James Ward might not feel it now in the immediate aftermath of a defeat, but this has been a great week for him – he is into the top 100 and has secured his Davis Cup place. Popsil, the gutsy Canadian heading for more unchartered territory in the second week of Wimbledon, faces Troicki in the next round. Thanks for reading. Bye!
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Vasek Pospisil wins the fifth set 8-6
Ward wins the first point after Pospisil misses a volley – and a subsequent challenge fails – but he moves 30-15 in front. He comes to the net again on the next point and gives himself two match points. He only needs one and sinks to his knees in celebration. Fully deserved after a thrilling five-setter. Ward fought hard but there was to be no celebrations for the Briton.
Fifth set: Ward* 6-7 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): And just after typing that Pospisil breaks! Ward’s previously solid first serve evades him as Pospisil wins the first two points, but the Briton makes it 15-30. He sends the next point about a yard too far when attempting to lob Pospisil but his challenge is futile and gives his opponent two break points. Ward aces his SECOND serve to save the first but on the second cannot return at the end of a rally, finding the net instead. And the end is on the horizon!
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Fifth set: Ward 6-6 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Another service game from the Canadian that goes to love. Neither are getting a sniff of a break point.
Fifth set: Ward* 6-5 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Similarly cool from Ward on his serve, closing it with a wonderful winner to Pospisil’s forehand side.
You’ve got to believe we’re in this for the long haul.
Of course it will go to 17-15 in this set now.
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) July 4, 2015
Fifth set: Ward 5-5 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Nerveless from Pospisil, who has won every point on his first serve in this set and takes the game to love.
Fifth set: Ward* 5-4 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Pospisil wins the first point but cannot give himself room to play with when finding the net. Ward quickly makes it 30-15 and Pospisil, playing a flamboyant forehand with both feet a foot off the ground, loses the next point via the net again before Ward closes the game out.
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Fifth set: Ward 4-4 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): They both look impenetrable on their own serve – Pospisil wins this one to love. We could be in for a long evening!
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Fifth set: Ward* 4-3 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Pospisil brings Ward to deuce but the Briton takes the game after the Canadian fails to land a backhand slice to give him advantage. A jubilant scream of ‘Come on’ from Ward tells you all you need to know about the next point.
Fifth set: Ward 3-3 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Pospisil hits a 15th ace en route to a straightforward game to love, where Ward can barely return, never mind win a point.
Fifth set: Ward* 3-2 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Who will be the first to blink? Ward does not in this game, even if Pospisil wins two points. They briefly retreat to the shade in their seats for a refreshing sip of water. They look to be tiring and tensing up – I’m tired watching this, so can only imagine how shattered they must be.
Fifth set: Ward 2-2 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): At 15-30, Ward tries to send a drop shot over that Pospisil would have struggled to reach … but he is denied by the tape of the net and the Canadian duly comes through the remainder of the game unscathed.
After that game, a linesman walks over to the umpire and whispers something. The umpire then says something to Ward but there does not appear to be an official warning. I suspect there was some coaching going on.
Fifth set: Ward* 2-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): That applause has geed Ward up and he produces one of his most impressive service games of the match to edge narrowly in front again.
Fifth set: Ward 1-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-2): Pospisil wins it to love in the most convincing fashion. The crowd are silenced – momentarily, before a rallying round of rapid applause as Ward heads for his next service game.
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Fifth set: Ward* 1-0 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-2): A powerful opening to the final set from Ward, who fights off some good returns from Pospisil, to take the service game. More supportive screams from his supporters as he fires a determined stare at his box.
Pospisil wins the fourth set 6-3
Ward challenges the deciding point, which he sent wide, without luck and we will head to a decider. That was an impressive response from the Canadian and, all of a sudden, the momentum is with him.
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Fourth set: Ward* 3-5 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Ward drops only one point on the way to another more convincing service game, forcing Pospisil to serve out the set, finishing with an ace. He looks to be over the slump but we should still be heading for a deciding set.
Fourth set: Ward 2-5 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Ward wins the first point to bring a couple of supportive cheers but he cannot get back into it and Pospisil closes it out with a clinical serve.
Fourth set: Ward* 2-4 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Ward pulls a game back but the match remains fragmented. Both are showing very brief moments of excellent tennis but that is woven between longer spells of very ordinary play, and, on the whole, it’s difficult to nail down a general pattern of play.
