Quarter-Finals Queen's

Good afternoon. It has not been a great week to be a big-name player

But don't worry - we still have a host of talent left in the draw. A

former top 10 player climbing his way back up the rankings, Marin

Cilic. An American who knows how to win

here, the champion of two years ago, Sam Querrey.

A young man with a big future, the talented Bulgaria Grigor Dimitrov.

The highest ranked player left in the draw, though, is this man, the

world No. 8, Janko Tipsarevic. So, a different look to this year's

AEGON Championships, with some new names emerging. But the biggest

worry today is the weather. We have forecasts of some showers in the

afternoon. It could be one of those afternoon. It could be one of those

days. We have already had one. But this is the quarter-final line-up

as it stands. Grigor Dimitrov has come through well really we were

expecting to see it Andy Murray. He is KEVIN Anderson. Javier Malisse

is through to face either David Nalbandian or Edouard Roger-

Vasselin. Morrissey it will face Vasselin. Morrissey it will face

either Lu or Tipsarevic. -- Marin Cilic.

It continues on court number one as well. Nalbandian and Roger-Vasselin

are tied four or in the opening set. The winner will be back to face

Malisse. So I think it is going to be one of

those days. By have got a feeling we could be doing a bit of talking

today. Another very strong wind as well. So, not easy conditions.

It is pretty miserable. They just want to get out there and play.

What are you talking about? It is beautiful. The court has been under

a bubble the whole time. It is not slippery anymore. It is windy, but

it will be all right. But what about the ball toss in

this wind? It is a whole new look. There's a

chance for some way to make a real statement.

I would say Tipsarevic probably is the favourite just simply because

he is the guy who has been in top form for some time and seems to be

pretty comfortable in that position that he is in. OK, he is probably

not a Grande -- born grass court player, but he looks good. Dimitrov

is the guy to look out for. He does look like he could be comfortable

on this surface. He is starting to get confident.

He was very impressive yesterday. If he can string some matches

together, he will be one to watch. The big news today is about Jo-

Wilfried Tsonga, who lost yesterday. He has suffered his injury. Watch

carefully. He falls here and his racket hand, and for the rest of

the match, he had a lot of problems. He was very upset afterwards. He

felt that something broke. We don't know what the latest is. He has

gone back to France to get X-rays and to see his doctors. He says he

is keeping his fingers crossed! But apparently was devastated last

night because he felt his Wimbledon was over.

Warm up tournaments are important before Wimbledon. But the main

event is the Grand Slam, Wimbledon. If he is out of that, it will be

sad. He is a huge fracked. The biggest resort for a tournament

like this is to get out of it healthy. Especially a guy like

Tsonga, he may enjoy grass more than anybody. He is great. He

always has been. Look at his results when he was playing

challengers. He likes to play on grass. That would be devastating.

And he was in form. He had a great French Open. He should have beaten

Djokovic. So devastating for him. A what can you do? It was the

slippery conditions. It was a freak accident. Hopefully it will not be

as bad as he things. Hopefully we will have some good news today.

We will let you know when we have some news. We are going straight

out. The sun is shining at the moment, although there are clouds

moving in. It is the third set between Lu and Tipsarevic. This

match was suspended because of rain yesterday. That is the situation.

John Lloyd will be scurrying to the commentary box. But waiting for us

commentary box. But waiting for us Good afternoon, everybody. It could

be a busy day for this man. He is The winner of this match will play

their quarter-final later on. Tipsarevic has to head out to

partner Zimonjic she for his doubles. He has hardly stopped

since his arrival in London. He had a visa problem. He did not arrive

He has played some excellent shots since the resumption. We had a

break of about an hour. The winner of this match will play the tall

Guy there in the grade top, Cilic Both men have had break points in

this set, but it is going with serve. It is another close match.

We have had many of them this week. Probably the best chance, John, For

Tipsarevic. The good part for this match is

that both the players are playing their best tennis in the third set.

Yesterday, Tipsarevic was not at the races. He was out of sorts. The

weather was bad. It was late at night. His attitude was not good.

He was lucky there was a rain delay. He came out this morning and Lu was

up a set and he played a terrible set. Mentally, he seems to be

frustrated with the conditions and did not play well. Now looks like

the third said they are both playing close to their best. It is

a good third set. A big opportunity for both of them.

Absolutely. This man knows how to win games on grass. He beat Andy

It was an incredible performance he put in there.

Last year he beat a couple of seats Oh, yes. A wrong-footing forehand

from Tipsarevic. That is the You could just see the force there.

The ball was behind him. A Oh, goodness me. That was a strange

shot. Don't know what he was thinking. He missed it by miles. I

think he changed his mind. He saw where Tipsarevic was moving and he

That is the way to react. He is not a big server, but that was

I tell you what, there are a couple of nerve before hands -- nervy

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He has 11 aces for the match. Seven Thought he had that, and I think he

did as well. He knew where he Are we heading for another deciding

tie-break? The deciding set continues to go with serve. Had a

big second half of the year last year, Janko Tipsarevic. A couple of

titles on the hard courts. Made it to the well tour finals. -- World

Tour. After many years as a touring professional down the rankings, 40,

50 in the world, he is loving life now in the top 10.

Amazing that he suddenly made that jump after all those years around

the '30s and 40s. A tournament win and then the confidence comes in.

You think you can beat anybody, and since then his record has been

wonderful. He is a top-class player now. He is a threat to anybody.

Just as Novak Djokavic was inspired by the Davis Cup win for Serbia in

UMPIRE: To your seat quickly, please, behind the players. Thank

He seemed to miss time is, hit it's too early. -- missed time it, hit

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And another one. No surprise now in what could be the final game that

Tipsarevic is favouring that wing. That was a dangerous shot to go for

at that stage of the match. He was pushed out wide and the wind is

difficult, and then to go for a clean winner from that deep was a

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tough shot to make. Now he is in That is three excellence serves in

a row. That is pressure serving for you. The last time he served to

stay in the match, it was four to The top seed, Murray, went in a

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final set tie-break. What about That was a bad miss in the

circumstances. Not sure if he saw Tipsarevic slipping a bit and took

his eye off the ball. You can just see the slip. He had an open court,

there was no way Tipsarevic was going to get close to the ball. He

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did not have to put it so close to That is one of the things to enjoy

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A nerve-racking into the match here! Unbelievable.

They have competed for this long. Ranking points and prize money on

the line, and you don't want to What a recovery from Lu. He beat

Andy Murray at the Olympic Games in Oh, that was so unlucky. Lu played

such a good point here. He is so aggressive and he looks like he is

going to win the point. Then the What a volley! This was outstanding.

The approach shot was really not that good. He gave Lu enough time

to put it forward, but then, what a volley. He just behalf it. A

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delicate touch. An unbelievable He had that one lined up. He was

quite a way off the court. Just Oh, it was right on the line!

Tipsarevic is going to challenge. Why not? This could be match point.

It was an extraordinary angle on that ball. This is right on the

line. What a shot. Wow. Take a look He has done it! And he got a good

hit on the return of the first serve as well, which she has not

been able to do all match. And the Award well played, Yen-Hsun Lu,

from 3-0 down in the deciding tie- Another big grass-court stout for

this month. -- for this man. We may well see him do some damage at

Wimbledon. It is Lu who comes through, beat Roddick at Wimbledon.

Good to see somebody stepping in, This is the final point, that is

the return that does it. I don't think Tipsarevic was expecting that

We will see him later on this afternoon, he will be back to play

in the quarter-finals again does -- for the title, the highest seed

against David Nalbandian, a finalist at Wimbledon 10 years ago.

