What appeared to be seemingly uneventful week in tennis turned out to be a little more dramatic than usual. So here are a few thoughts on the week, since I am totally procrastinating on an essay I'm supposed to be writing. 

Players of the Week

Jo-Willy Tsonga, Mr. Float-like-a-butterfly-sting-like-a-bee, wins his first career title in Thailand. Sounds pretty obscure? Yet he pulls off an absolute thrashing of Gael Monfils and then a straight sets win (though much closer) over Novak Djokovic, avenging his loss in the Australian Open. To top it all off, a serve and volley off a second serve on match point en route to his first title. Gotta love his play, big serve, beautiful forehand, the occasional jaw-dropping volley. The guy takes risks, and deals with its consequences beautifully. Allez! (finds yet another bandwagon)

Dudi Sela from Israel, one of the biggest surprises of the week, played some groovy tennis to make it into the finals of the China Open, and did not make it easy for Roddick in their 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 final. The match stats actually showed he had more winners, but just failed to come through at the right moments. Love this photo of him, very ernest face. We celebrate our Federers and Nadals, but sometimes we also celebrate our Selas. 

Yes, and Andy Roddick wins his second (?) title of the year. Not a smooth run for him, but considering the fate of other top seeds, namely Ferrer and Gasquet, he's got plenty to smile about. And thumbs up for his generosity to the Szechuan Earthquake victims. Roddick is a better sportsman than most people give him credit for.

Very sad to see Sam Stosur lose in 3 setter (2-6, 6-1, 6-4), the match was much closer than the scoreline would indicate, but she's done a very good job of recovering from her illness, and had some success in doubles tennis. 

On a lighter note, how good does MariKiri look in her Stella McCartney (Adidas) dress? She'd give Sharapova a run for her money in the fashion department. 

Mentioning Sharapova, she's officially out for the season. I miss her grunts. Women's tennis is not the same without those high pitched vocal chords. 

Jelena Jankovic takes a step towards righting her 2-4 H2H with Kuznetsova, with a well-deserved and convincing victory also in Beijing. She's been playing her best tennis ever since the US Open, and has put herself within 21 points of Serena Williams, which makes Stuttgart (where they'll both be playing) very intriguing. Thumbs up from me for the good tennis, and general funkiness of this girl. 

And some quick mentions to finish off a post that's getting a little long: 

I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of Zheng Jie in some upcoming tournaments. This girl's headed for the top 20, mark my words. Cool, calm and collected. 

Richard Gasquet makes me want to pull out my hair. But that's the fun in rooting for him. 

Novak Djokovic hasn't won a title since Rome, lost the last 3 finals he's been in, what's up with him? Maybe just losing it a little? 

I've heard the gossip, I've had pictures shoved in front of me, but if you haven't seen it already, Rafael Nadal's naked butt is the hottest thing since Paris Hilton's porn tape. I wouldn't mind seeing Roger do a bit of skinny dipping himself, but hey, that's just me. 

Cibulkova's growing on me, Ivanovic is not. 

Mentioning Ivanovic, what's going on with her and Verdasco. Something's brewing.

Det festlige med Davis Cup er at hjemmelaget får bestemme hvilket dekke kampene skal spilles på. Finalen spilles i Argentina, og jeg blir overrasket hvis de velger å møte Spania på grus. Jeg regner med at de velger et raskt dekke. Både Nalbandian og del Potro har en bedre sjanse mot Nadal på en rask bane. Selv om del Potro er altfor dårlig å serve i forhold til høyden sin.

Jeg holder Spania som en liten favoritt i finalen uansett. Nadal er blant verdens 2-3 beste på hardcourt også, og både Feliciano Lopez og Fernando Verdasco er gode på raske dekker. Argentinerne har del Potro, og er avhengige av at han spiller godt for å ha en sjanse i november. Jeg tror Nadal vinner sine to kamper i finalen, og da må Argentina vinne de to andre singlekampene pluss doublekampen for å bli Davis Cup-mestere. Det tror jeg blir tøft.

Roger Federer vendte også tilbake til Davis Cup sist helg, og hjalp laget til seier over Belgia. Sveits er dermed tilbake i toppdivisjonen neste år. Jeg lurer på hvilke planer Federer har for Davis Cup i 2009. Nå har han Wawrinka å støtte seg på, og de to vant OL-gull i double nettopp. Samtidig gjør det store innhogg i kalenderen å vie seg 100 prosent til Davis Cup, og jeg tror Federer er litt for glad i Grand Slam-trofeer til å ofre seg for fedrelandet. Og hvis Sveits trekker Spania i første runde, hvor lysten er han egentlig på å dra til Madrid og få juling av Nadal?