Fourth set: Ward 1-4 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Pospisil’s notebook may indeed contain the secret. He goes 40-0 and although Ward wins the next two points, the Canadian closes it out.
Fourth set: Ward* 1-3 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Suddenly they have swapped roles! Ward delivers a terrible service game to award Pospisil three break points. Ward saves the first two but cannot rip up the third.
Fourth set: Ward 1-2 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Pospisil is a little more solid since the start of this set and has been battling more in rallies. He wins this game and in the ensuing break curiously consults a notebook. Does it contain the secret to a successful comeback?
Fourth set: Ward* 1-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 2-1): Pospisil shows some more fight than previous games but Ward still wins it to 30.
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Fourth set: Ward 0-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 2-1): An improved showing from the Canadian sees him take the first game of the fourth set – but they key is him finding some way to break Ward. There has been no sign of that whatsoever since the middle of the first set and unless he can acquire an additional weapon when returning, his hopes of making it to the second week will be slipping away.
Ward wins the third set 6-2
He looks good, you know, despite his opponent’s despairing body language. He loses one point but closes the set out comfortably, coolly turning to his box with a clenched celebratory fist and strolls off for a comfort break.
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Third set: Ward 5-2 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 1-1): Pospisil stops the rot but it’s hardly convincing and he has all but conceded this set.
Third set: Ward* 5-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 1-1): The Ward juggernaut continues to gather pace and he closes this game out by dropping only one point. Pospisil’s resistance is feeble at best and you would not be surprised to see Ward break again.
Third set: Ward 4-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 1-1): Ward breaks again and Pospisil looks a spent force! He is done for and stares up at his box in despair as Ward breaks him again. It’s more down to the Canadian’s faltering play than brilliance from the home player but he earns the break with a lovely cross-court drop shot that Pospisil tries to stretch for but cannot rach.
Third set: Ward* 3-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 1-1): The momentum from that break carries through and Ward drops just one point. Pospisil really cannot find a way to get at Ward when the Briton is on serve and he looks to be tiring rapidly in the heat.
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Third set: Ward 2-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 1-1): What a game from Ward! An absolute energy-sapping rally ends with Pospisil gasping for air and Ward celebrating a break point. He returns Pospisil’s serve with a bit extra and the Canadian finds the net after advancing forward.
Third set: Ward* 1-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 1-1): There is very little to choose between the pair but a nitty-gritty game goes in favour of Ward after saving a break point.
Third set: Ward 0-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 1-1): Pospisil returns from a comfort break with Ward waiting at the wrong end of the court. Oh how the easily amused watching courtside chuckled at such a genuine and minor mistake! Pospisil takes the game – the break doing him good.
Ward wins the second set 6-3
We are level! Ward needs only one of his two set points at 40-15. Court No1 are on their feet and the momentum is with the Briton.
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Second set: Ward 5-3 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 0-1): Neither player looks capable of winning a point against serve currently, never mind a game after two service games to love … but just as I type that with Pospisil at 30-0, Ward does indeed make it 30-15. Normal service is soon resumed, though, and Pospisil takes the next two to make it 5-3. Now Ward will serve for the set.
Second set: Ward* 5-2 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 0-1): Another easy service game for Ward, who also takes it to love including two aces as the match time reaches one hour.
Second set: Ward 4-2 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 0-1): All quite cushty for the Canadian who wins the game to love. I’m sweating watching this.
Second set: Ward* 4-1 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 0-1): Both perform erratically here, failing to make some routine shots. Ward is denied game point but then saves a break point. He is denied another game point, Pospisil forcing a fourth deuce. But Ward has the advantage once more with an unreturnable serve and he finally closes it out with an ace. That was an important game, you sense.
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Second set: Ward 3-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 0-1): Pospisil lets a 30-0 lead slip before Ward earns a break point following a remarkable 26-stroke rally which had those courtside gasping. The Canadian hits his fifth ace to pull back to deuce, however, and from there he stops the second set rot.
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Second set: Ward* 3-0 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 0-1): This is much improved from Ward. He is confident and Pospisil can sense that, letting the game slip away to love with Ward sending a tasty winner out of his reach to claim the game.
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Second set: Ward 2-0 Pospisil* (*denotes server; sets 0-1): Ward earns his first break point of the match due to the first glimpse of some wayward serving from the Canadian and he takes it with such a simple but effective backhand that Pospisil cannot send back over the net.
