Horia and Brad lift their 3rd trophy together

It seems like Lindstedt and Tecau tasted the victory and they really liked it. They won their third ATP World Tour doubles title at Bastad, Robert's home, as they defeated the Italian duo Seppi/Vagnozzi, 6-4, 7-5.

That means they move closer and closer by the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. "Obviously our run at Wimbledon put us in a situation where we can reach [the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals]", said Lindstedt. "It's our biggest goal of the year. We have to be humble and professional at each tournament and if we can continue our form I think we can make a good run at it." "Everytime we play together, I feel we can beat any team. It's the first time when I have this feeling with a doubles partner", said Tecau.

"I'm lacking words to describe this", Lindstedt added. "It's my home tournament and I can honestly say that nobody wants to win this tournament more than me. To finally win this at 33 is too much."

Congrats, guys! And we wait you to Bucharest, to win Horia's home tournament too! :>

Players of the week : Zvonareva, Vesnina and Tecau

Yes, they are three this time. But how could I choose between the WIMBLEDON finalists? Vera, Elena and Horia were three of the important surprises of the tournament, reaching the finals of a Grand Slam for the first time.


Zvonareva reached the final in singles, after defeating Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP), Andrea Hlavackova (CZE), Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) [15], Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [4], Kim Clijsters (BEL) [8] and Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL). She lost the final against the four-time Wimbledon champion and no.1 in the world, Serena Williams (USA). "I think it's great to be in the final", said Bepa, after her match against Serena. "I think I could have done better today. It's a bit disappointing because it's the final. You don't reach the Wimbledon final every year." Asked if she thinks Serena is beatable, Zvonareva answered: "Yeah, of course she's beatable. She's a human being. She's not a machine. I mean, it's very difficult to beat her. You have to play your best. But, you know, if you do, you can do it." Vera Zvonareva became only the third Russian female player to reach the Wimbledon final in singles, after Olga Morozova (1974) and Maria Sharapova (2004).


And she didn't limit only to the singles competition. She was the runner-up in the ladies' doubles competition too, with her partner, Elena Vesnina. After defeating Koryttseva (UKR)/Kustova (BLR), Chuang (TPE)/Govortsova (BLR) [17], Benesova (CZE)/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) [12], the Williams sisters (USA) [1] and Dulko (ARG)/Pennetta (ITA) [4], they lost to Vania King (USA) and Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ), another surprise of the tournament.

Horia Tecau wrote a beautiful page in the History book of the Romanian tennis. He is the first Romanian player who reached the final of a Grand Slam tournament, after 31 years. The last success came in 1979, when Virginia Ruzici (ROU) and Ion Tiriac (ROU) were playing the mixed doubles final at Roland Garros against Wendy Turnbull (AUS) and Bob Hewitt (RSA). Tecau and his partner Robert Lindstedt (SWE) have already won two trophies together, at Casablanca, in april and at Eastbourne, just before Wimbledon. Full of courage and hope, Tecau and Lindstedt made a BIG tournament, reaching the final, after defeating Friedl (CZE)/Skoch (CZE), Levine (USA)/Sweeting (USA), Bhupathi (IND)/Mirnyi (BLR) [4], Granollers (ESP)/Robredo (ESP) [11] and Chela (ARG)/Schwank (ARG). They lost the final against Jurgen Melzer (AUT) and Philipp Petzschner (GER). For this amazing result, the Lindstedt/Tecau team is no.9 ATP and moves closer by the ATP World Tour Finals.

I'm extremely happy for Horia, because he's from Romania and he makes our contry proud. We are proud to see that we still have great players, after the big name Ilie Nastase. It was a great tournament for them and I'm really sorry they didn't win, but they still have time. They make a very powerful team and it would be great to see them playing together for a long time, because they prooved they can make incredible matches. Now, I have to say, all my family watched their matches and supported them and we kind of adopted Rob too. :D So, congratulations, we all love you! :-) And of course, Vera was amazing, I'm sorry she couldn't win at least one of the competitions, but being the final is a very important result!

Players of the week : John Isner and Nicolas Mahut

"But they are not from Romania or Russia" - you might think. I know it, but I can't overlook this fairy tale match. The American John Isner finally won against Nicolas Mahut from France, after 11h05min. The score was 70-68 in the fifth set.