Women's Singles:

Women's tennis has a crisis. Since Justine Henin retired no player earned the crow of being World No. 1. Players like Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova lost early, all other top players played not on a very high level.
But there have been some positive players on the other hand. German qualifier Anna-Lena Groenefeld and French wildcard winner Severine Bremond are still in business and above all Gronefeld showed some attractive tennis...

Notable results:

1st round:
Anna-Lena Groenefeld & Ekaterina Makarova were the players of the first round. German Groenefeld who had a bad time in the past and made her comeback some weeks ago upset 11th seed Daniela Hantuchova in two easy sets. Russian Makarova won vs. her compatriot and 10th seed Anna Chakvetadze after being a set down.
No. 1 seed Ana Ivanovic had some problems with Vera Dushevina but won in three sets.

--- [1] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) def. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 6-1 4-6 6-4
--- [16] Flavia Pennetta (ITA) def. [Q] Stefanie Vogele (SUI) 2-6 6-2 6-2
--- [Q] Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) def. [11] Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 6-4 6-2
--- Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) def. [31] Virginie Razzano (FRA) 6-4 6-1
--- [L] Mariana Duque Marino (COL) def. Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) 0-6 6-3 6-2
--- Na Li (CHN) def. [24] Shahar Peer (ISR) 2-6 6-0 6-1
--- Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) def. [10] Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 1-6 6-2 6-3
--- Tamira Paszek (AUT) def. [22] Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 6-3 3-6 6-4

2nd round:
The biggest surprise in this second round definitely is the win of qualifier Julie Coin over the world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic. Ivanovic who has had problems with her thumb never showed her quality. On the other hand Julie Coin played maybe the match of her life.
Ivanovic's Serbian compatriot Jelena Jankovic had many problems with Swedish Sofia Arvidsson but won in three close sets. Some other seeded players like Olympic Bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva and Hungarian Agnes Szavay had to say 'goodbye' after the second round.

--- [Q] Julie Coin (FRA) def. [1] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 6-3 4-6 6-3
--- [W] Severine Bremond (FRA) def. [20] Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 7-5 6-3
--- Tathiana Garbin (ITA) def. [13] Agnes Szavay (HUN) 5-7 6-2 6-3
--- Anne Keothavong (GBR) def. [25] Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-2 3-6 6-4
--- Tatiana Perebiynis (UKR) def. [8] Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-3 6-3
--- [2] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) def. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 6-3 6-7(5) 7-5

3rd round:
Anna-Lena Groenefeld is the player of the week. The German qualifier won in the first round vs. Daniela Hantuchova, now - in the 3rd round - French teenager Alizé Cornet was her victim. French wildcard player Severine Bremond is a surprising player too. In the 4th round she'll play vs. Serena Williams.
After Ana Ivanovic the next top player lost. 3rd seed Svetlana Kuznetsova lost in three sets vs. Slovenian Katarina Srebotnik.

--- [16] Flavia Pennetta (ITA) def. [19] Nadia Petrova (RUS) 4-6 6-4 6-3
--- [Q] Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) def. [17] Alizé Cornet (FRA) 6-4 7-5
--- [W] Severine Bremond (FRA) def. Tathiana Garbin (ITA) 7-5 3-6 6-4
--- [9] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) def. [18] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 6-0 6-3
--- [28] Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) def. [3] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-3 6-7(1) 6-3
--- [21] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) def. [14] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 6-4 6-4

4th round:
The bottom half of the draw already played the 4th round on Sunday. Olympic Gold medalist Elena Dementieva had no problems with Chinese Na Li. Patty Schnyder, Sybille Bammer and 2nd seed Jelena Jankovic reached the quarterfinals too.

--- [5] Elena Dementieva (RUS) def. Na Li (CHN) 6-4 6-1
--- [15] Patty Schnyder (SUI) def. [28] Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 4-6 6-3 6-3
--- [29] Sybille Bammer (AUT) def. [12] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 7-6(3) 0-6 6-4
--- [2] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) def. [21] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3-6 6-2 6-1

Next week:

The top half has to play the 4th round on Monday:

[32] Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) --- [16] Flavia Pennetta (ITA)
[Q] Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) --- [6] Dinara Safina (RUS)

[4] Serena Williams (USA) --- [W] Severine Bremond (FRA)
[9] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) --- [7] Venus Williams (USA)

Two quarterfinals (bottom half) are already fixed:

[5] Elena Dementieva (RUS) --- [15] Patty Schnyder (SUI)
[29] Sybille Bammer (AUT) --- [2] Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

Men's Singles:

The male top players are still in business. New World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, titleholder Roger Federer and last year's runner-up Novak Djokovic all in all had not much problems to reach the 4th round. The player of the week is qualifier Gilles Muller from Luxembourg who won two five-setters after being 0-2 sets down.

