Is it just us that gets utterly bored with Wimbledon by mid-way through the second week? It's not just the fact that there are no British players by this stage of the tournament; because let's face it, if it's a choice between the charisma-less Come-On-Tim and no British players at all, you'd be hard-pushed to opt for the former. Probably more to do with games such as the forthcoming semi-final between Lleyton Hewitt and Roger Federer. Not a game anyone will be rushing home from work to catch.
As usual at this stage of the tournament, the Ladies' event looks far more likely to provide some entertainment than the Men's, with the semi-final line up being Lindsay Davenport vs. Amelie Mauresmo and Maria Sharapova vs. Venus Williams. A Davenport vs. Sharapova final will do us very nicely thank you.
Starting on Saturday is the Tour De France. Not exactly a London-based sporting event, but we like it, and until there's a Parisist we're going to cover it. So there!
[EDIT:] Well obviously there is a Parisist; just no-one thought to inform the Londonist Sports Desk.
You probably don't need us to tell you that this will be Lance Armstrong's last Tour and if he wins it'll be a record seventh Tour victory - a record which will stay for some considerable time. His main rival this year will be, as ever, Jan Ullrich. But Ulrich himself faces competition within his own T-Mobile team from Andreas Klöden and the much-fancied Alexandre Vinokourov - and if either of them have a good start to the Tour, Ullrich could find himself having to play second-fiddle in his own team.
For those of you unaccustomed with the Tour, just watch it and you'll pick it up as you go along (live on Eurosport and highlights on ITV2). Although if you only listen to the wonderful David Duffield on Eurosport all you'll pick up is what Duffers favourite cheeses are and what he had for tea the previous evening. Quality broadcasting, even though rather annoying to the more anorak element of cycling fans.
And for those who like a flutter, these are all worth a couple of quid (odds from Ladbrokes): Armstrong 8/11; Ullrich 7/2; Basso 7/1; Vinokourov 9/1; Mayo 20/1; Kloden 25/1; and an outside bet Floyd Landis 66/1.
In cricket, the Twenty20 Cup is happening all over the shop, where Surrey have got off to a storming start winning four of their five games so far. Middlesex haven't had quite as good a start only winning three of their games (with their two defeats being against Surrey). This week Surrey have games against Kent tomorrow and Essex on Tuesday both at the Oval (tickets can be purchased online), while Middlesex take on Essex at Southgate tomorrow and Hampshire at Richmond on Wednesday. Tickets for these games can apparently be purchased online at Ticket Zone although the site doesn't work particularly well and advises you to call 08705 321 321 anyway.
And finally, if the last two weeks of SW19 fun have inspired you to play, the Lawn Tennis Association have a huge postcode-searchable database of courts where you can play the game.