The match between Isner (25 years old) and Mahut (28 years old) became the longest match ever and the match with the most games played, 183. The matched started on Tuesday, but it was interrupted because of darkness after four sets. The game resumed on Wednesday, but it didn't finish this time neither, interrupted after 7h06min at 59-59. The match finished on Thursday, with the American's victory. "It's really painful, but we spent three incredible days. John served really good. He's a champion. We played the greatest match ever, in the greatest place to play tennis.", said Mahut, who is ranked 148th and went through qualifying. At some juncture as daylight was turning to dusk, Isner said: "I was completely delirious... Even though it was dark, and no one could see, I wanted a final verdict, win or loose. I didn't want to have to sleep on it. But it wasn't to be."

The other players couldn't remain indifferent to the magnificent effort of the two.
ROGER FEDERER: "It's so impressive to see. I mean, I was watching this. I don't know if I was crying or laughing".
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: "Everybody was watching it in the locker rooms, everywhere. Whoever wins today, I think both of them are winners. I don't know, maybe they should agree on playing tiebreak if it's 50 All".
VENUS WILLIAMS: "It's a marathon. It's longer than a marathon. I think if you moved, you loose your seat".
JOHN MCENROE: " I'm tired watching this. It's Herculean what they're doing... I had to come pay my respects."

Whatever else Isner and Mahut may accomplish in tennis, however many matches or titles each may win, they forever will be associated with these three days at the All England Club and one particular score: 70-68.

I have no words to describe this confrontation. I think for a while people forgot the World Cup and focused on tennis because of them. I said it and I will keep saying: these guys are two heroes. And they won a lot of experience, fans and of course, records in these three days. All I can do is congratulate both of them. I'm really sorry for Nicolas, he played amazing and he had his chance in front of a top player, so this is great. But a French travel company gave him a luxurious holiday, to relax after the marathon against John, which I find very nice, because he deserves all the respects and gifts in the world. :)

Wimbledon : Third round in review

Russians: 2 IN ; 5 OUT Romanians: 0 IN ; 2 OUT

Wimbledon third round results

Women's singles

Maria Sharapova (RUS) def. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 7-5 6-3
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 7-5 6-4
Kaia Kanepi (EST) def. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 6-1 6-2
Kim Clijsters (BEL) def. Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 6-3 6-3
Justine Henin (BEL) def. Nadia Petrova (RUS) 6-1 6-4
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-4 6-2
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) def. Regina Kulikova (RUS) 6-4 2-0 ret.
Venus Williams (USA) def. Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 6-4 6-2

Men's singles

Daniel Brands (GER) def. Victor Hanescu (ROU) 7-6 7-6 6-7 3-6 0-3 ret.

Last 16 matches
Women's singles

Serena Williams (USA) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)


I have to say a few words about Victor Hanescu. I think everybody knows what happened, so I won't explain it anymore. His behavior wasn't nice, I know it. But I have to admit that I was happy when I saw he swore and spat. I felt like they got what they deserved and I'm not talking only about those rude people from the crowd, I'm talking about the chair umpire and the organizers too. Victor went first and accused that the people in the stands are too loud and are booing him. And the only thing the chair umpire could say was: "No, it's OK". Then those guys started to swear and to scamp. And I want to ask the people who say that Hanescu is a villain: if you were in his situation and you've tried to tell the umpire what's happening and he didn't listen to you, could you stay calm? And now everybody says he must be fined for unsportsmanlike. It's OK, he was fined. But what about those drunk people from the crowd? They don't deserve a fine? Only the players must be fair-play, not the audience too? Anyway, for the ones who don't know, Hanescu "has been fined US$7500 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct* and a further US$7500 for not using Best Efforts* at the conclusion of the match." What I want to say is that I support Victor in this difficult situation, because I'm a big fan and I know that those people were just too rude, because the Romanian is one of the most calm and sweet persons, he didn't have this kind of incidents in his whole career and he's not the type which gets angry easily. So, GO HANE! NU TE LASA!

