Wimbledon 2012: A Great Week of Drama Lies Ahead

Wow, what an amazing first week of Wimbledon. Could things get any crazier than they have this week?

We had Rafael Nadal losing, Roger Federer rallying from 2-0 down. Novak Djokovic was given a small scare. Andy Murray had to play to beat the clock to advance to the fourth round under the roof. There were eight matches played so far with the roof closed; the record is 12. The atmosphere is electric when the roof is closed.

On the women's side, Venus Williams was crushed in the first round. Maria Sharapova has struggled and Serena Williams had to win 9-7 in the third to advance to the fourth round.

So with the first week behind us, I thought I'd take a look at what we can expect from the second week.

First of all, we can expect more drama, including some with the roof closed. You never know when it might rain at Wimbledon, which could cause all sorts of chaos and even more drama.

Monday should be an action-packed, incredible day of tennis. All the men and women will be in action. If you can't find something you like on Monday at Wimbledon, then you shouldn't be watching tennis.

On the men's side, Nadal's loss threw everyone for a loop, but it's still going to be a special week at Wimbledon. Federer and Djokovic still seem headed for a showdown in the semifinals. I still like Djokovic's chances to win that and the tournament. If Federer can win that semifinal, he would be the clear favorite in the final. This could be his last best chance to win another major.

Murray is now the favorite to get to the final. No pressure there, right? He once again has the hopes of Brits on his shoulders. The big question is how will he handle it? He's still got some tough players on his side of the draw. Remember that guy Juan Martin del Potro? The one who beat Nadal and Federer to win the U.S. Open. Don't count him out.

I also think Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has a serious shot at making it to the final as well. Since my finalist pick of Nadal is out, I'll go with Murray to lose to Djokovic in the final. Can you imagine what the hype will be like if Murray makes it to the final? Now, that would be crazy.

All my favorites are still in the tournament on the women's side. Sharapova, my pick to win it, has struggled, but she can certainly improve during the second week. I think she will play Clijsters in the quarters, and what a great matchup that will be. It might be the last time we see them play each other.

On the other side of the draw, I'm sticking with Petra Kvitova. She is starting to play like she did last year, and I still think she will have too much for Serena Williams. Serena's serve has been great, but the rest of her game not so much. Victoria Azarenka has also been playing well, but I don't think she has enough firepower for either Kvitova or Williams.

It's shaping up to be a great Wimbledon. If the first week is any indication of what the second week will be like, then you better stick in front of that TV set, because this could be a tournament for the ages.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1242832-wimbledon-2012-a-great-week-of-drama-lies-ahead

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