Sharapova exits as other seeds advance

Maria Sharapova is out of Wimbledon. Perhaps that is worth repeating: Maria Sharapova will play no further part in the 123rd Wimbledon Championships. The crowd favourite and 2004 champion was beaten in three fraught and painful sets by Gisela Dulko 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 in the second round, her worst result here since – well, since here last year. Of course, she has only been back in action for just over a month after surgery on a long-term shoulder injury. Still feeling her way back, she is nowhere near her best yet. Given the chance to dispatch a wounded superstar, Dulko leapt on it. Pulling Sharapova into parts of the court she did not like – the net being one of them – she was within touching distance of a place in the third round before the hour was up. Had it not been for her own nerves and Sharapova’s famed fighting spirit, she could have been back in the locker room in two sets. But once Sharapova had completed a run of seven straight games to level the sets and take the early lead in the third, it became blindingly obvious that the Russian was running out of steam. Her shoulder could not take a two hour workout and as the Sharapova serve disintegrated, Dulko gathered her courage in both hands and closed out the match on her fifth match point. “I just couldn’t go up and hit my serve with the same velocity as the first two sets,” Sharapova said. “I thought I served pretty good the first two sets. But as far as pace, I thought it really slowed down. I didn’t have enough juice on it.” For Sharapova, the future remains uncertain. In order to get back to what she would regard as an acceptable level, she needs to play matches, but in order to put a string of matches together, her shoulder needs to be strong enough to win some of them. So, for now, it is back to the drawing board. Elsewhere on the courts of Wimbledon, it was a largely routine day. Leading lights Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva advanced with the minimum of fuss. One of the men tipped as a dark horse in the draw, Croatia's Marin Cilic, was given Centre Court billing for his “battle of the big hitters” with American Sam Querrey (and the crowd was treated to a five-set battle that proved a big hit). And German Tommy Haas won some more fans on No.1 Court. After his match against Michael Llodra ended abruptly with the Frenchman’s bizarre injury (a collision with umpire’s chair and ballgirl), he gave the crowd a bit more value for money with a brief knock-up against the ballgirls and ballboys. All this only left one big question to be answered. Where was Mirka Federer, the usually ever-present wife of Roger who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant and was not in the Centre Court box today to watch his straight sets romp past Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. In the post-match press conference, Mr Federer explained that Mrs Federer was feeling a little less than 100% (not something that could be said about his on-court displays so far) and was relaxing away from the action. But he was still keeping mum on the subject everyone wanted an answer to – when exactly is baby Federer expected to put in an appearance? If Mirka doesn’t return to watch his next match, it may be wise to wonder whether baby number one might just arrive in time to witness Wimbledon title number six.

Sharapova shocked in second round defeat

Maria Sharapova fights back against Gisela Dulko during their match on Centre Court. Gisela Dulko outlasted Maria Sharapova in a three-set thriller on Centre Court on Wednesday. The Russian battled back from a set down and saved four match points in the final game with a stunning array of audacious shots, but Dulko remained calm to best her storied opponent and set up a third-round clash with No. 10 seed Nadia Petrova. Despite Sharapova being a former Wimbledon champion (the second youngest in the Open era, taking the 2004 title at the age of 17), a two-time semi-finalist and the 24th seed, she began the match ranked 15 places below her opponent – a fact due in no small part to the Russian’s nine-month absence from the courts due to an injury to her right shoulder. She made her comeback in Warsaw and reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, winning four three-setters on the way and also made the last four at Edgbaston prior to arriving in London. Dulko, meanwhile, has been there or thereabouts since entering the top 50 in 2004, without ever threatening a genuine breakthrough. She defeated Jelena Jankovic at Miami this year, but has only eight wins over top 10 opponents after almost a decade on the circuit. The Argentine certainly made the better start of the two, holding serve twice either side of an early break to race into a 3-0 lead. Her service was crisp – a high toss before sending the ball straight down the middle from the deuce court or deep into the corner on the advantage side – and Sharapova was a step slow to every ball. Though she settled into a better rhythm, the Russian conceded another break in the eighth game to hand Dulko the opening set. The Buenos Aires native again pulled three games clear in the second set before losing her radar on service. Sharapova rightly decided to play percentage tennis: Dulko retreated behind the baseline and reduced her approaches to the net, allowing the Russian to vary her depth of shot and move her opponent about the court at will. From 3-0 down, Sharapova rattled off six games in a row to pave the way for a deciding set. Early breaks were the order of the day, but after both players had settled back into rhythm, Dulko stole Sharapova’s serve, this time to love, in the psychologically crucial seventh game. The 22-year-old Siberian soon found herself facing two match points when Hawk-Eye ruled against her after an ambitious Dulko forehand clipped the outside of the line. But she saved them both, pulling off an ice-cool drop-shot that had the crowd gasping. A stunning long-line backhand saved a third match point and a fourth also came and went before Hawk-Eye again intervened to give the Argentine a fifth bite at the cherry, and this time there was to be no reprieve. Sharapova sent a simple forehand long and Dulko was through, equalling her best Wimbledon performance to date. Three-time Grand Slam winner Sharapova will hopefully return fitter and stronger next year, but for a few fleeting moments in the face of adversity, she showed what the women’s game has been missing during her long enforced absence. Centre Court - Ladies' Singles - 2nd Round Maria Sharapova RUS (24) 2 6 4 Gisela Dulko ARG 6 3 6