Wimbledon : Second round in review

Russians: 7 IN ; 7 OUT
Romanians: 2 IN ; 3 OUT

Wimbledon second round results


Women's singles

Serena Williams (USA) def. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 6-0 6-1
Maria Sharapova (RUS) def. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 6-1 6-4
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 6-4 2-6 6-4
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) def. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 6-2 7-6
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) def. Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-1 6-1
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) def. Romina Sarina Oprandi (ITA) 6-2 6-0
Kaia Kanepi (EST) def. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 6-4 7-5
Maria Kirilenko (RUS) def. Shenay Perry (USA) 6-1 6-4
Nadia Petrova (RUS) def. Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) 6-3 6-4
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 6-1 6-4
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) def. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 6-3 6-4
Regina Kulikova (RUS) def. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) 6-2 6-4
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) def. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) 6-2 ret.
Venus Williams (USA) def. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-0 6-4

Men's singles

Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Marsel Ilhan (TUR) 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3
Daniel Brands (GER) def. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 7-6 7-6 6-1
Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) def. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) 7-6 5-7 2-6 7-6 9-7
Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) def. Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-4 2-6 2-6 6-3 6-4


Third round matches

Women's singles

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) v. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) v. Kaia Kanepi (EST)
Kim Clijsters (BEL) v. Maria Kirilenko (RUS)
Justine Henin (BEL) v. Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) v. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) v. Regina Kulikova (RUS)
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) v. Venus Williams (USA)

Men's singles

Victor Hanescu (ROU) v. Daniel Brands (GER)

Wimbledon : First round in review

Russians : 15 IN ; 7 OUT
Romanians : 5 IN ; 1 OUT

Wimbledon first round scores


Women's singles

Vera Dushevina (RUS) def. Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 6-7 7-5 6-1
Nadia Petrova (RUS) def. Tatjana Malek (GER) 6-4 6-3
Regina Kulikova (RUS) def. Melanie South (GBR) 6-1 6-2
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) def. Anna Lapushchenkova (RUS) 6-0 7-6
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) def. Sandra Zahlavova (CZE) 6-2 6-3
Maria Kirilenko (RUS) def. Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 2-6 6-4 7-5
Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) def. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 6-4 6-1
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) def. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6-4 7-6
Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 6-4 6-1
Maria Sharapova (RUS) def. Anastasia Pivovarova (RUS) 6-1 6-0
Svetlana Kuznestova (RUS) def. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 6-2 6-7 6-4
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) def. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 6-3 6-4
Monica Niculescu (ROU) def. Gisela Dulko (ARG) 6-3 6-2
Petra Kvitova (CZE) def. Sorana Cirstea (ROU) 6-2 6-2
Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) def. Alize Cornet (FRA) 5-7 6-4 6-4
Edina Gallovits (ROU) def. Timea Bacsinzky (SUI) 4-6 7-5 6-3
Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) def. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 3-6 6-4 6-4
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) def. Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN) 6-2 6-7 6-1
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) def. Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-1 6-3

Men's singles

Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) def. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3-6 6-7 7-6 7-5 9-7
Viktor Troicki (SRB) def. Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) 6-3 6-4 6-1
Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) def. Ramon Delgado (PAR) 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2
Daniel Brands (GER) def. Igor Andreev (RUS) 7-6 7-6 7-5
Rainer Schuettler (GER) def. Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) 6-2 6-2 6-3
Victor Hanescu (ROU) def. Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) 6-7 7-6 6-3 1-6 7-5
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) def. Dudi Sela (ISR) 6-3 6-4 4-6 7-6


SECOND ROUND MATCHES

Women's Singles

Serena Williams (USA) v. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS)
Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) v. Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Anastasia Rodionova (AUS) v. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Roberta Vinci (ITA) v. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v. Monica Niculescu (ROU)
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) v. Romina Sarina Oprandi (ITA)
Edina Gallovits (ROU) v. Kaia Kanepi (EST)
Shenay Perry (USA) v. Maria Kirilenko (RUS)
Yung-Jan Chan (TPE) v. Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) v. Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
Vera Dushevina (RUS) v. Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL)
Regina Kulikova (RUS) v. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) v. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) v. Venus Williams (USA)

Men's singles

Victor Hanescu (ROU) v. Marsel Ilhan (TUR)
Daniel Brands (GER) v. Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Philipp Kohlshreiber (GER) v. Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) v. Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

Players of the week : Ekaterina Makarova and Horia Tecau

As you see, this time we have two players of the week, both having the same performance: THE TITLE! From the beautiful Hertogenbosch to the windy Eastbourne, the Russians and the Romanians showed once again their talent and determination.


