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By Piers Newbery at Wimbledon
1304: Murray 'should target last eight' ...
Live - Federer v Nadal ...
We deserve to be in final - Terry ...
Politics Doesn't Belong at Olympics, Says UN Sport Advisor ... "I just got short shrift from Marat Safin. I asked him what chance of another upset and he just went 'No, no, no..." in a Russian burr. I think he was talking to me, just not about the odds of an upset."
BBB Sport's (delusional) Sarah Holt
1300: Quick update - Boggo and Jonny Marray are doing fairly well, staying on serve in the second set against second seeds Nestor and Zimonjic. Bamford and Goodall are a set down but a break up against De Voest and Kubot. Mirza is battling back against MJMS. And Venus Williams and Anne Keothavong are making their way out onto a sun-drenched Centre Court.
1255: "It's a media frenzy down here. I have some celeb goss for you - Paul Collingwood and Ryan Sidebottom are apparently coming down later..."
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt
1250: Bad news for Lindsay Davenport fans - she's pulled out of the tournament with a knee injury. Good news for Gisela Dulko fans - she gets a walkover into round three. That might cheer up boyfriend Fernando Gonzalez, who was last seen throwing his trainers into a bin on Court 18 (see 0839 entry).
1247: "Not so tiny Mirza has lost eight games on the spin!"
From Ken, Edinburgh via text on 81111 (Yep, she's 6-1 3-1 down to, deep breath, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.)
1243: "A big shout of 'C'mon!' from Nestor and Zimonjic after their first break, which prompted a mass exodus from Court Six. I've got room to stretch out on a patch of courtside grass now. The Brits lose the first set 6-4."
BBC Sport's Chris Bevan (If you're near Court Six, check his pass and then give him a kick)
1239: "Roger has rolled his sleeve up to reveal some Nadalesque biceps. We don't often get to see the Fed flesh. I could switch my alliegance at this rate."
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt
1237: Blimey. Kiefer has wrapped up the first set against MVA 6-0, dramatically reducing my chances of getting to use the tantrum graphic. He was my banker. Bad news on Court Six where Nestor and Zimonjic have broken Boggo and Marray for 5-4.
1234: "Re:1154 Sania Mirza is 5'7" not that tiny, especially for a lady!"
From Alex in Midhurst - relieved Ivanovic will be back for another match - via text on 81111
1228: "A feast of tennis talent at the practice courts. In between Roger and the Murrays is Kuznetsova - what a lucky lady. Roger and his hitting partner are wearing matching outfits of grey t-shirt and white shorts. Before you ask, there's no knitwear."
BBC Sport's Sarah Holt
1224: Boggo and Marray have made a steady start against Nestor and Zimonjic, while Nicolas Kiefer has surged 3-0 clear of Martin Vasello Arguello. We've also got Brits Bamford and Goodall against De Voest and Kubot on Court Four. Our boys are a break down though.
1220: "Let's just hope Sarah doesn't find out that Rafa actually landed on his female security guard when he fell down the stairs and promptly helped her up, put his arms around her and fussed over her for the rest of their journey. I fear Piers may lose his assistant to another career if Sarah heard about this!"
From Rafa fan on 606 (I'll lose more than my career if we keep referrring to her as 'my assistant')
1218: Tim Henman on Xavier Malisse: "He 's a seriously talented player but he hasn't played that many big matches recently. He's a relaxed kind of guy though and if he starts playing well, it won't be easy for Andy."
1217: "Re 1154. I always thought the same about daniella hantuchova, a very talented lady."
From Andy, London, via text on 81111
1216: "Desperately need to get hold of Boris today and he's not working. I'm seeing it as revenge for me not waxing lyrical about his attire this year after my fawning over his preppy style cricket garb for the entire two weeks of Wimbledon 2007. Damn you Boris. And to think I was supporting Germany last night in your honour. The German tricolour is in the skip."
BBC Sport mole
1211: "Richard Williams is spotted on the balcony of the media restaurant, sipping meditatively on an orange juice while wearing an ill-advised white socks/sandals combo."