Maria stays positive despite defeat

Maria Sharapova is out of Wimbledon with a shock second round defeat to Gisela Dulko. There’s a lot to be said for positive thinking and that is the approach Maria Sharapova is taking as she slowly digests her second round defeat to Gisela Dulko this afternoon. The No. 24 seed was in a philosophical mood as she addressed the press following her 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 loss and would not be drawn into making excuses for the match that slipped away. “It took me a while to get going. It’s a little too late to start picking yourself up when you’re down a set and 3-0. You know, it’s a little late,” she said matter of fact. “There was no real grey area today. But it’s just the way it was. I had so many easy balls, and I just made unforced errors from those. I don’t really know if that’s because I haven’t played. You know, when I’ve had those situations before, those balls would be pieces of cake, and today they weren’t. But it’s okay.” So the nagging shoulder injury had nothing to do with the loss? “No, no pain at all.” In fact, the Russian refused to blame her health in any way for the defeat and pointed out the importance of looking at the bigger picture. “My career is a huge part of my life, and that’s what I do on a daily basis. So is it frustrating when that goes away for a while? Absolutely. But if you have a good head on your shoulders, you also know that there’s a life to live. And if you stay positive, everything’s gonna be all right, no matter what – no matter how bad the injury is.” 'I would have liked to have a longer season before coming here, but that’s just the way it is' Only two days before, the Russian had expressed her delight at being able to compete in the tournament, which she won as the age of 17 in 2004. And today the 22-year-old reiterated the fact that she was glad to be here. “I wasn’t kidding when I said just being here is a wonderful accomplishment. I’m not lying about it. I had the pleasure of playing on Centre Court again. I didn’t play on it last year. This whole event, there’s nothing I don’t like about it. I enjoy every single minute of it.” And then more measured comments began to flow. “Losses are tough. More here than at any other tournament. But, you know, it puts some perspective into your life. It’s all right. I have many more years ahead of me. It’s just unfortunate, the timing of my comeback and this only being the fourth tournament. I would have liked to have a longer season before coming here, but that’s just the way it is." So what bodes for the future? “I just have to look forward to the next few tournaments and work myself, work hard on the court, go out, play the few tournaments and hopefully be ready for the US Open.” Indeed, the positive thinking and small steps certainly get the thumbs up from Serena Williams, who admits it is tough to get back to the top level following an absence from the game. “It’s definitely no easy feat,” Williams said. “You have to be really focused, as she is. And I think she is doing everything right.” Watch this space.

Match analysis: Sharapova v Dulko

Dulko victorious Maria Sharapova’s second-round match today was just her 15th match since her comeback from a shoulder operation in October. Our first match analysis of The Championships takes an in-depth look at how the former world No.2 performed during her shock defeat to the in-form Argentine Gisela Dulko. Looking at the 2004 Wimbledon champion’s results since May, when she began her comeback, the three players that have defeated her prior to today have all been highly ranked and consistent performers. She lost to Alona Bondarenko, ranked 33, on clay in Warsaw and to Dominika Cibulkova, ranked 13, at Roland Garros. Two weeks ago, it was China’s Na Li, ranked 18 in the world, who halted her progress, at the semi-final stage of Birmingham’s grass court event. Today it was the turn of the Argentine ranked 45th in the world. It is never easy returning to the tour after nine months out of the game, but Sharapova is an exceptional talent, and her game is perfectly designed for grass. She is also a battler, something she proved today ¬ only going down after a strong fight. In the opening set, Sharapova was under constant pressure and unable to establish a rhythm, particularly on her second serve, as Dulko camped out behind the baseline and used the Russian’s power to counter-attack whenever the opportunity presented itself. The key to the first set, and eventually the match, was Dulko’s ability to capitalise on Sharapova’s weak second serve Over the course of the match Dulko made slightly fewer unforced errors (23 to 27) than her opponent. In the end these made the difference, accounting for four of the five points that Dulko needed to swing the match in her favour as the Argentine eventually triumphed by 93 points to Sharapova’s 88. In each of the three sets, Dulko hit 75% of shots from behind the baseline as she waited for the opportunity to step up the court to pressurise the Russian, who is not the quickest mover in between shots. Sharapova was far more adventurous, getting inside the baseline 52% of the time in the first set and 65% of the time in the second and third sets. The key to the first set, and eventually the match, was Dulko’s ability to capitalise on Sharapova’s weak second serve, which was rolled in with spin at about 90mph. Her aggressive returns kept the former champion off balance, and for two out of the three sets helped her capture five break points to Sharapova’s four. Dulko’s quick court coverage along with the accuracy of her groundstrokes prevented the attack-minded Russian from getting into the court at the earliest opportunity to finish off the point. However, in the second set, after going a break down, Sharapova’s rhythm slowly returned and she managed to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 advantage. The Russian achieved the turnaround by improving her return rate, winning almost twice as many points on Dulko’s second serve than in the first set, and at the same time slightly improving her own win percentage on her second serve. Unfortunately for Sharapova the renaissance did not last and in the third set Dulko raised her game and started to mix things up. The Argentine’s drop shot appeared more and more and she made six rushes to the net, all of them successful. Sharapova did produce glimpses of her A-game but in the end it was not enough although at 5-3 nerves looked to be getting the better of Dulko as Maria rifled in some big forehands and backhands. But the Argentine eventually kept her cool and after six match points clinched up a fine victory, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Spanish stroll for Federer

