Mardy Fish (USA)
Nadal’s Wimbledon warm-up was curtailed by Tsonga while Fed chose to sit out Halle.
To me, Rafa looked fatigued at Queens, and although I have to admire his determination to prepare for the grass of Wimbledon by playing both singles and doubles, I was actually relieved when he was knocked out by Tsonga in the quarters.
What he needs right now is some rest, his play was looking good – even against Tsongas who played one of those incredible matches he can pull off every few years (Australian Open comes to mind…). He looked comfortable on grass, was finding his length nicely and even getting in some good serve and volleys.
So now he is in Mallorca, where he plans to “Be with the friends, be with the family, play some golf, relax, go fishing maybe”, before heading to Wimbledon next Wednesday or Thursday.
Federer on the other hand took the decision to pull out of Halle, saying that before the French Open, that he was so tired that he would sleep through the alarm clock.
I am sure that his time at home with the family will do wonders, and I am really looking forward to seeing our two champs feeling relaxed and fit for what will be an absolute humdinger Wimbledon in 2011.
A few weeks ago I posted that Rafa would stay No 1 – he still can, with a little help from a friend.
I had picked that Rafa Nadal would win Rome and Roland Garros and therefore hold on to the ATP No. 1 ranking until at least the beginning of Wimbledon.
Unfortunately I underestimated Novak Djokovic, who continued his amazing run of form to beat Rafa in Rome.
But now it is Paris. Five sets, Grand Slam tennis.
And Rafa has a trump card this time in… Roger Federer, who could be the one to knock Nole off his perch in the semis and allow the Mallorcan to stay atop, just… just…just maybe… a little longer.
Here is the calculation, should Nadal win, and Djokovic fall in semis:
Rest easy Nadal fans – Rafa will stay on top until at least after Roland Garros…
There has been a lot of talk of Novak Djokovic’s chances of taking over the ATP No 1 position from Rafael Nadal either at the Rome Masters or at the French Open.
But that possibility requires one massive assumption – that he can outscore Rafa at either Rome or Roland Garros.
Let’s not forget something – Nadal has won the Rome title in 5 out of the last six years, as well as Roland Garros in 5 out of the last 6 years. He is perhaps the best clay court player of all time, and unlike the Madrid Masters which is played at altitude, these courts are perfect for his style of play.
So even if Nole makes it to the final in both, Nadal is favourite to win both titles. And in that case after Roland Garros he will retain a lead over the Serb of…365 points!
Here is the calculation:
Nadal
Djokovic
Balance 11th May
12470
10665
less Madrid points 2010*
-1000
0
plus Rome 2011
+1000
+600
less French 2010
-2000
-360
plus French 2011
+2000
+1200
After Roland Garros
12470
12105
Note – Madrid 2010 points drop 16th May, and Rome 2010 points already deducted from balance due to change in tournament calendar since last year.
Well let’s not take this lightly, Nadal will have to play brilliantly to achieve the above, but so will Djokovic, and Rafa has history and experience in his favour. Odds are on him.
On the other hand, the really big challenge will be Wimbledon where things are no longer in Rafa’s hands. If as above Nadal wins on clay and Djokovic loses the finals, then even a Wimbledon title may not be enough if Nole does indeed make it to the third consecutive final. So THERE is his chance – but truth is, I back Rafa to win all three, but think the Serb will fall short at either the French or Wimbledon .
After Roland Garros
12470
12105
less Wimbledon 2010
-2000
-720
plus Wimbledon 2011
+2000
+1200
After Wimbledon
12470
12585
Note – Queens left out of above for simplification, but it could also come in to play. Rafa defends 45 points and Nole 20 points.
Then for July and August… not so many points to defend and he could make up points on the hardcourt tour of North America before defending his title at the US Open.
My pick is that Rafa will be at No 1 until the end of the year!
Congratulations, Rafa on the great Wimbledon victory.
To come back from a tough year with the strain of injuries, the toil of regaining match performance and the heart break of family separations to reclaim the Wimbledon crown is truly the mark of a champion.
Some would say it is premature to proclaim Nadal the “King of Grass”, but to reach four finals and win two titles in four years is historic in magnitude, particularly given that each of these performances followed close on the heels of tiring clay court titles at four French Opens.
