Tough Week for Canada on The Lawn

WIMBLEDON--No more Canada.

Well, no more big-time Canadian hopes, at least, at the 125th Championships, as 38-year-old Daniel Nestor and partner Max Mirnyi were bounced out of the doubles tournament in straight sets today by Julian Knowle of Austria and South Africa's Kevin Anderson.

Nestor and Mirnyi, who won the French Open title earlier this month, couldn't return the 6-foot-8 Anderson's serve or convert the chances they did have in going down to the surprising second round defeat.

It's the first year together for Nestor and Mirnyi, who were seeded No. 2 in the doubles draw behind Americans Bob and Mike Bryan. Nestor, with former partner Nenad Zimonjic, had won the Wimbledon doubles title in 2008 and 2009, but the tandem split at the end of last season when Zimonjic wanted out.

Nestor said he was "disappointed" with the loss but confident he and Mirnyi have potential.

"With Max, he's definitely the most postive relationship I've had, and sometimes I'm a bit negative out there. He really is positive, which is enjoyable. Here, we didn't get to reach our potential.

"But we won a Slam, which is always nice, and that takes the pain out of this loss."

Nestor's ouster comes on the heels of a disappointing week for Canadian tennis at the world's most important tennis event. Milos Raonic of Thornhill fell during his second round match and was forced to withdraw, while Rebecca Marino of Vancouver was also eliminated in the second round of the women's singles event.

Nestor and Raonic are scheduled to play an important Davis Cup tie for Canada next month in Ecuador. Raonic's participation is uncertain because of his hip injury, although he has said he is hopeful he can play.