Tennisfanlatvia Blog

Two first time Grand Slam finalists go for glory at Wimbledon!

03 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment

by tennisfanlatvia in Uncategorized, Wimbledon

Vera Zvonareva of Russia and Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic have booked places in a Grand Slam final for the very first time!

They face a daunting task each facing an overwhelming favourite, Serena Williams and Rafa Nadal respectively!!

Vera’s semi-final against Tsvetana Pironkova, dark-haired, daring ball striker from Bulgaria. The Challenger struck the first blow, hitting her backhand with particular venom, and finding telling angles and serving well when she needed to.

Vera decided to up the pace, and dictate more from the forecourt. Tsvetana couldn’t find passing shots, returns or enough accurate first serves to live with the resurgent Russian.

In the 3rd set Pironkova only found brief flashes of inspiration, she became too tentative, her choice of shot grew naive, she threw in far too many short or misplaced dropshots, Vera sealed the match 3-6 6-3 6-2. Vera was through to her first ever Grand Slam final, and her delight was there for all to see.

The other womens semi-final also proved tougher than expected. Petra Kvitova was totally unfazed and fearless, she gave Serena all she could handle in the early stages.  Petra returned serve with more than passing interest in the opening game of the match, even earning a break-point which Serena saved with a serve too powerful for the challenger.

20 year old Kvitova even broke serve to take a 3-2 lead in the opening set, giving pace that even Serena found too hot to handle, also showing touch at the net that even Petra’s idol, Martina Navratilova would have been proud of, to prevent Serena breaking straight back in the very next game.

Serena held serve to love to keep in touch at 4-3, in the next game Serena took her onslaught to Kvitova’s backhand…she was rewarded with the break back, score 4-4.

The World number 62 Kvitova continued to hold her nerve and her serve, twice serving to save the set, both games held soundly to force a tie-break to decide set 1.

Serena quickly raced to a 4-0 lead in the tie-break, Kvitova fought back with winners on serve, a stooping volley proving too good, Serena fired a backhand out to bring the score to 4-3. Petra missed a forehand when she had initiative in the rally..5-3 Serena. Serena slammed down a serve that overwhelmed Petra…the Challenger was 3 set points down. Petra held on as the American missed groundstrokes off both wings. Williams sealed the set with a powerful serve that Kvitova couldn’t get to.

Petra saved break-point in the opening game of the 2nd set…and got to 2-2 with good groundstrokes, her serve still proving tricky for Serena to read.

However Serena began to find her range, landing many heavy blows especially off her forehand. Petra couldn’t handle the pace…and failed to win another game. Serena won 7-6(5) 6-2.

In the mens semi finals, Novak Djokovic was expected to contest his first Wimbledon final. Tomas Berdych wasn’t in the mood to make it happen for Nole.

Nole could not find the range on his biggest weapon, his forehand. Tomas was firing on all cylinders other than a few nervy double-faults, and eased through the 1st set, winning it 6-3 after 33 minutes. Nole was left shruggling his shoulders, looking at his Supporters Camp with considerable anxiety.

Tomas broke Nole late in set 2, he had a lead of 6-5, leaving him serving for a 2 set lead. Tomas seemed to choke, missing easy shots.  Nole was also proving how flexible his body was, playing incredible defensive chopped shots so close to the baseline, almost doing the splits! Nole’s defences helped him to break back and force a 2nd set tie-break. Both players were finally playing well at the same time, the crowd began to participate fully.

12th seeded Berdych raced to a 6-2 lead in the tie-break, serving well, stroking his groundies superbly, Nole couldn’t make any in-roads.

Tomas began to falter, and Nole defended for his life almost, he played a wonderful defensive lob to draw level at 6-6..but it was called out…Nole said Tomas had no play on it… so therefore the point should be his! Nole challenged the call..the lob was good! They replayed the point…Nole roared to his supporters as he drilled a backhand down the line to force a change of ends at 6-6 in the tie-break.

The score reached 9-9, Tomas secured another chance to take the set. Alas Nole delivered a double fault to hand the set to Tomas 11-9 in the tie-break.

Nole smashed his racket against a chair…angry that he had let the set slip by. The unsympathetic Umpire Carlos Ramos applied the rule book and warned Djokovic for racket abuse.

Games went with serve until the 8th game, tired and low in spirits, Nole threw in 2 double faults to give Tomas the chance to serve for a place in his 1st ever Grand Slam Final, the Wimbledon Final!!

Tomas served out clinically, smiled broadly, before consoling his opponent.

British hopes faded for another year, Andy Murray had opportunities in the 2nd and 3rd sets of his match with Rafa Nadal, but he couldn’t capitalise, in the 2nd set tie-break Nadal even double faulted, but still Andy couldn’t cross the line. At 4-2 Rafa broke back, and never looked back…the score 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.

Vera Zvonareva will be in a 2nd Final, she and Elena Bovina also of Russia, defeated Gisella Dulko of Argentina, and Flavia Pennetta of Italy. They will play Vania King of U.S. and Yaraoslava Shvedova of Kazhakstan in the Womens Doubles Final.

The mens doubles final line up is set. 16th seeds Robert Lindstedt(Sweden) and Horia Tecau from Romania will face Austrian Jurgen Melzer and his German partner Philipp Petzschner, both of whom had fine runs in the singles events.

In the mixed doubles Final, No 2 seeds Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Leander Paes of India face off against 11th seeded pair Wesley Moodie (South Africa) and U.S. veteran Lisa Raymond. Both pairs won their semi-finals comfortably, in straight sets.

Enjoy Saturday finals day!!

Di