And when you consider that the two Wimbledon were lost to none other than our famous Greatest of All Time, Mr. Roger Federer, well, as Rafa would say about others but modestly not of itself… it’s unbelievable.
Now I am hoping that Rafa will be pacing himself with one clear goal in sight – the US Open.
He is already the all time record holder for number of Masters titles, and he can afford to use these as practice, focusing on improving his technique and hard court game rather than chasing every last ball to the death and grinding those delicate knees to powder.
If he can temper his innate passion to win every single point, game and set and match, I believe Nadal can arrive at Flushing Meadows at the end of August in fine match fitness, brimming with confidence and with a great chance to improve on the semifinal finishes of 2008 and 2009.
I can just see him placing that last major missing from his Grand Slam trophy cabinet.
UPDATE- Match over, Nadal won 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 and claimed his second Wimbledon Championship title
Rafael Nadal has a 7-3 lead in the head to head against Tomas Berdych, which hides an even worse record for the Czech in that Nadal won the last 6 matches in a row.
But that was the old Berdych, and nobody is doubting that this Wimbledon final will be a close one.
I pick Rafa in 4 sets. But if Berdych can show the consistency in long flat shots and strong serve over 3 sets in a row, Nadal would have to be at an incredible level to overcome him. Just ask Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer!
Below are the best links for free TV streams over internet that we could find from our wide range of checked sources.
We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
Wimbledon Final 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Tomas Berdych
Match starts at 2pm local time, 1pm GMT
Option 1 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV- Excellent, English. Use Internet Explorer.
Option 2 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV – Good, English
Option 3 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV - Good, English
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
UPDATE – Result – Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4
Probably the match of the tournament! At least until the final, anyway .
Rafael Nadal will play Andy Murray for a place at the Wimbledon final.
Rafa has a 7-3 lead in the head to head but not even the most one sided Nadal fan (yes, me) could disregard the fact that Murray has pulled that back from a lead Rafa held in 2008 of 5-0 in his favour.
In recent encounters it has been tit for tat – with injury, fatigue or bad form taking the air out of what should otherwise have been great matches.
Wimbledon 2010 is looking like an epic clash!
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Wimbledon Semifinal 2010 – Live Tennis on TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Andy Murray
Second match on centre court, should start some time after 3pm local time, 2pm GMT
Option 1 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV- Excellent, English
Option 2 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV – Good, English
Option 3 - Wimbledon Tennis Live TV - Good, English
UPDATE – Results, Federer beat Melzer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 and Nadal beat Mathieu 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
Sunday is a rest day at Wimbledon and play will resume on Monday.
Roger Federer will face Jurgen Melzer.
They’ve not played before, but Melzer has been in good form, is ranked a career high 16, and has beaten some good players this year on clay (including Djokovic, Verdasco).
If he wins, his reward will be a place in the final eight to continue that record streak .
Rafael Nadal will be playing Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu.
They’ve met nine times before, and the Spaniard has just dropped two sets and never lost a match.
Rafa will surely be hoping for a quick three set win in order to take the strain off the weary body after two long five setters, but Mathieu will surely have other plans
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Wimbledon Championships 2010
Roger Federer vs Jurgen Melzer
Monday – Starts 1pm local time, midday GMT (first match of the day on the Centre court)
Option 1 - Wimbledon Live TV- RECOMMENDED – English
Rafael Nadal has played German Philipp Petzschner twice before, with easy straight set wins on both occasions. Let’s see if he can build on the form he seemed to come into in the last two sets of the five set win over Dutchman Robin Haase.
I pick Nadal in straight sets (well, I said that against Haase too ).
Here are the best links for free TV coverage over internet. We’ll check and update these when the match starts.
If none of these are working, or to find one that works better, do try the listings at SPVod, Myp2p, RojaDirecta, Atdhe, Fromsport , Channelsurfing.
Also refer to this post for more information on watching TV over the internet, or feel free to leave a comment to report good or bad links (no registration required).
Wimbledon Championships 2010 – TV Streams (Free)
Rafael Nadal vs Philipp Petzschner
Option 1 - Wimbledon - Excellent, English
Option 2 - Wimbledon – Good, English
Option 3 - Wimbledon - Good, English (if not on this court, try this one)
The live draw has been made, and Nadal and Federer could meet in the final.
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