That is how he took the opening set. David Nalbandian is another of the

At the moment he is a break down again, it looks like another big

name going out the championship. I think the tournament organisers did

want to see another third-set tie- breaker. The opponents are just

taking their chances. Lu summed it up, howl aggressive he

was in the tie-break, he went for broke and made it, it is

unbelievable. A very good player, he showed his

pedigree at Wimbledon on the grass a couple of years ago. It is

surprising he hasn't had more good results over the years. Perhaps

just lacking a bit of self belief. He certainly moves well. Maybe it

is his weaker to break through. That is what it is all about, at

this change from clay to grass, and goes to cope with the better.

Absolutely. Lu was very comfortable, his foot work, he has played well

on grass before, he has beaten Roddick, a tough draw again,

Tipsarevic who only got here and she stayed so didn't have as much

practice as he would normally have on grass. He came up against

somebody he played out of his mind. I think this is the very first

quarter-final appearance for Lu in his career. How is that possible?

Didn't he reached the quarter- finals at Wimbledon?

Other than Wimbledon. Other than that!

He beat Roddick 9-7 in the 5th, I But still, it's very good it is the

second quarter final for him on the world tour. You have got to take

your chances. We have got a young man coming up now, absolutely

terrific yesterday, against Dimitrov yesterday, such a great

talent. Great to watch, touted as the star since he was 12 years old.

He didn't make the improvement perhaps people were expecting.

Perhaps people were expecting the top 10 player in two years. He has

gradually been rising up the rankings. Maybe this is the

tournament. He has got every shot in the book, mentally seems to be a

lot tougher. He is exciting to watch.

I think this surface is really good for him. Almost perfect, to break

through, because there is a real benefit to being a smasher, as he

certainly is. He hits winners. Perhaps not quite a premium put on

being consistent, and that is part of his game that needs a little

work. Kevin Anderson has won the toss, he

will serve first. This man has beaten, Dimitrov, he has beaten

Gilles Muller, he has been up against a big server. A couple of

big serves against him. No question. This will be an

interesting test. Kevin Anderson, a solid pro. Very rarely puts in a

poor performance. A big serve, obviously, a huge guy, moves pretty

well for somebody of his height. Dimitrov will have to go for the

ball. He will not get an easy time here. It will be an interesting

He has made huge strides in the last year and a half.

He is nearly as tall as John is no, much lighter build. -- Isner. It

has only been in the last year-and- a-half, since he broke through to

the top 40, but seems comfortable. To see him here in the quarter-

finals, not huge surprise. I like the way he plays. He doesn't come

into the net perhaps as much as you might have thought. He will like

the fact that court is so much drier than the last time we saw him,

it was very slippery. Let's hope it stays dry throughout

the afternoon. Up against the 21- year-old, a regular visitor to the

Queen's Club and after his victory yesterday against Nicolas Mahut he

spoke to John Inverdale. This must be a tournament you enjoy

playing because you were given an opportunity as a wildcard, very

young, and that creates a bon. Always. I just saw the tournament

director and said I promised him, and I enjoy it the court, they are

the best grass courts ever, everybody enjoys the tournament. It

is a great preparation before Wimbledon. Great if you can get a

couple of matches under your belt and play your game. I am always

pleased to be here. He promised to win it one day.

Yes! How long will you have to wait? Had the scene. -- hopefully

soon. You are establishing yourself now,

but it has been hard. He did automatically get a wildcard

everywhere. -- you do not. Not right away, so you have got to

go at it step-by-step. So many tournaments you have got to play,

challengers, you find the right path and know what is good for you.

All these things, you can make an error sometimes and that is what

happened with me, a couple of bad decisions when I was trying to get

in the top 100, you have got to take everything step-by-step.

Certainly made some good decisions. Some good results. Some good young

stars emerging. He is definitely up there.

He doesn't have the looks, charisma, horrible backhand! He has got it

all. He has done well in the challengers, had to work his way up,

came out at the beginning and it looked like it would happen

overnight. Work his way through, and will be a better player for

that. He has had to work hard for that, and he belongs here and such

an exciting talent. He did a great job in hiring

McNamara, he did a great service to him because he was struggling. He

didn't win any matches. He just said, you're going to work, you are

going to play futures and challengers, get out there and put

in the work. At the end of last year.

You can only hear the same thing so many times.

A lot of people change. This is This surface will suit him and

nobody will want to play this man at Wimbledon either. He is a great

worker. Tipsarevic, ranked in the 30s and 40s, now top 10. It can

happen, you can have a break through year. One heck of a player.

You always talk about the serve Anderson is serve and ground stroke,

they're both very solid. He doesn't blast people of the court for stub

he will grind with you, it just hit Try and be the aggressor. He is no

One Show wonder. There hasn't been a top player from South Africa for

a while. It is curious that because they had such a good period where

they had many players, and not so many players coming out of a

country for a while. I am sure they will be pretty soon.

How do you pick this one? This it depend on how well Dimitrov

returns? If you tie-breaks? Oh, no, not a tie-break again.

He's even at the French Open Dimitrov, a break-up and he can

play on all surfaces. One of the questions for him is having reached

the quarter-finals, does he stay as relaxed and call as he has done in

the first few round orders to take it up a bit with the prospect of

reaching the latter stage. That sort out the men from the boys.

Nadal always did that, even great teenagers, he was probably the best.

You would have to think with his pedigree in the genius he will not

be that scared of proving himself. -- juniors. Peter is on his way to

the commentary box to join Andrew The highest year-end ranking for a

South African. It has been a while. Trying to think of that Sampras --

Safra begin players, some tremendous doubles specialists --

A good all-round athlete. A fine 800 metre runner in his junior days.

He went through the American University route. They find

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Thinking back, 1992, Wayne Ferreira won here. I cannot believe there

Anderson way ahead of that ball. Gusty conditions can do that to a

player. Just playing the ball when He has got that book showed on

again that almost perfectly matches the billboard at the back. People

wondered if that was a loud. I think if it is the same colour as

the ball that would be a bigger issue. That is a Baldrick like

cunning plan. Have you been watching Blackadder? Rather than

doing research? The Stealth start of this week. Danger averted from

26-year-old from Johannesburg, playing about the best tennis of

his career. Not everybody turned up Increasingly players getting older

in the top 100. It is a fact that you would have to some nice because

the game has become so physical, you have to go 14 shots into a

rally almost every point. Apart from on this surface. The hard

courts and clay courts are so slow wickets just cannot compete

physically bashed the kids. -- the kids. The work on her physique

until they are strong enough. -- they work on her physique. -- their.

That is the thinking. Belief is Just as in the opening game,

Anderson said think, now Dimitrov has to fight off 15-30. You of well

aware you have to play a couple of the strong points in a road to give

yourself up in the rally. Any mistakes could be punished. That

Very sound service technique. Absolutely. A lovely knee bend into

it, there is a fluidity. I bet he serves when he is confident, there

Very fine delivery, not just technically but the direction as

well. A lot of poise from 15-30. Virtually impossible to dress for a

day like today. Some up one minute, autumnal the next. -- it is summer.

The sun making a welcome visit, apart from if you are trying to

With a guy like Dimitrov, when he has time on the ball, you are not

There is a month in row one, on his feet as soon as it came off the

Dimitrov racket. Marvellous work here. He was ready for that one,

keeping his eye on the ball, great Enough time to think about that. If

he had dropped it he would have Another nasty passing shot. Very

near the baseline. You can see why they walk all clamouring -- they

were all clamouring for his signature, management companies, a

136 mph on the break point, that return came right out of the return

Dimitrov is very quick, no question about that. Not quite confident yet

in his ability to change direction on the Centre Court. I suppose a

lot of the players are still scarred from the slipping and

Feel like we might be coming late to the party with Dimitrov. We have

never seen too much of him because he has lost quite early. I don't

see him really as the Sampras, yet, or a Federer. I don't know whether

he is in that class or not. There are times when you could easily

things he looks top five in future. We came to the party but it was

packed full of posters, so we left early. He promised a lot but didn't

deliver. Right up until maybe this year. He has just now started to

put things together, where he actually believes he belongs at

this level. He certainly has won a lot of admirers this week, that is

for sure. His route through has taken him past Reynolds, Gilles

Muller, the left-hander who is an experienced man, Nicolas Mahut.

