Twits

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Rising star Robson leads winning ladies on Day 3.

Young Briton Laura Robson led an impressive cast of women who advanced through the ladies' draw on Day 3 of The Championships.

Robson, just 17 years old and a former girls' singles champion here, held her nerve in a tense final set to defeat German Angelique Kerber in a fabulous come-from-behind victory, winning 4-6 7-6 6-3 in two hours and eight minutes.

Playing on Court 16 in front of a small yet vocal contingent, Robson remained calm despite nearly letting a 4-0 lead slip in the final set, celebrating jubilantly when Kerber struck her 15th unforced error. It was a case of third time lucky for the teenager - in her two prior Wimbledon main draw appearances she fell at the first hurdle.

Robson's performance belied her ranking of 254, as she struck an impressive 53 winners to only 30 errors. She joins fellow Briton Elena Baltacha in the second round.

Next up comes a stern test and will determine how her game stacks up against the game's best - she will take on No.5 seed and former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova on Court No.1 tomorrow.

The 13th seed Agnieszka Radwanska and 2010 semi-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova breezed through their respective matches. Radwanska advanced to the second round after Belarusian opponent Olga Govortsova retired when trailing 0-6 0-3, citing a left ankle injury, while Pironkova moved through to the third round with a routine 6-1 6-4 win over Croatia's Petra Martic.

Pironkova, seeded 32, will be looking to exact revenge on her 2010 semi-final conqueror Vera Zvonareva in the next round, after the world No.2 defeated fellow Russian Elena Vesnina later in the day.

Also progressing with little difficulty was Sabine Lisicki, who reached the second round with a 6-1 6-1 thumping of Latvian Anastasija Sevastova. Lisicki, winner of the lead-up event in Birmingham and a Wimbledon quarter-finalist in 2009, is making a promising return from a left ankle injury which saw her ranking dip almost as low as 200.

Now back up to 62 in the world rankings, the German next faces a far greater test in the form of third seed and French Open champion Li Na.

Australian Jarmila Gajdosova moved relatively comfortably through to the second round with a straight-set win over Alona Bondarenko, a match featuring two players heading in opposite career directions.

Gajdosova came into the tournament ranked inside the Top 30, enjoying career-best form and fitness under the tutelage of coach Gavin Hopper. She clubbed 38 winners to 15 throughout the 7-5 6-3 victory over Bondarenko, formerly 19 in the world but now ranked outside the Top 100 after a season marred by a right knee injury.

The 25th seed Dominika Cibulkova played out a dramatic three-set affair against former teen prodigy Mirjana Lucic, winning 3-6 6-3 8-6 on Court 15.

Later in the evening, Andrea Petkovic and Daniela Hantuchova won their outside court encounters, albeit in contrasting styles. Hantuchova breezed through to the third round with a straight-sets dismissal of Kiwi qualifier Marina Erakovic. Petkovic, meanwhile, advanced to the same stage in rapidly fading light by staving off a fast-finishing Stephanie Dubois, wrapping up the match 6-3 4-6 6-3 at 9.20pm.

13 comments:

Carlos said...

At this point Wimbledon has had more drama, great moments, and better matches than RG 11.


Looking forward to:


Na vs. Lisicki


McHale match.


Divapova busting the chops of Robson.


Pennetta going down.


Gorgeous J. in action.


Italian Furby vs. Crazy Czech I want to see if she will blow up, literally haha.


WickiWickiWicki vs. Tatishvili remember her? She defeated a couple of good players during a tournament in the clay court season. It was pretty good run.



In doubles:


Lickitongue/Mr. Oudin vs. Mirza/Vesnina I just want to see the two lovely Russians. ;)


Cibulkova/"My" Ostrich, now that is an odd couple. Together those two reminds me of the movie "Twins" with Devito and The Governator nowadays known as "The Cheatator" haha.


Oh yeah and team Imbecile in action.

Emily or as Carlos likes to call me "Captain" said...

Wimbledon proves again why it is the Grand or Grand Slams! Really great matches and drama!

I think Lisicki will win that one!

McHale has a chance.

Hope for Robson to force a tie break maybe.

Panetta been disapointing since last year - retire, stick to being number 1 in doubles.

Everyone wants to see Julia play :)

Im tipping the Crazy Czech

I remember Tatishvili...she beat Dokic from what I can recall.

Not only the lovly russian but what about the stunning Mirza?

Twins - good movie! Assuming Ostrich is Arny! Dimunuative Cibulkova...Devito. On "The Cheatanator" I read he wants to make the love child a film star - get a life Arny.

team Imbecile wont go far...Petrova and partner rd 2...

Carlos said...

Lisicki wil give Na a fit, I'm too thinking she wil win.


I agree with you once again Captain, the Crazy Czech can pull the upset or self destruct in five seconds.


Mirza is married, loses big points, and loses more points (on my book) for being a non-blond.


Your assuption is correct Captain, I'll be rooting for team "Twins".


Governator didn't do anything for California he left the state in worse condition. He basically he wanted the common people to pay for the state's deficit and give the rich and corporations tax breaks. On his personal life, for being a mature man he acted and still acting like an immature teenager.

Anonymous said...

Julia has finally made it to ESPN3 action! She's tied up 1-1 in the first against Johansson.

Anonymous said...

I will need a photo of Ostrich & Cibulkova standing next to each other!

Halep up 5-2 on Serena in the first set but called for the trainer. I guess she slipped and messed up her knee/calf. However, she seems to be moving fine now.

Halep takes the first set 6-3.

I'm starting to have a little doubt about Julia. Seems she isn't really all that good unless her serve is working. She just doesn't transition very well from offense to defense.

Julia down 6-5 in the first set.

Anonymous said...

Julia & Serena win, McHale loses.

Princess up 7-5, 1-1. Aggie is up 2-1 in the first set and neither match is being broadcast.

Carlos said...

Aggie lost the second set 5-7 in the tie break.

Carlos said...

Duchess lost.

Carlos said...

Team Twins lost in straight sets 6-7 (3-7) 4-6. Booooooo.

Anonymous said...

Never heard of #81 Petra Cetkovska and not very happy Aggie got worked over!

Princess wins 7-5, 7-5 against Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Julia better bring her 'A' game against Cibulkova or she'll be going home.

Too bad Princess has to face Serena next.

Gajdosova vs Bunny (if she advances) should be interesting.

Dani vs Angry Bird might be good as well.

Anonymous said...

Gigantic win (3-6, 6-4, 8-6) for Sabine Lisicki against Na Li!

Mirza/Vesnina beat Mr. Oudin/Tongue 6-0, 7-6.

Looks like Priness/Julia are going to lose as well.. Currently down 6-2, 2-1. (I think this match has been suspended due to darkness.)

Anonymous said...

Looks like Princess/Julia came back and won the second set 7-5. Now it says play suspended again. Perhaps the first time was rain and now darkness?

Carlos said...

Li Na was not a happy camper, but she choke twice. Lisicki has a mini choke in the second set, she was leading 5-1 when Na closed the gap at 5-4.


I have Jarmilla taking out The Bunny and her over stuffed number one seeding in the third round.


Caps321 if your calling Chakvetadze "Tongue", might as well called Lisicki "Licki." :P

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