Notable results:

1st round:
German qualifier Bjorn Phau was supposed to be an easy opponent for Olympic Gold medalist Rafael Nadal but it was hard work for the new World No. 1. Phau fought but in the end Nadal won in straight sets.
There were some exciting five-setter in the first round. The most exciting perhaps was the win of unseeded German Tommy Haas over French star Richard Gasquet. The most surprising winners in round one were Japanese Kei Nishikori (won vs. Juan Monaco) and German qualifier Andreas Beck (won vs. John Isner).

--- [1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. [Q] Björn Phau (GER) 7-6(4) 6-3 7-6(4)
--- Sam Querrey (USA) def. [22] Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-3 6-1 6-2
--- [9] James Blake (USA) def. Donald Young (USA) 6-1 3-6 6-1 4-6 6-4
--- [Q] Andreas Beck (GER) def. John Isner (USA) 7-6(5) 6-4 7-6(3)
--- Kei Nishikori (JPN) def. [29] Juan Monaco (ARG) 6-2 6-2 5-7 6-2
--- Jürgen Melzer (AUT) def. [27] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-4
--- Tommy Haas (GER) def. [12] Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-7(3) 6-4 5-7 7-5 6-2

2nd round:
In round two there were not much upsets. Only the wins of Mardy Fish over Paul-Henri Mathieu and of qualifier Gilles Muller over German Tommy Haas were surprising. Portuguese qualifier Rui Machado was close to an upset vs. 13th seed Fernando Verdasco from Spain but in the end the favourite took hold.
All top stars and favourites mostly have easy wins. Merely last year's semifinalist David Ferrer from Spain and Scot Andy Murray had to fight in close matches.

--- Mardy Fish (USA) def. [24] Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-4
--- [4] David Ferrer (ESP) def. [Q] Andreas Beck (GER) 4-6 7-5 6-3 7-6(5)
--- [6] Andy Murray (GBR) def. Michael Llodra (FRA) 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6(7)
--- [15] Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Marat Safin (RUS) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-4 6-0
--- [Q] Gilles Muller (LUX) def. Tommy Haas (GER) 2-6 2-6 7-6(5) 6-3 6-3
--- [13] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. [Q] Rui Machado (POR) 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-4 6-7(6) 6-0

3rd round:
This round there were some surprises and some exciting five-setters. Seeded players like James Blake, David Nalbandian and David Ferrer lost. Especially Gaucho David Nalbandian made a very poor performance vs. Gael Monfils.
Stanislas Wawrinka and Andy Murray both fought back after being 0-2 sets down. Luxembourgian qualifier Gilles Muller has been the most surprising player of the tournament so far. After winning over Tommy Haas after being 0-2 sets down he succeed the same way vs. 18th seed  Nicolas Almagro from Spain.

--- Sam Querrey (USA) def. [14] Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 7-6(5) 7-6(5) 6-2
--- Mardy Fish (USA) def. [9] James Blake (USA) 6-3 6-3 7-6(4)
--- [32] Gael Monfils (FRA) def. [7] David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-3 6-4 6-2
--- Kei Nishikori (JPN) def. [4] David Ferrer (ESP) 6-4 6-4 3-6 2-6 7-5
--- [10] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) def. [Q] Flavio Cipolla (ITA) 5-7 6-7(4) 6-4 6-0 6-4
--- [6] Andy Murray (GBR) def. Jürgen Melzer (AUT) 6-7(5) 4-6 7-6(5) 6-1 6-3
--- [Q] Gilles Muller (LUX) def. [18] Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 6-7(3) 3-6 7-6(5) 7-6(6) 7-5

Next week:

The second week continues from Monday with the 4th round:

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) --- Sam Querrey (USA)
Mardy Fish (USA) --- [32] Gael Monfils (FRA)

Kei Nishikori (JPN) --- [17] Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)
[10] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) --- [6] Andy Murray (GBR)

[8] Andy Roddick (USA) --- [11] Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)
[15] Tommy Robredo (ESP) --- [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB)

[5] Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) --- [Q] Gilles Muller (LUX)
[23] Igor Andreev (RUS) --- [2] Roger Federer (SUI)

O paulista Thomaz Bellucci tinha tudo para conseguir a vitória logo na estréia do Masters Series de Toronto. Pegou um Fernando Verdasco em boa fase, mas cansado, e fez 6/1 com certa tranqüilidade no primeiro set. Mas levou a virada do espanhol número 11 do mundo por 6/3 e 6/2.

