Cañas and Pavel win 5 set battles and more action from Round 3

Today wasn't a great day in my opinion as the only match that I wanted to watch was Grosjean vs Hrbaty, but I had to leave as I had a prior arrangement.I just found out that Grosjean beat Hrbaty in 4 as Hrbaty had won the 1st and a 4-2 lead in the second and then lost. Grosjean at least beat Robby " I have muscles but no game" Ginepri for the opportunity to get knocked out by Agassi.

I snuck into the centre court for the Safin vs Martin match after it was 1 set all. One of my friends who has a player guest pass got me in and we sat where those corporate wankers who don't give a shit about the game usually sit, and they usually get the best seats.

It was a very gutsy win by Safin, and it was unlike the Corretja v Ancic match, Marat actually won it with outstanding shots and not on Martin's mistakes. The last set was a very good one, as the 4th Martin gave away at 4-0 and had a massage from the physio, which seemed to work very well.

Sjeng killed Melzer, that wasn't unexpected. Enqvist disappointed his large following which he doesn't care about unlike the other Swedes who appreciate all the support they get. It didn't get into Enqvist's head that the backhand up the line option was available.Ginepri the less said about him the better and Escude well he proved my point about losing to anyone.

Blake knocked off that clown Patience and Rawdick well Dent must have a plane to catch. Tomorrow will be better matches so go Canas, Pavel. Nalle, Federer, Ancic, Nadal, Costa and Ferrero.

Day 6 was a fantastic day for me tenniswise. Yes, there were plenty of women to look at and I was recovering from another big night, but that can wait.

Now onto the important matters at hand. The great Gaudio/Karlovic combination were successful yet again against the Israeli combination of Erlich/Ram. The funny thing about this match was that Gaudio didn't lose his serve at all and it was Karlovic that was broken twice, but Gaston played very well and I think they are surprised as any to be in the 3rd round of the doubles.

Second great result of the day was the Pav steaming back from 2 sets down to beat Novak. I saw the start where Pavel just raced to a 4-0 lead and wasn't missing anything, then I went to the Gaudio match and when I came back he somehow managed to lose the first set 6-4 and then the second 6-2. I went down and sat near the Pavel camp. Pav was making too many errors as everybody knows how Novak plays and that he isn't going to give a match away, it's up to the player to beat him.

As soon as I said he needs to improve his length and be more patient and he will get his chances to capitalise. Pavel kept hanging in there, Novak was very steady choosing the right moment to come into the net and hit excellent volleys and drop shots. Then at 6-5 in the 3rd Novak served a very poor service game and Pavel took advantage and won the 3rd set. The struggle continued as Pavel was making less errors, and Novak was still very steady and definitely the match was in the balance, Pav had break chances but didn't take them. It went to the tiebreaker and Pavel played an outstanding tiebreaker and that backhand was in fine form.

Novak was wilting. He played some great shots and once he got the break in the 5th, he looked very strong and fit whereas Novak wasn't looking as good. Pavel had 40-0 on serving for the match, and the nerves got the better of him and it got to deuce. On the 5th match point he closed out the match and he was elated, as I was myself and the supporters around me. The coach said I definitely need a few beers to settle down after that match and that was understandable.

Whilst this was going on Cañas and Henman were slugging it out on the old court 1. I was at the scoreboard and I saw Henman had won the first 2 sets and they were very close. I tried to get into the match, but it was an effort with all those English backpackers who normally don't give a shit about tennis, just there to cheer on Tiger Tim. One he is not one of my faves and two I have always admired Canas, so it was imperative to get there and give Canas some support. We got there through the third set, and we could only see the scoreboard for about 7 games as people were not moving.

Then Niclas a Swedish friend of mine and I stood one of the garbage bins, and then we could see over the top of people and catch a glimpse of the match. Unfortunately the security guys, didn't appreciate our innovative solutions and told us to get down twice. Then Canas won the 3rd set and we got in the match.Niclas and I were in hostile territory amongst most of the English fans, but to be fair they helped give the match some great atmosphere and most of the non-English were going for Canas, so there was plenty of chanting and noise which made them both perform at excellent levels. Henman kept playing his chip and charge game, and Canas the warrior was just running and running and his lobs were of the highest quality which kept him in the match.

The fourth set was more of the same and Henman had many chances on the Canas serve, but he was either passed, lobbed or just made an unforced error. I said Niclas to if Canas wins this set, there is no way he is losing. He loves the battle and this was made for him, and also Tiger Tim isn't known for his mental fortitude in the tighest situations. Then Canas takes his chance and wins the fourth set 7-5.We are into the 5th and the English fans are a bit nervous, so was I to an extent, even though I had full confidence in Canas being successful in this match. Then the 5th Timmy is playing very good aggressive tennis and he breaks Canas at 3-1 and then holds to take it to a 4-1 lead. Still I just knew Canas had it in him to comeback, he plays a great game and breaks Henman at 4-3 and then holds for 4-4. The crowd were even getting louder for Henman, but there were a few of us Canas fans who made our presence felt.

Neither player was giving anything less than 100% and I felt that Henman's would crack. He lead 7-6 and 0-30 but Canas held and voila t 7-7. His arm had turned to jelly and Canas was circling Henman like a lion does his prey and got the break at 8-7. I had made a choking gesture that some of the fans liked but others didn't appreciate as much.

Now the crowd were trying to will Timmy over, Canas played a very solid game, though there were a few second serves at 130km/h, but he managed to get to 40-15. Henman then saved match points and Canas got to advantage. The match point was an absolute fitting way to win the match after a short rally, Henman approaches the net and the Canas running like his life depending on it and smacks this huge forehand up the line which was a great way to end this very entertaining and gripping match. The crowd gave both of them a standing ovation that seemed to last for ages and it was deserved.

Henman hit 100 winners and Canas had made only 30 unforced errors and he played the very important points much better. So all in all a great day Nalle won easily, Pavel and Gaudio won. I am happy that Arazi won and I was disappointed for Costa, but he hates playing night matches and it showed. Come on Arazi take out the Poo and Feds beat Hewitt on Australia Day would be fantastic.