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| Davis Cup |
 For once, it was shown on TV and
I had the pleasure of seeing part of the mens doubles involving
Rusedski and Murray for Britain and Federer and Allegro for
Switzerland. This was until some idiot on the BBC decided horse racing
(which is shown all the time on channel 4) and the SNP party conference
(which could have been shown some other time), were more interesting
and important than this highly exciting and close match involving Roger
Federer, who is generally considered world's best player, and Andy
Murray, Britain's brightest prospect for the future of tennis.
Fortunately, the BBC did show Andy's match against Wawrinka.
This is my analysis of the matches (although it may turn out to be an
analysis of Andy Murray's game...). Rusedski and Murray make a good
doubles partnership and I think they would be a threathening force if
they were to play at Wimbledon. Rusedski is actually a lot better than
I thought he was which was a nice surprise. His volleying is strong and
consistent and his serve is powerful. Murray was less consistent in his volleying and first service but he
did play some spectacular shots and his return of serve was highly
praised.
In the singles match, Murray did not
play his best. He lacked the fire he usually shows on court and this
seemed to effect his game. John McEnroe recently said that Murray
should calm down on court as it was having a negative effect on his
game. I disagree: I think Murray should calm down in that he should not
argue with the referee excessively or throw his racket, but I think he
must show his passion on court to win. Murray played very few slice
backhands and I think this created some unforced errores. Although
lacking the power of the two-handed backhand, his slice backhand has
shown itself to be reliable and I think it could have saved Murray some
points.
While watching the doubles match, I saw Alex, my coach, sitting in the row behind Andy Murray's mother!
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| Tennis |
For those interested, I have compiled a list of the top tennis players in the women's and men's game at the moment in the order I think they should  be ranked. Andy Murray is not on this list yet, but over the next one or two years, when he has played more tournaments, he should appear. |
| Men |
Roger Federer (SUI) - Federer has won Wimbledon three consecutive years and all other tournament, except the French Open. His Wimbledon wins are equalled only by Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampres, the latter of whom had seven consecutive Wimbledon wins. It has often been said of Federer that, when on form, he is the perfect player. It is debatable as to whether he is actually beatable on grass, having won the last 30-something matches on this surface.
Andy Roddick (USA) - The 22-year-old- American, most famous for his power game and his record breaking 147mph serve, has been defeated twice by Roger Federer in the finals of Wimbledon. (2004, 2005) However, this should not over-shadow the success of this great player who has won the US Open.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) - This 19-year-old- Spanaird has risen in the ranks from 51 to his current ranking of 2 since the beginning of this year. Known by some as, "The King of the Clay," he won last years French Open at the age of 18 and has since been beaten only twice on this surface.
Lleytton Hewitt (AUS) - Formerly engaged to fellow tennis player Kim Clisjters (BEL), he has now married a "Home and Away" star. He won Wimbledon in 2002 but has recently been unable to compete with the challenge of Federer.
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| Women |
Maria
Sharapova (RUS) - This young Russian took the tennis world by surprise
when, at the age of 17, she beat Serena Williams to take the title of
Wimbledon Champion 2004. Spotted by Martina Navratilova at a very young
age, her father and a seven year old Maria moved to the US so she could
attend a tennis academy there. She did not see her mother for two
years. Now she is the highest women earner in tennis.
 Venus
Williams (USA) - After winning Wimbledon two consecutive times and then
being beaten by her sister in the final, people forseaw a few years of
total Williams domination. However, Venus dropped down the rankings and
it was presumed by some that she had lost interest in tennis and was
spending most of her time on other interests. Few people thought she
would return to take another Wimbledon title and even fewer believed
her capable of playing the way she did against Sharapova in the semi's.
Every ball she hit was aimed perfectly to the edge of the tram-lines,
rarely going out. She pushed Sharapova to the limits, placing the ball
so well that, at times, Sharapova was forced to play left-handed - a
sight usually seen only two or three times over about twelve
matches. Her placement of the ball was exceptional, the best I have
ever seen, women or man.
Linsay Davenport (USA)
- Although ranked no.1, Davenport has not won a Grand Slam in five
years. Her success at reaching the Wimbledon final this year was a far
cry from her contemplation of retirement at the previous years
Wimbledon.
Kim Clijsters (BEL) -
After making a great comeback at Indianapolis after a knee injury,
Clijsters went on to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon only to be
beaten by world number 1 and eventual finalist, Lindsay Davenport.
However, I think we can expect Kim to move up the rankings again
quickly.
 Justine Henin-Hardenne
(BEL) - Although surprisingly knocked out in the first round
of Wimbledon this year, Justine rose to be champion at
the French Open, playing to a very comfortable victory against
Mary Pierce in the final.
 Serena Williams (USA)
- The younger sister of Venus. Serena was on top form when she
made it to last year's Wimbledon finals, so it was a surprise to see
her knocked out in the second round by a virtual unknown this year. At
the moment, Serena really should not be on this list. Since Wimbledon
2004, her game and her form has declined. She was defeated in her
second round match due to unforced errors and lack of physical form.
However, I have placed her on this list in the hope that she will
recover the form which once made her a most fearsom player
 Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) - Although
a very good player, Mauresmo has never won a Grand Slam.
At Wimbeldon
2004, she was beaten in a very tight match against Serena Williams
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