A statement of fact, for once and for all: Rafael Nadal is the greatest clay-court tennis player who has ever lived.
I know that sometimes I am prone to hyperbole in my posts, which is borne of both enthusiasm and my fair share of knowledge about the sport of tennis, but the above statement of fact is nothing short of unvarnished, undebatable, empiric truth.
This morning Nadal put on one of the single-most dominant athletic performances I've ever seen, dismantling Roger Federer in the French Open final. The score reflects this; 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, a serious beatdown that is easy to see. But there is a subtext here that you had to witness to understand. Nadal didn't just beat Federer, he took away his belief that he could win.
Nadal's power, pace, spin, and court coverage had Federer totally flummoxed and left him trying all sorts of bizarre drop shots to find any sort of opening, to say nothing of taking away any opportunity for Federer to attack the net. His massive backhand and unstoppable forehand had Federer out of position and totally frustrated all morning. His uncanny movement and relentless aggressiveness shattered any game plan of Federer's, leaving him vulnerable and frustrated.
You might say, having reviewed the match summary, that Federer made an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors, and therefore couldn't have been playing so well. This would be incorrect, because it was Nadal's shots that simply broke Federer down. He strikes the ball so cleanly and with so much spin, that it is just impossible to handle on clay. Federer's errors started and continued because Nadal drilled topspin upon topspin into his backhand, which crumbled like a house of cards.
Put simply, Nadal took a man who is one of the all-time greats and broke his spirit, which is unbelievable! Now, having packed away his 4th straight French Open title (he's now 28 for 28 at Roland Garros), Nadal heads towards Wimbledon, where it remains to be seen whether the size of his game will be enough to unseat Federer where he is most comfortable, on the grass.
Until then though, we must reflect on what happened this morning in Paris, because this sort of pure domination does not happen often.
Showing posts with label French Open 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label French Open 2008. Show all posts
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Ana Ivano-RICH-AS-HELL!
Ana Ivanovic picked up her first Grand Slam championship yesterday, and today she starts to pick up the fat checks that come with being young, beautiful, charismatic, and the French Open women's singles champion.
She's had a champion-size game for several years now, but for the first time she showed the grit and heart that it takes to win a tournament of this magnitude. Now, she has a huge amount of momentum and confidence heading into the grass-court season and Wimbledon. Oh yeah, and she's number one in the world to boot.
And oh my God, the money! Just you watch, next year when Forbes Magazine posts its list of top earning male and female athletes, Ivanovic will be there. She's got all the features that Madison Avenue will absolutely eat up, and a childhood story of hardship in war-torn Serbia that will make anyone and everyone her fan.
She's had a champion-size game for several years now, but for the first time she showed the grit and heart that it takes to win a tournament of this magnitude. Now, she has a huge amount of momentum and confidence heading into the grass-court season and Wimbledon. Oh yeah, and she's number one in the world to boot.
And oh my God, the money! Just you watch, next year when Forbes Magazine posts its list of top earning male and female athletes, Ivanovic will be there. She's got all the features that Madison Avenue will absolutely eat up, and a childhood story of hardship in war-torn Serbia that will make anyone and everyone her fan.
Friday, June 6, 2008
French Open: We Have Our Dream Final
Quick hits, then onto the goggle-eyed, bouncing-up-and-down, anticipation
Roger Federer defeated Gael Monfils in 4 sets in one French Open semi.
Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in 3 sets in the other semi.
Which means...
Federer vs Nadal. Sunday morning 6:00 PST on NBC. French Open Men's Singles Final.
YES!
It's really important for any and all sports fans to appreciate what's happening on Sunday morning. You don't have to have any particular affinity for tennis to enjoy the magnitude of this clash. These two men squaring off in competition is the equivalent of Ali/Frazier, McEnroe/Borg, Hearns/Hagler, really any of the great mano a mano rivalries of any generation.
These sorts of rivalries don't happen often, and they should be enjoyed by all who love sports.
On the one hand is Federer, with his easy grace, #1 ranking, and 12 Grand Slam titles, but still missing the last one to complete his resume; the French Open. Oh yeah, he's lost to Nadal there three straight years! This year, after a tough winter and spring, with multiple surprising losses and voices of doubt growing louder about how long he'll be on top, his very reputation is on the line here.
