Happenings at Wimbledon – Thursday

Written by: Staff on 24th June 2011

Happenings at Wimbledon – Thursday

Sabine Lisicki of Germany takes on Na Li of China during their second round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 23 June 2011. EPA/NEIL MUNNS |

French Open Champion Li Na crashed out to German wildcard Sabine Lisicki, 3-6, 6-4, 8-6. Lisicki dropped in the rankings after sustaining an ankle injury. The German has been struggling to get back but was very happy yesterday. “I am over the moon, it’s just amazing. I had to start from zero after being on crutches for six weeks,” she said. Lisicki had two match points against her. Li said, “I did nothing wrong, I was just unlucky.”

Superman Roger Federer advanced to the third round after taking out Adrian Mannarino of France, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. “It was unusual. It was the first time I’ve played under the roof here. It was very nice. I’ve been playing Centre Court for ten straight years since I played Pete Sampras and the atmosphere was fantastic. I wasn’t sure how the crowd would react because there had been some hard games out there before but they had great stamina and showed what superb supporters they are,” Federer said. Federer will take on Argentine David Nalbandian. Nalbandian’s reached the Wimbledon final in 2002 and he will give Roger a run for his money. “We have had some big matches over the years and David used to be my dark horse and I never liked playing him much before,” the Swiss mega star said.

British players Elena Baltacha and Laura Robson didn’t get on the court yesterday. Robson was going to play Maria Sharapova and Baltacha was playing Shuai Peng. Robson has been scheduled to play first match on court one today Baltacha will also play first on court 18.

Former world No.1, Ana Ivanovic cruised through yesterday winning 6-3, 6-0 against Eleni Daniilidou of Grecce.

Fighter Serena Williams took three sets to overcome Romania’s Simona Halep, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1. Serena was not happy to play on Court 2 and demanded some respect from the tournament organisers. She claimed the men’s top players would never be treated in the same way. “They are never moved across but actually Venus and I have won more Wimbledons. They just like to put Venus and me on Court Two for whatever reason. I haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe one day we’ll figure it out but obviously they are not going to change. So I try not to make it a big issue but I think at some point maybe I should,” the American said. An All England Club spokesperson insisted, “Match scheduling at Wimbledon is a complex business. There is certainly no intention to favour any player.”

Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came through after a four set win over Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6.

Juan Martin Del Potro came back from a set down against Olivier Rochus, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0, 6-4. After the match Del Potro threw his shoes to a child in the crowd. “It’s the first time I have given my shoes to someone. After the match I walked back to the locker room in my socks,” the Argentine said.

Robin Soderling made an amazing comeback after losing the two first sets to Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt. This is the first time in his career he has come back from two sets down. “You just have to see it as a new match and take it one point at the time,”Soderling said.

The score ended 6-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4.

Italy’s Francesca Schiavone had a win on her birthday beating Babora Zahlavova Strycova, 7-5, 6-3.