Roger Federer fires back a serve from Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in their second round match. Roger Federer's Wimbledon stroll continues. Having conceded a mere seven games in the first round, the second seed and five-time champion permitted Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain just eight games as he forced his way into the last 32 of the men's singles. His display in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 win in the Centre Court sunshine was another masterclass of tennis. It is already becoming very clear that the Swiss will take some stopping at the 2009 Championships. Garcia-Lopez did not make his Centre Court debut without hope of making an impact. He is currently enjoying his highest-ever ranking (42), having won the first title of his career at Kitzbuhel last month. But that was on clay, and here he was up against a grass court maestro. Even so, his ground strokes, propelled by an extravagant backswing, were often enough to get Federer scurrying in pursuit. However, when it came to consistency, he was found wanting at this, the highest level. Having elected to serve first, Garcia-Lopez opened with a double fault, but promptly redeemed himself with an ace, though his composure was rapidly punctured when his serve was broken in the third game, a fate which he went on to suffer in the two subsequent sets. Here was an indication of how Federer conducted the progress of the match, establishing early superiority and then working on the various aspects of his style from the comfort of a leading position. Federer was impregnable on serve, dropping just five points in a 27-minute first set - one of which was that eye-opening rarity, a double fault from the Swiss - and he faced only two break points in the entire match. Virtually the only time the number two seed's composure was shaken was when Garcia-Lopez arrowed some breathtaking backhands down the line. But Federer possesses the full set of weaponry and the course of the match was inevitable, given those three early service breaks. In the second set, which lasted 32 minutes, the Swiss reached set point before delivering a huge serve. It was called out by a line judge but umpire Jake Garner immediately overruled that decision. This set-concluding act met with no complaint from Garcia-Lopez, who already knew well enough which way the tide was flowing. After softening up the Spaniard with successive aces in the second game of what was the final set, Federer's almost casual purloining of the Garcia-Lopez serve simply emphasised the sheer genius of the man. A determined Garcia-Lopez managed to cling onto his serve four times in the last set, but when it came to Federer serving for a place in the third round the Spaniard was a virtual spectator. Two more aces, taking his match total to 11, and a searing service winner took him to victory in a minute under an hour and a half. Sportingly, Garcia-Lopez raised a smile as he warmly congratulated the winner at the net. As for Federer, his celebration with both arms raised high like a prizefighter was indication enough of his chances at The Championships this year. Centre Court - Gentlemen's Singles - 2nd Round Guillermo Garcia-Lopez ESP 2 2 4 Roger Federer SUI (2) 6 6 6

Federer thanks the crowd With Rafael Nadal only the second defending champion in the past 80 years to miss Wimbledon through injury, Roger Federer’s longevity at the summit of the game takes on fresh significance. After his second round victory over Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, a match that saw him use his trademark economic yet ruthlessly efficient style to drop only eight games, talk soon turned to his major rival’s absence, particularly in light of the Swiss making it to 20 Grand Slam semi-finals in a row – by far and away a record. “Injuries and defeats come to us all sooner or later,” the second seed said earnestly. “Sometimes people need more respect for their opponents. When Djokovic lost in the second round last year, [people were surprised but] it was Marat Safin he was up against – and he can play a bit of tennis! And then Safin lost in the first round here [to Jesse Levine], so it shows that you should always have respect.” Lleyton Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon champion, viewed Nadal’s enforced absence as the inevitable consequences of the world No.1’s all-action style of play. “The way he moves around the court and hustles for everything, it's going to take wear and tear on your body over years,” the Australian explained. “I think everyone realised it was going to happen at some point - it just depended on when.” When pressed for his opinion, Federer was the epitome of magnanimity. “It’s a shame for the tournament, that’s the main thing. Did I expect it? Probably. All the greats have had to miss a Grand Slam or two at one stage in their careers.” Except for a certain Roger Federer, of course. “Yes, I’ve been lucky in that respect,” he said. “Obviously preparation plays a part of it, but yes, I’ve had a little bit of luck.” And as legendary golfer Gary Player once famously opined: “It’s strange – the more I practise, the luckier I seem to get!” An epithet that can certainly be applied to diligent Federer.

