Weekend Report | The Freeport News | PDF Online Guide

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Home National Sports Business Lifestyles Religion Arts & Culture Pulse Spice Editorial letters Opinion Foodie Sportscope Real Talks Weekend Report PDF's Classifieds Contact About Us Archive Weather

Mark moves into second round at Wimbledon By KELSIE JOHNSON ~ NG Sports Reporter ~ kelsie@nasguard.com: A grueling four-setter which lasted three hours and 15 minutes may have its toll on Bahamian professional tennis player Mark Knowles and his Indian doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, as they look to advance out of the second round of competition at the prestigious Wimbledon Championships. The championships is the oldest tennis tournament in the world and is contested on grass courts. It got underway on Monday in Great Britain. Knowles and Bhupathi defeated the team of Kevin Anderson and Somdev Devvarman, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-5 and 7-5 yesterday. The Bahamian/Indian duo now move on to play the team of Phillipp Petzschner and Alexander Peya. Knowles is no stranger to long matches, especially at this tournament. He and his former partner Daniel Nestor once played in a match at Wimbledon which lasted six hours and nine minutes. This is the longest match in doubles at the tournament and also the longest match in Grand Slam history. The match was played over two days and saw Knowles and Nestor defeat Simon Aspelin and Todd Perry. In yesterday's three-hour match, Knowles and Bhupathi recorded nine double faults and four aces compared to their opponents' two double faults and eight aces. The statistics also showed that Knowles and Bhupathi had 12 unforced errors, however they were able to make up ground by winning 6-of-13 break points. Knowles and Bhupathi are scheduled to take to the court in their next match on Friday. The duo are also penciled in the mixed doubles draw, which will get underway on Friday as well. Ranked ninth in mixed doubles, Knowles and Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany moved on to the second round after a first round bye. The Bahamian/German duo are resting for their match against either Dick Norman and Liga Dekmeijere or the team of James Cerretani and Sybille Bammer. In the mixed doubles, Bhupathi and his partner Sania Mirza also received an opening bye. The team, which is ranked 13th, is awaiting the winners of the Colin Fleming/Sarah Borwell and Dusan Vemic/Flavia Pennetta match. Thursday, June 25, 2009