Não assisti à partida, que — show de bola! — teve transmissão ao vivo, porque estava no trabalho. Acompanhei apenas pelo ponto a ponto do Tenisbrasil. Mas tenho algumas teorias para a partida:

1 - Verdasco achou que passaria fácil pelo quase desconhecido brasileiro e entrou desconcentrado, talvez displicente. Percebendo o bom jogo de Bellucci, elevou o nível para o que lhe é habitual neste ano e venceu.

2 - Compartilho da opinião do José Nilton Dalcin, do Tenisbrasil. Ainda falta experiência para o brasileiro. Ele ainda está alguns degraus abaixo dos melhores. Ontem foi seu primeiro jogo em um Masters Series, fez apenas três partidas em Grand Slams. É novato até mesmo em ATPs, torneios que combinam mais com seu nível atual — jogou quatro partidas em três competições.

Discordo do Dalcin quando ele diz que incomoda a forma como Thomaz Bellucci desperdiça as chances. Pelo menos para mim, isso pode acontecer mais um par de vezes.

Bellucci é novo, tem um bom jogo e, principalmente, espaço para crescer. Falta ser mais regular dentro de uma partida e depois dentro de uma competição grande. Falta se impor quando está jogando melhor. Só mais jogos podem lhe trazer isso.

Se o objetivo não foi criar um fenômeno ainda garoto, como Nadal e Djokovic, — e claramente não foi, por diversos fatores, como idade, apoio, política do esporte, etc. — é bom dar um tempo para Bellucci, que fará 21 anos em dezembro.

O calendário do brasileiro a partir de agora inclui as Olimpíadas, onde pode surpreender, e o US Open, em que, com sorte e juízo, tem chance de avançar uma ou duas rodadas. Se for mais, melhor!

Women's Singles:

Many favourites failed early in the women's draw: The four top seeds were eliminated before the quarterfinals - the first time in the Open Era... But two made their way through to the final: Venus and Serena Williams...

Final:

[7] Venus Williams (USA) def. [6] Serena Williams (USA) 7-5 6-4
The third time in Wimbledon history the Williams sisters were playing the final. The both previous finals Serena won but this time Venus was the better player and became the deserving champion. It's her fifth title at Wimbledon - her 7th Grand Slam title. Serena had her chances but made in the end too much errors.

Notable results:

4th round: [18] Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) def. [8] Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 4-6 7-6(0) 6-3
Czech talent Nicole Vaidisova with rising form. After bad results the last months she reached the quarters by defeting top 10 player Anna Chakvetadze.

4th round: Jie Zheng (CHN) def. [15] Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6-3 6-4
Chinese Jie Zheng is one of the most surprising player in Wimbledon. After sending world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic packing Zheng overwhelmed the next seeded player: Agnes Szavay from Hungary...

4th round: Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) def. [2] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-3 6-2
The next big win for an underdog: Tamarine Tanasugarn won vs. handcapped (because of a knee injury) world No. 2 Jelena Jankovic from Serbia in straight sets who had no chance vs. the 31 years old from Thailand.

4th round: [14] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) def. [4] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4 1-6 7-5
The lost of 4th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova completed the desaster of the top seeds. The first time in the last 40 years it happened that no one of the four top-seeds reached the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam. Kuznetsova lost despite a comfortable lead in the third vs. Polish talent Agnieszka Radwanska.

Quarterfinal: [6] Serena Williams (USA) def. [14] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 6-4 6-0
One of the few favourites in business Serena Williams overran Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska. After a tied frist set Serena swept Radwanska 6-0 away...

Quarterfinal: Jie Zheng (CHN) def. [18] Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) 6-2 5-7 6-1
China's Jie Zheng defeated Czech Nicole Vaidisova in three sets and is, after Tamarine Tanasugarn lost to Venus Williams, the only unseeded player who reached the semifinals. 4 of her five matches she played vs. seeded players (e.g. top-seed Ana Ivanovic) and won all...

Semifinal: [7] Venus Williams (USA) def. [5] Elena Dementieva (RUS) 6-1 7-6(3)
Defending champion Venus Williams is the first player who qualified for the final. After an easy first set where Elena Dementieva was a bit unfocused the match became closer but Venus decided the match in the 2nd set tiebreak. Now all were waiting for the all-Williams-final...