Serena the reluctant drama queen

Serena Williams close-up According to Serena Williams, who knows a thing or two about tennis, the women's game is better than the men's. "It's way more exciting to watch," argues the two-time Wimbledon champion. "We're so passionate, we have so many great personalities – and I mean, it’s way cattier." It is a quote which sums up much about her continuing appeal. Always quick to fight the corner for women's tennis, at 27 she is one of the game's biggest and most lasting stars, a player of charisma and vast competitive will — yet she retains the capacity to drop an explosive comment at any given moment which is bound to raise an eyebrow or two. Whatever your personal view about the comparative strength of women's tennis, there can be little doubt that the professional game is more interesting with Serena Williams in it. She arrives at her ninth Wimbledon having amassed another two Grand Slam titles in the last year, bringing her total to 10. She is one of those players who must always be regarded as a major contender whatever the tournament, whatever her seeding. Last year saw her line up opposite older sister Venus in the final, and on the day it was an match with neither giving an inch. Ultimately, the older sister triumphed, putting the Venus in the Venus Rosewater Dish for the fifth time. Nonetheless, the spotlight continues to follow Serena wherever she goes. At last month’s French Open – where Williams was considered among the favourites before falling to eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in their quarter-final – the hugely respected American magazine Sports Illustrated considered it necessary to highlight Serena’s "penchant for theatrics". After her third round victory over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, Serena discussed an incident where she was insistent that the winning ball had come off her opponent’s arm rather than her racket – "cheating" as Williams proclaimed it, "stupid" as Martinez Sanchez countered. "I'm, like, drama, and I don't want to be drama," sighed Serena, as she contemplated the way controversy seems to follow her like a loyal fan. "I’m like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama, and everyone in the house hates them because no matter what they do, drama follows them. I don't want to be that girl." Despite the fact that she has added the 2008 US Open and the 2009 Australian to her Grand Slam haul in the last year, some observers maintain that Serena is not the player she was when she captured the 'Serena Slam', whereby she held all four major titles at once after the Australian of 2003. Some were especially discomfited last month by the sight of her leading 3-1 in the deciding set against Kuznetsova at Roland Garros before unexpectedly crumbling. In her own words, she "tensed up", and it cost her the chance to go for her third consecutive Slam title. But Williams, naturally, insists she is a far better player than of old. "The 'Serena now' would definitely beat the 'other Serena'," she says. "I'm older and wiser. I'm just a more mature player. Back then it was more nitty-gritty. Now it's more composed and planned." Nonetheless it is six years since she won her last Wimbledon. The name Williams is a good bet to appear on the roll of honour again in 2009, but given her sister's near-monopoly of the women's title in recent years, Serena's task in SW19 is daunting.

Serena sweeps into third round

Serena Williams on the way to her comfortable win over Australian Jarmila Groth. The Williams sisters have always regarded the Grand Slam circuit as very much a family affair: Venus wins with startling regularity at Wimbledon and Serena wins pretty much everywhere else. There may be another 126 women in the draw but the Williams sisters have eyes only for each other: What is big sis up to? How is little sis looking? This Wimbledon is no different and after Venus laid down her marker as the defending champion on Tuesday, Serena did likewise in the second round. As is her way, Serena is slowly going through the gears as the tournament progresses. In the second round, she was in second gear and yet it was more than enough to deal with the challenge of Jarmila Groth 6-2, 6-1. Williams was strong, determined and focused while Groth was inexperienced, inaccurate and totally out of her depth. In the past six months alone, Williams has earned more than Groth has in a lifetime and, in pursuit of her third Wimbledon title and her 11th Grand Slam title in all, she looked in no mood to offer her Slovak opponent a pay rise. Not much is going Groth’s way at the moment. She was born in Bratislava but she did not stay there for long. Heading to Australia to train as a junior, she fell in love with the country, the people and the way of life. She also fell in love with Sam Groth, another tennis player who is as Australian as cold beer, hot sunshine and fabulous beaches. And, dear reader, she married him. It was a bit like taking on a battleship armed only with a feather duster Alas, getting an Australian passport is not as easy as it looks and the immigration service demands that new applicants can prove that they have lived in the land down under for nine or 10 months of the year – and that they have done so for several years in succession. Unfortunately for Mrs Groth, she is seldom in any one place for more than a couple of weeks at a time because of the itinerant lifestyle of a professional tennis player. The WTA Tour lists her as Slovakian; the Wimbledon draw sheet lists her as Australian. Her game appeared to be in almost as much disarray as her paperwork as she took on Williams. To tackle a serial champion like Williams on a show court at Wimbledon is hard enough but to do it with an error to winner ratio of 48 (forced and unforced) to nine is a bit like taking on a battleship armed only with a feather duster. Just for good measure, Groth also racked up 10 double faults – this was not pretty to watch. Williams, then, is safely through to the third round. Like all those who make a habit of winning the titles that matter, she tends to divide the Grand Slams up into two halves: the first week is not for playing your best but merely for surviving; the second week is for turning on the power and pushing forward to the silverware. So far, she is half-way through the first half and looking good for a place in the second week. And that is when the family fun really starts. Court 1 - Ladies' Singles - 2nd Round Jarmila Groth AUS 2 1 Serena Williams USA (2) 6 6

Serena sees the bigger picture

I The number two seed, Serena Williams, rallying during her opening round Centre Court encounter against Nueza Silva of Portugal. t is highly unlikely that Serena Williams will need to rethink her career following her annihilation of Jarmila Groth on No.1 Court this afternoon but the American is already mapping out her future as a writer. Being a multiple Grand Slam champion and fashion designer is clearly not enough for the younger Williams sister, who admits she has already written three parts of a television script. “I’ve always been a writer, like a storyteller writer,” she revealed in her press conference. “I call it ‘my treatment’, so I’m working on my treatment now. I was going to do it yesterday, but I started watching [television show] Dexter and I got a little sidetracked. You know what, today’s a good day. I can write. I was really in the mood yesterday. For me it’s about being in the mood and how I’m feeling.” But Williams will not be writing the sequel to Wimbledon the movie soon, stating writing for television as her destiny. “It’s like a mixture between some of my favourite shows, like Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City, and actually Family Guy,” she admits. “It’s kind of those put together in one, if you can imagine.” Many might think the latest news is nothing to write home about – the Williams sisters have received acres of press coverage in the past for their outside interests – but Serena is serious. She even has an agent. “This is a real blessing. What I was told to do is just kind of write down my ideas. That’s what I was told to do, just write my story, the first episode, just to get them the idea. And then I would turn it in and someone will put it into treatment format. So that way they’ll put it into a script, but it would be my writing.” So if Williams was writing a movie about herself, what would be the opening scene of that film? “There are definitely so many options,” she confesses. “I don’t know. I think I would open a scene holding a championship and then I would rewind time. I think those stories are told well.” For now, in between penning her script, Serena has the small matter of Wimbledon to contend with. But one thing’s for certain. If she continues to serve up Oscar-winning performances, such as her victory today, she will be the one writing the Wimbledon script without even lifting a pen.