Ekaterina Makarova played at Eastbourne as a qualifier and won the title. Who would expect this, at a tournament were the favourites were Caroline Wozniacki, Francesca Schiavone, Sam Stosur, Aga Radwanska or Kim Clijsters? And the young Russian had maybe the most difficult draw. First round against Pennetta, the 6th favourite. Only a few problems in the 1st set, because then everything was in her favor. The score was 7-6, 6-1. Next opponent: the second best Russian player of the moment, Nadia Petrova. But there was another Nadia, a Nadia who played really weird and lost, 0-6, 2-6. Next she played against Sveta Kuznetsova, the one who eliminated Sorana in the first round. Again, Ekaterina won, 7-5, 6-4. In the semifinals she faced Sam Stosur, the finalist from Roland Garros. I have to say, I was sure we will see a Stosur-Azarenka final. But no! 7-6, 7-5 for Makarova. Opponent in the final: Viktoria Azarenka. I watched the match. I supported Vika. But Eka was unstoppable, winning, 7-6, 7-5.


Now we're moving to Netherlands for the men's doubles competition. Winners? Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau. This is the 3rd title of the season for Horia and the 2nd teaming with Rob. The 5th seeds and the no.29 ATP surprised me first winning the semifinal against the 2nd seeds Moodie and Norman. I think I've never been so attracted by a doubles competition. But seeing Horia playing the final against no.3 ATP and the top seeds Dlouhy and Paes made me supporting them with all my soul. And it worked! After a difficult start, loosing the 1st set with 1-6, the Romanian fighter and his partner came back winning with 10-7 in the 3rd set.

A lot of surprises this week, isn't that? I'm curious what's gonna happen at Wimbledon... Will be everything in Serena's favor like always? Will be Nestor/Zimonjic or the Bryans invincible? I don't think so! :) For more action, watch Wimby! I will :)

Wimbledon draw is out!

After a long time waiting, the grass season is here! And it couldn't be the same without the biggest grass tournament and, in my opinion, the most spectacular Grand Slam: WIMBLEDON! Everybody had fun last night, at the Pre-Wimbledon Party, but the tournament starts on Monday, so everybody has to train, to stay calm and to prepare to do his/her best on the court.

In the men's competition, we have a player who just came back after a serious injury. That's Kolya, will play in the first match against Kevin Anderson (RSA). If he will play his best and will be in the quarters, he could face the 1st seeded and world's no.2, Roger Federer. The 2nd best tennis player from Russia, Mikhail Youzhny will face the surprising Dudi Sela, who won over Andy Roddick last week at Queen's. The surprise from Roland Garros, Teimuraz Gabashvili will play in the 1st round against Delgado, while another player who missed a lot of tournaments due to an injury, Igor Andreev, will face Daniel Brands. And one of the funniest and most charismatic persons on Earth, in my opinion, Dmitry Tursunov, will play against Daniel Brands from Germany. The only Romanian, Victor Hanescu, will face Alex Kuznetsov.

So, in the men's singles competition:

Igor Kunitsyn (RUS) - Viktor Troicki (SRB)
Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) - Rainer Schuettler (GER)
Victor Hanescu (ROU) - Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS)
Igor Andreev (RUS) - Daniel Brands (GER)
Kevin Anderson (RSA) - Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)
Teimuraz Gabashvili (RUS) - Ramon Delgado (PAR)
Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) - Dudi Sela (ISR)

The women's singles competition:

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) - Andrea Petkovic (GER)
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) - Elena Vesnina (RUS)
Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) - Alize Cornet (FRA)
Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR) - Maria Sharapova (RUS)
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) - Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Iveta Benesova (CZE) - Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS)
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) - Petra Kvitova (CZE)
Monica Niculescu (ROU) - Gisela Dulko (ARG)
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) - Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN)
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) - Edina Gallovits (ROU)
Stefanie Voegele (SUI) - Maria Kirilenko (RUS)
Tatjana Malek (GER) - Nadia Petrova (RUS)
Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) - Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) - Vera Dushevina (RUS)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) - Anna Lapushchenkova (RUS)
Regina Kulikova (RUS) - Melanie South (GBR)
Anna Lena Groenefeld (GER) - Dinara Safina (RUS)
Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) - Sandra Zahlavova (CZE)
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) - Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) - Agnes Szavay (HUN)