Semifinal: [6] Serena Williams (USA) def. Jie Zheng (CHN) 6-2 7-6(5)
... and they got it. Serena Williams won vs. the first Chinese in a Grand Slam semifinal Jie Zheng nearly the same way Venus did it before. Easy first set, close 2nd set.

Women's Doubles:

The Williams sisters were dominating the singles draw and they reached the final in doubles too...

Final:

[11] Serena Williams (USA) / Venus Williams (USA) def. [16] Lisa Raymond (USA) / Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-2 6-2
The Williams sisters took also the doubles title at Wimbledon, their third time. Doubles specialists Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur had no chance in a onesided final so Serena and Venus won in straight sets.

Men's Singles:

The spectators wanted to see the final between world No. 1 Roger Federer from Switzerland and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal from Spain... and they got it. It became a historic final which no tennis fan will forget soon...

Final:

[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. [1] Roger Federer (SUI) 6-4 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(8) 9-7
Sensational, exciting, unbelievable, epical... only a few words which describe this extraordinary match. After 4 hours and 48 minutes (longest Wimbledon final in history) full of the best which tennis can offer world No. 2 Rafael Nadal disempowered Roger Federer who won the past five years. Nadal led with 2-0 sets but then came the rain. After this break Roger Federer became better. But in the fourth set tiebreak Nadal had his first two matchpoints but Federer managed it to win the 4th set. After another rain delay both players hold their serves until the score of 7-7. Then Nadal could break Federer's serve and obtained his first Wimbledon title which is at the same time his first Grand Slam title off clay (4 times in Roland Garros). Roger Federer's winning streak of 65 consecutive wins on grass ended and so he missed to overtrump Bjorn Borg who also won 5 times in a row in Wimbledon.

Notable results:

4th round: [12] Andy Murray (GBR) def. [8] Richard Gasquet (FRA) 5-7 3-6 7-6(3) 6-2 6-4
Scottish player Andy Murray is the last British player in the tournament. After a 0-2 sets-handicap he won in five sets over French No. 1 Richard Gasquet and ecstasized his home crowd.

4th round: Marat Safin (RUS) def. [13] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-1
In three of his four matches so far Russian Marat Safin has met seeded players (e.g. Novak Djokovic)... he won every match! This time Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka became his victim.

4th round: Rainer Schuettler (GER) def. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) 6-4 3-6 6-4 7-6(4)
The 32 years old German Rainer Schuettler is maybe the most surprising player so far. He won over Serbian Janko Tipsarevic and reached the quarters.

4th round: Mario Ancic (CRO) def. [22] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) 3-6 4-6 6-3 6-4 13-11
After the 2nd set the spectators thought that Spaniard Fernando Verdasco will win his match vs. Mario Ancic from Croatia easily. But then Ancic turned the paper and won the match with 13-11 in the final set.

4th round: Arnaud Clement (FRA) def. Marin Cilic (CRO) 6-3 7-5 6-2
Nobody really noticed that French doubles specialist Arnaud Clement reached the quarterfinal of Wimbledon with a victory over Croatian Marin Cilic in straight sets.

Quarterfinal: Marat Safin (RUS) def. [31] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 3-6 7-5 7-6(1) 6-3
After a set down Russian old hand Marat Safin won his quarterfinal vs. Spaniard Feliciano Lopez to make the semis vs. 5 time defending champion Roger Federer.

Quarterfinal: Rainer Schuettler (GER) def. Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-3 5-7 7-6(6) 6-7(7) 8-6
Because of heavy rain this thriller was played on two days. German unseeded Rainer Schuettler won after over five hours (matchtime - the 2nd longest in Wimbledon history) over French unseeded Arnaud Clement. Both players had many ups and downs but at the end Schuettler was the more lucky one. After Melbourne 2003 (runner-up) it's his 2nd Grand Slam semifinal in his long career. Schuettler will play French Open champ and 2 time Wimbledon runner-up Rafael Nadal.

Semifinal: [1] Roger Federer (SUI) def. Marat Safin (RUS) 6-3 7-6(3) 6-4
Same procedure as every yeah. Roger Federer is the first finalist - the sixth time in a row. All the previous finals (since 2003) Federer won. Until now he hasn't dropped a set. Also Marat Safin from Russia couldn't stop the FedExpress. Only in the second set Safin had some chances but Federer was too strong.

Semifinal: [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. Rainer Schuettler (GER) 6-1 7-6(3) 6-4
Rafael Nadal reached his third consecutive Wimbledon final. After a straight win over German oldie Rainer Schuettler the - for tennis fans - perfect final is complete. No. 1 Roger Federer vs. No. 2 Rafael Nadal. But all the respect to Schuettler. I watched him in Halle a few weeks ago where he played not very good and now he reached the semifinal of Wimbledon (3rd male German in Open Era after Boris Becker and Michael Stich). Congratulations Rainer :D

Men's Doubles:

The top seeds Bryan brothers lost in the semifinals...

