Tennis Fest-Wimbledon Style

You know the train of summer has pulled into the platform when they're playing tennis over in London. That's right, the traditional and storied Wimbledon tournament has returned for its 131st year.

It always seems to get more and more exciting, doesn't it? Last year, we saw Rafael Nadal push the limits of Federer in the finals while Venus Williams hoisted the champion's trophy, stunning the pundits. This year, although it's only Day 4 of action, we've already seen some mesmerizing tennis.

In today's action on the courts, the betting lines looked pretty lopsided. But by late afternoon in London, there were probably some very hefty prizes being handed out. For one, the world's 154th ranked woman, Alla Kudryavtseva, made sure Maria Sharapova would be back to Russia before she is. As we say here in Canada, Kudryavtseva "owned" the world #3, winning 6-2, 6-4 in just 84 minutes. Only one sentence can sum up this match: Maria Sharapova was simply horrible.

And here we go again...Andy Roddick has been eliminated early in Wimbledon. This time, it was at the hands of philosophical Serbian player, Janko Tipsarevic, who if you remember, was the guy that forced Federer's heart out his throat taking Roger to a breathtaking fifth set at the 3rd round of the Aussie Open. The #6 seed, Andy Roddick had his massive serve going early, but Tipsarevic was agressive with it and countered with some great serves of his own. The difference maker was the mentality between Janko and Andy. Tipsarevic was psychologically tough but Roddick...let's just say he gets pissed pretty easily. The final line on this one: 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.

Bowing out with Roddick on this day was fellow Yankee James Blake. Blake, the #9 seed fought hard with German veteran Rainer Schuettler but couldn't pull the trigger. Schuettler eventually made Blake pay the price in a grueling 5 setter, 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Now for the expected news, the British faithful watched as their boy Andy Murray defeated Belgian hopeful Xavier Malisse in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

Rafa got tested early by phenom Ernests Gulbis but returned to form, sending the Latvian home by a score of 5-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3. The Spaniard moved on to the third round.

Female defending champion Venus Williams used her mighty muscles to sweatily claim victory over British #1 Anne Keothavong in a 104 minute battle. Williams struggled somewhat in the first set but was able to dominate in the second, winning 7-5, 6-2.

Richard Gasquet was cruising against fellow Frenchman Sebastian Grosjean 6-2, 6-2 before the latter retired.

Dinara Safina won her match with ease, defeating Taiwanese player Su-Wei Hsieh 6-3, 6-2.

World #2 Jelena Jankovic blew by her opponent Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 6-3.

And perhaps the most confusing match of the day by the competitors's names, Wozniak vs. Wozniacki concluded with the Danish latter emerging victorious over the Canadian former 6-1, 6-1.

It was a pretty windy day on the courts and that breeze was a welcome for some...and not so much a benefit for others...oh well, that's Wimbledon for ya.

-D