BBC Sport's Tom Fordyce
1206: "Court Six is absolutely packed, standing room only, and one girl has settled from watching inside a hedge. I can barely see the court - how am I meant to bother Boggo's family from here? Boggo and Marray just pushed past me on their way to court. I was quite tempted to elbow them back."
BBC Sport's Chris Bevan
1202: Others to look out for in early action are Mikhail Youzhny on Court Two, Sania Mirza on Court 11, Arnaud Clement and Benjamin Becker on Court 17, and definite racquet-throwing potential with Nicolas Kiefer on Court Three.
1157: We're moments away from the start of play on the outside courts and surely everyone is heading to Court Six, where the Alex Bogdanovic comeback begins. Boggo and Jonny Marray are up against Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. Who are the second seeds, incidentally.
1154: "Just watched sania mirza on the practice courts. Looking very hot. Suprised the media doesn't show her more love."
From Jonny C via text on 81111 (Walked past her yesterday, tiny lady)
1150: The soothing Voice of Wimbledon tells us that it's going to be a little bit "breezy". He really does sound like Nicholas Parsons. Lovely.
1146: I've already made a howler and missed cricketing legend Geoffrey Boycott on the list for the Royal Box. Not sure a champagne bottle graphic is appropriate for Geoff, bearing in mind the great man's, er, conservative style of play. Hopefully he'll be shouting blunt messages of advice for the Brits on show.
1140: "Piers, lets hope that Sarah Holt avoids Court 15 (see 1030 and 1101 entries) or your tea might arrive a bit cold!"
From readie111 on 606 (Panic over, my lukewarm tea has arrived)
1134: "My mate from uni has been gloating to me that he had tickets for today. Just spoken to him in the queue, and he won't get in before 4 o'clock, the irony. He's a Where's Wally/Sid from Skins lookalike for those also queueing! (Feel free to nick his hat)"
From Chris, Somerset, via text on 81111
1130: Well, it's a bit better than yesterday I suppose. The Royal Box list is in and we have top chef Albet Roux and tennis legend Ilie Nastase. I know, still no sign of Richard Stilgoe.
1120: "Used to work in security escorting the players to the courts through the crowds. I'd have never confiscated juice. Not in my day. Never!"
From Charlie, London, via text on 81111
1115: Following Rafa onto far off Court 15 for a spot of practice is Serena, who looks in fine fettle. Good place to stand for half an hour. There's much discussion about which games to focus on today and I'm making a strong case for Nadal v Gulbis as a potential shock.
1107: "Kettle's on Piers, sugar?"
From Chris via tex on 81111 (BBC Sport's Sarah Holt has been despatched in disgrace, still wittering about her lost mango & apple juice)
1105: You might be at wimbers Piers old bean... But ive got a cup of tea in hand!"
From anon via text on 81111
1101: "Am watching Rafa practice on court 15, makes the vile camping worth all the effort!"
From Heidi via text on 81111
1058: "Talking of the walk from Southfields, I would like to express my satisfaction at the levels of freebies on offer. After the paucity of last year's offerings, with ice coffee being the nadir, we are back to the halcyon days of 2006 where it was wall to wall smoothies, peanut butter flavour chocolate bars and dancing girls dangling from lampposts. So far this week I've been given enough bottles of water to bathe in, 11 packets of chewing gum, muesli bars and a variety of top-notch snazzy puddings.
P.S. It has been pointed out to me that posting a letter to America (0953) will not make annals of history, but considering I class remembering to put trousers on in the morning as a major achievement I'm quite proud of myself. So there."
BBC Sport mole
1051: The rest of the team have arrived and are raving wildly about having all sorts of confectionery and drinks confiscated at the gate because the items were not "official Wimbledon produce". Water, pomegranate juice, mango & apple, chewing gum. All gone. Personally, I think it will do them good. More importantly, in the chaos no-one has brought me a tea. Where's Ralph from Glasgow (1007 entry) when you need him?
1048: "Oh what I would have given to be in that said supermarket (see entry 1030 entry) last night!"
From anon via text on 81111
1038: "Just about recovered from the lovely Safin's win yesterday! Nervous for Rafa today. Gulbis could make it very difficult for him. Got my fingers crossed already - which is making texting quite challenging...! Much as I love him though, I'm hoping he'll be happy to get through his second round match, but upset later this evening - got money on Russia to win!"
