lookupsport

The Wimbledon Men’s final yesterday looked to be done and dusted when Nadal won the first two sets relatively comfortably despite having been broken once.  But we should have known better than to write off Federer the World Number one and  5 times Champion.  He came back, surviving 2 Championship points to take the next 2 sets and take the match into a 5th set decider.
The quality of the tennis was superb and showed just how far our own Andy Murray has to go to compete at this level.  It looked like the only person capable of beating either of these guys was the one at the other end.  Nadal eventually won the final set 8-6 to prevent Federer beating Bjon Borg’s record and claim his first Wimbledon title.  On this performance you would have to say it will be the first of many and it looks as if he will go on to dominate men’s tennis for the next decade, as he is only 22 now.

For excitement quality, physical and mental strength of the players, you would have to say this was one of the best ever if not THE best ever men’s final.  It had everything, including rain stoppages and an injury scare, and with both players using Hawk Eye to the maximum that only added to the tension and drama.

On Saturday the British fans had something to shout about as well, when Laura Robson won the Junior Girls title aged just 14.  A packed No 1 court saw her beat Lertcheewakarn 2 sets to 1 to become the youngest winner since Martina Hingis and the first Brit in 24 years to win it.  Who knows in a couple of years we could have a male and female in the top 10, whatever next.

Laura has a long long way to go, but already has the foundations in place and a good team around her. Interstingly she was serving at around 96 mph - I remember Rosco Tanner hitting the first 100mph serve using an old wooden racket - now even the junior girls are doing it.  Just goes to show how much the game has changed in 20 years.

With Lewis Hamilton winning the British Grand Prix it was a pretty good weekend for British sport, although not as good a time as it has been for Spanish sport of course!