Pretty well beaten in the end, having served for the first set.

Only one play in it. That is Grigor Dimitrov as far as we see him.

After these performances this week, I think he will scare a lot of

players. Men will not like the sight of his name in their section

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That looked a little embarrassing. Dimitrov, doing the right thing,

Conditions decidedly difficult at the moment. The wind is coming from

The and that being the case, the end Dimitrov is serving from, that

will always beat the more difficult It is largely coming from the west.

He's slice serve will be negated. On the other end it will just fly.

It will be a shot that will win That was good umpiring. He has got

that big smile, he loves it. He was requested fought the Hawk-Eye, from

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Dimitrov, it is miles out and I was a little surprised to see on

the last to deuce point Dimitrov was so successful with the wide

serve. The wind has done a 180 degree turn around. Even more

difficult for these plays today. Difficult to suss out what the

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conditions actually are from point He has got lovely hands, the

ability to make things happen. He has come from the juniors with

1,000 shots to choose from. It takes time to hone the game and do

His biggest challenge, Dimitrov, his discipline. It is learning to

choose a shot, commit to it and execute its, and not allow any

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It sounds simple but it is not It is a fourth quarter final of the

season for Kevin Anderson. He beat Andy Roddick, John is now, and two

So he has already won a tournament and won 21 matches this year. He

represents a big obstacle in the still fledgling career of Dimitrov

here. That is Kevin Anderson. He went the American University route.

You went to UCLA, right? That is right.

You would not have and messed around with the Midwest so much.

I went to the University of Michigan for one year. Then I

transferred. Yeah, we played them. Three in I stayed with the red

birds. -- Illinois State was the red birds. Get in touch if we are

irritating you or upsetting you or irritating you or upsetting you or

pleasing you or whatever else. We How would the game be affected by

getting rid of the double serve? There would be fewer double serves,

that is for sure. Fewer aces as well!

Returners like Murray would benefit, right?

It would be all about rallies, wouldn't it? It would take the ace

out of the game, virtually. I don't think any other racket

sports give people two attends to get it right. -- attempts. Squash?

Not always. Not always? OK. What, you have to

In playing squash, I can't remember. I used to play Way back when and

That was a bit lax. So you have paid for a decadent youth? No, if

you hit it over the red line, that is one serve and that is it. If you

are beneath the line on the front Oh! Wow. If any viewers know what

they are talking about when it comes to squash, send us an e-mail.

What about this? Anderson, good play. It was. I think Dimitrov

thought him a bit by hitting the Anderson is playing in the

conditions a bit better than his opponent. Dimitrov was really

unsure whether to let the ball drop or take it in the air. I'm not sure

I thought Anderson played that point pretty well. Conservative in

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his approach. Just wasn't able to Solid stuff. The tennis of real

substance here. The person coming forward and saying, can you pass

me? That is the man there, Kevin Come on, how does he do that? How

does he served nearly 80% first serves in gale force winds?

Come on. What a beautiful shot that was. The approach had a bit of

power on it. Dimitrov still had no problems changing direction and

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He is over 80% now. A consummate SUE BARKER: We'll get into the

business end of that first set. But this is what is happening on court

number one. Nalbandian has won the second set. Roger-Vasselin comes

down and David Nalbandian decides he is going to take a bathroom

break. We're not sure exactly, we don't have microphones, but Edouard

Roger-Vasselin is complaining to the umpire. We hear that he was

given a racket abuse warning by the umpire. Maybe he is questioning

that. It has certainly affected his concentration. He has lost five

games in a row. He is 3-0 down in the final set. Nalbandian is on

course for a place in the quarter- finals. We will keep you up-to-date

with that. But back we go to centre. ANDREW CASTLE: Thank you, Sue. The

winner of that match plays Javier Malisse. He was docked an entire

game under the penalty system but Despite everything, he came back to

win the match. That is one that gets the boys in the locker room

talking. What, that he lost an The ranting and raving would have

proceeded that. That was the wake- up call. OK, time to stop. The next

It was the right decision to hit that forehand down-the-line. Sir

Talk about maximising potential, he is pretty good at that. I think

Kevin Anderson is pretty good at that. We have never seen him lose

his focus. His ranking has With these new tennis balls,

Dimitrov has come back to be a game That short ball was hit into the

wind, and died. I'm sure Anderson thought he would reach this ball

with ease. Probably should have done better with this. That was

stylish, but you have got to pick that up, haven't you? I think he

just missed judged it. Thought the ball would come deeper in the court.

It is difficult with his wind. -- Especially on this surface, the

occasional serve and volley is such a good play. It can win you so many

I think because so many players like a target, they have great top-

spin passing shots. It is a hurdle for players to actually get over

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the idea that they are taking a Thank you two hour viewer from

Lincolnshire. The Championships are usually in a bad condition after

the tournament. How are the grounds people going to get them into

condition? I know they have seeded a number of

course with a number of different seeds. -- courts. They have seen

which work best. They reckon they can make the courts play well and

look good for this type of tournament.

They have benefited, greatly, from the change in style of play. When

you look at the courts at the end of the tournament at Wimbledon, the

area is that the lines is still pretty pristine. It is worn on both

baselines. So they don't really need... It hasn't yet totally one

out here, after two weeks. The court doesn't need to be perfect

behind the baseline. A lucky slip.

I have a feeling the baselines will wear out quickly because the grass

has not been able to bed in. They will not germinate for more

than a few days. It will look He is under pressure in the next

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It was a ball he should have made. Two said points. You would never

say this is against the run of play. Solid, professional play from the

big man from South Africa. His mother is happy with that. She is

over enjoying London for Queen's and for the week between, no doubt.

Anderson's goal for women -- Wimbledon must be to make it to the

second week. No question. He will be one of the players, one of the

outsiders perhaps. He may just sneak a low seeding. He will be one

of the guys who is potential danger. 32 players seeded, used to be 16.

It just means that you are less likely... Well, you are not going

to get bow shocks quite so early on. -- those shocks. A shame, really.

Although I suppose the top players and it.

You can argue it from both angles. It is probably fair, though, on the

players to see 32 guys. A number of different ways the

players will go depending on how I would have to say that the courts

in Liverpool are good. I'm not sure For these players, they have

already have -- had a good win. Anderson will be eyeing up the

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The conditions are getting a little ominous at the moment. Everybody is

region for umbrellas and coats and scarves and things. There reaching

for the drinks as well to make sure they don't blow over. Yeah, let's

get our priorities straight! Don't There seems to be a rush around

here and everybody is heading out of the stands fast. Even Mohammed

is off. We don't care if he gets wet today, he is Swedish. We don't

like the Swedes today. I had better be careful, I am married to one.

The umpire has not called it yet. Just a few spits of rain so far.

But it has turned decidedly dark in the last five minutes. I think the

spectators have said, yeah, come on, this is inevitable. Graham is

heading out. It is important to get the covers over pretty quickly. You

don't want moisture underneath the cover. It will take a few minutes

after you take the cover off to dry out. Obviously just a pulse of rain,

this one. If it would be a downpour, the referees would know it and they

would have the covers right across. The bad news is that we have a few

spots of rain. The good news, if you can call it that, it is that

just a few miles away, I can see a section of blue sky. You know what,

you have got a fantastic pair of eyes. If you had to hit a golf ball

through that, it would be the best shot of your life.