On the other hand is Nadal, with his mammoth arms, unbelievable fighting spirit, and 3 straight French Open titles. In fact, he's never lost at the French Open. Let me repeat that, because it's really an unfathomable thought. He has NEVER lost at Roland Garros. 27 for 27, he is. That's just, well, crazy. However, a loss would dampen that greatness, and people would likely begin to notice his lack of success on any other Grand Slam surface aside from clay, and more and more focus would shift to the ascendant Novak Djokovic as the man to unseat Roger the Great.
When these two meet, there is great respect between them, but they both have a clear understanding of what's on the line. Not only that, but neither one shies away from their clashes, in fact, they both seem to relish it, knowing that beating the other puts them at the very highest pinnacle of tennis. Finally, they both bring their absolute A game to their battles. There is never any whining, slowing down, or backing off.
No, this rivalry gives us the very best that tennis, and all of sports, can offer. The two best at what they do battling for a title with everything on the line. Sunday morning will give us a treat, I promise you, and I'm going out on a limb, and predicting that Federer will pull off the upset and claim his first French Open title. Can't wait to find out if I'm right!
Roger Federer defeated Gael Monfils in 4 sets in one French Open semi.
Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in 3 sets in the other semi.
Which means...
Federer vs Nadal. Sunday morning 6:00 PST on NBC. French Open Men's Singles Final.
YES!
It's really important for any and all sports fans to appreciate what's happening on Sunday morning. You don't have to have any particular affinity for tennis to enjoy the magnitude of this clash. These two men squaring off in competition is the equivalent of Ali/Frazier, McEnroe/Borg, Hearns/Hagler, really any of the great mano a mano rivalries of any generation.
These sorts of rivalries don't happen often, and they should be enjoyed by all who love sports.
On the one hand is Federer, with his easy grace, #1 ranking, and 12 Grand Slam titles, but still missing the last one to complete his resume; the French Open. Oh yeah, he's lost to Nadal there three straight years! This year, after a tough winter and spring, with multiple surprising losses and voices of doubt growing louder about how long he'll be on top, his very reputation is on the line here.
On the other hand is Nadal, with his mammoth arms, unbelievable fighting spirit, and 3 straight French Open titles. In fact, he's never lost at the French Open. Let me repeat that, because it's really an unfathomable thought. He has NEVER lost at Roland Garros. 27 for 27, he is. That's just, well, crazy. However, a loss would dampen that greatness, and people would likely begin to notice his lack of success on any other Grand Slam surface aside from clay, and more and more focus would shift to the ascendant Novak Djokovic as the man to unseat Roger the Great.
When these two meet, there is great respect between them, but they both have a clear understanding of what's on the line. Not only that, but neither one shies away from their clashes, in fact, they both seem to relish it, knowing that beating the other puts them at the very highest pinnacle of tennis. Finally, they both bring their absolute A game to their battles. There is never any whining, slowing down, or backing off.
No, this rivalry gives us the very best that tennis, and all of sports, can offer. The two best at what they do battling for a title with everything on the line. Sunday morning will give us a treat, I promise you, and I'm going out on a limb, and predicting that Federer will pull off the upset and claim his first French Open title. Can't wait to find out if I'm right!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
See Jess' Comments
I got a phone call at work today from Jess, who started off by telling me her morning had been ruined! Coffee spill, burned toast, missed alarm, what was it?
She was watching the tennis, and was totally captivated by the women's semifinal match between Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.
Now we've watched plenty of tennis together over the years, and Jess has quickly become an astute and insightful student of the game. This morning; however, was the first time she had settled into a match by herself. And that's really cool.
I didn't get to see any of what turned out to be a tremendous battle, but Jess gave me a fantastic insight into the flow, the action, and the nerves of the players. What a cool wife I have!
Turns out Ivanovic won in three sets to advance to the final against Dinara Safina (didn't some blogger predict that just last night?) She also claimed the #1 ranking from Maria Sharapova, and has a chance to cement it Saturday morning.
I'll be at work, but Jess will be watching!
She was watching the tennis, and was totally captivated by the women's semifinal match between Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic.
Now we've watched plenty of tennis together over the years, and Jess has quickly become an astute and insightful student of the game. This morning; however, was the first time she had settled into a match by herself. And that's really cool.
