Wimbledon Diary Day 6
Originally published on: 25/06/11 19:38
An ailing Robin Soderling was defeated 6-1 6-4 7-5 by 18-year-old qualifier Bernard Tomic, who certainly did not expect to be here in the second week of Wimbledon. “This is the first time I have really done well at a Grand Slam,” said the Gold Coast native, who had come very close to losing in the first round of qualifying. Xavier Malisse is the Aussie’s next opponent as the competent Belgian created another upset, defeating 11th seed Jurgen Melzer 7-6 6-3 6-0 out on court 12.
Soderling admitted he did not feel great – he was a bit weak, and dizzy, but said his performance had nothing to do with the five-setter he had contested against Lleyton Hewitt in the previous round.”I just haven’t felt good,” he said, mentioning a stomach illness he had had a few days ago.
Roger Federer also prevailed against a struggling opponent, beating David Nalbandian 6-2 6-2 6-4. Nalbandian was suffering from an injury to his adductor muscle, on which he had surgery four months ago, but he still gave credit to an opponent who ”played much better than me today.” Federer was mindful that he has been defeated eight times by the Argentine but overall he thought he played OK today. “I’m very happy with today’s match. I think I played a great match”.
Robin Haase had to withdraw against Mardy Fish at 6-3 6-7 6-2 1-1. After the match Haase said the retirement was not just slipping on the right knee, an injury he had nursed for a year and a half. “The reason why I gave up now was everything else was hurting me: My legs, back, other knee, except for the knee where the fluid is in.”
The No.9 seed, Gael Monfils, was defeated 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3 at the hands of Lukasz Kubot. In a match that extended over two days, the Pole took his place in the fourth round where he will meet Feiliciano Lopez.
In the ladies draw there were a couple of marathon matches, both curiously on Court 12. First up Marion Bartoli took on Flavia Pennetta. The French woman eventually won through 5-7 6-4 9-7, but she’ll hope that illness does not floor her, as after the match she commented: “I’ve been feeling not very good since yesterday. I don’t know if it’s fatigue from the French Open and Eastbourne and everything. But tomorrow we have a day off, and Monday is going to be a new start. Hopefully I will have some time to recover.” She will need it as she next faces Serena Williams who emphatically beat Maria Kirilenko 6-3 6-2.
Tamira Paszek created something of an upset dispatching sixth seed Francesca Schiavone 3-6 6-4 11-9 from Court 12.
Other ladies seeds departing today included the sixteenth seed Julia Goerges who was defeated by Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-4 1-6 6-3. Goerges follows her German counterpart Andrea Petkovic who went out yesterday leaving Sabine Lisicki as the only German woman still in the draw. She came through today against Japanese qualifier Misaki Doi 6-4 6-2.
As an aside, in case you want to catch Petko, you could have found her playing mixed doubles today with Feliciano Lopez, whom you may remember was courtside for some of her singles matches in Roland Garros. They won their first round mixed doubles match in straight sets.
Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki both came through today but the other upset that occurred out on court 18 was the departure of Ana Ivanovic at the hands of Petra Cetkovska, who triumphed 6-2 7-6.
At the end of the first week, we are all looking forward to a bit of a rest tomorrow, such cool scheduling that Sunday is a day of rest. With some of the weather interruptions we have had this week, to still be on track is testament to Andrew Jarrett, the tournament referee and his team.
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