Men's Quarters, Bracket update

Posted by BESS: So Fed loses. From two sets up to being simply outplayed. While I mourn his loss, I have to rejoice for Tsonga, because he's just so darn jubilant. And his performance was quite impressive.

I agree with the commentators who were criticizing Federer for seeming to go down without a fight. In two of the other matches today you saw players adeptly adjusting their strategy in order to turn things around. Not so with Fed. He stubbornly kept plodding away with his losing strategy. And while his calm demeanor is often something to admire, at times like this it also makes him seem indifferent.

I have no doubt he wanted to win. I just didn't really see the evidence.

Aside from Fed's continued dejectory (my new term for a downward trajectory that makes me sad), we're now also not likely to see Pete Sampras at Sunday's final. If Fed had been playing in the final with a chance to tie Pete's record seven Wimbledon titles, Pete likely would have been on hand to witness it. I don't know why I care about that--Pete was never my favorite player--but it's just sort of fun. Adds a little je ne sais quoi to the wonder that is Breakfast at Wimbledon.

Perhaps next year, Fed. Perhaps next year, Pete.

Later in the day Nadal beat the lone remaining American, Mardy Fish. Fish just couldn't muster the type of tennis he's been delighting us with all tournament. There were glimmers in that third set, and a tad in the fourth, but he was the lesser player today. I'm sad for him, but I hope he's proud of the effort he made in this tournament--his best result at Wimbledon yet.

Meanwhile, the Djoker beat rising star Tomic. But that wasn't even the worst Djokovic news of the day... No, no. The worst news is that if Djokovic wins his semi-final on Friday, he will become the No. 1 player, knocking Nadal out of the top spot. Blurgh. Can I live in a world where the Djokster is No. 1? I hope I don't have to find out. At least not this week.

And, in utterly uncompelling news, Murray beat Lopez in straight (and likely boring) sets. Take that, United Kingdom! I simply don't care if Murray wins or loses! Except on Friday when he'll play Nadal. Then Murray should lose.


B-R-A-C-K-E-T U-P-D-A-T-E

Dave and I tied this round, both picking three correct on the men's side and two correct on the women's. My, my.

Standings after the quarterfinals...

Bess
Men: 91/124
Women: 72/124
Total: 163/248

Dave
Men: 78/124
Women: 69/124
Total: 147/248

We're getting down to the nitty gritty now. Women's semis tomorrow!