Weather permitting, Thursday’s action at Wimbledon will see Maria Sharapova, Amelie Mauresmo, Svetlana Kuznetsova competing, as well as Venus and Serena Williams’ first doubles match together since Wimbledon of 2004.
The weather held up for much of the day on Wednesday, giving time for most of the top seeds to advance with easy wins, but a few of them, including Roland Garros finalist Ana Ivanovic saw their matches pushed back another day.
Because the tournament is behind schedule, matches on the outside courts will begin an hour earlier on Thursday at 11:00 am BST.
Matches to Watch on Thursday, June 28
(9) Ana Ivanovic vs. Meilen Tu
After playing on the WTA Tour for seventeen years, Meilen Tu has come out of nowhere this season to play some of the best tennis of her career. The California native has bounced in and out of the top 100 over the years, but only a few weeks ago she posted a career high of No. 38 in the world, giving the Americans a fourth player inside of the top 40. While she is not nearly as successful as rising star Ana Ivanovic, Tu has experience only years of competing on the professional circuit can give. Ana saw her hopes of winning a major dashed when she crumbled against Justine Henin three weeks ago in Paris, and if she could get another chance to prove that she has the game – and nerves – to win a Grand Slam, she’ll take it at Wimbledon.
My Call: Youth wins out over experience for a spot in the third round.
(11) Nadia Petrova vs. Sania Mirza
Friday’s match against Nadia Petrova may be the best chance Sania Mirza could get to patch her fledging career up. Despite playing a perennial game of seesaw on the rankings, I still believe Mirza’s got a game that is top 30 at least. She has never had excellent results on grass, but with Petrova rethinking her career and suffering from inconsistency and low confidence, Mirza may be able to snag the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
My Call: Sania Mirza puts up a fight for a three-set win
(5) Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Bethanie Mattek
American Bethanie Mattek turned heads last year at Wimbledon when she turned up for her opening round match against Venus Williams on Centre Court with an outfit that looked like she was headed for a retro basketball game. The long tube socks didn’t do her an ounce of good against Venus, but they were worth their weight in gold when it came to publicity. Her taste in fashion continues to dazzle her fans, but she won’t be the only one turning heads on Court No. 11 on Thursday. Svetlana Kuznetsova has ditched her short blonde tresses in exchange for long corn rows.
My Call: Svetlana Kuznetsova knocks the socks of Mattek with a speedy straight sets win.
Venus and Serena Williams vs. Claire Curran and Anne Keothavong
After a four year hiatus, Venus and Serena Williams are surprisingly teaming up once again for doubles. Perhaps it was because they wanted to play together for a change or maybe was it to get some extra practice in on grass because both of them skipped the warm-up events? If it is the latter, they certainly could use a little more practice before heading into the second week at Wimbledon. Although with Serena nursing a “tight” hamstring, it will be interesting to see if they play for the duration or pull out after a round or two. They’ll open against the British team of Claire Curran and Anne Keothavong, who won an ITF circuit event in London together in February.
My Call: Venus and Serena in two sets.
Martina Says
About if she sees herself as a contender now after a relatively easy second round win:
“Well, I’m just really looking to the next step because, like I said, I’m building up. I can only get better. Every day I’m winning on condition and match practice, also confidence. When you only hit for like two weeks and you go into a Grand Slam like that. I’ve always been very realistic in my life. That brought me also always very far. I think every day is great for me. That was the same when I made the finals at the French Open after coming back from surgery. You know, I was 17 only then. It’s been 10 years. But I’m in a different position now. I really take every match as it comes, try to make the best of it.”
On how she has changed since winning the title in 1997:
“The tennis world is very fast moving. You have to mature early, otherwise the media’s going to eat you up alive. Definitely come a long way and met some great people. I made a lot of friends on the tour.”
About her love for horses:
“I think it’s a great creature. It’s a beautiful animal. So powerful, gives you so much energy. When you’re out on the trails, just really the force of the horse. You’re kind of in control sometimes. It’s just amazing. I always loved things with speed. That’s why I love skiing. I like cars. Horses are a different way. It’s a little bit of a risk, too. I know. I try not to go to the limits, push it to the limits, always know where the area of limits are. I mean, of course, you can’t always tell. I don’t know. You’re never alone.”
What’s Happening at Wimbledon?
Mauresmo withdraws from doubles
Amelie Mauresmo has pulled out of the ladies’ doubles competition with Tatiana Golovin because of a minor strain.
Mount Richard almost blows again
Richard Williams was not a happy camper after the umpire incident at the end of Serena’s match on Wednesday against Alicia Molik.
Smashnova ends distinguished career with 6-0, 6-0 loss to Germany’s Muller
Anna Smashnova won’t be leaving tennis on a good note, rather a double-bagel loss in her final match.
USA Television Schedule for Thursday
All times are Eastern
Day 3 Highlights – ESPN2 – 1:30 to 4:00 am
Wake up to Wimbledon – ESPN2 – 7:00 am to 8:00 am (Daily Preview Show)
Early Round Coverage (Day 4) – ESPN2 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (LIVE)
Day 4 Highlights – ESPN2 – 9:00pm to 12:00 am
