The Whole Delivery

Just simply a growing legend in our eyes, just like Serena Williams yesterday. Rafael Nadal has returned to Wimbledon and recaptured the title he could not defend last year, dominating a tight Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 to win Wimbledon for the 2nd time. It is the world number 1's 8th Grand Slam title at just age 24. And it is only the seventh time that a player has done the always difficult French Open/Wimbledon double. He is simply at the height of his game, no concerns of his knees derailing him at being clearly the best player in the game right now. Moreover, the win further puts him among the greats of the sport. And with his humility, passion for the game, and just love and respect for the game and life, you wouldn't rule him out from taking a series assault at Mr. Federer at 16, even with the Swiss not poised at all to stop. And for the man who he vanquished today, Berdych has certainly had a memorable tournament, despite a very tight performance. Neverthele...

Photo From AELTC Serena Williams has won her 13th Grand Slam championship and 4th Wimbledon title, defeating Vera Zvonareva in a 6-3, 6-2 masterclass of her genius and talent. The bright Russian tried her best today, as she was lively in the first set in the first 7 games. But the crucial 8th game in the set was the difference, as Serena kept the pressure on and got the crucial break in the match to take full dominion of the counter. Serena faced no breaks points on her serve, culminating one of the greatest serving displays in women's grand Slam history. More to come folks. And look at her holding the trophy upset (h/t @ KimonoGirl ):

Photo from AELTC Rafael Nadal has halted Andy Murray's dreams of winning Wimbledon here, as the Spainard was masterful in a 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-4 win here in the second semifinal here at Wimbledon. It is a masterful display from the 2008 champion, looking to reclaim the title that he could not defend because of injury last year. It wasn't the huge pressure on Murray shoulders that got to him, but for the third straight year, just like last year to Andy Roddick and two years ago to Nadal, he just was defeated today by the better man. That man, who is on the poise of doing another French Open-Wimbledon, and furthering his already growing legacy. To the final he returns to, and Tomas Berdych awaits. It should be a fascinating encounter, where it really is 51/49 right now, with the slight balance shifting to Nadal only because of him being there before. More summer despair for British sports fans, just 5 days after England bowed out to Germany in the World Cup. Photo from AEL...

Photo from AELTC Outstanding against a still valiant, strong, and classy Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6 (9), 6-3 to advance to his first Grand Slam final. The 2nd set classic tiebreak could have been a moment where the Czech could have doubted himself, as Djokovic saved four set points down 2-6 and had a few set points in that tiebreaker. But the new and improved Berdych showed why he defeated Roger Federer on Wednesday , staying rock solid and accurate with his massive serve. And at 10-9 in that tiebreak, the assiduous Djokovic cracked under pressure, as his double fault gave Berdych the break and the momentum regained to secure a wonderful win for himself. Berdych awaits the winner of the other blockbuster semifinal, between Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.

Another final indeed. Petra Kvitova showed terrific spirit there, and hopefully she will play like her talent is and not No.62 in the rankings, like she is currently ranked indeed. Nevertheless, the serve has been so important on the women's side this tournament, and that is refreshing to see.

Photo from AELTC Djokovic through impressively over "Randy" Lu. Tomas Berdych is up two sets to one over Roger Federer, as this potential upset could lead to the first weekend since 2002 that Federer is not at Wimbledone. Just a stunning thought. And speaking of stunning thoughts and constant upsets, Serena and Venus has lost in doubles to a terrific display from Zvonareva and Vesnina, who was the best player on the court today. The Live blog is here, or here . Update: Tomas Berdych has done it, ending the terrific 7 year run of Roger Federer's final appearances with an unbelievably satisfying 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 defeat of the title holder and 16 time Grand Slam champion. Almost congruent to his defeats to Juan Martin del Porto at the US Open last September and Robin Soderling at the French Open last month, Federer was hit off the court again, and questions will persist on his mind as to whether he will be able to solve these accurate power hitters. Meanwhile,...

Photo from AELTC It is the shocker of the tournament, as Tsvetana Pironkova, who has never won past the 2nd round of a Grand Slam, has defeated Venus Williams 6-2, 6-2. And it could be Vera Zvonvaera vs Pironkova in the semifinal, as the Russian is up 4-1. Update: Zvonvaera is just one game away here. Update 2: What another shocker there, as vera Zvonareva has dispatched of Kim Clijsters in a Great 30 minutes to remember for a lifetime. It will be a Zvonareva-Pironkova semifinal, what an amazing result. But great from Vera Zvonareva here. Update 3 : But no defeat for Serena Williams......her serving pulls her through and she impressively defeats the dangerous Chinese 7-5, 6-3. Update 4: And it's Kvitova in a triller today. 8-6 in the final set after Kanepi blew the match at 4-0.