Final:

[2] Daniel Nestor (CAN) / Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) def. [8] Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) / Kevin Ullyett (ZIM) 7-6(12) 6-7(3) 6-3 6-3
... so there were Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic who won their first Wimbledon doubles title vs. Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett. The first two sets were balanced but then Nestor and Zimonjic turned up and won in four sets.

Mixed Doubles:

Final:

Bob Bryan (USA) / Samantha Stosur (AUS) def. [1] Mike Bryan (USA) / Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 7-5 6-4
Normally the Bryan brothers are successful in one team but in the mixed doubles final they were rivals. Bob Bryan won together with Samantha Stosur the mixed title vs. the top seeds Mike Bryan and Katarina Srebotnik.

Women's Singles:

A week of many surprises: Some favourites are already out. For example Ana Ivanovic: Recently she became Roland Garros champion and world No. 1 but in round 3 her Wimbledon campaign ended by losing to a nameless Chinese... Also Maria Sharapova played disappointing and dropped out in the 2nd round. All notable results of the first Wimbledon week you can read now in chronological order:

Notable results:

1st round: Casey Dellacqua (AUS) def. [12] Patty Schnyder 6-4 3-6 6-1
Aussie Casey Dellacqua likes to play seeds in Grand Slams this year. After defeating Patty Schnyder and Amelie Mauresmo in Melbourne and Marion Bartoli at Roland Garros she defeated in the 1st round of Wimbledon Swiss Patty Schnyder.

1st round: Julia Goerges (GER) def. [23] Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) 4-6 7-6(6) 16-14
Only five minutes were missing for a new Wimbledon record. 3 hours and 40 minutes German Julia Goerges required to beat Katarina Srebotnik from Slovenia. Believe it or not nearly two hours the 3rd set (30 games!) lasted...

2nd round: [1] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) def. Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 6-7(2) 7-6(3) 10-8
What a 204-minutes-thriller! World No. 1 and Roland Garros champ Ana Ivanovic was very very close to drop out in the 2nd round vs. No. 97 French Nathalie Dechy (two matchpoints for her).

2nd round: Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) def. [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 6-2 6-4
Big surprise on day 4! 2004 champion and No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova already dropped out in the second round to her Russian compatriot Alla Kudryavtseva (world No. 154) in 2 sets.

3rd round: Bethanie Mattek (USA) def. [11] Marion Bartoli (FRA) 6-4 6-1
Last year's runner-up Bartoli confirmed her bad form this year by losing to American Beth Mattek in straight sets...

3rd round: Jie Zheng (CHN) def. [1] Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 6-1 6-4
After her long match vs. Nathalie Dechy in round 2, world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic had no chance vs. Chinese Jie Zheng who's ranked 133 in the world. Ivanovic with too many unforced errors and all in all no power vs. Zheng who played maybe her best match in her career.

3rd round: [21] Nadia Petrova (RUS) def. [16] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 7-6(11) 7-6(4)
It sees that former top 10 player Nadia Petrova regains her form. She defeated young climber Belarussian Victoria Azarenka in two tiebreaks.

3rd round: [24] Shahar Peer (ISR) def. [9] Dinara Safina (RUS) 7-5 6-7(4) 8-6
Another exciting match in this first Wimbledon week. French Open runner-up Dinara Safina lost despite a comfortable lead in the 3rd set to Shahar Peer from Israel and cried after the match...

Next week:

The second week continues from Monday with the 4th round:

Jie Zheng (CHN) - [15] Agnes Szavay (HUN)
[18] Nicole Vaidisova (CZE) - [8] Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)

[4] Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) - [14] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
Bethanie Mattek (USA) - [6] Serena Williams (USA)

[5] Elena Dementieva (RUS) - [24] Shahar Peer (ISR)
[21] Nadia Petrova (RUS) - Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)

[7] Venus Williams (USA) - Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)
Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) - [2] Jelena Jankovic (SRB)

Men's Singles:

Like in women's draw there were some surprising results in the men's draw too. Favourites like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are still in business but Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was crushed by born again Marat Safin. With Nikolay Davydenko and James Blake two other were defeated by Germans who was the surprising nation that week...

Notable results:

1st round: Simon Stadler (GER) def. [18] Ivo Karlovic (CRO) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-3 7-5
Despite 23 Aces giant & insider tip for the grass Grand Slam Ivo Karlovic already lost in the frist round to German qualifier Simon Stadler.

