|
|
| 03 Jul 2002 | |
| Baghdatis and the rain fall on Day Four |
By Eleanor Preston
It was a familiar story at Wimbledon on Wednesday as rain disrupted play in the junior events for the second day running. Ground staff were kept busy all day as repeated showers and intermittent drizzle forced matches on and off court with depressing regularity, and players had to cope with the frustration of unfinished matches and long periods spent kicking up their heels in the locker room.
Markus Bayer managed to stay dry long enough to cause the day’s biggest upset in the boys’ draw when he knocked out the fourth seed Marcos Baghdatis, beating the Cypriot 6-2, 6-4. "We went on and off three times and that is so difficult," said Bayer. "I went on court confident though because I beat him in Roehampton last week, even though he’s a really good player." Bayer said he enjoys grass and remembers watching Wimbledon on television as a child, particularly German tennis hero Boris Becker. The 18-year-old has teamed up with fellow German Philipp Petzschner as part of Becker’s Mercedes training squad. "Since I have got to meet Becker he has really helped me a lot," said Bayer. "He’s an inspiration to me."
Rafael Nadal-Parera joined Bayer in the third round with another convincing victory to follow up his first round defeat of Brian Dabul. Nadal-Parera was too strong for American junior Chris Kwon, beating him 6-4, 6-0.
There was better news in the girls’ draw, which managed four completed matches despite the inclement weather. Linda Smolenakova scored the biggest surprise of the day, beating thirteenth seed Romina Oprandi 6-0, 6-4. Smolenakova will play Britain’s Alice Barnes in the third round after the 18-year-old came through her match against Shadisha Robinson with flying colours.
Barnes beat the American 6-1, 6-3 and afterwards said that getting off to a good start had been crucial. "The first set went completely to plan," she said. "I won my first serve to love and when you win your opening game you always feel good. Even when I lost my serve in the second set I wasn’t particularly worried because by then I knew I could get on her serve. She seemed annoyed and knew she would give me chances. I always thought I had the edge."
Barnes said she felt the rain actually helped her. "I think the timing of the rain delays worked in my favour because the first time we came off I had won my serve to love and was 15-40 on her serve," explained Barnes. "I have been down during a rain delay and I know how frustrating it can be. I think it always helps to have the momentum with you."
Photographs by Susan Mullane
^ Back to Top
|