From Sara via text on 81111
1031: The gates are open and in pour the fans. It's a scorcher, for the moment.
1030: "Apparently rafa fell down the stairs on the way to his first match. Was he rushing to get away from his bbc stalker sarah? Btw has she spotted him yet today?"
From Jo via text on 81111 (She will be arriving any moment, hopefully with tea in hand. Apparently Rafa was seen in a Wimbledon supermarket at 10pm last night stocking up on pasta and posed for a few photos with fans. Legend.)
1023: "Re comment 0946: I don't think anyone can really learn the game at school. The PE teacher isn't a specialist in all sports! I played tennis for my school team (at 'second racquet') and barely understood the rules... As for my service game, well!"
From Justanotherspursfan on 606
1017: So what of Andy Murray's chances today? Michael Stich tells 5 Live: "Andy should be alright. I think he feels confident on the showcourts and he'll be happy to be out there again. He looked fit, strong and determined in the first round and that's the right way to start a tournament. It won't get any easier as he goes through the rounds, but he looks OK."
1013: "I've yet to hear a player say he watches 'Wimbledon' to inspire himself. Perhaps Kirsten Dunst isn't their type?"
From FiendishFuManchu on 606
1010: "What's the chance of rafa getting his 2nd round game over with in record time today so he can get home in time to put his feet up with a few beers for spains euro 2008 semi final!"
From Vic via text on 81111 (I've boldly predicted that Gulbis will test Rafa, so he's pretty safe)
1007: "I'd have brought champagne and a few cigars (see 0945 entry); reconsider?"
From Ralph, Glasgow, via text on 81111 (Bad timing, very much in a tea mood this morning)
1000: Well, I suppose we can't ignore it all day. Germany won last night and are in their 856th major final in my lifetime. An annoyingly humble Michael Stich tells 5 Live: "We waited for the Turkey team to score and then we scored in the last minute. It was not a great performance, but nobody's going to ask how they won. I was worried. Turkey were much better and had lots of chances and Germany didn't get into the match. But they got through."
0953: "I have to say I'm sharing Piers' surprising and most out of character sense of cheeriness today. And to think he went to a Radiohead gig last night. What a day we have in store! On the way from Southfields tube I managed to post a letter to America, make my mobile operator back down and grovel in a petty row over the delivery of a new phone and I was given free profiteroles and some sorbet, at 8.45am! Sheer opulence."
BBC Sport mole
0951: Maybe it's somewhat appropriate bearing in mind the last post, but here's Paul Annacone on the much-maligned Alex Bogdanovic. "Alex has struggled in the last year or so and dropped down the rankings, but he's a little disenchanted personally with the negative stuff after losing the other day. He played a tremedous match against a guy ranked 40th in the world. Simone Bolelli, who he lost to, has now gone on to beat Fernando Gonzalez yesterday. The guy he lost to is a terrific player. Alex played one of the best matches I've seen, but unfortunately it is another loss."
0946: "Does anyone have a view on why we are generally rubbish at tennis? When i was at school the games teacher used to make us bounce the ball up an down on the racket while walking round an obstacle course. Is this how henman was coached at the age of 13?"
From anon via text on 81111
0945: "You have a genuinely wonderful job, Piers; need an assistant?"
From Ralph, Glasgow, via text on 81111 (Hopefully she's about to arrive with a cup of tea. But, yes, I know)
0939: Tim Henman is getting comfortable after three days behind the microphone and he's been telling us all about it. "I'm looking forward to working with everyone I can," said Sir Tim. "I'm hoping to work with Greg Rusedski at some point but I think we'd need someone else to help us. We'd need a professional to help link us in and make sure we didn't screw up!"
Tim Henman column
0930: Chris Eaton has told The Sun that he uses the film Gladiator to inspire himself. LTA man - and former coach of Sampras and Henman - Paul Annacone, tells 5 Live: "Whatever he's doing, it's working, so he should keep it up. Tursunov is a very difficult opponent - he hits the ball extremely hard and takes you out of your gameplan because of how offensive and athletic he is. It will be an interesting match-up for him, and regardless of what happens today, it's been a great run."
