Wimbledon Updates – US Players Latest Games

As we enter the third round of the Wimbledon Grand Slam most of the US tennis players have failed to move forward in the tournament. The sixth seeded Andy Roddick who we thought to have fair chances to get to the final rounds gave us the first surprise as he lost against Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in four sets 6-7 7-5 6-4 7-6. Despite the American’s big serve Tipsarevic managed an excellent grass game to finally defeat last year’s quarter finalist.

"I rise to the occasion when I play on big courts," said Tipsarevic "I just looked at the statistics, it's simple, today I won because I used my chances and he didn't... he had a lot of break points and didn't use them, added the upbeat player.

The Minnesota born Mardy Fish who is most recognized for being one of the few players in the ATP circuit to have defeated world number one Roger Federer was not able to keep up with the paste of his 22-year old opponent - last year’s semi finalist Richard Gasquet.  Fish lost in three sets 6-3 6-4 6-2 against his French rival last Tuesday on Court One. Gasquet who is eighth seeded in the tournament was not able to fulfill his participation during the previous French Open due to a knee injury.

"Today it was one of my best matches maybe in my career," Gasquet told a news conference. "I was playing really good with my serve and my backhand and it's important for me to play well with the serve and backhand."

American’s number two James Blake’s performance was definitely worth watching specially the game against Germany’s Rainer Schuettler; Blake led by two sets but lost concentration which unfortunately for the New Yorker resulted in an early exit from Wimbledon. Blake lost in five sets 6-3 6-7 (8-10), 4-6 6-4 6-4 but did refer to the grass surface not suiting his game indeed this could be possible but let’s not forget Pete Sampras seven Wimbledon titles and his game was built on the American hard courts.

“A lot of it has to do with the footing,” Blake said. “I’ve realized I’m not the same player when I don’t have my feet under me. Some of these guys are much better at keeping their balance and not thinking about the pushing off and the turning.”

Regardless of the matter; it is now up to the American ladies to leave a mark as Venus Williams did last year when she conquered the grass court at Wimbledon. The odds still stand for a possible Sister-Act final with Venus as the defending champion and Serena as a former two-time title holder. On the other hand; Lindsay Davenport is not an option for the US as she has withdrew from the tournament.  But let’s not forget both Williams will need to overcome the top Serbian and Russian players before claiming the crown.