Photo from AELTC

And the first winner of "Tennis Greatest Day" has advanced today: Photo from AELTC Vera Zvonareva has advanced passed a poor and then injured Jelena Jankovic. Venus Williams locked in a struggle with the hard hitting on fire Jamlia Groth. And Justine Henin has taken the first set in "Blockbuster Battle #1", 6-2 over rival Kim Cijsters. In "Blockbuster Battle #2", Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will follow Roger Federer and Juergen Melzer. The live blog besides this one . Besides this one of course. Update : Despite Jamith Groth playing the best tennis of her life, the five time champion Venus Williams goes through in a tough two sets 6-4. 7-6 (5). Very tough was that match. Meanwhile, Roger Federer is feeling comfortable, up two sets to love on Melzer. And Kim Clijsters, after dropping the first set, is now up a break in the second in her battle with Justine Henin.

Photo from AELTC Germany's Philip Petzschner has taken a two sets to one lead over Rafael Nadal here, putting the Spaniard in that position again for the second straight match. Can he come back like he did against Robin Haase? Serena has advanced in impressive fashion, with 21 aces against always stubborn and feisty Domi Cibulkova, setting up the Round of 16 second blockbuster on the women's side, as Maria Sharapova looked shaky but progressed through Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. U pdate: They are in the 5th set here, 3-all.

Photo from AELTC A tired John Isner went down unsurprisingly in straights to talented young Thiemo De Bakker, as that epic match clearly did him in (and the nuttiness that is a no 5th tiebreak rule at the majors). Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters have fulfilled their blockbuster Round of 16 encounter, as both beat dangerous Russians Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko respectively. Novak Djokovic is looking sharp today, up two sets and a break on Albert Montanes. Djokovic's countrywoman Jelena Jankovic is also impresseing today, dominating Alona Bondarenko 6-0, 6-3, the third time those players have met each other in a Grand Slam this year. Still to come on Day 5 is Roger Federer, Venus Williams, and Andy Roddick, with Lleyton Hewitt and Gael Monfils locked in what looks to be a captivating match on Centre court as of this post. Update: Impressive wins from Federer, Venus, and Lleyton Hewitt today, while Andy Roddick is locked in another battle with Phil Kohlschreiber, thou...

Photo from AELTC She is here. And look at them bowing to the Queen , Murray and Nieminen: And another look at Murray bowing: So far, Aggie Radwanska has progressed in convincing fashion, dropping only two games. In some weird fashion, they have placed Serena Williams, on the day that Elizabeth is here, on not just Centre Court, not just Court 1, but Court 2. Court 2. What a damn shame. Updates to come throughout the day. Updates 1 : Sharapova advances, through shaky in the 2nd set. Murray impresses in front of her majesty, and now Isner-Mahut resumes. Update 3 : What a way to win your first Wimbledon match, huh 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68: The full review come folks on this remarkable effort from both of these men. Update 4: Rafael Nadal has won the 2nd set over Robin Haase after dropping the 1st set to the hard hitting Dutch 23 year old......The score as of this update is 7-5, 2-6, as they start the first game in this 3rd set, and Haase has a lot of believe here...

Photo from S.Wake of Prosport Epic, epic day in sports everyone . Roger Federer is through in a massive four set struggle against Serbian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac, while Isner-Mahut are 45-45, yup, a basketball score, in the 5th set. Updated: 47-47, now are Isner and Mahut. Update 2: Still going on, it's 58-57 here. Update 3: They have suspended this match, at 59-59 all, unbelievable indeed.

Photo from Neil Tingle of AELTC Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and the currently shaky Maria Sharapova are the notable names here on Day 2 at the Championships. It doesn't look like today will be as long as yesterday's record setter marathon , but it will be as good as it usually is. Already as of this post, seeded players Aggie Radwanska, Flavia Pennetta, and Sam Querrey have progressed to the second round comfortably. The live blog of the day's action . Update: Serena Williams has progressed to the Round of 64, with a very good 6-0, 6-4 win over the dangerous youngster Michelle Larcher de Brito. The defending champion had 14 aces on the day to start off her 2010 Wimbledon campaign in impressive fashion. Rafael Nadal is to follow her, taking on a talented youngster himself in Japan's Kei Nishikori. Svetlana Kuznetsova survived her first round match against tall Uzbekistan player Akgul Amanmuradova 2-6 7-6 (5), 6-4, and delightful Chinese play...

Photo from ©AELTC / M. Hangst Roger Federer has battled back here from two sets to love down, evening the match with a dominate tiebreak over Columbian clay court specialist Alejandro Falla. To the 5th set they go. The live log is here at Wimbledon.org folks . Update: Federer in full control now, up 4-0 in the 5th. Update 2: Roger Federer has won his match against Alejandro Falla, winning 6-0 in the final set after being down two sets to none. Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com