Stranger Things Have Happened

If there are any tennis fans out there who love to root for the underdogs, this Wimbledon tournament is no short of a tailor-made extravaganza. First it was Djokovic, then Sharapova, Roddick, and now as Day 5 is tucked away to bed, the shockers keep on coming.

Now, don't worry, the Fed Express engraved his name into the Round 4 bracket without a challenge, winning in straight sets over Marc Gicquel 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. But his female counterpart couldn't claim the same bragging rights.

Ana Ivanovic, fresh off her feel-good victory at Roland Garros, stunningly fell at the hands of world #133, Chinese talent Zheng Jie. The final line couldn't have been more embarrassing for Ivanovic as she was defeated in just 72 minutes, 6-1, 6-4. The world number one committed 17 unforced errors and only converted 1 of 7 break points. On the contrary, the lady from Sichuan hit winner after winner before sealing the deal. She celebrated with a solid fist pump that will carry her into the Round of 16.

On the men's side, #5 seed David Ferrer was sent packing after bouncing out of Wimbledon against unseeded Croatian Mario Ancic. Ferrer helplessly watched 23 breakneck aces speed by him and was totally ineffective, having not able to convert a single break point. The cumbrous 24 year old Croatian had reached the Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds in London before but missed last year's tournee due to glandular fever. "Super Mario" as they call him, won in 4 sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 7-6(3).

A day after her sister advanced to join her in the 3rd round, Serena Williams moved one step ahead into the 4th round with a victory over Amelie Mauresmo. Mauresmo, who was champion at Wimbledon just 2 short years ago, was visibly annoyed with an injured thigh. You could see it in the scoreboard. After putting on a commendable warriors performance in the first set, forcing it to a tiebreak in which she lost, the veteran Frenchwoman listlessly threw away the second set by a score of 6-1. Serena, on the other hand, was jaunty all day.

Other big losers of the day include defending female runner-up Marion Bartoli and men's #11 seed Tomas Berdych.

Day 5 proved again that no one can afford to blink at Wimbledon...just as the weather is unpredictable in London, you never know what's going to happen on the Court.

-D