WHAT AN incredible first week of Wimbledon that was. From Rafa Nadal's surprise early exit to late-night matches under the roof on Centre Court, it has certainly been a week that will live long in the memory.
Nadal was beaten in five amazing sets by little known Czech Lukas Rosol on Thursday evening, before six-time Champion Roger Federer was taken all the way by Frenchman Julien Benneteau the following night - finally coming through 6-1 in the fifth.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray made it a third night of late drama when he finally over-came Cypriot Marcos Baghdadis at 23.02 on Saturday night, the latest ever finish at the All-England Club.
On top of the drama on court there was the return of the old debate over equal prize money for men and women off it. Frenchman Gilles Simon claimed, after his second round exit to Xavier Mallise, that women do not deserve equal money as their matches only last half as long as the men. He also claimed the men's game is more exciting.
Maria Sharopova, favourite to lift the women's title, countered by claiming her matches attract more attention than his, but her argument was rather let down by the clash between current Champion Petra Kvitova and Varvara Lepchenko the following day, which lasted barely 53 minutes.
Nadal was not the only former Champion to suffer an early exit, however, as Venus Williams crashed out in straight sets to Russian Elena Vesnina in the first round. Sister Serena, meanwhile, ensured a Williams did make it through to the second week after squeezing past Zheng Jie, 9-7 in the final set.
Defending men's Champion Novak Djorkovic has eased through the first week and is now favourite to retain his title, although in this Jubilee year can Murray finally end the 76 year wait for a British Men's Champion?
His biggest hurdle in reaching the final, apart from his suspect temperament, are Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and David Ferrer, who beat him in the French Open last month. But history may be on his side as the last British Champion, Virginia Wade, also lifted the title in a Jubilee year - 1977.
So we have much to look forward to as the second week kicks off this afternoon, weather permitting of course.
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