Wimbledon Day 3 Match of the Day: Date-Krumm vs. V. Williams

Two of the elder-statesmen of the WTA Tour battle on Centre Court Wednesday.

Venus Williams and the 40-year old Kimiko Date-Krumm.  Is it correct that these two have never played before?  One thing for sure is Date-Krumm isn't an easy out for anyone these days.

Look for Venus to try hitting Date-Krumm of the court, but Date-Krumm will use all of her resources to take it to 3 sets.

Venus will have a little too much in the end.

Prediction: Venus 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Wimbledon Day 1 Match of the Day: Riske vs. Zvonareva

A Court 1 match where the #2 seed could find herself in trouble.

While the Russian, Zvonareva is a decent player on grass, it's Riske's best surface.  A strong start from the American, Riske could pose problems for an emotional Zvonareva.

The two have never played before, but I expect a close see-saw match with Riske pulling out the upset in the end.

Three close sets with Riske winning the third 7-5.  The biggest upset of Day 1.

Roddick Speaks About Serena's Return

"Well, it's great that she's back," Roddick told reporters after beating Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the Queen's Club tournament on Thursday.

"I mean, I think, no disrespect to any of the women that are playing right now, but I think women's tennis needs that dominating figure.

"She hasn't played for a year but I think she still is that personality and, you know, she's certainly going to probably be the top storyline going into Wimbledon."

Serena has four Wimbledon singles titles to her name, one less than sister Venus who is also returning at the Eastbourne warm-up event after being ruled out since the Australian Open with an abdominal injury.
Roddick said despite a chronic lack of match practice Serena is capable of claiming the Wimbledon title this year. The championships begin on June 20.

"I don't think it would shock anybody if she came through and won it again," Roddick said. "It's very smart of her to play a lead-up event, especially after being gone for a year."

Since cutting her foot on broken glass in Munich last year, an injury that required surgery to a lacerated tendon, and then suffering life-threatening blood clots in February, Serena's presence has been missed on the WTA Tour.

Her return will help raise its profile, Roddick said.

"I think I speak for most people in tennis whereas you want her in the game for so many reasons; not only because she wins and she's a great champion, but she brings pop culture to tennis," he said.

French Open Women's Finals Prediction

Francesca Schiavone vs. Na Li

I don't know who would've predicted this final, but it's intrguing.

The head to head stands at 2-2, so this match is hard to call.

I just don't see Schiavone having a bad day.  She wants to back up her title of last year and she is mentally tough.  I'm sure Li has learned from her Aussie Open Finals appearance earlier this year, but the little things seem to bother her in big matches.

Go with Frank Schiavone in 2 sets.

Day 12: French Open Match of the Day - Li vs. Sharapova

Two big semi-finals in Paris on Thursday and the best of the two should be the Na Li / Maria Sharapova match.

Sharapova holds the career edge at 5-2, but Li has won the last tow meetings which were both on grass.

This isn't grass, but it's all the more reason I like Li in this one.  She's been good in Grand Slam events and I keep waiting for Sharapova's serve to go at some point.  I'd like to see Sharapova make this final, but I think it's going be Na Li.

Prediction:  Li in 3.  Hey that rhymes.