The gap between the end of the French Open and the start of Wimbledon is a slender two weeks.  John McEnroe said surely Rafa would not choose to play Queen’s two days later where he had committed to play doubles with his sometimes doubles partner, Marc Lopez.  But, indeed, Rafa did go.  Novak Djokovic, however, announced after he lost to Federer that he would not head to Queen’s.  Andy Murray went to Queen’s but made it a game time decision whether he would play or not (he did).  Andy Roddick, who skipped the French due to injury, is returning at Queen’s as well.

Let’s hit some of the results in the last few days and today.

Tuesday

The Brits has something to cheer about when wildcard, Jamie Ward, beat second ranked and fourth seeded Swiss player, Stan Wawrinka in three sets.  Fernando Verdasco beat the Wimbledon marathon man, Nicolas Mahut, in straight sets.  Roddick knows what it feels like to be Roger Federer.  He needed three tough sets (like Fed did at Madrid) to beat the hard serving lefty, Feliciano Lopez.

Querrey, the defending champ, beat veteran Rainer Schuettler in three sets.  Tsonga beat Mr. Nice Guy, Michael Berrer, in two easy sets.  Juan Martin del Potro won in straight sets over Denis Istomin.  In the battle of the giants, Kevin Anderson beat Ivo Karlovic in two close sets.  The ever erratic Ernests Gulbis lost again, this time to Frenchman Adriano Mannarino.

In doubles, several singles players dabbling in doubles played.  Andy Roddick teamed with David Nalbandian, but lost to the team of del Potro and Stepanek.  The Murray brothers lost to Malisse and Skupski.  Nadal teamed up with Lopez to beat Belluci and Sa.

Wednesday

The top seeds got byes.   Andy Murray needed three sets to beat Xavier Malisse, a man he had seen just a day earlier in doubles.  Marin Cilic beat tour veteran, Arnaud Clement.  Kevin Anderson beat Donald Young in straight sets (Anderson, being the 15th seed, had to play the first round).  Janko Tipsarevic needed two tiebreaks to beat American Michael Russell.

Halle

The big news from Halle was Roger Federer deciding to drop out because of his tender groin.  Federer generally gives excuses shortly after a loss.  Not to say he wasn’t hurt, but he likes to let people know he was hurt.

Tuesday

Tommy Haas made his return to play at Wimbledon.  He had been (as usual) injured and is returning once again.  He lost in three set to Seppi.  Monfiles won his opening round as did Mayer and Raonic.  Grass should be a good surface for Raonic with his big serve.  Berdych had to play a tight match to win against qualifier Bemelmans of Belgium.

Wednesday

Lleyton Hewitt was originally slated to meet Roger Federer, but since Federer dropped out, Leonardo Mayer took his place.  Hewitt was therefore able to secure a win.

Raonic won his second round match over Kamke.  Troicki and Berdych also won second round matches.