That is a pipe dream for a start OK, here comes the rain and the covers.

For Kevin Anderson, it has been an excellent hour's work. A really

strong, professional performance. He has got so many first serves in.

He hasn't let his young opponent He hasn't let his young opponent

The momentum can change so quickly. Even though it was a heavy downpour,

people are heading out, they still haven't got the covers over.

because now this match has been Well, everybody is trying to

scramble oars, -- out, even the people behind me. It really did

come down quite heavy. Everybody is scrambling, including the players.

It is what we expected. This is the week it is going to be. Yes, it is!

I like the way the spectators, it was slightly drizzling and they

sprinted. It was like a new the forecast. It is miserable. But what

can you do? You can't fault Kevin Anderson.

What a great start. He is in the driving seat. Right the way through

the set, he was putting pressure on Dimitrov's serve. It looked like he

handled the wind better than Dimitrov. Think how tortillas --

how tall he is, but I thought he was quite solid. He was not

Conservative, but he did not make any big mistakes. He deserves to be

up at the moment for start it is such an even now, isn't it.

-- at the moment. It really evens them out, doesn't

You look at the size and you think he is a serve and first shot kind

of guy. But he is more than that. He is break compact on his ground

strokes. He moves well for a big man. He is a solid competitor. He

is very even. There's not much emotion. I don't mean that

negatively. He just get on with We're hoping to get players back on

court soon. Burr they have stopped playing on court No 1 as well,

between Nalbandian and Roger- Vasselin. And we have more

information about the racquet abuse, but it was on Nalbandian, who was

given a second racquet abuse warning, but not a penalty. That is

what Edouard Roger-Vasselin was cam plaining about. This is Nalbandian

two up, with Edouard Roger-Vasselin serving. But Nalbandian is a tough

competitor and experience counts for a lot. You play on court No 1.

It is a good court, but it is not the same as the centre court. You

thought, conditions not great, but he has come back well. If

Nalbandian gets through, he will fancy his chances. He has the grass

court pedigree and he has trained hard and lost weight and he is at

the latter stages of his career and he wants to get it back.

producing shots like that, wow! That is why we has done so well.

This is when the heavy rain came down. They stayed on court longer,

but that rain came and Nalbandian just wanted to finish this one off.

He is 5-2 up and wants to be through to the quarter-finals. This

is when they decide we have got to get off. Off they go and it is 5-to

Nalbandian and 1-all in that game. Peter's joined us, you had too

fight your way through. Nice to be back. It is a jungle out there!

wondered if you would get caught in the cross fire. Everyone was

charging for the exits. It took them five minutes to feted out. --

get out. Good thing there can't be a fire there. I'm sure they were

getting thirsty. We were talking about Nalbandian and what an

experienced campaigner he is and how difficult he is to beat. But he

looks to be, he has had problems with injuries, but he looks to be

fit and healthy. I think he is. He returns serve so well and of course

the return may be the most important shot on this surface. So

he is a danger man. I'm not sure if he has played enough, if he is fit

enough to challenge the very best players. But all the best players

are gone this week. So he is a threat here. At the age of 30 it

was ten years ago that he was in the Wimbledon final. Yes but now 30

is nothing in tennis. You look at the recent French tournament, they

were saying the over 27s, there is a tremendous amount. 30 is the new

16! Back in our era, we didn't travel with many people like they

do today. A lot of the players travel with their coaches, their

family and friends and John Inverdale caught up with one of the

family, Kevin Anderson's mother, Barbara and spoke to her yesterday.

We spent so much time talking to parents when they're children are

16 and 17 and ten years on, they're still on the tour and we never talk

to the parents, but you're still following them week-by-week?

the pressure now, well not pressure, I don't like to use that word, but

the intensity is the same as when they were under 10. I feel the same

emotion that I did when he was under 12 and under 14 and 16 and 18

and through to the challenges, we went through it all. Now we're

taking a back seat and watch on TV when it is on in South Africa,

which it isn't often, except in the big tournaments. But not the sort

of, this one is on TV at home. So my husband is at home. Let's hope

he cease it. The internet must be a God send for you. But you probablyy

match, can't you? No I don't watch. When it is not on TV, I go for a

walk at the school and I walk at the school, because my nerves can't

take it. Does he ring you after every game? Yes the minute the

match is finished,, I get a message. I walk with my cell phone in my

pocket and I wait to get the buzzer and then oh praise God, which ever

it is, win or lose. Just happy he is well and enjoying himself and

doing what he does. When you're accessing that message, do you

almost put your finger of it to see if it is a W or L for within or

lost? No he says, hi mum, I won or, we make it the winning and losing

isn't the most important. It is... Staying healthy and giveing of your

best. More than that you can't do. When you watch a match with two

nerve-shredding tie-breaks, how is it for you? It's horrible. It is

like or the mepbts. You want to -- torment. You want to... But you

can't. In this match it was anybody's game. How much do you

think he appreciates that you're here? It is rare when you are?

we only come to Queens and to Wimbledon. We don't travel to the

other tournaments. I think he likes it. I love being here with him and

just doing his washing and... you're a mum you're always a mum.

Caring after him and making him breakfast, all the stupid things

that I haven't done for seven years, because he has left home. Well

lovely to talk to you and another match to watch tomorrow. Yes isn't

that nice. I will be here tomorrow! And she was courtside today and no

doubt he is getting some dry kit on and there will be more washing for

mum tomorrow. I think everyone puts parents through it. We all did.

thought we got it done at the tournament, I didn't think parents

had to do the laundry. Maybe. the top players will get new kit

almost every match. All the players on the show courts rip open the new

wrapper and straight on. Hated wearing new shirts. I always had to

wash it once so it wasn't stiff. You didn't do it though. I don't

know, somebody did. You paid the laupbt Rett - launderette. How

times have changed. And the good news, because although that was the

heavy rain, Graham Kimton, who is talking to Jim Moore the tournament

referee, he chose not to put the covers on. A lot of rain has been

on the court F you pan out, you can see they're sweeping off some of

the rain off the back of the court and around and that will help and

the wind will certainly help. Because that is going to help it

dry. So I don't it will be too long from our experience of grass courts.

It could be ten or 15 minutes hopefully. That is how they're

moving the moisture off. They will do that right the way over the

court and Graham and Jim will decide the court is fit enough.

Everyone is keen to get the players back, the players are keen to get

back on. Yes rain delays are horrific for players. You don't

know when to eat. You don't know Prenn to prepare for your next

match. It is hard. Let's not cry for these guys, but it is one of

the more difficult scenarios they have to face. It is difficult with

Wimbledon looming that you don't want to g on a court that is not

fit. Because you don't want to get an injury, as we saw with Tsonga

yesterday and some players sliding around. Yes and on grass, you only

have to have a few drops and it can become treacherous. But they're

good here and they won't put the players on unless they're sure it

will be OK. They have done it so many times. These courts are

amazing how quickly they dry. I didn't know they brushed the court

on grass. You play golf, they come out and do the greens and makes it

drier. The moisture settles down under the grass. Dimintrov had a

number of tumbles in his match. So he is not going to enjoy the fact

the court will be wetter. Here are some of the shots from yesterday.

This is not what you want to see. He has already had a couple of

tumbles in this match. The court is probably drier today, or was drier

before the rain than it was yesterday. It will be interesting

to see how long they wait before the players go back. Will they wait

until it is bone dry as it was when they started, or will it be a

little damp? We will see. Just about to make an announcement!

will have another look in 10 minutes. The referee has had a look

and he will have another look in 10 minutes. Jim is not happy and he is

going to come out and make about a -- an assessment in ten minute.

