Qualifying Round Up

Rain interrupted Wimbledon qualifying eventually concluded yesterday, with 16 players entering the main draw of the championships to commence on Monday. The event lasted 6 days, with schedulers having to set aside an extra three days to complete all of the matches. Wimbledon is the only slam that has the best of five set format for the third qualifying round, and maybe this is something that has to be looked at but will never happen because of tradition. The organisers had to set aside a day off for the men on the Wednesday so they could rest before potentially going 5 sets and could have completed all the matches by Wednesday if that wasn't the case. Anyway, enough of my complaining, what's done is done and the best 16 players over the week have advanced through into the main draw. Lets take a look at some of the more interesting qualifiers this week:


Kenny De Schepper (FRA) def. Simone Bolelli (ITA) 3-6 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 7-6(7) 6-2

De Schepper has been dubbed the "French Karlovic" and for good reason. The 24 year old has a devastating serve which the grass compliments nicely, and is almost has tall him as well. Interesting story about Kenny, he only decided to become a pro tennis player 2 years ago and even then wasn't sure if it was the life for him, as he lacked a genuine attacking game and wasn't at all capable at the net. He's certainly improved that aspect of his game and could do some serious damage in the main draw. Had some good wins over Kellner and Ebden in the first two rounds and showed great nerve to close this one out in five. He was down 4-0 in the 4th set breaker and managed to claw his way back and from there the win was never in doubt against the mentally fragile Bolelli. Simone has the talent to be a lot higher than he is ranked, just doesn't have the right attitude and desire to put in the hard yards to ensure his game improves. He got in as a LL in any case and got a great draw so maybe things will turn for him now?


Bernard Tomic (AUS) def. Jean-Rene Lisnard (MON) 6-1 6-4 6-1






Expected convincing win for the young Australian who everyone in Australia is hoping will be the next local to carry the flag when Hewitt retires in the next couple of years. Bernie likes Wimbledon and the whole tradition of it all, so naturally he lifts his game to play well here, which he did just dropping one set to advance in his 3 matches. A lot of people don't like Tomic and that's understandable but the problem doesn't lie so much with him personally, but by his father and the attitude instilled by him into Bernard at a young age. People have to realise as well that it isn't just going to all come together for Bernard, he has to mature physically and work on the movement and the transition onto the main tour isn't as smooth as it was a decade ago, it takes much longer now to develop because of the evolution of the game and the technology. Anyway, Tomic did what he had to do here and ended up drawing Davydenko in the main draw which isn't as bad as it might sound initially. The Russian has never been too good on the grass and isn't in great form after coming back from a series of injuries. Bernard has a chance here.


Conor Niland (IRL) def. Nikola Mektic (CRO) 6-3 7-6(5) 6-4

Conor becomes the first Irishman since 1977 to qualify for the main draw of Wimbledon. The guy has worked very hard over the last couple of years and was no doubt inspired by countryman Louk Sorenson's run into the AO main draw last year as well. Niland battled his way through the first two qualifying rounds, saving match points in a tough 8-6 3rd set win over Ouanna, and also coming from behind to defeat Greg Jones in another 3 set encounter. Had an easier time of it in the final round and got through the nerves in the last set to make his first ever main draw at a grand slam. Has drawn Mannarino in the 1st round which is a tough one but it could have been a lot worse. He will have the support of the locals and perhaps the prospect of a second round date with Federer on centre court will be enough to inspire Niland for the win.


Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER) def. Ryan Harrison (USA) 6-3 7-5 1-6 4-6 7-5






Hilarious match, and one probably most affected by the rain delays. When I say most affected, I mean in the general flow of the match and the twists and turns it took after play re-commenced. The two youngsters were vying for a spot in the main draw of Wimbledon for the first time and were desperate for the win, which was evident with Harrison being fined for unsportsmanlike conduct during the 5th set. The American probably shouldn't have let it get to that stage in the first place, having a 4-0 lead in the second set, only to surrender it 5-7 after yet another rain interruption. Stebe has been on fire this year starting the year off well with some good performances in futures and challenger events, before going on to be the only man to take a set off eventual Halle champion Philipp Kohlschreiber a couple of weeks ago. The 20 year old German has a bright future and did well to bounce back in the 5th set and hold off Harrison for the win. Has a main draw date with another young gun, Grigor "baby fed" Dimitrov in the opening round. Dimitrov has all the talent in the world, but hasn't quite learned when to pull the trigger and when to be consistent from the baseline. Should be a good match, with Grigor starting the favourite in my book.


Other Qualifiers:


Rik de Voest (RSA) def. Grega Zemlja (SLO) 6-2 6-7(5) 6-2 6-2
Martin Fischer (AUT) def. Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-4 6-7(5) 4-6 6-3 8-6
Lukasz Kubot (POL) def. Augustin Gensse (FRA) 6-3 7-6(7) 6-7(4) 6-1
Frank Dancevic (CAN) def. Marco Crugnola (ITA) (ITA) 6-2 6-2 6-3
Lucas Lacko (SLO) def. Go Soeda (JPN) 6-4 2-6 6-4 6-4
Flavio Cipolla (ITA) def. Roberto Bautista-Agut (ESP) 2-6 6-2 7-6(10) 7-5
Igor Sijsling (NED) def. David Goffin (BEL) 7-6(7) 6-3 4-6 7-5
Karol Beck (SVK) def. Marco Chuidinelli (SUI) 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-3
Marinko Matosevic (AUS) def. Chris Guccione (AUS) 7-6(9) 6-7(3) 7-6(3) 4-6 6-1
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) def. Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-4 4-6 7-6(3) 6-2
Andreas Beck (GER) def. Jurgen Zopp (EST) 2-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-3
Ruben Bemelmans (BEL) def. Guillermo Olaso (ESP) 7-6(4) 6-3 6-2


Main draw action kicks off Monday 12:00 local time.