Tennis: Court Circular

Tim and Greg are keeping the score

Rebecca Morris
Saturday 26 June 1999 00:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE ALL England Club is not just popular as a final resting place for the careers of players such as Danny Sapsford. It has also been favoured as the last home of several ardent fans, who asked for their ashes to be scattered in SW19. "There have been several requests down the years, primarily from Club members," a spokesman said. "I can't recall whether any of them have actually been granted." Where would be the most suitable spot on the premises for a dusting of deceased devotee? "Not on the grass, certainly," said the spokesman. Of course not. You wouldn't want the players losing their footing on someone's granny, would you?

TIM AND Greg will be both in action in the men's singles until the final day of the tournament. Before we get too excited about an all-British final, it must be pointed out that the Tim and Greg in question are the scoreboard engineers, not Henman and Rusedski.

CHRIS DUNMAN is a man obsessed. The 20-year-old Securicor guard, whose job it is to patrol the corridors at one corner of the Centre Court complex, creates a virtual shrine to Anna Kournikova every day in the foyer of the press centre. "Every morning until play starts at midday I get her up on here," he said, gesturing at the computer monitor that sits on the reception desk, where player profiles and photographs can be examined. "She's my virtual pin-up," he added. The Russian 18-year-old has obviously got to Dunman and his colleague John. They were spotted on Wednesday standing in reception, stroking the screen and whispering sweet nothings into the monitor. This is not normal behaviour. Quick, someone, call security.

WITH THE Securicor guards being driven to distraction by Kournikova, at least it is good to know that the police on duty at the Championships have the time and inclination to assist people in distress. When a middle- aged woman was seen approaching two officers and telling them how she had misplaced an elderly parent, they quickly guided her to the information centre beside No 1 Court. What was lacking in their approach was any finesse. "They deal with your lost children in here," one of the officers said. "But I don't know if they do your lost old folk too."

IT USED to be possible for hungry hacks to nip outside and pick up a Dutchee hot dog for pounds 1, but with prices rising 175 per cent in the past 10 years, dining in the canteen has become a more economical option. The only drawback is that your dietary secrets are not your own, as every diner has their tournament pass scanned at the till to record what they bought. Where will it end? Junk mail for Wimbledon all-day breakfasts?

DEEDS OF THE SEEDS

Men's singles

1 Sampras

beat

D Sapsford

in 3rd rd

Holder

Pete Sampras

(United States)

2 Rafter

plays

T Enqvist

in 3rd rd

3 Kafelnikov

due to play

C Pioline

in 3rd rd

4 Agassi

plays

A Martin

in 3rd rd

5 Krajicek

plays

L Manta

in 3rd rd

6 Henman

beat

S Grosjean

in 3rd rd

7 Philippoussis

beat

F Clavet

in 3rd rd

8 Martin

plays

Knippschild

in 3rd rd

9 Rusedski

due to play

M Norman

in 3rd rd

10 Ivanisevic

plays

P Haarhuis

in 3rd rd

OUT

11 Kuerten

plays

N Zimonjic

in 3rd rd

12 Moya

lost to

J Courier

in 2nd rd

13 Kucera

beat

D Vacek

in 3rd rd

14 Haas

plays

W Arthurs

in 3rd rd

OUT

15 Kiefer

lost to

B Becker

in 2nd rd

OUT

16 Mantilla

lost to

P Goldstein

in 2nd rd

Women's singles

OUT

1 Hingis

lost to

J Dokic

in 1st rd

Holder

Jana Novotna

(Czech Republic)

2 Graf

beat

C Morariu

in 3rd rd

3 Davenport

plays

L Golarsa

in 3rd rd

4 Seles

due to play

M Lucic

in 3rd rd

5 Novotna

plays

Sanchez-Lorenzo

6 V Williams

beat

S Pitkowski

in 3rd rd

OUT

7 Sanchez

lost to

L Raymond

in 2nd rd

8 Tauziat

beat

Noorlander

in 3rd rd

9 Pierce

plays

E Wagner

in 3rd rd

11 Halard-Decugis

plays

Stevenson

OUT

12 Coetzer

lost to

K Clijsters

in 3rd rd

OUT

13 Testud

lost to

Tanasugarn

in 3rd rd

14 Schett

plays

L Neiland

in 3rd rd

OUT

15 Van Roost

beat

Likhovsteva

in 3rd rd

16 Zvereva

lost to

T Panova

in 2nd rd

17 Kournikova

beat

Gorro-

chategui

LENS MAGNETS

A photo count from yesterday's national press (seedings in brackets)

MEN NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS WOMEN

Tim Henman (6) 16 14 Jelana Dokic (-)

Boris Becker (-) 11 9 Mary Pierce (9)

Andre Agassi (4) 7 7 Hingis (1) & Sanchez (7) The total photo count since 21 June

Tim Henman (6) 76 66 Anna Kournikova (17)

Greg Rusedski (9) 49 60 Martina Hingis (1)

Andre Agassi (4) 33 44 Jelena Dokic (-)

CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS

32 The number of games Pete Sampras has lost to date.

129 The speed (mph) of Pete Sampras' fastest serve during his win over Britain's Danny Sapsford.

4 Aces Venus Williams served yesterday.

144 The number of games Jim Courier has played.

120 The points Tim Henman won during his win over Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

70 The percentage of points Steffi Graf won on her first serve yesterday.

TV COVERAGE

BBC1: 11.55am-5.10pm.

BBC2: 12.25pm-8.30pm.

Highlights: BBC2: 10.30pm.

TODAY'S WEATHER

After a sunny start, clouds will build. Thunderstorms will break out by evening.

Maximum temp: 25 C (77F).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in