Earlier in the week Andy Roddick went out. Disappointment, but he

had a match point in his match and had his chances. This was the match

point he had against Roger-Vasselin. We thought he is not playing great.

But he would get through and he didn't and he hasn't won a match

for months. It has not worked. This is the match point where he went

is the match point where he went out. The Frenchman, he said one of

his biggest victories of his career. Edouard Roger-Vasselin, his father

got to semi-finals of the French Open. There is his dad and a big

scam, any -- Andy Roddick. There has been talk about any Roddick

possibly retiring. I'm sure is not a question he does enjoy answering,

a question he does enjoy answering, but he had to answer it here.

don't worry about after tennis. I have great friend at home. My

social life isn't out here. It is... More important to me at home. I

have a lot of different interests and I don't fear kind of the life

aspeblgt of tennis. -- aspect of tennis. I enjoy playing tennis and

I enjoy the work still and being up at the track early and hitting with

the guys and putting in the hours. I don't know that I enjoy the scene

of tennis as much. I think that is backwards from a lot of people. I

don't, I have thought about it and I don't worry about it. He is

already doing a number of things, but every player worries about

retire. It is something that has been a part of your life from an

early age. That can be difficult. Financially a lot of top players

don't have to worry. But they do have to worry about wanting to get

up in the morning and at first they think it is great not to travel,

but most miss it. Look how many say they will never flay seen yors

circuit, but they do. But Andy Roddick has a radio show and he no

problem in ajousting -- adjusting. You think there should be a course

to say, get ready, this is coming up. Even a course would be

difficult. Because we're all adrenaline junkies and we do become

addicted almost to the attention and the excitement of winning and

losing. It is a gambler's sort of environment. And so I don't know, I

struggled a long time to come up with anything any near as

stimulating. There were other things that were interesting, but

nothing exciting and it is... It is rough. I think as tennis players,

we don't look forward to. -- to that. I was like, oh I will think

of something, it will be fine. a lot of people don't miss the

travelling and the hotel rooms and it is nice to have a base. But the

competition is something you can never replace in whatever you do.

As Peter said, it is not the same thing. You miss that training. You

think you won't, but you do. There is nothing like putting yourself

under pressure and having the crowd. You can't copy that. It is

sometimes that players struggle. But like Agassi, who has so many

outside interests, Andy has so many interest and I think he will do

commentating and probably play seniors stuff. Because its tough to

give it in. But he is no saying he is going to retire. He could have a

great Wimbledon and then we're talking about another two or three

years. If he loves the training, then you know why would you want to

stop? Because life is about just getting up and having something to

look forward to. If he loves that side of it, a lot of guys don't and

get tired of it. I think you know the time for him to retire will be

when he can't handle losing. Just, I'm losing too much and it's not

fun. Losen't isn't fun. If he wins a few, he will be back. Winning is

lovely, as we all know. Talk of retirement, we're going to look

back, you may have seen a documentary by England's former

cricket captain Michael Vaughan called sporting heroes after the

final whistle. One person he talked to was our John McEnroe. McEnroe

wins three sets to love. You can't be serious man, you cannot be

serious. That ball was on the line! Chalk flaw up. Can I take you back

20 years. I didn't make the decision to retire. In a way I

never formally retired. I didn't want the cry in front of the

cameras, the way you did. In 1992, his marriage came Toon end.

separated and -- came to an end. We separated and divorced. There was

no decision to be made. I was overwhelmed by this personal issue

and trying to take care of myself and my kids. I I had three kids. I

stepped aside and took a step back and just never went back on the

tour. In the nineties you went into music, how was that? The greatest

perk as player, I got to have people like Carlos Santana trying

to teach me to play guitar. When John remarried, it was to a

musician, Patti Smith put an tond his musical ambitions. When our

baby was to be born, it was look, if any of us is going to play music,

it is me, not you. That ended that. But what it has done is actually

made me appreciate my tennis more. Because the more I play guitar, the

more I go, thank God I can play tennis. You have said I will never

be a commentator, never play again. But never say never. I have done

everything I said I wouldn't do! Why? Hopefully it I not just

because it is the easiest thing. When I got into doing the

commentary work, people were a bit taken aback, but hopefully

pleasantly surprised that this guy knew what he was talking about and

perhaps had a sense of humour. Some sports don't have a seniors or

champions tour to go back to. The funny part is that I actually get

rewarded for the behaviour that I was fined for. Now they want to see

that. Call the score right. See if you can get right. You start with

that right. Maybe it is pathetic in a way. But it is also funny and

ironic the things that they were lambasteing me for are now the

things they want to see. It is seen more appealing to get out there and

see some friends, even some rivals, but in a different way. Is that

what you love the competitive edge now or meeting friends and people?

It is a combination. I have said this a hundred times, but it beats

the hell out of working for a living. What about your mart? -

what about your art? Is is a -- that is a serious thing. I'm a

collector and dealer. I sell and show some things. Do you? I like to

think so. But it is subjective and not like sport, where there is a

winner or loser. You can win and seemingly lose. Welcome bg back to

centre court, John McEnroe. -- welcoming. I spent time at the

tennis academy and I want to get kids excite about the sport. That

is my goal and open to suggestion! Well Peter you know him well. You

played so many doubles with him. What was he like to play with. Who

was the boss? He was the boss! I'm not stupid! You have somebody like

that, you listen. He was a great partner to have. Off court we had a

few rows that were... A struggle. But on court, you know he was just

a real leader. Leaders are people that others want to follow. And you

know, he was one of those guys, a commander who people would follow

him over the top. He made his partners play better. And that is

about the highest compliment you can pay a team player. He has done

well, everything he has touched. It has been a dream retirement. He has

had a couple of shows you don't want to see. The chair? I mean,

please. But he got paid well. the odd mistake maybe. But his

commentating is, I like working with him, because I never have to

say anything! He can talk underwater. He think os -- he

thinks of things a minute before the average person does. The great

champions, in my view, just have an awareness of everything that is

going on. He was the usher people call him, he could see the person

walking by in the third promenade and was like, sit down! But they

have a huge awareness. He bring there is a to the commentary. He

sees everything. And as far as retirements go, we have seen Borg

come back and do that and Sampras came back to Wimbledon and he was

one of the ones that you were saying, he said I will never play

the seen yors. I don't want to do that. -- seniors. He has changed

his mind. Because it keeps him in shape and he has got more money

than he can spend, his kids are going to school and he plays golf

six times a week. Now, what do I do? He is training and plays 12

tournaments a year. We as players, we live in a dream world and we

have no idea what is going on outside of our bubble. So you know,

John was saying, I think I have done everything I said I never

would do and he did. He had a list... Pages long of I'm never

going to do that. And he has done it all. Pete is the same. He said

I'm not doing that and you get bored of just... OK I need

stimulation and we try stuff that, well... We didn't think we would.

lot of explayers go into commentary as we know. And to let you know

that the players will be on the way in a moment. Somebody who went into

something different was Yanick Noah. He was the headline in the stadium

234 France. -- in France. He sells so many records. Some players don't

come back. You don't see Villas. played the seniors for a while and

he loved being at the French Open. I haven't seen him for a couple of

years. I don't know what is going on. We saw him in London. He has a

young family. So he is raising his kids. And John has an and Mey.

Steffi Graf has one. -- academy. Now we welcome the players back.