Djokovic quells fighting qualifier

Simon Greul was given a work out on No.1 Court against the forth seed Novak Djokovic. There cannot have been many observers on No.1 Court expecting much of Simon Greul in his second-round match against fourth seed Novak Djokovic. But if winning was way too much for him, the German qualifier instead secured a lot of new friends with his entertaining attacking play, before Djokovic emerged the 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 winner. Greul is a 28-year-old journeyman of the men’s Tour, currently ranked 106 with a career high of 75 three years ago. Even at junior level, he had never won a single match on grass before last week’s qualifying event at Roehampton. His trio of victories there were the more remarkable because he had not played on grass in the past three years. Moreover, his first-round win over Michael Yani in the main draw on Monday was his first Grand Slam victory in six attempts. So when it came to facing the number four seed for a place in the third round, the odds were not exactly loaded in his favour. But Greul was not interested in the odds. Loose shots from Djokovic, along with a double fault, handed a break to the German in the first game. Greul was developing a taste for grasscourt play, fooling his opponent with an approach to the net and a great dropshot on the half-volley. But when he tried another dropshot from the baseline, it tipped back on the wrong side of the net to give Djokovic break point. Worse, Greul delivered his first double fault, and the match was back on level terms. Djokovic was playing a little better, but still seemed to be spending a lot of time talking furiously to himself with his eyes to the skies, or bellowing in annoyance, or banging his racket irritably on the soles of his shoes. In short, he did not seem to be enjoying himself. At 5-6 Greul saved a set point with an unreturnable serve but a complete mis-hit brought up another. When he sent a forehand wide the set was gone. This time last year 22-year-old Djokovic provided the shock of the second round by going out to eventual semi-finalist Marat Safin. Nor has 2009 been a vintage year for the Serb. He surrendered his Australian Open title at the quarter-final stage and went out in the third round at Roland Garros last month to Philipp Kohlschreiber. He must have wondered if he was in for another tough set when Gruel notched up a trio of break points in the opening game of the second set. Djokovic’s discomfort was evident from his ever-increasing bounces of the ball before serving. Greul got the break, and the Serb hurled his racket to the ground. This time it was Djokovic who broke back at once, and only then did Greul begin to wilt mentally. Djokovic broke again for 3-1, and the momentum was with him. Greul’s decline continued, and by the time he lost the set 6-1 he had not won a single point on his first serve throughout it. Djokovic won his eighth straight game in a row to get to 2-0 in the third. Greul refused to submit and levelled for 2-2, but Djokovic forced his way through again. Yet Greul still would not lie down and in a marathon effort took it to 3-3, and then 4-4. But the next game was decided by a Greul error, and Djokovic served out at 5-4 to win in a minute under two hours.

Djokovic happy to be dark horse

Novak Djokovic What a difference a few months makes. At the start of the year when he arrived in Melbourne for what would prove to be an unsuccessful defence of his Australian Open crown, Novak Djokovic made it plain that he considered himself a big contender for the title. Fast forward nearly six months and the Serb is safely through to Wimbledon’s third round, but he insists he is pleased not to be one of the two names projected as likely finalists by the media, bookmakers and many tennis fans. “I’m aware of my qualities,” he said. “It’s just that I don’t want to create an extra pressure on myself because I know how hard it is to deal with it. And I’m happy that the people are not talking about me at this moment. I wish for that so I can really focus on my game and try to perform my best tennis as possible. “I have no expectations really for Wimbledon this year. I don’t try to create pressure on myself. I just play each match one at a time. “There are so many side factors when you’re a favourite. Media is one, which has an effect on your psychological situation at certain moments. When I played this year’s Australian Open, I had a lot of expectations as the defending champion. I felt a huge amount of pressure and I couldn’t really deal with it in the best way.” Oddly, Djokovic claimed he was nervous before facing the German qualifier Simon Greul today, even though he eventually despatched him in straight sets. “I was just waiting for him to make mistakes, which was obviously the wrong thing to do because he was going for his shots,” said the Serb. “He’s very aggressive and has a really good return and he was putting a lot of pressure on my serve. I was dropping service games, and this really shouldn’t happen in upcoming matches.” Speaking of which, his next is against the American Mardy Fish. “He’s a big server, so playing against him on any fast surface is a difficult match,” said Djokovic. “And you have to respect his achievements in the last couple of years. “He has played especially well in the Slams. I won our matches in the last two or three years, but it was really close. So I can’t really rate myself as a big favourite. “The key will be my return, if I’m going to be able to make him play more than he expects.”

