Ok, so this is cheating a little bit, since Venus already took down Dementieva in straight sets to advance to her second straight final.  However, knowing Dementieva’s big match history, and my propensity to pick favorites anyway, I think we can all agree I would have picked V. Williams.  So, let’s move on quickly to S. Williams vs. Jie Zheng before that match is over, and in all honesty, I’m not sure we have much time.

I say that in jest, actually.  Jie Zheng is playing great tennis, and should feel absolutely ZERO pressure against Serena.  I can definitely see Zheng keeping the match tight, but I cannot see her actually winning the match.  Serena simply has too much confidence on Centre Court, and I think the prospect of playing her sister in the finals gives her a little extra motivation.  Expect Serena in a tight two setter, something like 6-3, 7-5.

One of the Semifinals over on the Men’s side is actually not set.  Because of the rain delays yesterday, Schuettler and Clement have to finish their quarterfinal match today.  The winner, of course, will enjoy a thrashing at the hands of Rafa Nadal.  I know both players have done well to get here, but the most accomplished either has beaten was James Blake (who Schuettler beat in the second round), and Blake has a pretty poor history on grass.  So, while I applaud both of their efforts, and I will hope for a close match, I think either is in for a pretty good throttling at the hands of Nadal. 

The premiere Mens Semifinal match is Federer vs Safin.  While Safin is ranked 75th, by this time it’s apparent to everyone that he is playing like player that was ranked in the top 10 so long (just ask Djokovic) before he was riddled with injuries.  His opponent this time is not Djokovic, it is Federer.  And this is not the Federer that won only four games off Nadal in Paris, this is the Federer that has not dropped a set in five matches here, nor has he lost on grass in his last 65 matches or so.  I think if Safin can get off to a fast start, he will have a fighting chance, otherwise look for Federer to win in straight, or maybe four sets.

Two notes: Serena just took a 4-1, two break lead over Zheng; Clement just won the 4th set tiebreaker to force a fifth and deciding set.

…American male left in the singles draw at Wimbledon.  Thanks to Blake and Roddick both bombing out yesterday, American fans have just Bobby Reynolds to cheer for at the All England Club.  Luckily, both Williams sisters remain in the Women’s singles and doubles, the Bryan brothers are currently decimating a couple of Russians, and Jamie Cerretani (paired with Victor Hanescu) is in the second round of doubles as well in his first Grand Slam appearance.  Who is Jamie Cerretani?  Besides playing college tennis at Brown University, he also has the distinction of winning his first ever doubles title against your truly in a grinder of a match at the 1992 New England Open. (more…)

I was not able to travel to Wimbledon this year, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been able to tune into ESPN 2 during working hours.  That being said, here are some random musings on what has gone on the first couple of days:

- Once again, a European Grand Slam has not been nice to males from the United States: first round losers include Wayne Odesnik, Donald Young, John Isner, Vince Spadea, Robby Ginepri, Mardy Fish, Kevin Kim, Sam Querry, Bobby Renyolds and potentially James Blake (who just dropped the first set to Christophe Rochus.  Yikes. (more…)

I barely have time to catch my breath with all that’s going on here with regards to Wimbledon, Fed Cup, and getting ready for the US Open, so I’m just going to post some links with pertinent tennis news.  Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have some time to give some first week thoughts on Wimbledon. 

The US team has been announced for the Fed Cup in Stowe.

Federer won his 50th straight match on grass today.

Meilin Tu wishes she were coming to Stowe.

Take part in ESPN’s live chat with Greg Garber, Bonnie DeSimone & Todd Martin every day at 1 and 4pm.

Nice interview with Serena Williams.

Wimbledon makes list of ESPN Page 2’s top 101 things a sports fan must experience- keep your eye out for a couple of other tennis related items.

FYI, looks like I was off about Davydenko, who beat Korolev and just staged an epic comeback against Guccione.  The 6th seed was down two sets to love, and at 4-4 in the 3rd set tie breaker before storming back to win in five.  Ok, as I said earlier, hopefully I’ll be on with a full Wimbledon report tomorrow.

Draws for Wimbledon are out, so I figured I would go ahead and make a few bold predictions before I head out of the office for the weekend.

- A Roddick vs. Federer final is impossible as they are in the same half.  I think Andy is primed for a big tournament, so he will make it through to the Semi’s, where he will lose to Roger. 

- I’ve predicted good results for James Blake the last few tournaments, and that has backfired.  So I’ll try the whole reverse psychology thing and pick Andreev to beat him in the first round.  Wait, that doesn’t really work.  If I admit to the whole reverse psychology ploy, then its pointless.  I think Blake wins that, then has a pretty decent draw up until the round of 16, where he would potentially face Gonzo, who has looked somewhat vulnerable lately.  The winner will then lose to Federer.

- Nadal has an intriguing draw.  A first round faceoff against an American power player can not put a smile on his face, especially after last year’s near loss to Robert Kendrick.  This year it will be Mardy Fish on the opposite side of the net. This will not be an easy match for Nadal, but ultimately I think he will prevail.  After that, his next two matches should be easier, before a possible round of 16 clash with Youzhny (who defeated Nadal at the US).  Here comes a bold prediction, wait for it…if these two do indeed meet, Youzhny will win.  If Youzhny gets taken out earlier, Nadal will lose in the quarters to Tomas Berdych (who would also beat Youzhny should they meet).

- Speaking of Berdych, who made the 4th round here in 2006, I think this will prove to be his Grand Slam coming out party.  He won the Gerry Weber Open last week in Halle, and seems to be peaking at the right time.  I actually think he has as good a chance as anyone to be the winner of the annual runner up trophy.  I’m predicting a semifinal win over Djokavic in what ultimately be the best match of the tournament.  Two young guns vying to lose in the finals to Federer, can there be better drama?

- So yeah, I think Roger will win Wimbledon, again.  Now, onto the Women’s side.  Actually first I’ll pick one major upset from the first round - Korolev over Davydenko.

- Serena and Justine are in the same quarter unfortunately, but I expect them to meet, and I expect Justine to win (and Serena to take out her frustration on the Russian Fed Cup team a couple weeks later).  Serena will squeak by Hantuchova in the 4th round, and not have enough gas in the tank for Justine.

- Jelena Jankovic will beat Justine in the semis, after cruising through her quarter of the draw.  The match against Justine will be an epic battle, possibly the match of the tournament. 

- On the bottom half of the draw, the seeds will stay somewhat true to form.  I sincerely hope Mauresmo makes it through, but fear she will have her hands full with her round of 16 opponent, Nicole Vaidisova.  Actually, I’ll just go ahead and say it - I see Vaidisova winning, then defeating Ana Ivanovic to move to the semifinals.

- Her opponent in the semis will be Maria Sharapova, whose tennis game only seems to be getting written about in a negative way.  I guess her last four Grand Slam results - semis, winner, runner up, semis - are not enough for all her critics.  Ultimately I think Vaidisova will prevail and advance to her first Grand Slam final.  Wow, it must be Friday afternoon, I just picked two young Czechs to make the finals of Wimbledon.  Did I wake up with my mind in the 80’s?  These guys are good, but Lendl and Navratilova they are not.  Screw it, I’m sticking to my guns.

- Jankovic wins her first title in a route over Vaidisova.  And just in case you didn’t get my point earlier, Federer will win his 5th Wimbledon in a row. 

- On a positive note, ESPN 2 will be broadcasting Wimbledon from 8am-5pm every day next week.  So not only do you get to watch tons of tennis, but you don’t have to listen to me rant about the lack of good tennis coverage again!  Have a good weekend