Two weeks ago, Rafael Nadal won his 7th title at Roland Garros. Two weeks from today, Roger Federer could achieve the same feat at Wimbledon; and if it happens, he’ll also regain the world #1 ranking.
Coming off her French Open title, Maria Sharapova won’t have to face Serena Williams or Petra Kvitova (who knocked Maria out last year) in her half of the draw, and most seem to think she has the easiest path to the final.
Wimbledon is enticing early this year. Two first-round matches will feature all former Grand Slam winners: Djokovic vs. Ferrero and Clijsters vs. Jankovic; and Venus and Serena have entered the doubles competition. They’re in the top-half of the draw with Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond.
Andy Roddick is feeling some confidence coming into the London fortnight, after winning his 31st career title at Eastbourne (over Andres Seppi 6-3, 6-2). It’s been 16-months since Andy’s won a title, but he can boast that he has won a title in each of the past 12-years.
Tamira Paszek fought-off five match points to come back and beat Angelique Kerber (5-7, 6-3, 7-5) in the Eastbourne women’s final.
David Ferrer topped Philipp Petzshner (6-3, 6-4) to win the Unicef Open tune-up in The Netherlands. Nadia Petrova defeated Urszula Radwanska (6-4, 6-3) to win the women’s title.
Radwanska advanced after Kim Clijsters withdrew before their semifinal match, suffering a stomach muscle strain. The quote from Kim: “This is a decision taken with my head, not my heart. But preventatively withdrawing from this tournament is the right decision. I am definitely going to play at Wimbledon.”
After Wimbledon, Billie Jean King’s World Team Tennis season begins in the U.S., while several clay court tournaments take place in Germany, Croatia, Sweden and Switzerland.
The Emirates Airline U.S. Open series starts in mid July – followed by the U.S. Open:
– The Bank of the West Classic at Stanford (7/9 – 7/15)
– BB&T Atlanta Open (7/14 – 7/22)
– Mercury Insurance Open at Carlsbad (7/14 – 7/22)
– Farmer’s Classic in Los Angeles (7/23 – 7/29)
– Citi Open in Washington D.C. (7/28 – 8/5)
– Rogers Cup in Toronto and Montreal (8/4 – 8/13)
– Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati (8/11 – 8/19)
– New Haven Open at Yale (8/17 – 8/25)
– Winston-Salem Open (8/19 – 8/25)
And, of course, three weeks after the conclusion of Wimbledon, players will return to the All England Club for the 2012 Olympic Games: (7/28 – 8/5). John Isner is one of the American Olympic hopefuls…you’ll see more of him in Coca-Cola commercials as we close-in on the games.
