Matches to Watch on Friday, June 29
(1) Justine Henin vs. Elena Vesnina
With most of the focus on Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters, Justine Henin has been cruising under the radar to the third round. Her performance could hardly get any better, with only seven games dropped in her first two matches.
The one chink in Henin’s armor in the past has been her first serve, but she’s been serving over 70% so far at Wimbledon. Elena Vesnina is developing into a solid contender along with the rest of the young Russian contingent, but her road at Wimbledon will stop here.
My Call: Justine Henin wins her fourteenth consecutive match.
(15) Patty Schnyder vs. (24) Alona Bondarenko
The Bondarenko girls are quickly becoming the Maleeva siblings of this generation, with Alona currently the most successful of the trio. As Patty Schnyder is not always the most consistent of players, especially on grass, Bondarenko may be able to thwart the lefty’s spin and score the upset.
My Call: Alona Bondarenko reaches the third round of Wimbledon for the second time in her young career.
(3) Jelena Jankovic vs. (25) Lucie Safarova
Giant-slayer Lucie Safarova was seeded in the top half much to Amelie Mauresmo’s relief and Jelena Jankovic would do well not to underestimate her young, blue-eyed opponent. Safarova’s aggressiveness served her well against a passive Mauresmo at Melbourne and Paris, but she’ll need to step it up against a player as confident right now as Jelena Jankovic. However as confident as Jelena Jankovic is, her gas meter’s starting to edge closer to empty from playing so much tennis in the last six months. She should have enough strength to get past Safarova, but the needle just might hit empty before the middle of next week.
My Call: Jankovic scores a straight sets win over Safarova.
(16) Shahar Peer/Sania Mirza vs. Sofia Arvidsson/Lilia Osterloh
It’s great to see that after all, tennis won out over politics. For the first time in almost two years, Sania Mirza and Shahar Peer are competing together in doubles after a fear of Muslim reprisals forced Mirza to split from the partnership in the early part of 2006. In an era where women have successfully fought to receive the same pay as men, what better way to champion the rights of women worldwide than to see an Israeli and a Muslim compete together at Wimbledon?
My Call: The courageous duo of Peer and Mirza reach the second round.
Venus Says
About how playing doubles helps her singles game:
“I think it helps tremendously. I’m so excited that we both were healthy enough to play and that we didn’t doubt that we could make it through the draw in the doubles. We were at a point where we felt confident to do it.”
On her off-court hobbies:
“I’m always in school. Now I’m finally going to finish this year for fashion design. I have an interior design company called V Starr Interiors. We do all kinds of things in residential design, commercial. Right now we’re working on a hotel in the Turks and Caicos, which is exciting. I got to go. I also love music. I have a sister who writes. I’d love to write with her. That’s my goals. Who knows, I might do something like really normal, have a family.”
About her father Richard:
“He’s a great guy. He’s friends with everyone on the circuit. He knows players I don’t know. He knows the transport people. He knows the people in the lunchroom. He knows the guy working at the security. He’s friends with everyone at every tournament. He’s just a really outgoing guy. He just wants the best for Serena and I.”
What’s Happening at Wimbledon?
Williams sisters win in return to doubles
Venus and Serena Williams made short work of Claire Curran and Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday in their first doubles match together in four years.
An Improbable Pro With an Impossible Dream
Aravane Rezai wants to win the Grand Slam – five years in a row.
USA Television Listings for Friday
Day 4 Highlights – ESPN2 – 4:00 to 6:00 am
Wake up to Wimbledon – ESPN2 – 7:00 am to 8:00 am (Daily Preview Show)
Early Round Coverage (Day 5) – ESPN2 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (LIVE)
Day 5 Highlights – ESPN2 – 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