In the men's doubles competition:

Karol Beck (SVK)/Dmitry Tursunov (RUS) - Julien Benneteau (FRA)/Michael Llodra (FRA)
Leos Friedl (CZE)/David Skoch (CZE) - Robert Lindstedt (SWE)/Horia Tecau (ROU)

In the women's doubles competition:

Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)/Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) - Edina Gallovits (ROU)/Klaudia Jans (POL)
Elena Vesnina (RUS)/Vera Zvonareva (RUS) - Mariya Korytsseva (UKR)/Darya Kustova (BLR)
Viktoria Azarenka (BLR)/Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) - Liezel Huber (USA)/Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
Gisela Dulko (ARG)/Flavia Pennetta (ITA) - Anastasia Rodionova (AUS)/Arina Rodionova (RUS)
Regina Kulikova (RUS)/Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) - Elena Baltacha (GBR)/Olga Savchuk (UKR)
Kirsten Flipkens (BEL)/Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) - Vera Dushevina (RUS)/Ekaterina Makarova (RUS)
Kimiko Date Krumm (JPN)/Tamarine Tanasugarn (THA) - Alisa Kleybanova (RUS)/Francesca Schiavone (ITA)
Sofia Arvidsson (Swe)/Angelique Kerber (GER) - Maria Kirilenko (RUS)/Agnieska Radwanska (POL)
Monica Niculescu (ROU)/Shahar Peer (ISR) - Alona Bondarenko (UKR)/Katerina Bondarenko (UKR)
Vania King (USA)/Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) - Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)/Alberta Brianti (ITA)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)/Aravane Rezai (FRA) - Liga Dekmeijere (LAT)/Petra Kvitova (CZE)
Melanie Oudin (USA)/Riza Zalameda (USA) - Nadia Petrova (RUS)/Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Maria Kondratieva (RUS)/Vladimira Uhlirova (CZE) - Cara Black (ZIM)/Daniel Hantuchova (SVK)
Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE)/Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS) - Michaella Krajicek (NED)/Patty Schnyder (SUI)

Off-court : Fashion in London

The annual pre-Wimbledon party was held at The Roof Gardens in West London's Kensington, Britain 17 June 2010. The event is chiefly an opportunity for the stars of the sport to show their deisgner wardrobe and jewelry before the tournament starts on June 21.

Maria Sharapova


Dinara Safina


Anna Chakvetadze

Sorana Cirstea and Ana Ivanovic

Source : www.monstersandcritics.com

Wimbledon anounces 2010 seeds!

Singles: 10 Russians, 1 Romanian
Doubles: 6 Russians, 2 Romanians

Altough Roger Federer is not anymore no.1 in the world, he will be the 1st seeded at Wimbledon 2010 and the big rival Rafael Nadal will be only the 2nd seeded. In doubles, the best are the en-titre champions, Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic. In the ladies' competition, Serena Williams is the 1st seeded in singles and doubles, along with her sister, Venus Williams.

But now let's go back at Romania and Russia. A good Wimbledon seed for the both countries. In the ladies' singles, the best seeded would be Elena Dementieva, but because she will miss the tournament due to a serious injury, the best seeded is Nadia Petrova (12), followed by Maria Sharapova (16), Svetlana Kuznetsova (19), Dinara Safina (20), Vera Zvonareva (21), Alisa Kleybanova (26), Maria Kirilenko (27), Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (29) and Alexandra Dulgheru (31). In doubles, the best player is still Nadia Petrova, the 3rd seeded, followed by Alisa Kleybanova (8), Maria Kirilenko (10), Vera Dushevina (13), Ekaterina Makarova (13), Monica Niculescu (14) and Alla Kudryavtseva (16).

In the men's competition, Romania and Russia have only 3 players between the favourites: Nikolay Davydenko (7) and Mikhail Youzhny (13) in singles and Horia Tecau (16) in doubles.

The Wimbledon draw will be out on June 18th.

I think it's great that there are so much Russian and Romanian players as favourites and I'd like to see them being in quarterfinals, semifinals or maybe even in the finals. It's true that the rankings don't proove always the talent and the game, but this time I think they really deserve to be there! Good luck, everybody! :)