I didn't get to see any of what turned out to be a tremendous battle, but Jess gave me a fantastic insight into the flow, the action, and the nerves of the players. What a cool wife I have!
Turns out Ivanovic won in three sets to advance to the final against Dinara Safina (didn't some blogger predict that just last night?) She also claimed the #1 ranking from Maria Sharapova, and has a chance to cement it Saturday morning.
I'll be at work, but Jess will be watching!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
French Open Semifinals
Tomorrow morning brings us the women's semifinals, featuring an all-Russian slugfest between the surging Dinara Safina and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the first match, followed by a pair of Serbians, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic.
All tourney, the women's draw has been wide open, and now that we're down to the final four, that is ever-more the truth. It's all going to come down to who wants it more and who is ready to step up and win break points, set points, and match points. Opportunity beckons, ladies.
I'm going with Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina to make it to the finals, and it'll be Safina hoisting the champion's trophy Saturday morning. She's winning tough matches and big points, and that's the kind of backbone it'll take to win.
On the men's side, there are a pair of dream semifinals for us to enjoy on Friday. Honestly, I couldn't think of two more delicious matchups.
First up is Rafa Nadal vs Novak Djokovic. This needs no embellishment from me, except DON'T MISS IT!
Second is Roger Federer vs Gael Monfils. Federer has played brilliantly all tournament, and now faces the enigmatic Monfils. This kid is long, fit, and incredibly talented. The knock on him has been his inability to put all his tools together. This tourney; however, looks quite different, as he absolutely dismantled David Ferrer today in the quarters.
Here's the X-factor, Monfils is French.
This means a wild atmosphere on Friday in Paris. It's been 25 years since a Frenchman won, and 8 years since the last French semifinalist. Federer has always had an easy time with Monfils, but this will be a different player in an entirely different setting.
Predictions: Nadal pushes past Djokovic into the finals where he will face Federer in the dream championship match.
I have my thoughts about the winner of this duel, but I don't want to jinx anything, so let's wait until the final is set.
TV times for the semifinals:
-tomorrow at 9:00AM Pacific on ESPN 2 (both women's semifinal matches)
-Friday at 7:00AM Pacific on NBC (first men's semifinal), then switching over to ESPN at either 9 or 10AM for the second semifinal
And remember that matches can be watched live online for free at tennischannel.com
All tourney, the women's draw has been wide open, and now that we're down to the final four, that is ever-more the truth. It's all going to come down to who wants it more and who is ready to step up and win break points, set points, and match points. Opportunity beckons, ladies.
I'm going with Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina to make it to the finals, and it'll be Safina hoisting the champion's trophy Saturday morning. She's winning tough matches and big points, and that's the kind of backbone it'll take to win.
On the men's side, there are a pair of dream semifinals for us to enjoy on Friday. Honestly, I couldn't think of two more delicious matchups.
First up is Rafa Nadal vs Novak Djokovic. This needs no embellishment from me, except DON'T MISS IT!
Second is Roger Federer vs Gael Monfils. Federer has played brilliantly all tournament, and now faces the enigmatic Monfils. This kid is long, fit, and incredibly talented. The knock on him has been his inability to put all his tools together. This tourney; however, looks quite different, as he absolutely dismantled David Ferrer today in the quarters.
Here's the X-factor, Monfils is French.
This means a wild atmosphere on Friday in Paris. It's been 25 years since a Frenchman won, and 8 years since the last French semifinalist. Federer has always had an easy time with Monfils, but this will be a different player in an entirely different setting.
Predictions: Nadal pushes past Djokovic into the finals where he will face Federer in the dream championship match.
I have my thoughts about the winner of this duel, but I don't want to jinx anything, so let's wait until the final is set.
TV times for the semifinals:
-tomorrow at 9:00AM Pacific on ESPN 2 (both women's semifinal matches)
-Friday at 7:00AM Pacific on NBC (first men's semifinal), then switching over to ESPN at either 9 or 10AM for the second semifinal
And remember that matches can be watched live online for free at tennischannel.com
Monday, June 2, 2008
What's Nick Bolletierri Made Of?
