Wimbledon is known for the following things: Strawberries, lots of rain, a dead still but great crowd, a struggling Tim Henman, and Americans who basically roll their way through the first week. So how surprising is it that world's No. 62 Shenay Perry was the only American left in the draw even though the quarterfinals had not started yet?
When Andre Agassi stepped off court after his 3rd round loss to Spain's Rafael Nadal, everyone knew that this would have been the last time that the multiple Grand Slam winner set a foot on the holy grass on Wimbledon's Center Court. Prior to the tournament the American had announced the end of his career which will find its end at the US Open.
Agassi's retirement announcement caused a worldwide outcry but it was only after the first week of Wimbledon that the US is starting to feel that something big is coming up: Who is able to carry on the American dominance in tennis they once enjoyed?
Jaws dropped Saturday when title defender Venus Williams crashed out to young Serbian Jelena Jankovic in the 3rd round, losing an intense but unforced error marked match 6-7 6-4 4-6. The disappointment could not even settle in properly as the next huge American "favourite" Andy Roddick — twice a runner-up — fell to Andy Murray in straight sets. The US' new top player James Blake lost early already, Mardy Fish got ill and had to withdraw and there is no American woman who could have made an impact anyway besides Venus Williams (there is still another Williams though but no one knows where she is).
Whereas the US has a lot to worry about, there are the usual suspects who actually are able to move through the draw without much effort and furore. For once there is Roger Federer who was awarded with a terrible draw including a first round clash with Richard Gasquet who had just won a warm-up tourney on grass in Nottingham. 6-3 6-2 6-2 was the result of that opener. The Swiss is cruising so far and it does not seem like anyone can stop him.
Article comments
1 - MCH
How about that men's singles finals, eh!? Wow, what a treat for fans, by the best two players in the world. Fed and Raf should have quite a rivalry for at least several years to come, ala McEnroe/Connors, Becker/Edberg and Sampras/Agassi...