They will have a warm up. But the accused Meirs are being started and

I was -- academies are being started. There is a lot of big

names helping the youngsters. Chris's accused Meir is suck is

Cescful -- accused Mee is successful. And if you can do that

and give your wisdom to young players. How nice is that. Andre

has his foundation in America. It is wonderful to see that. If they

can do that and have something to get themselves going, that is the

way to do it. Some have struggled, but some have been successful in

their career. I saw Monica Seles in America and she was playing tennis

and doing events. And she was practicing and the whole time I

watched her, she didn't grunt! Not once. Good for her. Lost the grunt

finally. As for as Mac's accused Mee is he hand's on. Yes he is out

there with his clip board and he has 35 pros that are running, well

working at his accused Mee and he is hands on. That -- academy and he

is hands on. He doesn't enter into anything likely. If he does it, he

want win and be good. He is out there a lot. So far I think he has

got, I know he has one kid who plays, who got to the quaert finals

in Paris. -- quarter-finals in Paris. You wouldn't argue with him,

that is for sure. No. But here we are. Part two. We're back with

Kevin Anderson and Grigor dim trofr. A five minute warm up. -- Dimintrov.

There has been a lot of thinking for the 21-year-old Bulgarian.

is a tough match. I thought Kevin Anderson, he handled the wind well.

Yes. But he has been solid. He has, his serving has been good. That has

really aided him a lot. He has handled it better than dim prove.

But the Bulgarian has a chance to go into the locker room and get his

thoughts together and I think that we might see a different player.

has to try and do something on the serve. Almost every service game he

was getting challenged. He must get some cheap points and some quick

game games on the serve. Kevin Anderson has a good return of serve.

Very compact and very solid off both wings and he was the one that

was struggling on his serve and the his opponent was solid. We saw

Dimintrov throw in errors at bad times. Dim prove, it was a a tight

match and I think he just, he has just a little lose. As we have seen,

trying to break through from juniors into the seniors, with the

physicalty that the likes of Novak Djokovic and Federer and Murray

have put up, it is not easy to break through. And it is tough to

put young bodies, it is a different balance between getting them fit

and pushing them too much, too young. Yes and you have to find a

balance and be able to push them as hard as their bodies will be pushed,

but also take the pressure off a bit and say, you know, the days of

Boris Becker and Borg and Chang coming through and winning majors,

perhaps are over. So patience and just relax and things will happen.

So we will see more like Kevin Anderson, coming through mid 20s.

Moving up and he is, he has gone from 70 up to 30. And on his way up.

It can take a long time. But there is a lot of good players United

there and to break through is tough. -- out there. Well we're almost

ready to go on centre court and almost ready on court No 1 as well.

There is Nalbandian and Roger- Vasselin and 5-2 up David

Nalbandian. Three points from a place in the quarter-finals. We

will keep you updated with that match. Now back to centre court and

Peter is on his way to the commentary box and we rejoin Andrew.

ANDREW CASTLE: Sends him over, it Just under 7,000, the capacity. A

lot of university students take that position for a summer job.

They are all in position. Being students, it is probably the

hardest work they do all year. If you are doing student things like

taking exams, I am really sorry about that. Hanging there, I am

sure they will be over soon. -- hang in there. Kevin Anderson spent

three years at university, choosing that route. He was heading to the

professional ranks. He was on one of the better tennis programmes. He

did not win the singles title. But he won the doubles title. All his

success came in 2006, 2007, and then he turned professional.

I think they won the team title as well and he was there.

Because he is so began wiry, he had two or three years of physical work

that he had to do. It's hard to do that when you are on the road 30

weeks of the year. The playing season in terms of competing in the

US college system is a lot shorter than that, around about January to

May. They play a lot of July matches, one team against another.

It is not like being a pro and being on the road. It is tough to

get a real structure going. And you are in 18. That always brings

energy with it. -- in a team. Yeah, and they will train harder in

the off season than in the regular Let's see if Dimitrov can, well, if

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 204 seconds

That was strong. I think it has been this part of the game that

Anderson has just been a bit stronger. Both players are on the

baseline. The South African has just hit more penetrating ground

If Dimitrov is to make the jump up into the next level, it is that

shot, be chip backhand return of serve that needs to become a bit

This is a good time for Anderson to attack. He had the momentum before

the rain came. He held his opening service game. He was on the up. He

has got something going in this Lovely chap. John Inverdale was

with his mum, Barbara. He always texts his mum after his matches,

It is desperately nerve wracking to watch your kid do anything, isn't

Especially if you do something like It is one thing being a six footer

like Dimitrov and having a bit of a slip and a slide, but it Anderson

That is called saving a seat. That massive we go handbag. That is what

to love, coming here on the tube. No seats available and somebody has

put their shopping on the seat. Do you see? Somebody has said,

excuse me, are you taking this seat? I would not ask. That is

breaking the rule. You can't make eye contact at all. What would you

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 204 seconds

Nicely played. The first serve Dimitrov just can't seem to put

Anderson on the defensive. He is always the one scrambling around

the baseline. Anderson, like a great squash player, again, he is

just... He has staked out his claim. If you are dictating, you are

likely to win and you are going to make your opponent more tired.

Anderson he -- Anderson is hitting That was the shot that needed some

work. Roger Federer, a great exponent of the tip -- chip

backhand return. If Dimitrov wants to rise to that level, he needs to

Comparisons with Federer come easily for Grigor Dimitrov. He

jumps up and down, he uses the same racket, which is a lovely implement.

He spins it. What, spend, spend, No doubt he has modelled his

Bjorn Borg was practising, he was in the park, people were watching,

going, who is this guy? They didn't They probably said he would not be

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 204 seconds

Big-serving and doesn't still hasn't lost his serve. -- big-

SUE BARKER: On Court One, David Nalbandian with match point. That

was out and he is through to the last eight. Formal Wimbledon

finalist, former world No. 3. Now 30 years of age, making his way

back. He is through to the quarter- finals against Edouard Roger-

Vasselin, who is still unhappy with what happened. He felt is a pony

should have been given a penalty for a second racket abuse warning.

-- he felt his opponent. The result stands and it is Nalbandian who is

through to face Xavier Malisse. That will be this afternoon,

weather permitting. Back we go to ANDREW CASTLE: Yen-Hsun Lu beat

Janko Tipsarevic earlier on. It was a fine victory. That was the third

seed at this tournament going out. So, Yen-Hsun Lu in action later on.

It is Malisse versus Nalbandian in Lu will play Marin Cilic. Cilic is

somebody we haven't talked about enough. Only 23 years of age. A

former semi-finalist at Grand Slam I have to tell you that the

umbrellas are coming up again and people are reaching for their

anoraks. Certainly Dimitrov is moving to the chair. Mohammed has

that resigned look. There it is, a real shame. It is turning into a

testing tournament. A testing day, testing tournament. A testing day,

certainly. It is difficult for all concerned. The bartenders! Indeed.

Well, they will be working hard now. It is difficult is keep on getting

ready, because there's a lot to play for air. It is a more

important title than the prize money with just. This tournament

has got a heritage that is bigger than its position.

That is a good point. It is also important because it is a means to

win more matches, to play more matches prior to perhaps the most

important tournament of the year. Guys come into this event and take

it very seriously, more seriously, in fact, than most of the other's

at this level. We have been enjoying the clay-court season up

to this point. The French was magnificent. Nadal won that in the

end. The amount of times the rain came down a people played on, it

becomes greasy but you can play on, but you can't play on a grass.

Dominic, thank you for Yi Malling us. He says, could you read out my

idea for a new tennis court surface? It is called grayard, a

combination of grass, clay and hard court. This will test the players'

skill. The question I want to ask is, do

we have to step through the wardrobe to get to this court? I

mean, come on. It will be like Mr Benn. Right in

front of the commentary box, somebody has put up an enormous

umbrella. He has taken it down now. Thank you, Sir. It was a 32nd

shower, basically. With any luck we will be on in 50 minutes.

