Wimbledon 2021

[PKBasu]

After a year's hiatus, the greatest tennis tournament of all -- the one Slam still played on grass lawns -- is back in 2021.
Sania Mirza will be partnering Bethanie Mattek-Sands in doubles this year, making for a formidable pairing that would be instant contenders for the title -- except that they will be unseeded because protected rankings do not count towards seedings (unless the seeding committee decides -- in a massive departure from past practice -- to make an exception on account of maternity). Ankita Raina will of course be playing the singles qualifiers (and possibly the doubles qualifiers as well, unless she finds a partner ranked around 90, with whom she can slip into the main draw).

Ramkumar Ramanathan, Prajnesh Gunneswaran and Yuki Bhambi (if fit) will lead the Indian challenge in the singles qualifiers. Bopanna/Sharan are likely to pair up (especially if they have any chance of making the Olympics draw), and there could be a few other Indian pairs in the doubles qualifiers.

[Rajiv]

In the opening Round of Wimbledon qualies Prajnesh faces a British WC A Fery
Ram faces 13th seed and 126 ranked J Kovalik over whom Ram has a 1-0 H2H record
Ladies qualifying draw will take place tomorrow

[Rajiv]

No clue as to how Prajnesh is feeling physically,  but even if he goes through, a difficult encounter against winner of Matthew Ebden/Sébastien Baez awaits him
For Ram should he overcome this tough R1, an easier R2 against the winner of unseeded opponents 204 ranked T Etcheverry or 189 ranked C Ilkel.

[sameerph]

In the opening Round of Wimbledon qualies Prajnesh faces a British WC A Fery
Ram faces 13th seed and 126 ranked J Kovalik over whom Ram has a 1-0 H2H record

Kovalik will be playing his first grass court match of the season while RamK has played quite a few matches in last 2 weeks. From 2017 to 2019, he won only 1 match in Wimbledon qualies. He did reach final qualfying round in 2016. Still considering how little he has played on grass, will be disappointed if RamK does not upset him in Q1.

For Prajnesh, in normal circumstances it is an easy match but really do know how fit is he. So, cannot predict anything.

[jaydeep]

Yes, a good draw for Ram considering Kovalik's lack of match practice ... With his inconsistency, Prajnesh having a tricky match against a local junior.

[Omkara]

Given I didn't hear about Yuki, he as withdrawn.

[Rajiv]

Prajnesh, plays first match on Court #8,while Ram plays the 2nd match on Court #15.
Play commences at 11 am UK time.

But unlikely play might start on schedule,as the rain which will aid our hapless cricketers for today is also forecast in London too.

[Rajiv]

Ankita faces 35 yr old,155 ranked Varvara Lapechenko in the quali opening round.
Although the American has seen better days, still a very tough encounter for Ankita.

Meanwhile the entire day for the Men's has been washed out and it seems the matches are most likely to be carried forward to tomorrow

[PKBasu]

Tough assignment for Ankita in Q1 against Varvara Lepchenko (USA, 155) who won a round in the main draw at the French Open this year, and has a career-high ranking of 19 from 2012. That year, she beat Anastasia Pavyulenchkova (who was seeded 31 that year at Wimbledon, and was this year's FO singles finalist) to make R3 at Wimbledon. If Ankita is playing in the form she's capable of, she will pull off the victory.

If she does win, Ankita will play either Harmony Tan or Buyucakcay (who she's beaten before) in Q2. And Greet Meenen is the likely Q3 opponent.

[vparam]

PG got crushed in the first set by a local player ranked outside the top 1000. He lost the first set 1-6. Something is just not right with him.

[vparam]

PG loses 1-6, 6-7(5). Very disappointing but with his recent form I doubt anyone is really surprised.

[sameerph]

It is not only form. He has a wrist injury it seems due to which he pulled out of last 2 tournaments. Probably he played this just to pick up prize money.

[Rajiv]

With all courts occupied to cover up yesterday's backlog, Ram's match has been shifted to a make shift court on the cricket field which borders the Tennis court.
quite an interesting sight this is...

[Dinesh]

Yes, if it’s just to pick up $ (11K USD for an hour of tennis), job well done. Otherwise, this is probably one of the worst grand slam R1 losses for PG.

Anybody know where to watch the qualifying matches live? I signed up for a month of ESPN+ but they are only showing one court for the Q.

[sameerph]

Watch here unofficial stream for RamK's match and other matches too-

Wimbledon qualifying

RamK just won the first set 6-3 with 1 break of serve.

Watched the last 2-3 game, did not realise that his match had started as it was initially scheduled later on some other court.