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Second set: Ward* 1-0 Pospisil (*denotes server; sets 0-1): That is quite an impressive response to falling a set down. Pospisil cannot return either of the first two points and despite going 30-15, Ward looks much more steady.
Pospisil wins the first set 6-4
Pospisil wins the first point with an ace but overhits on the second. No matter, he continues to look sharp on his serve and finishes the set off with a fist pump and stare towards his box. How will Ward respond?
First set: Ward* 4-5 Pospisil (*denotes server): The crowd rally in support of the home player but Pospisil looks a step above when going 0-30. Ward replies with a smooth backhand – that settles him and with some more roars in his favour from those sweltering spectators, he forces Pospisil to serve for the set.
First set: Ward 3-5 Pospisil* (*denotes server): And the Canadian makes that break count by taking his next service game. At 40-0 he sends his first serve metres wide before the second is incorrectly called out and he successfully reviews and wins the game with the retake.
First set: Ward* 3-4 Pospisil (*denotes server): The first sign of a creak on Ward’s serve as he concedes the first and third points before shanking a forehand into the net to give Pospisil two break points. He requires only one – playing a terrific backhand volley after getting Ward on the run.
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First set: Ward 3-3 Pospisil* (*denotes server): Pospisil loses his footing at 15-15 with an awkward slip but does not appear hurt and closes out another service game with consummate ease and a 51st ace of the tournament.
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First set: Ward* 3-2 Pospisil (*denotes server): The game starts with the match’s longest rally so far – 11 shots – as Ward takes it to love. Pospisil is really struggling to deal with Ward’s serve.
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First set: Ward 2-2 Pospisil* (*denotes server): It goes to serve again without much hassle, though Ward did win his first point against at 40-15 with a delightfully disguised cross-court backhand. Pospisil finds the net when returning Ward’s return to make it 40-30 but Ward fails to get deuce by overshooting the court to level it up once more.
First set: Ward* 2-1 Pospisil (*denotes server): The Canadian wins the first point against serve to make it 15-15 but overhits a forehand on the next point and strikes his return after that into the net. Ward misses his first serve on 40-15 but the second is returned into the net again by Pospisil.
First set: Ward 1-1 Pospisil* (*denotes server): Pospisil’s response is impressive, winning his first service game to love. We may not see too many breaks here.
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First set: Ward* 1-0 Pospisil (*denotes server): Ward starts with an ace and takes the first game to love. Three out of four first serves land and he may not have a more straightforward game all afternoon.
The players are on court going through their warm-up and there is a sartorially-challenged man behind Ward’s seat wearing a Cork GAA jersey. Oh and it’s very warm again. So warm I’m perspiring from my seat. It’s hard to choose a favourite between these two considering both are on unfamiliar ground.
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Marin Cilic wins! He takes the first game on day two on serve to go 11-10 up before breaking Inser in a mammoth game lasting almost 10mins where he spurned five match points before Isner’s oh so trusty serve let him down. Ward’s entrance is imminent!
Preamble
James Ward and Andy Murray are pals. They are sparring partners, both follow the fortunes of Arsenal – though Ward claims to outdo Murray in the superfan stakes – and only two hurdles separate them from meeting in the quarter-finals next week.
Most expect Murray to be there, not too many would have predicted Ward to make it into the second week at SW19. But here he is, up against the world No56 with the opportunity to do just that.
Pospisil won the doubles title here last summer with Jack Sock, beating the Bryan brothers across five sets. The 6ft 4in Canadian turned pro as a 17-year-old in 2007 but only started to make waves in 2013 before that doubles title and his first ATP final – losing to countryman Milos Raonic at the Washington Open in August – arrived last season, where he also reached a highest ranking of 25. Pospisil has dropped out of the top 50 now and this is his first time in the third round at Wimbledon. He has yet to make it into the fourth at any slam – being knocked out in Australia at this stage in the past two years.
This is unchartered territory for Ward, with his previous best a second round appearance in 2012 but he is promising to rise to the occasion. “I think a lot of people rise to the occasion, and like the big stage. I am one of them but it is not like I am playing terrible throughout the year. I play a lot of tough players,” he said, citing Dustin brown’s win over Rafeal Nadal as an example of how we should not be shocked by a perceived underdog winning a match.
Play begins when John Isner decides he has had enough in his latest marathon against Marin Cilic away from the prying eyes of sporting who’s who in the Centre Court royal box.