So we just tuned in to catch some of today's highlights and there's the ubiquitous Nick Bolletierri on TV babbling about why the French Open is so great. For those who don't know, Bolletierri runs a famous tennis academy in Florida and made a name for himself as Andre Agassi's first coach. As with any tennis coach, Bolletierri is quite tan...
Bolletierri closed his monologue by saying something like "the red clay Grand Slam is one of the best ever"
Jess, my ever-awesome wife, responded to this in perfect deadpan fashion...
"He looks like he's made of red clay!"
Had to post this immediately, because this was way too good to go under the "Why Jess is Cool" sidebar.
Bolletierri closed his monologue by saying something like "the red clay Grand Slam is one of the best ever"Jess, my ever-awesome wife, responded to this in perfect deadpan fashion...
"He looks like he's made of red clay!"
Had to post this immediately, because this was way too good to go under the "Why Jess is Cool" sidebar.
There For The Taking, and GAAK!
So take an imaginary tennis player, give her set in the bag, up 5-2 in the second set, a match point at 5-3 in the second set, a 5-2 lead in the second set tiebreaker.
Two ways for this match to go...
1. Said player slams the door and capitalizes on one (of many) opportunities to close out the match.
2. Player gets into own head and, as the above trend demonstrates, starts letting chances slip away.
If you pick #1, you're into the French Open quarterfinals
If you pick #2, you get caught in that all too common tennis phenomenon; the choke.
Unfortunately for her current French Open and career Grand Slam aspirations, Maria Sharapova opted for the latter pathway, and like any other tennis player who has lost confidence and gained frustration, completely fell apart and lost 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 to Dinara Safina.
You can look at the score and think "what a tight match" but if you look at the above flow of events in the match, and note that Sharapova lost the final four games of the third set, the magnitude of the collapse is clear.
Now, Sharapova is no naif when it comes to winning big matches, but clearly she could see the implications of a victory: one step closer to a career Grand Slam, cementing number one ranking, tennis immortality on the horizon.
Even with her championship pedigree, those stakes were too much.
This is not to imply that the woman who beat her, Dinara Safina, is some schlub with a racket. She has actually been playing inspired tennis the last few months. However, when a match teeters on victory one way, then rapidly swings the other, that's usually because someone is collapsing above the shoulders.
As the third set got out of control, Sharapova's normally loud grunts reached epic volume, prompting some whistles and boos from the French fans. I think if they could sense the fear, frustation, and anxiety behind them as the match slipped away, it would be clear that she was yelling for help.
Safina wouldn't help her by making bad decisions or getting tight herself, her father couldn't help her with his various antics, and her game completely abandoned her. So Maria has to figure out how to move on, because Wimbledon is a few weeks away, and she'll be favored there as well.
Two ways for this match to go...
1. Said player slams the door and capitalizes on one (of many) opportunities to close out the match.
2. Player gets into own head and, as the above trend demonstrates, starts letting chances slip away.
If you pick #1, you're into the French Open quarterfinals
If you pick #2, you get caught in that all too common tennis phenomenon; the choke.
Unfortunately for her current French Open and career Grand Slam aspirations, Maria Sharapova opted for the latter pathway, and like any other tennis player who has lost confidence and gained frustration, completely fell apart and lost 6-7, 7-6, 6-2 to Dinara Safina.
You can look at the score and think "what a tight match" but if you look at the above flow of events in the match, and note that Sharapova lost the final four games of the third set, the magnitude of the collapse is clear.
Now, Sharapova is no naif when it comes to winning big matches, but clearly she could see the implications of a victory: one step closer to a career Grand Slam, cementing number one ranking, tennis immortality on the horizon.
Even with her championship pedigree, those stakes were too much.
This is not to imply that the woman who beat her, Dinara Safina, is some schlub with a racket. She has actually been playing inspired tennis the last few months. However, when a match teeters on victory one way, then rapidly swings the other, that's usually because someone is collapsing above the shoulders.
As the third set got out of control, Sharapova's normally loud grunts reached epic volume, prompting some whistles and boos from the French fans. I think if they could sense the fear, frustation, and anxiety behind them as the match slipped away, it would be clear that she was yelling for help.
Safina wouldn't help her by making bad decisions or getting tight herself, her father couldn't help her with his various antics, and her game completely abandoned her. So Maria has to figure out how to move on, because Wimbledon is a few weeks away, and she'll be favored there as well.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
More French, More!
