Thetownend.com

So, that time of year again. Big news today, of course, is Nadal losing in the first round, once again to a slightly sinister looking opponent (see Rosol last year, Soderling in the French 09'). Maybe that's how you get under his skin. Look sinister. Anyway, Nole to cakewalk to the final where he will beat Murray in five, who should beat a (finally) ailing Federrer along the way. As far as the womens goes, you would expect the younger of the Williams Brothers to win it, but really nobody gives a fuck because women's tennis is fucking shit.

Accurate summary there.

:gay:

If I may discuss women's tennis, Laura Robson has come back from Erakovic serving for the match to lead 3-0 in the final set. Remarkable bottle for a young Brit.

Accurate summary chimed Coca Fola but intriguingly not fully borne out. 

For the quarters, we are already down to one past winner and two past finalists in both the Mens and the Womens (Joker and Murray/Berdych - Kvitova and Bartoli/Radzwanka) whilst three unseededs still remain in each.  A weird feel, especially in the men's just as we thought Murray had made it a "top four".

Out are Federer, Nadal and Tsonga and Sharapova, Azarenka and now Williams.  Any TEFer could have won a match with all the withdrawals.   I guess a few might like to offer their physio services for Sharapova or Nadal.

Had a good day on Friday, though the games were all straight sets. Bottled the Twitter request to shout out "I love you Judy" during the Murray match.

A very selected few pics here:

www.batch.me.uk/Wimbledon

Looks good Batch.

Despite Fed and Nadal going out early, I still feel there is a very distinct 'Big four', to some extent at least. Fed was due an early grand slam defeat (36 qfs' in a row, I believe) and will still be feared more than almost anyone at any event. And I don't think Nadal will find it as difficult to transition from clay to grass in the next few years as he did this year. All he has known for the best part of a year is clay thanks to his injuries. But maybe it has become more like two sets of 'Big Twos' rather than one 'Big Four', with Nole and Murray dominating more than Fed and Nadal.

As I rather crudely declared before I have little interest in women's tennis, but nevertheless kept tabs on Laura Robson. I hope she carries on doing this well, even if just to take some of the spotlight, and perhaps some of the pressure, off Murray. Unlike all the other British women I've seen, she actually has a weapon, that forehand is a very good shot.

Murray can beat Nole I think, but he has to trust his attacking instincts. I watched some of the match today, and from what I saw, he seemed to revert to passive tennis at times when he should have seized the initiative. He's the best shotmaker of the top players though, I think. I find him much more interesting to watch than either Nadal or Nole. Loved that curling forehand lob he pulled off today. He's got to attack, and he may be in with a chance if he faces Nole in the final

At times, but he rose to his aggressive best occasionally- when he was behind in the second set tie break he was irresistible. Wish he'd do it more.

That's the frustration, isn't it? His aggressive tennis is as good as anyone's, yet he inexplicably plays within himself at seemingly inopportune moments. That's the only reason Nole is able to punish him as often as he does in major finals. Murray needs to sock it to 'im!

Murray epitomised a 'Big Four' player yesterday. Played really badly, and still found a way to beat an opponent playing really well. Will get smashed by Djokervic if he plays like that though

cant see him beating Djok, but who knows, we've seen a lot of upsets this year. Looking forward to seeing him play the 6ft8in pole Janowicz.

Anyone watching Del Potro v Djokovic? Absolutely bloody brilliant on both sides, there have been some incredible rallies and it's 1 set all- yes, Djokovic lost a set!

If it wasn't for his injuries Del Potro could easily be the fifth member of the Big 4- if not the very best.

watching snippets of it, del potro just threw away a massive chance to break djok.

Dont give a fuck who wins but they better smash that Scottish cunt Murray!

nothing says the Janowicz wont do it later

Both playing some great tennis; it's been a great watch fo sar. Hoping it goes to a 5th set - Del Potro deserves that at least.

Great match up these two. Del Potro tests Nole's supreme defence like nobody else

Two sets all and this is fast approaching Federer v Nadal final a few years back as the best game of tennis I've ever seen.

Fucking ace. Djok has more in the tank though

Saw the last set, looks like Djokovic had the experience of how to play it against the tiring/injured Del Potro...great semi final, now for Murray...

Yep, much closer before that though. At times Del Potro looked like he was taking control of the match, but it seems it wasn't to be.

Why "Nole"?

Shortened version of Novak I believe, just like Bob or something.

Murray has just levelled at 1 set all. This Polish chap is going to go somewhere in the game, very physical.

I saw Janowich play in the first round. His serve is ridiculous.

I saw him play in the third round. I concur.

Murray into the final in four with a decent advantage over Novak in terms of time on court. Should be a cracking game.

Think Murray is going to give Novak a good run for his money.
2 great semi finals today.
Janowicz will win a GS before long that for sure

Thoroughly enjoyed both games today.  I don't think Murray will ever have a better chance of winning Wimbledon.

Can't believe this is Murray's seventh slam final.

(http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lriia6FaGR1r2fyvso1_500.png)

Sorry.

A tremendous achievement for the guy. £800,000 richer regardless too, can't argue with that.

And his fourth in a row (plus an Olympic final as well)

What a disappointing ladies final, Lisicki has been awful and getting totally battered.

After her sensational come backs against Williams and Radzwanka, Lisicki was embarrassingly overcome by the occasion rather than a more modest opponent. 

