Tennis Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 27th June 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits

epa03758065 John Isner of the US returns to Evgeny Donskoy of Russia during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. EPA/TOM HEVEZI |

Defending champion Roger Federer loss to world No. 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky in the second round at Wimbledon had officials opening the record books: It was Federer’s earliest defeat at Wimbledon since losing in the first round in 2002. It was Federer’s earliest defeat at a Slam since losing in the 1st round at 2003 Roland Garros. The result ended Federer’s run of 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances dating back to 2004 Wimbledon). It is Federer’s worst defeat ranking wise at any event since he lost to No. 154 Mario Ancic in the first round at 2002 Wimbledon. It was Federer’s first defeat by a player ranked outside the Top 100 since losing to No. 101 Richard Gasquet in the quarterfinals at 2005 Monte Carlo. It was the earliest defeat for a Wimbledon defending champion since 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt lost to Ivo Karlovic in the first round in 2003. . . John Isner was in an open part of the draw with Rafa Nadal having lost to Steve Darcis. And then Federer fell. “I know that in the section I was in Rafa had lost, and Lleyton [Hewitt] had beaten [Stan] Wawrinka,” Isner said. “I was the highest seeded player on a surface that I’m tough to beat on, given how well I can serve and how much I can hold serve. That’s very disappointing. It’s tough to think about. I had a good chance to go pretty far here.” . . . Ernests Gulbis says that the reason why there are so many injuries at Wimbledon isn’t necessarily tied to the tournament. “Dig deeper” he said. “Analyze the whole season, the whole past couple years. Look what people are doing wrong, what people are doing right. The schedule is really tough. People also don’t understand that five set matches is something very special. Mentally, physically, it takes a lot out of you.” . . . Marion Bartoli has confirmed that she has split with her dad again. Amelie Mauresmo at Wimbledon has aided her. “I’m working so far with all the French Federation who’s helping me a lot, and my hitting partner. So I don’t feel lonely. I have a huge team around me, which is great.”