So we're at the first weekend of the French Open; the halfway point, the turn, the middle, etc. We're about to transition from rounds that begin with numbers (1st, 2nd, etc) to those beginning with fractions (quarters, semis). Basically we're getting into the heart of the tourney.
This time around, and for the first time since 2003, there's an American man still alive in the singles. Robby Ginepri, affectionately referred to in our household as "Gineps", bounced Frenchman Florent Serra today in straight sets to advance to the round of 16 (fourth round). In doing this, he also clinched himself a spot on the US Olympic Team and guaranteed plenty of questions, as well as an endorsement opportunity, about what was on his right arm.
On the women's side, this is looking more and more like Maria Sharapova's tournament to lose. Her draw is wide open and she's starting to pick up steam with a 7-6, 6-0 victory today over Karin "boy, do I need a" Knapp. Not only would a victory cement her number one ranking (as predicted here in my Aussie Open preview in Jan) but would give her a career Grand Slam at the age of 21!
Roger the Great is also in the legacy-cementing game and chasing the career Grand Slam, and he is playing like this is the year to claim it. With uber-coach Jose Higueras in his corner, it looks like Fed has finally realized that an aggressive, attacking game is the answer on clay, and he is absolutely crushing people, today being no different with an easy 3 set victory over Mario Ancic. As a lifelong Andre Agassi fan, watching others chase the career Grand Slam and come up short (McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Sampras, Courier and on and on) helps me appreciate what an incredible achievement it is to win one of each Slams. One day I need to write a big Agassi post... My favorite part of today's action; however, was watching the five-set battle between 4th seed Nikolay Davydenko and 28th seed Ivan Ljubicic. Anyone who says tennis is a young man's game, that players are at their best until they're in their mid twenties, need only have watched these two slug it out to be given some doubt. Seriously, I don't think there is a full head of hair between them! Check out pics here and here.
Tomorrow, the first quarterfinalists will make themselves known, with the marquee 4th round match being Novak Djokovic vs 18th seed Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu. Check your TV schedules so you don't miss any action, but if you do, know that your faithful blogger will be here with all the pertinent details!
This time around, and for the first time since 2003, there's an American man still alive in the singles. Robby Ginepri, affectionately referred to in our household as "Gineps", bounced Frenchman Florent Serra today in straight sets to advance to the round of 16 (fourth round). In doing this, he also clinched himself a spot on the US Olympic Team and guaranteed plenty of questions, as well as an endorsement opportunity, about what was on his right arm.
On the women's side, this is looking more and more like Maria Sharapova's tournament to lose. Her draw is wide open and she's starting to pick up steam with a 7-6, 6-0 victory today over Karin "boy, do I need a" Knapp. Not only would a victory cement her number one ranking (as predicted here in my Aussie Open preview in Jan) but would give her a career Grand Slam at the age of 21!
Roger the Great is also in the legacy-cementing game and chasing the career Grand Slam, and he is playing like this is the year to claim it. With uber-coach Jose Higueras in his corner, it looks like Fed has finally realized that an aggressive, attacking game is the answer on clay, and he is absolutely crushing people, today being no different with an easy 3 set victory over Mario Ancic. As a lifelong Andre Agassi fan, watching others chase the career Grand Slam and come up short (McEnroe, Lendl, Becker, Edberg, Sampras, Courier and on and on) helps me appreciate what an incredible achievement it is to win one of each Slams. One day I need to write a big Agassi post... My favorite part of today's action; however, was watching the five-set battle between 4th seed Nikolay Davydenko and 28th seed Ivan Ljubicic. Anyone who says tennis is a young man's game, that players are at their best until they're in their mid twenties, need only have watched these two slug it out to be given some doubt. Seriously, I don't think there is a full head of hair between them! Check out pics here and here.
Tomorrow, the first quarterfinalists will make themselves known, with the marquee 4th round match being Novak Djokovic vs 18th seed Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu. Check your TV schedules so you don't miss any action, but if you do, know that your faithful blogger will be here with all the pertinent details!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Odesnik Watch Day 5
The trivia question asked in my post earlier has an answer below. The question again was, how many times have both Williams sisters lost on the same day at a Grand Slam?
