Wimbledon – the story of day four
Federer and Djokovic stay on course to meet in the semis, but day four was marred by a serious-looking injury to Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic remained on course for a semi-final clash at Wimbledon as both won comfortably at Wimbledon.
But the title favourite in the women’s draw made a second-round exit as Karolina Pliskova bowed out to Slovakian grass-court specialist Magdalena Rybarikova, following fellow Czech and trophy prospect Petra Kvitova out of the tournament.
There was also the distressing sight and sound of Bethanie Mattek-Sands suffering what looked to be a terrible knee injury, her dreams of adding the women’s doubles trophy to her US, Australian and French Open titles surely over.
Diary
When Victoria Azarenka steps out for her third-round clash with Heather Watson on Centre Court on Friday, she will have to let others look after baby son Leo for a few hours.
And Roger Federer is in awe of how quickly the former world number one has returned to tour after giving birth in December.
Azarenka said forthrightly on Wednesday that it was not Federer, and his fellow fathers on tour, who provided her with inspiration as a parent.
When that was pointed out to father-of-four Federer, he knew exactly where she was coming from.
“It’s a totally different ball game what she’s going through than what I did. I was just there supporting my wife, whereas I didn’t go through it myself. Even though that would be quite an experience, I guess,” he said.
“I find it unreal that she’s back playing. I admire her courage and her desire to wanting to be there and being successful at it.
“I wish the same with Serena (Williams) when she comes back, that she’s strong and loves it and has the family life next to it, as well, which is most amazing. I can speak for myself there.
“Having family and playing at the same is possible. I show it. And I’m not the only one. In the top five we have other guys who do it exactly like I do.
“Maybe they don’t have as many kids as I do. But it doesn’t change. One kid can scream as much as four kids sometimes.
“It’s an amazing experience, and I’m happy for her. And I met the little boy, as well, which is cool.”
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Ernests Gulbis is one of the biggest characters on the men’s tour, renowned in the past for a playboy lifestyle.
The Latvian has come to Wimbledon with a beard, an unusual look for him, and he faces Novak Djokovic in the third round next.
Asked if it was a ‘lucky beard’, Gulbis was up front about the reason for its existence.
“Not lucky, no. I’m just, a little bit lazy to shave. It’s not a style thing,” he said.
Having said in 2014 at the French Open that he was on a “last-chance train” to succeed in his tennis career, Gulbis has seen that train run out of fuel in recent times.
But he has stoked the engine again, and said: “I was wrong. Maybe now is the last chance train. Maybe there is going to be another last chance in five years. Who knows?”
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Former Wimbledon singles quarter-finalist Daniela Hantuchova has retired.
She wrote on Facebook: “I want to tell you with all my appreciation and happiness inside of me, that the time has come to retire from professional tennis.This does not mean that I’m saying good bye to tennis at all! i have learned that it is impossible in life to say good bye to the people and things we love with all our heart and for me tennis is one of them.”
Hantuchova achieved the career Grand Slam in mixed doubles, picking up the Wimbledon title alongside Czech Leos Friedl in 2001.
Quote of the day
“Her knee was in a very weird position. I’ve never seen anything like this probably except in the movies.” – Sorana Cirstea paints a grim picture of the injury suffered by her opponent Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Picture of the day
Tweet of the day
Match of the day (Friday)
Heather Watson has never gone beyond the third round at Wimbledon, so her Centre Court clash with Victoria Azarenka presents itself as a great opportunity for the former British number one. She is playing wonderfully well this week and will take huge confidence into the contest, but the problem for Watson is that the same applies to former world number one Azarenka. The new mum is in terrific physical condition, having worked on that during her pregnancy. Watson almost toppled Serena Williams at this stage two years ago, and if she gets close to the finish line this time must take her chance.
