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Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2014 22:54:01 GMT
Notably present was Maria Sharapova, girlfriend of semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov, who skipped his victory against Murray in the quarter-finals after being knocked out of the competition herself. And while Murray’s tragic fall on Wednesday was watched by British royals, today’s game attracted Hollywood royalty too with actor Bradley Cooper joining his British girlfriend model Suki Waterhouse, alongside actor Jude Law. Prince Andrew, Prince Michael of Kent, his son Lord Frederick Windsor and wife, actress Sophie Winkleman represented to the Royal Family today. Novak Djokovic, who had to work harder than the other three semi-finalists to reach the closing weekend of Wimbledon, went into the trenches again on Friday against the flickering genius of Grigor Dimitrov but he is through to his third final. The Serb will need to find more consistency to replicate his championship form of 2011, after taking just over three hours to beat the 23-year-old Bulgarian 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (9-7). Dimitrov, so impressive in beating Murray in three sets on Wednesday, looked less certain against the world No2 and tournament favourite and was not helped by his inability to stay upright on a surface that looked dusty and slippery towards the end of the championship fortnight. When the first crack in the Dimitrov defence appeared – at love-40 in the fifth game – he tried to hit his way out of trouble and, instead belted a forehand long. He would have to decide quickly between caution and daring. Dimitrov, very much a touch player who relies on instinct rather than drilled technique, was not quite on song, framing his single-handed backhand, hitting long, wide and some times short – and surrendered his serve in the third game of the second set with a string of uncertain ground strokes. When he double-faulted for 30-all in the fifth game, a lone clap of encouragement echoed around the stadium. It belonged to Maria Sharapova – who won the women’s title here 10 years ago. If only she could transmit to him some of her famed fighting spirit, he might be able to extricate himself from the hole he had been digging.
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Post by Admin on Jul 5, 2014 22:57:51 GMT
Petra Kvitova swept past Canada's Eugenie Bouchard with a stunning performance of controlled power to win her second Wimbledon title. The Czech sixth seed reclaimed the title she first won in 2011 with a 6-3 6-0 victory in 55 minutes. It is the 24-year-old's second major title and will see her move up to fourth in the world rankings. With compatriots and former champions Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna watching from the Royal Box, Kvitova said: "To be back here with the trophy is so special. "I have to say thank you to everyone who supports me all the time, it is a special time for me. "Hopefully it will be good for everyone in the Czech Republic to have a second trophy. It is my second title so I hope it will be a little bit easier for me to handle." Former champion Lindsay Davenport: "You always dream as a player to play your best tennis on the biggest stage and that was a thing of beauty. You can't even blame Bouchard because she didn't play badly but she just didn't get the chance to play because Kvitova didn't allow her to. I don't think anyone would have been able to play her today." Bouchard said: "It was really tough for me today but I am proud of how I have played for these two weeks. I love coming back to Wimbledon so thank you guys. I feel like it's a step in the right direction. I'm not sure I deserve all your love today but I certainly appreciate it. " The match had been billed by some as a contest between the Kvitova serve and the Bouchard return, with the Czech leading the aces charts and the Canadian on top of the standings for first-serve returns. Kvitova has struggled with consistency throughout her career, often unable to build on promising starts, and a few alarm bells might have been ringing when she failed to serve out the set. It was nothing more than a blip, however, as the Czech resumed her demolition of the Bouchard serve to break again, and surged away in the second set.
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Post by Admin on Jul 6, 2014 22:01:08 GMT
Prince William and Kate Middleton graced Centre Court at Wimbledon today to Novak Djokovic defeat Roger Federer in the men's final. After the match, Djokovic thanked the couple for staying till the end and asked Kate about her tennis game. Joining Prince William and Kate in the Royal Box were a host of famous faces, including David and Victoria Beckham, Bradley Cooper, Samuel L Jackson, Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky, the Duke of Kent and GB Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Orlando Bloom and Kate Beckinsale were also spotted in the sea of spectators. Suited and booted, football legend David looked dapper in a navy blazer and chinos while his fashion designer wife Victoria channelled pure elegance in a coloured striped dress. On a previous visit to Wimbledon last week, David had treated his mum Sandra to courtside seats, to watch Rafael Nadal play Mikhail Kukushkin. They were all there to watch Roger Federer miss out on a record eighth Wimbledon title against Novak Djokovic, who secured a second championship, adding to his 2011 crown. And there was a bit of awkwardness between Victoria Beckham and Sam L - with the two of them barely acknowledging each other. Royalty: The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton (centre), congratulates Djokovic
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Post by Admin on Jul 6, 2014 22:44:52 GMT
Novak Djokovic won his second Wimbledon title and denied Roger Federer his record eighth by outlasting the Swiss player in five sets Sunday. Djokovic wasted a 5-2 lead, and a match point, in the fourth set but held on for a 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4 Centre Court victory that returned the Serbian player to the No. 1 ranking. It was Djokovic's seventh Grand Slam title and broke a streak of three consecutive losses in major finals and in five of his past six. In the last set, Djokovic broke in the final game with the help of four mistakes by Federer to seal the win. Trailing 5-4 in the fourth set, Federer double-faulted to make it 30-30. He then put a backhand into the net to set up a championship point for Djokovic. The 32-year-old Federer then hit a serve that was ruled out, but he challenged it and the Hawk-Eye replay showed that it hit the line for an ace -- one of his 29 in the match. Federer went on to break in the next game before forcing a fifth set. "I was hoping that Roger was going to miss the first serve, but that didn't happen," Djokovic said. "It rarely happens. That's why he has 17 Grand Slams and he's been the most successful player ever, because in important moments, he comes up with his best shots and top game." Djokovic said it was difficult to stay focused heading into a deciding set. "Of course, after dropping a fourth set, it wasn't easy to regroup and compose myself and find that necessary energy to win the fifth," Djokovic said. "I don't know how I managed to do it." Posh & Becks: David and Victoria Beckham turning up just on time
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Post by Admin on Jul 7, 2014 22:42:10 GMT
On Sunday, 17-year-old Jelena Ostapenko upset eighth seed Kristina Schmiedlova 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in just over an hor and a half. This was the Latvian's second win over Schmiedlova, whose sister Anna is ranked no. 58 in the world, in as many weeks. Speaking after her win, Ostapenko commented, "In the first set I was a bit nervous. My opponent, she started the match really well and she was playing really good. I was doing some unforced errors. Then I just tried to come back in the second set and focus on every point to get back my game. It helped and I won.” Like Bouchard, who is now ranked No.13 in the world and appeared in the ladies’ singles final on Saturday, the Latvian has a goal. “I think I have to maybe follow her and try to do the same,” she said. “I will try my best. I think she improved really a lot and she’s one of the best players on the tour.” “In the first set I was a bit nervous,” Ostapenko admitted. “My opponent, she started the match really well and she was playing really good. I was doing some unforced errors. Then I just tried to come back in the second set and focus on every point to get back my game. It helped and I won.” Reflecting on her fairtytale Wimbledon, Ostapenko added: “I love everything here because I think it’s one of the best Grand Slams. The atmosphere here is really nice, the people are really nice, also the grass courts. That everyone is playing in white clothes. I think it looks really nice.”
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