As was posited yesterday, erstwhile American grinder Wayne Odesnik is out of the French Open, after getting crunched by Novak Djokovic. Not to worry, though, as Wayne Odesnik's name will hopefully pop again on your radar either at a tennis tournament or in a game of JUMBLE (I can get YON KIDS WEAN. I guess children in the distance are no longer suckling. Anyway, if you look at the time that this post goes up, you'll see why things are a bit strange)
Other French bits 'n pieces:
-4 Frenchmen advance
-Andy Murray is out (thank goodness, he's a pain)
-Bethanie Mattek learned how to dress, and got a set off Maria Sharapova
-Rafael Nadal is just killing everyone in his path
-Alize Cornet lost, but still looks like Cleopatra
Trivia answer: zero (I'm pretty sure)
As was posited yesterday, erstwhile American grinder Wayne Odesnik is out of the French Open, after getting crunched by Novak Djokovic. Not to worry, though, as Wayne Odesnik's name will hopefully pop again on your radar either at a tennis tournament or in a game of JUMBLE (I can get YON KIDS WEAN. I guess children in the distance are no longer suckling. Anyway, if you look at the time that this post goes up, you'll see why things are a bit strange)
Other French bits 'n pieces:
-4 Frenchmen advance
-Andy Murray is out (thank goodness, he's a pain)
-Bethanie Mattek learned how to dress, and got a set off Maria Sharapova
-Rafael Nadal is just killing everyone in his path
-Alize Cornet lost, but still looks like Cleopatra
Trivia answer: zero (I'm pretty sure)
Friday, May 30, 2008
Breaking French Open News
OK, so if this post was on TV right now, you have to imagine intense bass-centric music, colorful graphics moving and twirling around your screen, and a severe-looking announcer telling you "We have breaking news..." because The Tipsy Historian has BREAKING NEWS!
Today at the French Open, Serena Williams lost her third round match to Katerina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-4. Williams had been many pundit's choice to win this Justine Henin-free event.
"So what, Tipsy Historian" you might be saying. "I already saw that news on ESPN.com"
Yeah, well, here's the (cue music, lights, and graphics) BREAKING NEWS! Venus Williams just lost as well, 7-5, 6-3. This news is so fresh, I don't even know the first name of the woman who beat her, so for now it's F. Panetta of Italy. This news is so brand-spanking new, Venus has barely made her way off the court. So hot I can barely touch my keyboard!
Stay tuned here for further bulletins, and talking heads discussing the potential names for the woman who beat Venus, because if it's Frank, Fred, or Fabricio (thanks, Jess), we've got a scandal on our hands!
Also, anyone know the last time both Williams sisters lost on the same day at a Grand Slam?
Today at the French Open, Serena Williams lost her third round match to Katerina Srebotnik 6-4, 6-4. Williams had been many pundit's choice to win this Justine Henin-free event.
"So what, Tipsy Historian" you might be saying. "I already saw that news on ESPN.com"
Yeah, well, here's the (cue music, lights, and graphics) BREAKING NEWS! Venus Williams just lost as well, 7-5, 6-3. This news is so fresh, I don't even know the first name of the woman who beat her, so for now it's F. Panetta of Italy. This news is so brand-spanking new, Venus has barely made her way off the court. So hot I can barely touch my keyboard!
Stay tuned here for further bulletins, and talking heads discussing the potential names for the woman who beat Venus, because if it's Frank, Fred, or Fabricio (thanks, Jess), we've got a scandal on our hands!
Also, anyone know the last time both Williams sisters lost on the same day at a Grand Slam?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Odesnik Watch, Day 4
So this Grand Slam, because so many names are moving right through the draw and so many Americans are washing out in the standard fashion (nice work today James Blake, you lost to the 80th ranked player in the world), we're going to take at least this first week to follow players who go largely unsung.
On the men's side, it's Wayne Odesnik, he of the 4 hour three set first round match. He didn't have to wait long to play his second round match, and didn't have to play too long before he dispatched Taiwan's Hyung Taik-Lee to advance to the second round.
I'm not sure how much we'll have to say about him after tomorrow, except maybe some thoughts about getting to the airport on time, because he faces #3 seed Novak Djokovic. That's a tough road, but also the opportunity of a lifetime. Here's to The Big O pulling of the upset of the year tomorrow!