Bartoli doesn't look the athlete but she has some thumping, low groundstrokes and did what she had to and both she and Lisiki have gutsily shown that the underdog can have its day.

All I could think about was how much I wanted to fuck lisicki.
She's lovely

Agreed, great legs

How do you know that arriba has great legs?

Predictions for today? I'm going to say Djokervic in four, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4. So there

Murray in 5 sets.  His time has come.

This. Djokovic ain't going to fall over, but I do think this year, if he doesn't injure himself, murray will win.

I'd really, really love it if Murray wins and join Honky and 'Diles in predicting Murray in 5

I think the Olympic gold here last year, the first slam last year and the crowd will just help Murray find what's needed but by God will it be hard.

Want Murray to win but think Djokovic will win in 4 sets.

It'll go to 5 sets, and think Murray will just take it.

The heat could play a part here. The hotter it is the better for Murray, extreme heat has aggravated Djoker's asthma in the past. Should also make the court quicker which will suit him. I'm hoping my prediction is wrong and Murray keeps his cool. If he starts beating himself up, he has no hope

Murray in 4.

"Nole" in 3!(7-6,7-6,7-6)

Head says Djok, heart says Muzza. I'll be betting on ND though.

think this will go to 5 sets, murray winning the first.

What time does the Murray match kick off?

about 5 minutes ago

Murray breaks. I know its early days but Murray looking the better player.

Broken again, but needs to hold his own serve, which he didn't do last time.  The heat is going to play a big part.  There's no way they can keep this pace up.

Murray looks absolutely shagged though. Like its the 5th set.

He always looks like that.

I think it's the heat more than exhaustion.  He was sweating right from the off.  He'll be OK.  The days when stamina was an issue for Murray are long gone.

Murray goes 2 sets up...

Great stuff, what a comeback from 4-1 down, cracking match thus far.

Murray up 2 sets to 0.  Superb comeback from 4-1 down in the second set.  His to lose now.

Get the bastard fuck in! He's only gonna do it...!

Unless he completely falls apart or Djokovic steps up a few levels.  Stranger things have happened, but I can't see it today.

Djokovic can't play in a hat. It's now off, different match now!!

(http://www.thepoke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bzHOJuT.gif)

That .gif is incredible.

Murray's breaking back pretty much instantly whenever he gets broken, he genuinely believes now and it shows in his play.

Well, well, well.  He's going to do it in 3 sets.  Unbelievable stuff.

This game, and I mean game is insane.  The match has been quality, but this one game has been superb.

Well

The point to bring up the fourth match point was incredible and he's done it! Fucking lovely.

That final game summed up the match. Unbelievable.

I am really pleased for him.

The British press will have to find something different to right about next year.

I salute you Andy Murray.  To beat the world no 1 in 3 sets is a great achievement.  To do it in the Wimbledon Final having been behind in the second and third sets is nothing short of magnificent.

Fucking legend. The doubters who said he'd never win a GS tournament, let alone Wimbledon can do one.

What a bloke!  Over the moon for him.

:cringe:

That's sports personality of the year sorted out then  ;)

What? Didn't you predict it?

Nice one Andy. Totally and utterly deserved.

Do you ever give up Chang?

Never been so happy to be proved wrong. Followed Andy Murray's career since he emerged and never thought he had the mental strength to win Wimbledon. So happy right now

fucking fair play to Murray. Was a great match was that.

Spot the jock

Great match, and pleased for him. Good stuff.

Ha ha, there is an element of that I suppose, on reflection. It's been annoying the way the some have built the lad up over the years, then as soon as he loses he gets little to no sympathy. It took years for a lot of people to admit he was operating on a higher level than Henman, when it was always obvious he was far superior to that bloke.

Good on him, US Open, Olympic and now Wimbledon champion, hell of an achievement.

All nationality arguaments aside, Over the last year Murray has proven he is no longer second fiddle to the likes of Nadal, Federer and Djok. He's really worked on his mental strength and has shown he is one of the best tennis players around right now.

Fair play to the bloke, thoroughly deserved.

That win at the Olympics has changed his career. He beat Djokovic in the semis then gave Fed a thrashing which no one has ever done at Wimbledon, little more than 4 weeks after his defeat.

That gave him the belief to get his first Slam at the US Open, and the rest, as they say, is now history.

Murray has now played Djokovic in 5 sets at Wimbledon...and won them all.

He's donated his winnings of 1.6M to charity.

Incorrect.

 Fair play to Murray, but he's no Fred Perry...when he gets a designer label much loved by mods named after him, then he can talk.

Oh.

Well in that case, he's a tight arsed cunt. Typical fucking Scot!  ;D

That and lendl

Think he gave his Queen's Club winnings to charity.

Well Done to Andy Murray...he deserved it on the day and beat the current world no.1 on home soil to do something a lot thought he could never do! Fair play, 2 grand slams now but he has the big 1!!!!

So, Murray the only Brit ever to win Wimbledon ... wearing shorts. 

The hardest 3 set win without tie breaks I have ever seen but Murray inspiringly up for it and up to it

Murray's win has made my weekend! The sort of achievement that you don't really think you'll ever see...

 :zzz:

Didn't know Wimbledon was played in Scotland  ;)

Off Topic - Hows the cricket going?