Bernard Tomic has booked a round 3 showdown with Novak Djokovic after a straight set win over Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
TOMIC 7 6 7
HERBERT 6 4 6
In a close match for all three sets, Tomic did enough, to progress to what will be a centre court appearance in Round 3 against the world number 1.
In a match dominated by the serve, Tomic would get the only break of the match in the 2nd set, after taking the first set in a tiebreaker.
Tomic would be better in the big points as his French opponent made critical errors. This was highlighted by the last few points of the 1st set which went to the Aussie.
The Australian will be happy it didn’t last longer than 3 sets after suffering from the severe heat at the All England club.
He complained of dizziness and later said it was because of a lack of sleep in the previous nights.
Tomic was able to battle through that though and hold on against the big serving of his opponent.
He now faces Novak Djokovic which what will be a big match for the Aussie.
Tomic is 0 wins and 12 losses against the big four? Can he break that drought on Friday?
It will be a battle of the big servers as Bernard Tomic faces Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round of Wimbledon tonight.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the event from 8:30pm AEST.
On Monday night, Tomic survived a five-set battle with Jan-Lennard Struff to progress to the second round for the third straight year.
He almost didn’t survive though as his German opponent had break points in the fourth set. Tomic though would hold on and win the last two sets 6-2 6-3 to progress to tonight’s clash.
Awaiting him is a player who has also had five-set battles so far in the tournament. Herbert, who won through in qualifying, progressed to the second round after a 10-8 win in the fifth set against Hyeon Chung from South Korea.
Down two sets to one, the Frenchman fought back, and progressed to the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
This was his second five-set match after also defeating Inigo Cervantes in the fifth set in the final round of qualifying.
Tomic and Herbert have played each other once before at the Kuala Lumpur Open in 2014. Herbert on that occasion won in three sets. He would save a match point in the final set tiebreaker to progress.
What was impressive about that match, for Herbert, was his success of winning the big points. He played with no fear in the important points to win most of them to stun and frustrate Tomic.
With the match being on grass, and the surface favouring the serve of both players, this match looks to be another one of those where you need to take your chances.
Herbert, if he can repeat what he did the last time these two met, will be right in this match tonight. I expect it to be closer than people think and believe fatigue will play a big part.
After two long matches already I can’t see Herbert winning if the match goes to four sets or five
Tomic should win the match, despite looking ill at times against Struff, and progress to a third0round meeting with Novak Djokovic.
It might take him four or five sets to do it though.
Prediction – Tomic 3-1
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Full report to come soon. I'm about to blog Kyrgios and Monaco. The link for that is here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/07/01/nick-kyrgios-vs-juan-monaco-2015-wimbledon-live-scores-blog/
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Bernard Tomic admits he isn't getting much sleep in the last few nights. Surely that has to be the issues with his father and TA playing on his mind.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
MATCH STATS - Aces - Herbert 21 Tomic 9 Double Faults - Herbert 4 Tomic 1 1st serves in % - Herbert 54% Tomic 72% 1st serve points won - Herbert 47/58 Tomic 60/73 2nd serve points won - Herbert 30/49 Tomic 20/29 Winners - Herbert 50 Tomic 37 Unforced Errors - Herbert 20 Tomic 12 Break Points won - Herbert 0/4 Tomic 1/1
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Tomic wins. A long forehand from Herbert gives the Aussie some revenge for the loss to him in Kuala Lumpur. He is relieved to get through that is for sure. He bows down to the fanatics as well. Like them, or hate them, they give the players a lift. TOMIC 7 6 7 HERBERT 6 4 6
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
2nd serve
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Double Fault and then an Ace. Tomic now has a match point. His first for the match.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Gets the mini break. Herbert has to hit another second serve, which is a sliding serve, and Tomic returns it. Herbert comes to net and Tomic beats him with a cross court shot. 5-4.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Ripping forehand winner from Tomic. Herbert needs to hit a second serve and the Aussie punishes him. 4-4.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Forehand down the line winner from Tomic. 4-3. Pressure back on Herbert who has a mini break still.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Herbert wins the next two points. 4-1. Tomic then serves an ace. 4-2 as the players chance ends.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
People either love or hate the Fanatics. Would be nice to see him finish it here.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Tomic wins the next point. 2-1 to Herbert.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Brilliant by Herbert. He hits a powerful forehand and then plays a nice volley to win the point. 2-0 to Herbert with the mini break.
Jack
Guest
I agree with earlier comments the fanatics are annoying . Tomic in cruise control I really do like him hope he can win this match
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Ace to Herbert. 1-0.
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Tomic holds to love. Tiebreaker time for the second time in the match. TOMIC 7 6 6 HERBERT 6 4 6
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Herbert holds to love and leads 6-5. We are either heading to a tiebreaker or a 4th set. TOMIC 7 6 5 HERBERT 6 4 6
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
The sun has been in the clouds for the last few games. Suddenly it comes back out again and Tomic is struggling again. He holds to 30 though and levels at 5 games all. TOMIC 7 6 5 HERBERT 6 4 5
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Herbert eventually holds and leads 5-4 in the 3rd set. TOMIC 7 6 4 HERBERT 6 4 5
Shane Jones
Roar Guru
Tomic has the chance but misses a cross court forehand. It goes into the net. Adv. Herbert.