Gerry Williams looks at how Roger Federer is handling the grass and what is next for Andy Murray.
The green green grass of home
When I arrived at the All England Club at 7 0'Clock yesterday morning (they really work you hard at Sky you know!) it was raining and the famous roof over centre court was closed and I saw it in action for the first time - it was magnificent.
It looked like the tournament favourite Roger Federer would be the first person to play a competitive match here under the translucent roof. Federer you see was scheduled to play his third round match against the German Philipp Kohlschreiber.
Then the clouds began to thin and the decision whether or not to keep the roof closed had to be made by referee Andrew Jarrett. One thing that nobody wanted was the roof to be closed and then opened again and then closed again. After a word with no doubt the weather man Jarrett decided to open the roof and his judgement was vindicated. The sun broke through and they played all day. That special honour remains to be made - not that anyone wants the rain of course.
Federer eyes 15
Talking about Federer he could became the first man in history to win 15 Grand Slams. His most recent was the French Open, the first time he had won on the Roland Garros clay. He was then moved back to number one in the world on the ATP computer. For a change he moves onto the grass of Wimbledon without playing a single grass court tournament in preparation. So we watched intently how long it would take him to make this difficult adaption from the slow clay. He was fortunate I think to draw a careful and correct opponent in the first round who did not possess either a killer shot or who was a daring gambler. Indeed it turned out to be a pleasant stroll on the most famous court in the world.
Against Kohlschreiber in the second round Federer took the first two sets 6-3 6-2 at an almost gentile pace. He should have put his foot on the accelerator but because he didn't Kohlschreiber decided to go up a gear himself and the next thing we knew they were locked in a tie break. It was suddenly down to business for Federer and his response was prompt. After some swift urgency he was safely through to the last 16. There he will face Robin Soderling the Swede he faced in the French Open final.
Battle of the giants
If the weather was difficult to predict yesterday, one match in particular certainly wasn't. On the number one court two big serving he-men came up against each other ill-advisedly without crash helmets. Ivo Karlovic from Croatia and the 6th seed Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga whose power, daring and young Muhammad Ali good looks make him a very popular face on the circuit. The more knowledgeable in the crowd yesterday knew they were in for some tie-breaks and some aces as well. They were not disappointed - there were 72 aces in all and Karlovic won.
The centre court crowd at the same time were sizing up 19-year-old Romania girls who exciting things are predicted by the name of Sorana Cirstea. Cirstea faced another special young lady called Victoria Azarenka from Belarus who in April beat Serena Williams. Azarenka triumphed 7-6 6-3 and both have bright futures.
Today's' tea time encounter sees Any Murray - you may have heard of him - aiming to become on of the last 16 standing. What he has to do his tame one of the Serbs who are these days swarming everywhere in tennis. This one is called Viktor Troicki who is the 30th seed. People who know him talk about his fiery nature and his heavy serve. If he gets through Troicki, next for our lad could well be 19th seed Stanislas Wawrinka who is Federer's team mate when the Swiss play Davis Cup tennis.
My final and rather personal bit this morning is this. Andy Murray's mother Judy seems to me talks more sense than most people who are writing and commentating on tennis. She said that the problem is not the British players but rather it is the lack of British players and the cause of this is a public one.
I know something of this as I am president of Carmarthen Tennis club down in west Wales. The council has recently provided a splendid new outdoor sports arena with excellent facilities including excellent tennis courts. Two weeks ago I went along to a group of young people who turned up to learn the first steps of tennis. The two coaches were enthusiastic to put them through their paces. We need to build more facilities like this and take the games to the schools but where do we get the money from? Here is my suggestion - the LTA in this wealthy sport needs to starts funnelling more and more money into the schools and into clubs.