Cilic wins battle of big hitters

Marin Cilic The battle of the big hitters between California and Croatia went the way of Europe in the late evening on Centre Court when Marin Cilic outlasted Sam Querrey in a five-set marathon 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 in three hours 24 minutes. Cilic, at 20 a year younger than the American, recovered from an uncertain start that could easily have seen him fall two sets behind. Instead he mounted a brave recovery in which Querrey was eventually the first of these 6ft 6in athletes to blink, going match point down on his third double fault before striking a backhand long as Cilic sank to his knees in a mixture of exhaustion and delight. For much of this gripping encounter, it was Querrey's ability to produce an ace - he hit 24 of them - that kept the eager Croatian at bay when he mounted his recovery after dropping the opening set in 37 minutes That recovery did not get under way until dangerously late in the second set when Querrey had established a seemingly unassailable 5-2 lead. The 11th-seeded Cilic needed a touch of good fortune, and found it when he broke the Querrey serve with an outrageously lucky net cord that fell dead into the American's side of the court. Having extended the set to a tiebreak, Cilic ran away with it by seven points to three and he kept up the momentum by taking the third set comfortably and then breaking Querrey at the start of the fourth. It was time for Querrey to live up to his reputation of power man, and he duly obliged. This was the player who once served 10 aces in a row and 34 in all to beat James Blake in 2007, so it was no surprise as the aces piled up. Cilic's authority started to waver and then cracked in the second tiebreak of the match, which Querrey won by seven points to four. All square after two hours and 52 minutes. It had now become a question of whether darkness would end this battle before one of them suffered a break of serve. Then, with a 5-4 lead to Cilic, it was Querrey who turned out to be the victim of the dagger thrust. There was more good news for Croatia as the 6ft 10in Ivo Karlovic defeated Belgium's Steve Darcis 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 to join Cilic in the third round. Centre Court - Gentlemen's Singles - 2nd Round Sam Querrey USA 6 63 3 77 4 Marin Cilic CRO (11) 4 77 6 64 6

Verdasco serves up battling win

Fernando Verdasco Fernando Verdasco of Spain was forced to fight for nearly three hours before overcoming Kristof Vliegen of Belgium in a battle of the big servers on Court 3. Verdasco, the seventh seed, eventually won 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, the score reflecting the dominance of both players’ serving on a warm day when the conditions complimented power play. Both players maintained the intensity of their serving through to the fourth set when Vliegen was the victim of the only service break. With Verdasco ahead 5-4, and on the match point, the Belgian gifted him the match with a forehand error off the service return. It was always going to be bleak for the loser after such a tight contest in which neither player was prepared to concede anything. With only one previous meeting between them, which Vliegen won at the 2006 Australian Open, there was no form guide. Verdasco, however, is in his seventh Wimbledon and knows the territory well, while Vliegen was seeking a win to equal his best Grand Slam performance. Verdasco has much on his shoulders now that Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal has left him as the highest ranked Spaniard in the field. But after two hours and 55 minutes of toil today he showed that he is a player to be reckoned with. He produced 20 aces against 14 by Vliegen and closed the match out well against an opponent who showed enough defiance to suggest he would have loved to set up a fifth-set showdown. Vliegen celebrated his 27th birthday on Monday but would have liked an extra reason to celebrate today. Verdasco’s seeding here is his highest at a Grand Slam. He started the year by beating the British No. 1 Andy Murray in the fourth round of the Australian Open before eventually losing to Nadal in the semi-finals. He can look ahead to a potential quarter-final here against Roger Federer and the manner of his serving and his attitude today suggest he is well equipped for the task. Court 3 - Gentlemen's Singles - 2nd Round Fernando Verdasco ESP (7) 77 63 77 6 Kristof Vliegen BEL 63 77 64 4

Hantuchova too strong for Zheng

Jie Zheng Zheng Jie, who was a semi-finalist at Wimbledon last year, failed to repeat that impressive form against Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, losing in straight sets. Zheng, a wild card in 2008 and the 16th seed this year, was defeated 6-3, 7-5. It was a big contrast to those heady days of last summer when the Chinese woman could do little wrong at Wimbledon until the late stages and bounced on to the Beijing Olympics where she won a bronze medal. Those memories clearly meant little to Hantuchova who is unseeded at Wimbledon for the first time since 2004 and she set out to show that she deserved more from The Championships where she was included in the main draw for the ninth time. Hantuchova was late for her appointment on court and slow handclapping from the spectators welcomed her arrival. Whether that upset Hantuchova’s preparations was unclear, but she dropped her opening serve, scoring just one point, and ending with a double fault. From that fairly low grade opening, things could only get better for Hantuchova - and they did. The sixth game was an endurance test, with both players holding game points and Zheng doing well to stop a couple of game points to Hantuchova. Zheng had one game point as well but Hantuchova took that with a service return winner and broke back to 3-3. For Zheng, this was a real blow and she dropped serve again to go 5-3 behind. Hantuchova took the set with a barrage of winners after 38 minutes. The story of the second set was more close encounters but Zheng simply could not take a significant lead when it mattered in the late stages. Hantuchova, with her deliberate preparations for each point, was strong at staying in the rallies and also broke Zheng’s rhythm with drop shots or lobs. From 4-3 to Hantuchova, there were four successive breaks of serve, leaving the Slovakian to serve for the match. Zheng contemplated defeat by working even harder in the finale. She ran and ran and one backhand winner when Hantuchova was drawn out of the court was Zheng at her best. It saved a match point as well. But, on a second chance, Hantuchova’s volley winner ended the match in her favour and her wide smiles showed how she felt about it. Court 3 - Ladies' Singles - 2nd Round Jie Zheng CHN (16) 3 5 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6 7

