2. Wimbledon

11 things we learned on the first Saturday of Wimbledon 2015

04 July 2015 10:02

There was another valiant defeat for the home fans to cope with as James Ward lost in five sets on Wimbledon’s middle Saturday, but Andy Murray ensured there would be British singles representation in week two with another win.

But what was going on elsewhere around the All England Club? Here’s what we learned…

1. There was more sporting greatness in the crowd than there was on court.

The middle Saturday is always a big day on Centre Court with special guests being introduced to the crowd. Those on court could have been forgiven for feeling a tad nervous in front of this cavalcade of talent.

James Anderson in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Geoffrey Boycott and Kumar Sangakkara in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Gary Lineker in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
(Mike Egerton/PA)

2. A demon serve isn’t enough to see you through…

Sam Groth produced the second fastest ever Wimbledon serve. It was so good that even the great Roger Federer couldn’t get it back. Sadly for the Australian, Federer didn’t have so much trouble with the rest of his shots – the world number two progressed with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-2 victory.

3. …and neither is an outrageous drop shot.

Dustin Brown, who is – it’s fair to say – a fan of the drop shot, produced one of the finest examples you’re likely to see. Rafael Nadal’s conqueror hit a drop shot return against Viktor Troicki with such an obscene amount of spin on it that it bounced back on to his own side of the net after it landed perfectly on the Serbian’s side.

If you’ve seen a better shot this Wimbledon, we’d like to know about it please. Sadly we won’t be seeing any more of the dreadlocked German – he couldn’t repeat his performance against Nadal and ended up losing to the 22nd seed in four sets.

4. Sometimes marathons are also sprints.

Marin Cilic celebrates beating John Isner at Wimbledon
(Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP)

John Isner – he of the longest tennis match of all time – and Marin Cilic resumed their match at 10-10 in the final set on Court One, and the crowd could have been forgiven if they were expecting another long one.

It wasn’t to be though – Cilic needed just two games two wrap things up, and a rather oddly scheduled Court One side show was over before it had begun.

5. Jelena Jankovic is still a tennis player.

Jelena Jankovic celebrates beating Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon
(Tim Ireland/AP)

Remember Jelena Jankovic, who partnered Jamie Murray to the mixed doubles title back in 2008? You might not have heard much about her for a while, but she well and truly announced her presence today by beating defending champion Petra Kvitova 3-6 7-5 6-4.

It means the bottom half of the women’s singles draw is now wide open, with Agnieszka Radwanska – Jankovic’s opponent in the next round – the only former finalist still there.

6. Caroline Wozniacki has another famous pal.

We’ve seen her socialising with Serena Williams, Karlie Kloss, Eva Longoria, half the Barcelona team and even Ashley Cole – today it was the turn of skier and Tiger Woods’ old flame Lindsey Vonn to hang out with Caro. All in all, we reckon Wozniacki has a pretty decent life. We’re not jealous. Oh no.

7. Sometimes rain at Wimbledon is a good thing.

As long as it happens at night and doesn’t interrupt any actual tennis, a Wimbledon thunderstorm can be a beautiful thing.

8. The last game is the hardest for British players.

James Ward reacts after losing at Wimbledon
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Less than 24 hours after Heather Watson suffered a heart-breaking loss to world number one Serena Williams having served for the match, James Ward took a two-sets-to-one lead over Canada’s Vasek Pospisil, only to fall 8-6 in the final set. He was 5-4 and 6-5 up in the last but couldn’t find the break he needed.

9. Sorry, that should say: “The last game is the hardest for English players.”

Andy Murray’s 6-2 6-2 1-6 6-1 win over Andreas Seppi was not without incident – he went to pieces in the third set after the Italian called for the trainer and seemingly disrupted his rhythm, and even went a break down in the fourth.

In fact, Seppi won six consecutive games. Cue Murray calling for a medical timeout of his own. They’re clearly magical interventions because Murray stormed back and himself won six games in a row to win the match.

Andy Murray receives medical treatment
(Mike Egerton/PA)

Needless to say, unlike his English counterparts, British number one Murray had no problems closing out the match. He sealed the win with an ace.

10. Andy Murray’s fans can’t spell.

Andy Murray fans at Wimbledon
(Tim Ireland/AP)

Maybe ditch the hash and the exclamation mark…? Or maybe that’s the joke…

11. Wimbledon line judges are committed to their jobs.

A line judge keeps his eye on the ball as Andy Murray plays a shot during day six of Wimbledon
(Jonathan Brady/PA)

Very professional. We’re impressed.

Source: SNAPPA