He is a prowling lions. He is making sure it is just so. Team of

eight ground staff, but 20 for the tournament. They are praying all

the grounds here. -- preparing. If we did not baby these players so

much, they would be on right now. I remember, OK, fine, it was not as

professional and they were not as adept at treating the courts, but

again the 1970s, I remember playing three a drizzle for a good 10

minutes. -- through a drizzle. You just sucked it up and played on.

Look, he is having a chat with this nice girl from either Nonsuch or St

Philomena's Catholic high school. That is nice. This is dangerous

because Greg Rusedski ended up marrying a ball girl. But he was

playing in a junior tournament at the time.

He was quite young. But Dimitrov is only 21, isn't he?

This is sweet. He was already pretty popular. He is going to be

doubly popular. Ivan Lendl met his wife when she was about that age?

Really? Right. Grigor Dimitrov has got his girlfriend on the other

side watching him. She will have her daggers out.

This is the process we have seen on this grass court a couple of times.

I can remember in the '70s, Jimmy Connors and an opponent played in

Nottingham. They were slipping and sliding around the court. It was

some what the most entertaining tennis of all time. That was the

days when the Jews -- Wiggins turn on the TV and just see what she

wanted. -- when you didn't just turn on the TV.

The referee may have said, would you like to come off? And they

would say, no, we will have an umbrella and keep going. Because

they knew they would have a laugh. We did not finish the discussion on

that three surface court that Dominik cent in. How are you going

to maintain that court? It is not going to be easy. OK, let's dismiss

the idea. I tell you what, he should put up a couple of million

bucks and he would get the top guys to play in this event and we will

see how it goes. You might like this - racketlon.# have you heard

of that? It is a sport combining four other

sports. I have a friend competing for England in that. Most people

are pretty ropey at least one of those sports.

OK, while we are waiting for the players, let's talk to the man at

the centre of all things to do with this tournament, the long-suffering

The fact that Nalbandian's match has just been and gone means that

you have only got eight players left. So you need two hours of play

and you could be on time? A couple of hours I think we will

get through today. Nalbandian was a key match to get away this morning.

In terms of... It is easy for us because we want to make a story out

of anything, for us to say it is catastrophic. But you could be on

schedule by close of play tonight. It would be like it has not rained

at all. It will be close. We always look

ahead to see what options we have got. We started early in the past

two days. That has been good. We could start early again tomorrow.

We will be ready for our semi-final line-up.

What is the state of play from the players' perspective? Is it tough?

It is tough on them. They have got to do it. But it is just a from

your point of view as well? They don't like the rain, but

coming off and on is the worst. To get a spell of rain, it clears, and

that is fine. It is the off and on that is difficult. The mood in the

players' lounge is so positive. They still love being here and the

grass court is fantastic. They are up for it.

Have you had many complaints from players, or more like it from their

entourage, to say the courts are too slippery? No. The beginning of

the week is always greasy. Now it is the surface water coming off and

they are loving it. This plays almost like a hard court. Still got

a bit of a slickness to it but they are coping. Be honest, Murray and

sombre go out, Tipsarevic goes out - as somebody who sells tickets

based on big names, do you shrug and say, that is bought? Or do you

say, oh, no? We want the big names to come through. But the good thing

about sport and tennis in this country is it is a very educated

market. All these people here today, they actually know the back stories

of a lot of players. We have got the birth of the next great player,

Dimitrov,, coming on. We saw the Nicolas Mahut match. They know a

lot more than in a lot of other countries. People laughed watching

grass court tennis. -- if people are laugh.

And what about the roof? No force of this is a temporary structure

and it takes six weeks to build. The technology is not there to

build a roof on a temporary structure.

You could put a can of beer over it. Some clingfilm, maybe! The sun is

out now. Tropical. All will be well. SUE BARKER: They would never allow

a roof here at this place in London. It was named after Queen Victoria.

It has been here since 1886. They have made many changes but a roof

is not going to be one of them. We have had a few raindrops during the

interview, but look at that, that is what is coming. Beautiful blue

skies. I don't think it will be long until the players are out on

court once again. So, more tennis to come here this afternoon. But

boy, we have got so much to look It really is a good year. So much

to look forward to it. So many of the players are signed that gold

medal will be as treasured as much as a major. That is what people

have been hearing since tennis was introduced to the Olympic Games.

The Centre Court is based in sunshine. It won't be too long

until we are out. Andre and Peter are still in the commentary box. --

Andrew. This is going to be a year where tennis is accepted into the

game's more than it has been previously.

I think you're right. I'm looking forward to going to watch it. I'm

looking forward to the coloured clothing, for one. Also to have the

groups of fans cheering for a country. It will be like the

Australian Open is now, we have pockets of fans. It is unlike what

we have seen at Wimbledon, which is a lot more conservative. It will

make it more interesting. To be at Wimbledon, the players are taking

this extremely seriously. It will be amazing. We are going to have a

double treat. We have Wimbledon and then the big boys will be back to

play for their country. As far as the women are concerned, I know

Venus Williams, who has done everything, desperate to have a

ranking high enough that she can actually going represent the United

States. She has just made it by about two of 3 ranking positions. I

heard that Maria Sharapova is going to carry the flag during the

opening ceremony. Tennis is so accepted. That is what people have

been hoping for in the Olympic Games. We have been having a look

around this club. We have been told me about the roof. John had his

tongue in cheek. This is a place where we used to train as juniors.

It has got such a rich history. has. It has been a long for --

around for such a long time. We used to have polished wood and no

heating to grow up on. It would rain occasionally and the water

would come through the roof. They were not so good in those days. We

would have wet spots on the court. But it has got such a history here.

It is an amazing piece of land. All the players love coming. They love

the intimacy of being close to the spectators. They're so used to

these huge stadiums, which is all well and good, having 17,000 people,

but the intimacy is lost. A look how close the people are here. I

think a lot of players like that sort of atmosphere. It creates

something different when you are out playing.

It is not just a tennis club. Rackets, squash and a real tennis,

and they have world class players I have played real tennis before.

It is impossible. Yes, but a fabulous game. The players have

stayed on court. We have seen Kevin Anderson doing some stretches. But

it is not ideal. Although the sun is shining, it is cold and I'm

surprised they kept them and not let them go back. Were you

surprised? In some ways, but these players, first, they're good guy

and know everyone wants to get this through. I'm shuerp they were co-

operative and let's wait and get out there as soon as possible. Dim

prove was -- Dimitrov was chatting to the ballgirl. Imagine her going

home and telling her friends and they will be texting her and saying,

you were on TV. Kevin Anderson was doing the stretches and Dimitrov

was chatting to the ballgirl. Burr he's character and he is fun. That

was a nice boment. In some ways you can think too much. -- a nice

moment. It is not an easy match for either player, they have been

sitting there, but they're ready to go again and the sunshine is all

around. Let's hope we get a long spell of play as we hand back to

Peter and Andy. ANDREW CASTLE: Thank you Sue. Happy memory of

these fast wooden courts. I with remember a final set tie-break with

Paul Heath and members came on and said, this is our court, we have

got it booked. We were talking about the Olympics, this was an

Olympic venue in 1908. For what they call real tennis. Really?

fantastic history. They have had an international football match here,

England and weal, 1-1 in -- England and Wales, 1-1 in 1885. The Cor

intheeians club was based here. -- Corintians club. In 1895 when you

Americans were chasing buffalos around. Thinking back to the first

time I came here and played and if I'm not mistaken, I remember them

saying there were 24 indoor tennis courts in the whole of Britain.