Schuettler shoved aside by Sela

Schuettler stretch There will be no repeat of last year's dramatic charge to the semi-finals by Rainer Scheuttler after the German bowed out in disappointing fashion in the second round to unseeded Dudi Sela. Early on, Schuettler looked like he could go on to repeat his 2008 exploits - which were ended only by eventual champion Rafael Nadal - as he streaked into a 5-2 lead in the first set. But his resilient Israeli opponent fought hard to turn the set around and built on that momentum to win the match in straight sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 6-2. This may be only his second year playing at Wimbledon but Sela looked very much at home, producing an exciting array of shots that the 33-year-old Schuettler struggled to contend with. However, it was only after a succession of double faults by the German veteran that Sela first managed to gain a foothold in the match and the chance to reverse that early 5-2 scoreline. A delicate exchange at the net resulted in Sela’s first break of the opening set and signalled the start of a resurgence. The resulting tie-break was dominated by Sela, who was looking to complete a hat-trick of wins over the German player. Having battled hard to strike the first blow of the match, Sela soon found an impressive level of consistency, led by a fierce backhand that gave him the confidence to display some of the more subtle shots in his repertoire. The second set saw the Israeli unleash an effective series of drop shots. After beating Schuettler twice in quick succession using that tactic, Sela did not hesitate to repeat the trick again and again. Sela's growing dominance was rewarded when he broke serve to give him a 4-2 lead before going on to close out the set. Having built such a commanding position, Sela showed no signs of nerves against a more celebrated opponent and was ruthless throughout the third to clinch the match. Schuettler will be disappointed not to have progressed further in this year’s Championships after last year’s wonderful run but the German can have no complaints given the convincing manner in which he was defeated. Court 12 - Gentlemen's Singles - 2nd Round Dudi Sela ISR 77 6 6 Rainer Schuettler GER (18) 63 3 2

Soderling squeezes into third round

Surprise French Open runner-up Robin Soderling was pushed all the way in his 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 7-5 victory over Marcel Granollers. Throughout the two hour 46 minute contest, there was little to separate the recent Grand Slam finalist from the man ranked 99 places below him in the world. When these two met in Rome at the end of April, the match - won by Soderling - barely registered on the radar. Granollers had begun the season by reaching the semi-finals at Chennai and peaking at No.44 in the world but was then unable to string together two wins in a row. Soderling was on a similar run, even dropping down to the Challenger circuit when he lost in the first round at Indian Wells. Of course, since then Soderling has been very much on the radar, thanks to his win over Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros and his run to the final on the back of some amazingly powerful and above all consistently accurate stroke-play. Despite only ever making the finals of indoor tournaments prior to this year’s French Open, the Swede has the kind of service and power that ought to translate well to the grass courts, but Granollers matched him serve for serve in the first set. At 3-3, and after the opening exchanges had been all about brute force, the unheralded Spaniard sliced the first drop shot of the match and Soderling was immediately unsettled. A minute later he found himself broken to love, and Granollers then served out impeccably to take a one set lead. The second set was a cagey affair. Both players finally added more light and shade to their games as they mixed in slices, drops and forays to the net, and Soderling took the eventual tie-break 9-7, despite squandering three set points and being one point away from a two set deficit. That was the turning point, in so much as such a tight match can be described as turning. The Swede did not drop a point on his first serve during the third set, while Granollers’ second service faltered slightly. Soderling carved out a single break point in the third and fourth sets but it was all he needed, while Granollers could not capitalise on his one opportunity. On such small details Grand Slam matches are often decided – and this ultimately was the difference between No.12 and No.111 in the world.

Dementieva shows no mercy to Rezai

Elena Dementieva has secured a third round place with 6-1, 6-3 defeat over France’s Aravane Rezai in fading light on No.2 Court. The Russian fourth seed, who has beaten Rezai on all four of their previous meetings, was on devastating form and showed little mercy with an array of explosive groundstrokes that picked out the deepest angles of the court. Rezai, who is ranked 50 in the world, captured her first career Tour singles title in Strasbourg this year, and whilst she matched her 27-year-old opponent in power, she could not compete in consistency. Within 27 minutes Dementieva had polished off the first set with a dazzling backhand winner. The second set promised to tell a different story when the Frenchwoman managed to break the Russian in the opening game and race to a 3-0 lead. As the baseline slog grew in intensity, so did the volume of grunts echoing around the new arena. However, there was no danger of a third set tussle. Dementieva, who reached the semi-finals last year before bowing out to eventual champion Venus Williams, recovered to win six games on the trot and claim the match in an hour and 11 minutes.

