Tennis and My Camera: On the Grounds of Queens Club Tuesday 10th June

My first day of Main Draw action as told through photographs and the occasional musings.

As usual I started out my day at the practise courts...

Marin Cilic

Denis Istomin

Vasek Pospisil

Colin Fleming working on his volleys

Paolo Lorenzi

Mikhail Kukushkin

Jo Tsonga and Nicolas Mahut

Dolgopolov and Gulbis

Istomin defeating Lorenzi (taking full advantage of being able to watch Court 9/10 simultaneously)

I did a lot of match hopping between the outside court singles, including taking in some of Roger Vasselin/Donskoy and Benneteau/Estrella. Benneteau/Estrella was a surprisingly good contest, Estrella fought hard despite his lack of grass court experience although I must admit Julien should never have lost this one. I'll put it down to French Open Doubles Win hangover and the short turnaround with only arriving Monday onto grass, although his partner Roger-Vasselin fared better.

Edouard Roger Vasselin

Victor Estrella

The Cronicles of the ever watchable Benoit Paire

His singles vs Nieminen

Losing a *4-0 lead in 3rd set (eventually lost in 3rd set). Casual Ben and crazy Ben all at once.

At *4-0 serving decides to try wearing a cap for the bright sunshine. Barely makes any serves and lots of UEs. Drops serve quickly and tosses cap before declaring "It is sunny in London for first time ever!"

Lots of beautiful touch volleys/drop volleys... going from sublime to erratic, still looking for his rhythm.

Doubles with Marinko 'Mad Dog' Matosevic, losing to Butorac and Klaasen

Holding up start of his own doubles because he was engrossed in the epic tiebreak on adjacent Court 10 of Tsonga/Mahut v Lopez/Melzer.

On their first Break Point chance of the match at 2-3, Matosevic and Paire couldn't decide who should take the "receiver's choice" point. So what better way to solve this than play Rock/Paper/Scissors?! Then they had to play a second try because they both picked Paper at first. Benoit eventually 'won' and then of course went on break. Obviously this is the way to go with all important choices. I will keep in mind for when I need to make important life choices.

Many gorgeous BHDTL...

The random and inconsistent girly squeals of despair, disappointment and eventually resignation to his fate on grass.

Nothing like a late afternoon full of Doubles. Highlight of the day being the wonderful pairing of Dolgopolov/Gulbis (I'm sure you can imagine the variety on show in that match!) and the brilliant match between Melzer/Lopez and Tsonga/Mahut, which reached its crescendo with a pulsating match TB.

Presenting Dolgopolov and Gulbis..

Oh that beautiful, casual, yet brilliant tennis with a smile.