Wimblemedia, Day 6: (Double Hits) and Misses

On the last day of Wimbledon’s first week, there was still plenty of hilarious and eye-catching action around the ground. David Kane steps in for René, who curated the most memorable and original GIFs the All England Club has to offer.

Declaration of Let-dependence

For those on the other side of the pond, it was the 4th of July, Independence Day. The women’s event had already taken on a decidedly patriotic feel heading into the weekend as the Williams sisters and CoCo Vandeweghe each made the fourth round on Friday. On the 4th, Madison Keys took the court against Tatjana Maria and it was a party from start to finish. MC-ing the event? The Court 18 net:

#merica, eff yeah!

Ivo Karolovic and the Vicious Volley

Playing a fourth set tiebreak with No. 13 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic had served his way to great success against the Frenchman, leading by two sets to one. Tsonga had lost to the No. 23 seed at this very tournament in 2009, and was looking to meet 2013 champion Andy Murray on Manic Monday. Holding set point in the tiebreak, Tsonga ran out wide to pass the tall Karlovic at net.

What happened next, well:

With no call from the umpire — who had a clear look at both volleys — many took to their rulebooks for clarification. It turns out that one may indeed hit the ball twice, so long as the stroke causing the double hit be one continuous swing. Did Karlovic’s shot meet the requirements?

We report. You decide.

Swiss Swing (and a Miss)

Belinda Bencic has lit up the singles tournament at this year’s Championships, reaching the fourth round of a major tournament for the second time in her career. Her fortunes were more mixed in doubles, falling with Katarina Siniakova to No. 11 seeds Alla Kudryavtseva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

The low point?

Bencic:

At least she took it in stride…

The Isle vs. The Land Up North

In the most intriguing encounter of Day 6, hometown favorite James Ward had a chance to reach the second week one day after Heather Watson’s heroics. Playing unseeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil, Ward took a two-sets-to-one lead, and was — how you say? — very excited:

Pospisil has impressive credentials all his own, winning the 2014 men’s doubles title with Jack Sock. Ward would serve for it twice, but the Canadian broke back each time, finally winning the decider, 8-6.

Victory, she is — how you say? — sweet…

Helicoptering Away With a Win

Jelena Jankovic has never been one for Wimbledon. Miffed by a Court 18 assignment, the Serb once suggested the trip from the locker room required a helicopter. More technically, the grass courts of the All England Club leave the more defensive veteran on the backfoot, particularly against power players like 2014 champion Petra Kvitova. The Czech raced out to a set and break advantage, but Jankovic was undeterred, sneaking off with the second set and showing her mettle by doing what the kids call “servebotting:”

Serving her way to a 5-4 lead, Kvitova wilted under the constant pressure of the physical affair, and Jankovic claimed victory after three arduous sets.

Earning her best win of the year, the former No. 1 took victory in her signature style:

It’s all love in London…

Shouldering the Weight of a Nation

Andy Murray has finally looked back to his best in 2015, reaching the semis and final of his first two major tournaments. With all eyes on the Brit at home, Murray had been in effortless form all week, and looked set to continue the trend when he took a two-set lead against Italy’s Andreas Seppi.

It is then, of course, that things got a bit “Muzzy.” The No. 3 seed began struggling with a shoulder issue as Seppi ran off with a quick third set. Murray looked down and out when he fell down another break to open the fourth, but the Brit caught fire one last time, winning the last six games and punctuating the effort with a good ol’ ground pound:

Never change, Andy…

ALL England Club

Gael Monfils has always been too big for just one court. His personality and gut-busting ability has always yearned for a greater stage. The Wimbledon organizers couldn’t make Centre Court any bigger, but they did him and fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon a solid by bringing the party onto the main thoroughfare after starting on Court 1.

The result was standard Monfils/Simon drama, for which no words are necessary:

 

What was your favorite moment of Day 6? Sound off in the comments!