0922: Ah, my morning shot of Nick 'The Don' Bolletieri on the excellent Radio Wimbledon. The legendary coach gives us an insight into his work with a young Xavier Malisse, who said yesterday, "It took about two years for Nick to remember my name." The Don responds: ""I love my Xavier, I brought him to my academy when he was 16. I remember before one match I told his coach, 'You tell Xavier if he doesn't win that match I'm going to beat the crap out of him. And he won the whole tournament!" A little tip there for the LTA.
0916: "In queue next to a grumpy scottish murray fan who disapproves of our 9am beerios. Centre court can keep her. Court one is where it'll be at today. Go eaton!"
From Rich B, the queue, via text on 81111
0913: Andymonium is clearly taking hold already. It's an Andemic. Sorry. For my money, I think it's a safe bet that Venus will have too much for Keothavong, who has a decent game but really lacks power. Malisse is dangerous as he has plenty of talent and experience and I expect him to get at least a set, but reckon Murray will win. And then there's world number 661 Chris Eaton against Tursunov. It should be staightforward for the Russian but from what I saw of Eaton the other day, he's got a great serve and, crucially, seems a calm and focused individual - the exact opposite of Tursunov - so I'm going for two British wins. I should warn you that my pre-Euro 2008 predictions were: Germany are overrated; Spain are overrated; France will win. Yeah.
0907: "Three brits up today, perm any two from three (not talking about andys hair) to win?"
From Keith in Coventry via text on 81111
0906: "Morning Piers, Justin C in Twickenham here. Clear blue sky again and as usual I'm backing our Andy M to do it in 4 sets. Have a great day."
From Justin, Twickenham, via text on 81111 (I definitely will, cheers)
0901: The result of the day yesterday was Marat Safin turning back the clock about three years and hammering Novak Djokovic. Here's what John McEnroe thought: "Safin has played mediocre at a lot of events but that has forced him to get out there and practise. That is part of what we have questioned about Safin. How motivated is he? How hard is he working? How healthy is he? It's nice to see all that work paying off and hopefully he can keep it going for a while."
The BBC team on Djokovic's defeat
0855: "What I failed to add on my text (see 0839) was that a security guard swiftly retrieved Gonzo's trainers from the bin before any riff-raff could get their hands on them."
BBC Sport's Bryn Palmer
0849: I am no longer alone on Centre Court as lines are being painted, the Royal Box hoovered, umpire's chair tested, and grass cut. Away from the Britfest today, we have Rafael Nadal facing a real threat, I would venutre, in Latvian teenager Ernests Gulbis, and the slightly out-of-sorts Maria Sharapova up against Alla Kudryavtseva.
0839: I feel at this early hour I should make an apology to Fernando Gonzalez. One of my last actions before making an early exit yesterday was to head to the restaurant, and on the way back I crossed paths with Gonzo who was making his way to Court 18 to play Simone Bolelli. The Chilean maestro was briefly distracted by my tuna baguette and could not avert his gaze. I felt a pang of guilt, then, when several hours late I received a text saying, "Gonzo just threw his trainers in the bin after losing, stroppy ***." The big man clearly had his mind elsewhere.
0832: First up on Centre today will be Anne Keothavong giving Venus Williams a lesson, followed by Andy Murray toying with Xavier Malisse. And, weather permitting, the third and final match on Court One will be new Wimbledon folk hero Chris Eaton against Russian funnyman Dmitry Tursunov.
0830: What's this? Apparently I might need the rain graphic today for the first time this week. According to BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood, "Cloud is going to increase during the afternoon and there is a 30% risk of a shower, going up to 60% in the evening." And showers and drizzle for Glastonbury, apparently. They like all that though, don't they?
0825: Can it really be day four already? It's flying by and we haven't seen a sniff of those brave groundstaff haring on to pull across the covers, just a succession of high quality tennis matches. The mole doesn't know what to do with himself. It's another beautiful early morning on Centre Court - perfect conditions for the rarely spotted British tennis success.
- We'll be here throughout the day to bring you the latest news from around the All England Club, both on the courts and off, so whether you're settling down at home, stuck in the office or queuing on Church Road, send us your thoughts.
(BBC)
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