1st round: Benjamin Becker (GER) def. [4] Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 6-4 6-4 6-4
The 27 years old German Becker crushed world No. 4 in three sets. The first big surprise in the men's draw.

2nd round: Marat Safin (RUS) def. [3] Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2
Marat Safin like in his best times! Melbourne champion and one of the great favourites at Wimbledon Novak Djokovic had at the end no chance and lost in three sets.

2nd round: Rainer Schuettler (GER) def. [9] James Blake (USA) 6-3 6-7(8) 4-6 6-4 6-4
Another American who has played good on grass so far is out. James Blake lost after a close 5 setter to German Rainer Schuettler.

2nd round: Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) def. [6] Andy Roddick (USA) 6-7(5) 7-5 6-4 7-6(4)
Grass specialist Andy Roddick already out in the 2nd round! At his second tournament after a shoulder injury he lost to Janko Tipsarevic who was close to beat Roger Federer in Melbourne this year.

3rd round: [22] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. [11] Tomas Berdych (CZE) 6-4 6-4 6-0
Clay specialist beats grass specialist. Nothing really extraordinary but maybe the result of 4, 4 and 0 is surprising...

Next week:

The second week continues from Monday with the 4th round:

[1] Roger Federer (SUI) - [20] Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
[22] Fernando Verdasco (ESP) - Mario Ancic (CRO)

Marat Safin (RUS) - [13] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)
[10] Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) - [31] Feliciano Lopez (ESP)

Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) - Rainer Schuettler (GER)
Marin Cilic (CRO) - Arnaud Clement (FRA)

[8] Richard Gasquet (FRA) - [12] Andy Murray (GBR)
[17] Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)- [2] Rafael Nadal (ESP)

1.- Dear Rafa. Tôi là một tay vợt trẻ và nghiệp dư, và mỗi lần nhìn anh thi đấu, tôi có thêm động lực để thi đấu và nâng cao trình độ. Nhưng một thứ tôi chưa thể vượt qua là luôn bị căng thẳng trong trận đấu.Tôi muốn hỏi anh, anh đã làm gì vài phút trước khi ra sân để trấn tĩnh bản thân (nếu điều đó xảy ra), anh có luôn làm 1 điều gì không hay anh có cầu nguyện không,... Cảm anh vì tất cả, anh chính là nguồn cảm hứng của mọi người. Thanks and encouragement.
Chào bạn và cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều. Tôi luôn làm một số việc trong phòng thay đồ. Sự lo lắng mà bạn luôn mắc phải, đương nhiên là do giải đấu và vòng đấu mà bạn tham gia. Tôi luôn cố gắng nghe nhạc, nghĩ về trận đấu và những việc mình cần phải làm. Lời khuyên của tôi là bạn hãy suy nghĩ mình phải làm gì và luôn cố gắng thực hiện những điều đó. Nếu điều đó tốt hay không thì luôn có những cơ hội khác để làm lại.

2.-Hello Rafa , chúc mừng chiến thắng của anh trước Fernando. Chúng tôi đã thấy anh rất lạ, như là chơi bằng một nửa sức mạnh... Có gì ảnh hưởng tới ah không? Có phải đó là do thời tiết hay anh bị đau đầu? Tại sao anh gọi bác sĩ tới nhưng lại không để chăm sóc? Cảm ơn và chúc anh may mắn trong trận đấu với Nicolas
Không có gì cả, tôi vẫn khỏe và tôi mong muốn được thi đấu. Không có vấn đề gì. Tôi chỉ bị chóng mặt một chút như tôi đã trả lời họp báo nhưng đó chỉ là khi chúng tôi bắt đầu đánh tiếp sau cơn mưa.

3.- Hello Rafa , anh có nghĩ gì về Carla Suarez không? Cô ấy đang tiến xa tại giải lần này, tứ kết. Tôi mong muốn 2 vận động viên TBN sẽ chiến thắng. Và chúc mừng sinh nhật anh, bây giờ anh đã là một người đàn ông đích thực, 22 tuổi. Anh cảm giác như thế nào khi tổ chức sinh nhật một lần nữa ở Roland Garros.
Mọi thứ có vẻ đang diễn ra thuận lợi cho tôi và cô ấy và điều đó tốt cho quần vợt TBN. Hy vọng tôi và Carla sẽ tiến xa hơn nữa.