This was the late 70s. Just incredible, the changes that have

happened to that landscape and David Lloyd was one who developed

the first, well, I suppose modern indoor tennis. The David Lloyd

clubs were so important, but the LTA took the initiative and I think

they built 50 and indoor tennis became something we played. But it

was late that we came to the party on indoor courts. Now in Birmingham,

they're playing at Edgebaston this week and Edgebaston Priory has a

fantastic indoor tennis facility. That is a wonderful facility and a

new centre court will be up and running next year. That is a good

tournament. The courts are a bit softer than here. This court is

just about perfect. Playable now and we hope that is what we're

going to get for the next perhaps half an hour before the next

half an hour before the next drizzle. Who knows? That has been

the pattern that we have been following. It was funny watching

the ballgirls, they all got together during the rain break and

while the players were on court and having a right old chinwag under

the umpire's chair and having a bit of a giggle and a gossip. It was

The umpire warming up the old vocal Look it's summer time all of a

sudden! Yeah - and the living is He can chip the return of serve

somewhere near the baseline. He just maybe in business in this

The first time Kevin Anderson has been 0-30 on his serve. Are we

going to see a change of momentum? That is four straight points since

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Oh what an over hit. It sure was. Dimitrov did well to just keep the

ball in play. Because it is so gusty, this relatively short smash

Oh boy, was he lucky to get away with that drop shot! Certainly not

a very well-advised shot selection. But Kevin Anderson, look at that,

This is a serving performance to be cherished for Kevin Anderson. He is

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serving nine out of ten first UMPIRE: Mr Imtrov is challenging

the call. -- Dimitrov is challenging the call. The ball was

called in. The call stands. ANDREW CASTLE: That is the way to save a

UMPIRE: Mr Anderson challenging the call. ANDREW CASTLE: Hmm! Call

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Ooh! There was a slight deviation when the Dimitrov forehand hit

Anderson's side of the court. It shifted a couple of minutes. It

could have been the contact that Dimitrov made on the ball. But

still a bad error from Kevin Anderson. That is two or three

errors in that game that you wouldn't have expected him to

makement perhaps we're going three sett -- sets here. Of course when

you do play and in gale force winds, as these are approaching, it is

important to keep your feet moving constantly to adjust with the ball,

as it's Deviating through air. You need to do that also on a bad court.

Keep your feet alive, so fit takes a bad bounce, you can adjust to it.

Looking at the draw, the winner of this plays the winner o' of Malisse

and Nalbandian. Malisse is a former semi-finalist at Wimbledon.

Nalbandian is a former finalist. And you have chillic, a semi-

finalist at a major level. Sam Querrey, who has won here before

against my new favourite player. Who's that? Ivan Dodig. What a

worker he is. Just an honourable professional. 27, a man who used to

sleep in the back of car and under bridges for his shot at the big

time. You have got to love that. He plays well on grass. He beat Jo-

Wilfried Tsonga yesterday. There is still a lot of fine tennis to be

Dimitrov has gotten himself on a roll. That is when he can become so

There have been some shocks here, the top three seeds are out.

Elsewhere, Rafael Nadal has been They won't have Federer and Nadeal

They will save their emotional energy. Physically it is not a

problem. But it takes a lot for those guys to get up for those epic

That is Barbara, Kevin Anderson's mum. Nervous. Doesn't look it

That is a thing of beauty. Looks as though we have got a good couple of

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How nice it is on a grass court to serve with brand-new tennis balls.

Yes. Uniquely, a fast indoor court, of which there are so few now,

offers the same sort of opportunities to get free points,

but on grass the ball just zips off the surface and this is quicker

than Wimbledon I think. I agree. It always has been. Because we have a

real opportunity to bore people with the make up of the grass

seeding, but we won't bother too much, but it is a different

combination of seeds and grows across the surface, as well as up.

It doesn't just grap the ball, it throws the ball off the surface. --

grab the ball. At Wimbledon it sticks up like a door mat. On this

it goes through. It offers more resistance at Wimbledon, the grass.

This is so perfect, you could putt on this. Oh yeah and if they shaved

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it down, it would be Augusta One of the things that we're maybe

underplaying is the serving quality from both players. Dimitrov at 75%

first serves in play for the match. That is pretty astounding. O tkha.

Serve he just rolled in, but for the most part he has been serving

very powerful. Kevin Anderson, 85%. There is a lot of matches I played

where I didn't hit 85% second serves, never mind first ones!

were renowned for getting your first serve in. Was I. In the

confines? Inside the arena. Um Mr Dimitrov is challenging the call.

Somebody said is the machine ever turned off, or can it be overruled?

That is a great challenge. What is supposed to happen here? First

serve? Must be. Yes. Um first service. No the machine is not

turned off and it cannot be I beg your pardon they could turn

it off if they agreed it wasn't Friday afternoon at Queen's Club,

plebt of -- plenty of tennis to come. Some rain delays today. But

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this one looks set for a while. A That is a dozen aces. When Kevin

Anderson holes serve, he at least makes Dimitrov serve for this

second serve. That was good professional work for him and we

will see if he can make a start in this game coming up. They're

playing for a place in the semi- final. We haven't talked about

prize money this week. This is a quarter-final match, just over

15,000 euros. For a quarter-final finish. 45 computer points. At

these rankings, it doesn't make a lot of difference; un less you win.

It is not like a slam that will change things. But it would help.

Absolutely. Because let's see... I guess they take... There is four

slam and the eight of the masters series and the best four of the

500s. Masters is a thousand. That is say 16 and the best two at this

level. Right. And the masters at the end of the year if you get in

it. Exactly. So for a player who has won two tournaments at this

level, which is the 250 level, it might not help them immediately.

that is a shame. I doubt if any of the players left in the draw now

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have won two 250-level tournaments That first point in this game was

so important and it was a shank from Kevin Anderson on the forehand

side. He needed to get a foot hold in the game. Now three set points

That is what the crowd were after. It has been an entertaining and a

high quality match and it will be decided in a third set. We were

talking about the importance of this Championship to the players

and somehow it is greater, because of the venue and the history and of

its proximity to Wimbledon and you can see by the quality of champ yos

-- champions over the years, the Wimbledon final against Roger

Federer. That was the last double. Andy Roddick, a four-time champion.

Lleyton Hewitt, Tim Henman on the receiving end of Lleyton Hewitt's

best years. Great champions and it goes way back before then. There is

nobody that has played professional tennis over the last 50 years that

John McEnroe's first professional match was played at the Queen's

Club event against... Now you have got me. Me. Really? That was in 77.

He was still at Stanford. He won the champ -- the national

championships of collegiate play. His next tournament was Queen's. We

played each other in the first round. We had a huge row. After the

match. We both sat on one of the benches and talk to Dover. A

different day and age. -- talked it over. He won? He won. Surprise,

Whilst we wake for Hawk-Eye, it must have been the year he stayed

at Wimbledon YMCA. What a great natural grass court player he was,

up there with Federer and Sampras. One of the great grass court

Disturbed pride the wind and the failure of the Hawk-Eye challenge.

He needs to get going -- disturbed 130 miles an hour. It definitely

You just get the feeling there is a bit of a boyish exuberance doesn't

tend Halton back. -- that sometimes I am not too sure he left that one,

Why McEnroe won his first professional here, so did Andy

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That was taken the moment. It certainly appears as if he is

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Great tennis to come today, Marin Cilic playing against Yen-Hsun Lu

who beat Tipsarevic in the final set tie-break earlier today. And

the 2000 and send champion, Sam Querrey -- a 1010. He will take on

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Harry in west London says wondering who do you think will be top of the

men's game in five years? The current bunch excluding Federer, or

will there be a whole new batch of players taking over? That is a good

question. In five years' time we will still have the likes of

Djokovic, Andy Murray, Del Potro. Will couple of? -- Dolgopolov? He