McIntyre Tennis

Wimbledon Champions' Ball Photos

Here you go. Amelie and Roger look great! Thanks for the link, momofan!

Amelie did it! She did it!

What a spectacular win! Who else is in tears for amelie (I mean besides momofan ;-))?

Here's Wimbledon's match summary. Here's the BBC's wrap up, with post-match video interviews.

ETA: No More Talk about Amelie's Nerves / Amelie's interview / Justine's interview / Exorcising demons of doubt (don't miss the video of Amelie's press conference, etc. here; thanks, momofan!).

Here's what President Jacques Chirac had to say to Amelie: "Bravo! It was magnificent! What a performance, and what elegance!"

I love the French!

Justine v. Amelie: We're Getting a Rematch!

Like momofan, I'm bouncing off the walls re: Mauresmo finally making it through the semis. And how thrilling to have an Australian Open rematch (maybe the first of 2?) after all of the controversy with Justine's retirement. With two such complete players in the final, it should be a spectacular match. That is assuming, of course, that Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne can both keep their stomachs together.

Mauresmo d. Sharapova 6-3 3-6 6-2
Amelie dominated Maria, and could have taken her out 6-1 in the second (she had Sharapova 0-40 to go up 2 breaks and choked on the breakpoints) if she had held her nerve. Of course, she didn't--but no matter. She came out steely after a bathroom break to go up 4-0 in the 3rd. Just gorgeous tennis for the most part from Amelie.

Here are a match report / Sharapova's interview / Mauresmo's interview.

Henin-Hardenne d. Clijsters 6-4 7-6(4)
Did anyone doubt this outcome? Didn't think so.

Here are a match report / Clijster's interview / Henin-Hardenne's interview.

ETA: Here's the NY Times on Amelie-Justine.

Wimbledon: Women's Semis

Mauresmo(1) v. Sharapova(4)
It'll be interesting to see how Amelie's agility, variety and old school net play match up with Sharapova's Power Shots. It'll be even more interesting to see how Mauresmo's nerves contend with Sharapova's Iron Will. I think it'll either be really close, or a steamroll by Maria.

Clijsters(2) v. Henin-Hardenne(3)
I really just can't see Clijsters pulling this one out after her dismal display at Roland Garros. Even if Kim does come out to play, I'd still say Justine, easily. Granted, I'd pick Justine if she and Kim met in a back alley knife fight, too.  Hell, I'd pick Justine in a back alley knife fight against most people. Yeah, she's hard to like, but the girl is tough.

Here's the BBC on the match ups and a couple of articles below.

The Women's Semis: Article Round Up

Mauresmo exudes air of calm as she awaits Sharapova showdown
Few players are as honest about their shortcomings as Amélie Mauresmo. After sealing a place in the last four of Wimbledon with a scrappy 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Anastasia Myskina yesterday, she cheerfully admitted to being both nervous and impatient against the talented Russian. Read 'Mauresmo's calm'

Belgian show of fire and ice hits the lawns for first time
There are rivals who embrace with affection and others who put their arms round one another in the manner of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty on the Reichenbach Falls before their grapple took them over the edge to their presumed deaths.

Somewhere in between come the Belgians Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters. Read 'Belgian Show'

Wimbledon Day 7 Previews

Here's a bit of good pre-Monday handicapping:

Baghdatis must now face up to the serious business
Good look at Murray and Baghdatis' history in the juniors and Marcos' tournament so far.

Berdych has the talent to ruffle Federer
Federer says he fears Berdych.

Ana Issues Warning to Mauresmo
Did you know they both live in Switzerland?

Also, Matt Cronin at tennisreporters.net has made his Monday picks.

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Women

Here's the women's draw. Venus landed at the bottom of Mauresmo's quarter of the draw and so did 14th seed Dinara Safina. Other trouble spots: a newly brunette Tatiana Golovin and Ana Ivanovic who's already beaten Amelie this year. Michaela Krajicek, who's still having a great week in Nottingham, is a potential 2nd round match up for Mauresmo.

Sharapova's section looks pretty straightforward until Dementieva in the quarters, though Schiavone, Sania Mirza, and Danilidou, who made the semis at the Ordina Open, could add some spice.

Hingis, Hantuchova, Jamea Jackson and Patty Schnyder are in Justine Henin-Hardenne's section of the draw. Will be interesting to see if Hingis can reach the massive roadblock that is Justine.

At the bottom of the draw, there are a few threats between #5 seed Kuznetsova and #2 seed Kim Clijsters: Vaidisova, Na Li and Kirilenko.

News: Petrova's pulled out with her lingering groin injury from the French.

Mauresmo def. by...DECHY

Wow, defeated in her first match by Nathalie Dechy at Eastbourne. Not the greatest preparation for Wimbledon, huh. Here's the story.

The Passion of Amelie Mauresmo

Well, that was a shame. This was supposed to be her year; instead we had another defeat with the suffering writ large all over Mauresmo's face, her paralysis in that second set, and the creeping silence of the crowd. I feel so awful for Amelie; can't imagine what she and the French are feeling right now.

But...congratulations to Nicole Vaidisova for holding her nerve and notching off her career-best victory on such a tough stage. Kudos also to the gracious French crowd who applauded her and cheered a despondant Amelie as she hustled off the court. (Amelie paused to speak to the French press courtside, did anyone see the interview?)

Vaidisova Shatters Mauresmo's Dream

Nice Mauresmo Profile

Amelie Mauresmo is vying for a second straight slam, and seems much more relaxed than she has in past tries. I hope she maintains her preternatural calm. I bet most people are rooting for her, especially after the whole Justine funny business in Australia, but do you think she can do it?

Here's an interesting insight from Amelie on becoming a Grand Slam champion:

"I wasn’t raised to be a champion, like [Maria] Sharapova or Hingis. The French spirit is very different – it’s just about participation. So it took me more time to get the maturity.”

Read the Article.

Question for Francophones out there: Do you agree with Mauresmo about the "French spirit"?