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What an amazing day at Wimbledon. Nice weather in London, weather in Atlanta, awful, raining buckets! Great day for watching some wonderful tennis. So, first 8 Del Potro over 4 Ferrer, 6 – 2, 6 -4, 7 -6. Del Potro took a nasty fall early in the first set, already suffering from a hyperentended knee injury, had to catch your breath and wonder? He was OK after a visit from the trainer and moved on in fine form. Next 1 Djokovic vs. 7 Berdych. Looked like it could be close early, first set goes to Djokovic in a tie break, 7 – 6. After that, Nole cruises 6 -4, 6 – 3. Berdych is just not there yet. 2 Andy Murray, the hometown favorite vs. unseeded F. Verdasco of Spain. Verdasco takes the first two sets, 6 – 4, 6 – 3. Um…is the hometown boy in trouble? Turns out no, as Murray goes on to win in five sets, taking the third, fourth and fifth, 6 – 1, 6 – 4, 7 – 5. Had to feel for Verdasco, he really looked like he might make it happen. Now, to the historic quarterfinal, two Polish men competing in the quarters of a Grand Slam for the first time in history, L. Kubot vs. 24 Jerzy Janowicz (remember that name!). Janowicz is 6′ 8″ tall, has a serve that usually arrives at about 140 mph and moves around the court like a cat. He won in three sets, 7 – 5, 6 – 4, 6 – 4. They embraced at the net when the match was complete, exchanged shirts ( a soccer tradition) and Jerzy was so overcome with emotion, he really could not communicate his feelings in his post-match interview. You have to love this guy! He did not have enough money to travel to Australia to compete in the qualifying round. He has lived in his car in Europe as he has traveled around trying to compete on the ATP tour. He was once ranked way outside the top 100 (his opponent Kubot has a ranking of 130) and he is now #24. Remember, this match was supposed to feature Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, or at the very least one of them. There is no greater Federer fan than myself! So, for me to be so excited to see this young Polish player move on at this tournament should speak for itself. He is a marvel and now, he is my favorite! You go Jerzy! What an amazing story!
Tomorrow, we will enjoy the ladies semifinals. S. Lisicki vs. A. Radwanska and K. Flipkens vs. M. Bartoli. Who could have ever predicted this? But on Friday, we will also enjoy some more magic, the men’s semifinals: Djokovic vs. Del Potro and Murray vs. Janowicz. All of Great Britain is pulling for Murray to win and finally have a “British” champion for the first time since Fred Perry in over 45 years. (Interesting, since Murray actually hails from Scotland) Others would like to see Del Potro break through and win his first major since he upset Roger Federer at the US Open. Me, I am pulling for this young man from Poland, Jerzy Janowicz! In a Wimbledon that has been unlike any other, why not! Can’t be Federer, so I want Janowicz! Stay tuned….the action continues tomorrow am on ESPN, Breakfast at Wimbledon starts on the 4th of July! Happy early 4th to everyone and thank you to all of our wonderful men and women in uniform!
