[Brian Swartz]

Wimbledon 2043

For the first time, Anil Mehul was in the position of defending a Slam title, a unique position which gives him everything to lose and nothing to gain from a ranking point of view, and one of considerably more pressure. Certainly he's got the game to have a chance at repeating.

Both of our heroes eased into the tournament and then had their first competitive matches in the third round, with Mehul stopping Mick Elder and Girsh coming through against Agustin Herrera, both in straight sets. The next round was actually easier, with Girsh getting some more payback against former nemesis Milan Farkas, who he crushed including an opening-set bagel.

So both made it through to the quarterfinals without the loss of a set or any real challenge so far. A fantastic start. Girish Girsh met Benda who he figured to have a pretty good chance against, and it was one of those matches that absolutely didn't go according to script. It was the younger player, known as a grinder, who was the better server(20-7 in ace count) but he still was defeated in three straight 6-4 sets. Unusual, and surprising for him to be beaten in rally play, but Benda played the part of the wily veteran to perfection.

It was a disappointing loss but would later becomes less of one. It soon became clear that the German world no. 3 was really playing some of his best tennis, which there had of course been evidence again last month when he reclaimed his RG crown. As for Anil Mehul, his quarterfinal came against Pierce Gaskell, their 13th meeting though just the first on grass. This went more the expected route: the American had the better of it on serve but didn't do well in the rallies, and failed all three break chances. A close match, but still straight-sets for Mehul after a nervy tiebreak to open things.

Cestmir Marcek was the obstacle to making the final, and it should have been pretty one-sided but the Czech no. 2 has been on fire this year and this match was no exception. Straight sets again for our defending champion but at 7-6(5), 7-6, 6-4, it was no cakewalk. The other semi was where the real surprise was, Benda upsetting Iglar in three straight breakers. This is really a pretty shocking result, but continues a pattern of the world no.1 not quite living up to his lofty results last year.

This led to a final that had a quite a bit on the line. Aside from what would Benda's 7th or Mehul's 2nd overall Slam trophy, the winner would hold the #2 spot in the rankings and have the inside track on the year-end runner-up position. Both players served very well, trading close sets and then going to tight, tense tiebreaks in the next two. Break points were dead-even as well, with both converting just 2 of 10 in a serve-dominated match very appropriate to the grasscourt. Benda held a slim 26-22 edge in aces, but despite this Mehul was able to put somewhat more consistent pressure on him than he received, and pulled through narrowly, 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(7)!

Anil Mehul successfully defends his Wimbledon title, and he will no longer be known as a possible 'one-slam wonder'. His place in history, a relatively minor place but a notable one nonetheless, is secured as a player worth remembering. The list of those who have won back-to-back titles at the world's oldest and most prestigious championships is a fairly short one, and his name has now been added.