4.- Hello Rafa. Thỉnh thoảng khi bàn luận với bạn bè tôi cho rằng anh có điều kiện để phát bóng mạnh hơn, nhưng anh đang cố gắng nâng cao khả năng phát bóng chính xác hơn cũng như sự ổn định và tác dụng của pha phát bóng. Tuy nhiên, nếu anh phát bóng tốt hơn anh sẽ vượt trội hơn nhiều tay vợt hiện nay, tôi ko nghĩ là cơ thể ngăn cản anh làm điều đó vì anh là người rất linh động trong lối chơi. Tôi mong chờ câu trả lời của anh. A hug.
Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều. Tôi sẽ nói chuyện với Toni về việc này. Sự thật là có rất nhiều điều để nói về vấn đề phát bóng của tôi...

5.- Hello Rafa, cựu tay vợt người Argentina Guillermo Vilas đã từng nói rằng chiến thắng một trận đấu dễ dàng là để nâng cao chỉ số nhưng ko giúp nâng cao được lối chơi. Điều đó có đúng khi chiến thắng một trận đấu căng thẳng tốt hơn là một trận đấu dễ dàng? Anh nhận được điều gì sau chiến thắng với Verdasco? Đội của anh đã nói gì sau một trận đấu dễ hơn dự kiến?
Điều quan trọng trong tennis là chiến thắng khi trận đấu kết thúc. ĐÔi lúc bạn sẽ thấy tốt hơn và cũng có lúc là tệ hơn. Thỉnh thoảng bạn chiến thắng dù chơi kém còn những người thất bại lại chơi hay hơn. Hãy tin tôi chiến thắng là đều quan trọng nhất. Đương nhiên nếu bạn thi đấu hay và chiến thắng bạn sẽ có thêm sự tự tin và điều đó rất tốt. Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều

Let's go to today's action and find the man of the day... IVAN LJUBICIC!!!

Why, you say? Firstly he was down 2-0 against the 4th best clay player, the robotic Davydenko. Second, he has fallen down from top 3-4 to #30 very fast and with no good results to show in recent time. Third, he is one of the BIG guys with the big serve as main weapon. History shows that these guys succeed more on hard courts and grass. Fact of the matter is Ljubi played great tennis, few errors and made Davydenko come up with the good stuff. He wasn't able anymore after the first two sets, and Ivan took over. Great match, great setting and a great result for the big guy from Croatia. Kinda the only surprise left, apart from Chardy in the last 16.

Gonzalez did the same thing today, but you would excpect him to play a lot better than what he showed during the first two sets. Gonzo is a rollercoaster of another dimension and needs stability to get a big title. Wawrinka playing his best is perhaps not as good as Gonzo playing his best. That's why Gonzo won, I think.

Ok, here's a breakdown of the remaining candidates:
Federer-Benneteau (Federer just torn Ancic apart, will do it to Benne as well)
Gonzo-Ginepri (is this for real?! If Gonzo loses this, shame on him!)
Ljubicic-Monfils (this could go either way, depending on mental strength+best tennis possible)
Stepanek-Ferrer (probably to of the biggest dark horses to win the entire thing, super match!)
Gulbis-Llodra (big chance for both of them, is Gulbis mature enough to take it? 50-50 IMO)
Mathieu-Djokovic (either Mathieu plays his best and has a chance, or plays poorly and gets humiliated at home)
Chardy-Almagro (bye bye Chardy, Almagro losing this would be a big upset! who knows?)
Verdasco-Nadal (bye bye Verdasco. never beaten him, never even close, except for once on grass..Nadal in 3 I'm afraid)

First of all there are two heros in Hamburg. Montanes is not used to being in QFs of Masters. Better yet, he has not dropped a set yet. Interesting to see if he has a chance against Djokovic. Moya-Nadal is also a classic. Nadal looked far better yesterday and seems to have found the autopilot button. And then there is a NO-seed QF. Local hero Kiefer took out Davydenko in straight sets and Andreas Seppi bageled Monaco. This is without a doubt an important match for both players and might be the one to watch. Last, but not LEAST, Federer-Verdasco. Both players looked far better than they have done so far this year and seem to be on a roll. Verdasco did not play GREAT tennis, but beating Ferrer in straight sets is not bad. Federer on the other hand played one of his best matches this year. He hit 24 winners and only 10 unforced. That's GOOD on clay for him.

So who will advance?
Federer surely will
Kiefer should be able to get his home crowd to cheer him into a SF.
Nadal should be quick against Moya
Djokovic shouldn't get too much trouble against Montanes

Conclusion: Federer will be in the final, unless Kiefer is able to pull off an incredible win. The only uncertainty at this point is who will win the other SF? Djokovic or Nadal? I say Nadal....