For the ladies, we must focus on Alize Cornet, who is the tournament's 19th seed and has a nose that is, well, Cleopatra-esque. Best of all, she's French, and any Gallic hope in the home tourney is a big deal. The whole country went ballistic when Yannick Noah won in 1983, so here's to a Frenchwoman pulling off the same feat 25 years later. She'll be in action tomorrow.
On the men's side, it's Wayne Odesnik, he of the 4 hour three set first round match. He didn't have to wait long to play his second round match, and didn't have to play too long before he dispatched Taiwan's Hyung Taik-Lee to advance to the second round.
I'm not sure how much we'll have to say about him after tomorrow, except maybe some thoughts about getting to the airport on time, because he faces #3 seed Novak Djokovic. That's a tough road, but also the opportunity of a lifetime. Here's to The Big O pulling of the upset of the year tomorrow!
For the ladies, we must focus on Alize Cornet, who is the tournament's 19th seed and has a nose that is, well, Cleopatra-esque. Best of all, she's French, and any Gallic hope in the home tourney is a big deal. The whole country went ballistic when Yannick Noah won in 1983, so here's to a Frenchwoman pulling off the same feat 25 years later. She'll be in action tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Free French Open Viewing Online
Sorry, forgot to post this link...
The Tennis Channel is offering free live streaming coverage online of the French Open. Just go to tennischannel.com and follow the link on the homepage.
The Tennis Channel is offering free live streaming coverage online of the French Open. Just go to tennischannel.com and follow the link on the homepage.
Three Days on Clay...
...and very little to show for it. As is becoming an annoying feature of the two Grand Slams played on "the Continent", the early summer rain is the lead theme of the French Open thus far.
After three days of play, the 1st round is just over 1/2 completed. Tomorrow was supposed to kick off the 2nd round action, but instead, matches scheduled for yesterday with either be finished, or, in a few cases, begun.
Ugh!
These weather delays do two things that are profoundly detrimental to the tourney:
1. all the energy and momentum that comes with a Grand Slam kicking off gets sapped away. It's really annoying to sit down to a day of action and find matches being replayed or commentators babbling away.
2. the back-log of matches causes a terrific rush to get everything back on schedule. Unless bad weather persists, which it very well might, the tournament end-date remains the same. This means that matches get crammed together on back-to-back days. Everyone that followed Wimbledon last year remembers the crushing schedule to get the tourney finished on time. The Nadal-Djokovic semifinal ended with Djokovic defaulting in the 3rd set, and the next day in the final (which proved to be a classic), every commentator and writer espoused the view that playing on consecutive days may have cost Nadal the championship. The French is in a similar situation, and with matches lasting longer and taking a greater physical toll on players, this is shaping up to be a battle of attrition.
So what to do? Well, Wimbledon is putting a retractable roof over Centre Court, but it doesn't seem like Roland Garros has any such plans. So we're left with a two week tournament collapsing into 10 days, perhaps less.
There have been some interesting results, none better than American Wayne Odesnik's three set, 4 hour tie-breakerathon win over 29th seed Guillermo Canas. Odesnik only got into the tourney through the USTA's exchange program with the French equivalent, but took advantage of the opportunity. Not only did he take out a seeded, clay-court specialist, but did it in three tiebreakers. Best of all, he broke through a serious mental block that had been plaguing him in big matches. Just last month, he had multiple match points in Houston to advance to his first ATP tournament final, but coughed them up and lost in three sets. Not so against Canas, and the 23 year old got through with probably the biggest victory of his career.
His second round match against Taiwan's Hyung Taik Lee will, at the rate things are going, get started sometime in June.
After three days of play, the 1st round is just over 1/2 completed. Tomorrow was supposed to kick off the 2nd round action, but instead, matches scheduled for yesterday with either be finished, or, in a few cases, begun.
Ugh!
These weather delays do two things that are profoundly detrimental to the tourney:
1. all the energy and momentum that comes with a Grand Slam kicking off gets sapped away. It's really annoying to sit down to a day of action and find matches being replayed or commentators babbling away.