Fish and Azarenka on fire

Fish on fire Mardy Fish overcame Janko Tipsarevic, the Serbian number two, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in a match lasting two hours and 29 minutes. Fish won an incredible 77% of points on his first serve and converted six break points to Tipsarevic’s three. His good form continues from Queen’s where he reached the quarter-finals. The American has equalled his best run at Wimbledon but if he is to reach the fourth round he will need to complete a Serbian double as he next faces Novak Djokovic, the country’s number one. Victoria Azarenka joins Marion Bartoli in the double bagel club at this year’s Championships. Ioana Raluca Olaru of Romania, her unfortunate opponent, was knocked out of the 6-0, 6-0 in a 65-minute masterclass by Azarenka. Six breaks of serve sealed the win as Azarenka won 60 points to the Romanian’s 28. The Belarusian is going strong here at SW19 and is many people’s pick for the title in one of the most open women’s draw in a long while. Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva made light work of Swedish-born French lady Mathilde Johansson, winning 6-1, 6-3 on Court 18. The players are separated by 79 places in the WTA Tour rankings and the class of Zvonareva showed as she broke her opponent five times during the match and made just eight unforced errors to Johansson’s 33. After a shaky start by Marion Bartoli, the 2007 Wimbledon finalist, the Frenchwoman managed to find her rhythm against Timea Bacsinszky just in the nick of time before the first set went to the lottery of a tiebreak, edging ahead with her second break of the match to take the set 7-5. With a spring in her step after rescuing the opening set in the 50th minute, Bartoli cruised to the finishing post, winning six out of the next seven games against a deflated-looking Swiss. Bartoli served immaculately, only being broken once and hitting home five aces.

Day 3 Preview

Federer backhand Perhaps it is something to do with the weather, which obstinately appears set to remain fair for the moment, but the shock factor at the 123rd Championships has hardly registered on the Richter scale so far. Here we are, about to embark on the second round of the singles, with the fields already cut by half to 64, and hardly a seed of any repute has been ground underfoot. In Wednesday's programme, the lower half of the draw, just two men whose seeding merits bold type in this very programme's pages of detailed scores have been required to pack their bags: James Blake the US Davis Cup star and the 17th seed, and Feliciano Lopez, the Spanish left-hander, who will be teaming up on a social basis with his good pal Rafael Nadal a bit earlier than he had thought. For the rest, the seeds march on. Roger Federer, who gave his game a workout and his new wardrobe an airing on Monday, hopes a repeat on both fronts will prove adequate as he takes on another Spanish Lopez, this one by the name of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, or Willi to his mates. Willi won his first tour title on the clay of Kitzbuhel last month, in his seventh year as a pro and showed he is no slouch on grass either by going past a couple of rounds at Queen's Club a couple of weeks ago before colliding with Andy Murray. All very commendable, to be sure, but he is now required to stare down the gun barrel of a five-time Wimbledon champion hell bent on boosting that total to six. The last two times that has happened Willi did not come out of it too impressively, being granted just two games by Federer in their first match (Basle 2006) and five in the second (Indian Wells 2008). But this 26-year-old from La Roda Alacete stands at 42 in the world rankings, and will therefore not be taken lightly, even by Federer. But it would still be a big shock if there was an upset. Those who will fancy their chances of an upset remain a little further down the road at the moment, and have survival concerns of their own before they can start thinking about toppling the Grand Slam king. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the ninth seed, was stretched by Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan, in his first match and will be hoping for a less stressful time against Simone Bolelli, one of a small group of Italians who are working hard at restoring that nation's tennis fortunes to something approaching respectability. Those fortunes should not prove enough of a hurdle to keep Tsonga away from a place in the last 32, and it is Andreas Seppi, the top-ranked Italian, who appears set on an easier path into the third round. Having been the one who brought down Blake, he now tackles Marc Gicquel of France with every prospect of further progress. Anyone who doubts that tennis players are growing taller, apparently by the minute, should take in this afternoon's Centre Court clash between Sam Querrey and Marin Cilic immediately following Federer's match. Querrey, a 6ft 6in Californian, will at least be able to look Croatia's Marin Cilic in the eye since they are the same height, though he may have to bow the knee in this one to a 20-year-old who is top seed in his homeland and is bidding to dwell in the same rarified air as his compatriots, Goran Ivanisevic and Mario Ancic. Nobody, but nobody, looks that other Croatian, Ivo Karlovic, in the eye. Not unless they bring along a step ladder when being introduced to this 6ft 10in fellow. Karlovic, who hits aces the way the rest of us swat flies, will doubtless bang down a bagful more against Belgian Steve Darcis, who might consider renting body armour for their match on Court 4. Germany appears to be enjoying a post-Boris Becker revival, with four men from that country in action today, though it could be curtains for the lowest-ranked of them, Simon Greul, a qualifier, who has to match himself against the fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic in the opener on No. 1 Court. A happier outcome should surely await Tommy Haas, also on No.1 Court. The 24th seed, who learned his tennis skills at the Bollettieri academy in Florida, should see off Michael Llodra, thus helping to reduce the army of French hopes to more manageable proportions. It is shriek time on Centre Court, where Maria Sharapova, a high decibel operator who had a lot of other folk shouting out loud when she won here in 2004 at the age of 17, takes on Gisela Dulko, Argentina's numero uno and lone hope in the women's event. Sharapova, coming back warily after 10 months out because of an operation on her serving shoulder, says she has no expectations of doing particularly well this fortnight but today, surely, should have enough about her to do away with Dulko. Serena Williams, who will tell anybody prepared to listen that she fancies her chances of a third Wimbledon title (and that if she doesn't manage it, sister Venus will) takes her thunderball style out to No.1 Court, with the opposition being provided by an Austrian, Jarmila Groth. At least, Serena will be pleased to note, she is not playing an "ova", of whom she says, she is fast losing track in the women's game. Join the club, Serena.