2. the back-log of matches causes a terrific rush to get everything back on schedule. Unless bad weather persists, which it very well might, the tournament end-date remains the same. This means that matches get crammed together on back-to-back days. Everyone that followed Wimbledon last year remembers the crushing schedule to get the tourney finished on time. The Nadal-Djokovic semifinal ended with Djokovic defaulting in the 3rd set, and the next day in the final (which proved to be a classic), every commentator and writer espoused the view that playing on consecutive days may have cost Nadal the championship. The French is in a similar situation, and with matches lasting longer and taking a greater physical toll on players, this is shaping up to be a battle of attrition.
So what to do? Well, Wimbledon is putting a retractable roof over Centre Court, but it doesn't seem like Roland Garros has any such plans. So we're left with a two week tournament collapsing into 10 days, perhaps less.
There have been some interesting results, none better than American Wayne Odesnik's three set, 4 hour tie-breakerathon win over 29th seed Guillermo Canas. Odesnik only got into the tourney through the USTA's exchange program with the French equivalent, but took advantage of the opportunity. Not only did he take out a seeded, clay-court specialist, but did it in three tiebreakers. Best of all, he broke through a serious mental block that had been plaguing him in big matches. Just last month, he had multiple match points in Houston to advance to his first ATP tournament final, but coughed them up and lost in three sets. Not so against Canas, and the 23 year old got through with probably the biggest victory of his career.
His second round match against Taiwan's Hyung Taik Lee will, at the rate things are going, get started sometime in June.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
French Open 2008
Hours away, just hours away now. The French Open 2008 is about to get rolling.
The draws are out, the seeds are unveiled. The wags and experts are postulating and promulgating their picks, favorites, and upset specials.
Everyone is gearing up for a Grand Slam that has an unbelievable energy and anticipation around it, and two burning questions powering it.
On the men's side, all eyes are upon top seed Roger Federer and defending champ Rafael Nadal. All eyes are still burning with images of their classic final in Hamburg last week. All ears are buzzing with talk about Federer losing a step. All minds are boggled by Nadal 100 wins in 101 matches on clay.
All hopes are for a Federer-Nadal final two weeks from tomorrow. That match is what we want, that level of greatness on that stage. Beyond that, who cares what happens?
For the ladies, there is a void at the top that must be filled. The surprise retirement of world number one and defending champion Justine Henin has left the opportunity of a lifetime for whichever woman has the mettle to grab it. Will it be Maria Sharapova and her balky shoulder? Can Ana Ivanovic or Jelena Jankovic overcome their perpetual Grand Slam yips and finally break through? Is it Serena Willams' time to reclaim the #1 ranking she surrendered when her commitment wavered?
Oh yes, there is a great deal riding on this tournament. There are legacies, promises, reputations in the balance.
For those of us ready to soak up this drama, there will be a huge quantity of this event on television. There will be plenty of posts here on tourney happenings, interesting links, and my thoughts. So without further ado (and to borrow from The Chairman on "Iron Chef America")...ALLEZ TENNIS!
The draws are out, the seeds are unveiled. The wags and experts are postulating and promulgating their picks, favorites, and upset specials.
Everyone is gearing up for a Grand Slam that has an unbelievable energy and anticipation around it, and two burning questions powering it.
On the men's side, all eyes are upon top seed Roger Federer and defending champ Rafael Nadal. All eyes are still burning with images of their classic final in Hamburg last week. All ears are buzzing with talk about Federer losing a step. All minds are boggled by Nadal 100 wins in 101 matches on clay.
All hopes are for a Federer-Nadal final two weeks from tomorrow. That match is what we want, that level of greatness on that stage. Beyond that, who cares what happens?
For the ladies, there is a void at the top that must be filled. The surprise retirement of world number one and defending champion Justine Henin has left the opportunity of a lifetime for whichever woman has the mettle to grab it. Will it be Maria Sharapova and her balky shoulder? Can Ana Ivanovic or Jelena Jankovic overcome their perpetual Grand Slam yips and finally break through? Is it Serena Willams' time to reclaim the #1 ranking she surrendered when her commitment wavered?
Oh yes, there is a great deal riding on this tournament. There are legacies, promises, reputations in the balance.
For those of us ready to soak up this drama, there will be a huge quantity of this event on television. There will be plenty of posts here on tourney happenings, interesting links, and my thoughts. So without further ado (and to borrow from The Chairman on "Iron Chef America")...ALLEZ TENNIS!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
