Nadal Wins; Federer, Roddick Saturday at French Open

Nadal will loose in RG, so the king of clay is Roger.

May 30th, 2009 at 5:11 am

sumantri don’t mess up the present tense with the future ,Nadal IS the current King of Clay

May 30th, 2009 at 6:08 am

Roddick is playing really well against Giquel. It loooks like he is going on to his best showing here. They said that Andy has not faced a break point in this tournament. That is quite impressive.
I see Haas hung on to win. It was looking a bit dicey for a minute but he came through.

May 30th, 2009 at 7:50 am

It would be incredible if Roddick made a great run in Paris. He’s really easy to root for – he works very hard and he’s a good guy. Does a lot for his Foundation, gives honest interviews, busts his tail on the court. Fans can also find him at Great Friends Greetings (http://www.greatfriendsgreetings.com), a unique little personalized greeting card/gift thing. Worth checking out.

May 30th, 2009 at 8:18 am

Hey von: your Andy R is looking mighty fine! Sam Smith said he was “like a fine french wine, getting better with age.” Thought you’d like that one. However, I’m puzzled and perhaps MMT can answer this one. John LLoyd said Andy had not changed his game for clay at all. Big serve, impressive forehand etc and yet here he is in last 16 of F.O. So is the hype about “being a clay court specialist” and “adapting your game to clay” etc etc just a load of baloney to put the opposition off? I know it’s hot and sunny and the courts are faster, but it can’t be just that can it? Explain please.

May 30th, 2009 at 8:39 am

Yeah Andy is playing well on clay! Seems to be in better form than Federer at the moment too.

May 30th, 2009 at 9:47 am

Andy is indeed playing well. I wonder if that has more to do with his coach (who was Fernando Gonzalez’s) showing him how to play on clay, or because his opposition so far has been pathetic.

I think it’s the latter. Giquel was terrible. Neverless, an impressive win for Andy.

May 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am

Djoker lost his 1st set after leading a break up and losing 4 games in a row. … Kohls playing great… interesting match.

May 30th, 2009 at 11:10 am

Oh, no! come on Djoko!
I want you to play the semis with Federer!

Congratulations to Roddick. First time in the second week of RG. He wanted it and made it happen. not to mention he won a French in straight sets!

The French crowd is really noisy. When French players are on court, it is like a Davis Cup match. But it is interesting. I did not see Roddick’s match, but watched the last set of Monfils-Melzer match. Monfils’s movement and ball retreival skills are amazing. I think his match with Roddick will be a great one to watch. Can’t pick a favorite yet.

May 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am

this is funny. I watched the match last night. She is LOUD!

****Aravane Rezai complains about Michelle Larcher de Brito’s grunting during their third-round match, won 7-6(3), 6-2 by Rezai.

“I said [to the umpire], ‘She’s shouting too loud, there’s a limit. You can’t really shout that way,” said Rezai….****

the rest:
http://tennis.com/news/ticker.aspx

May 30th, 2009 at 11:24 am

YY,
I am not sure if Roddick is playing better than Federer on clay right now. But he is doing really well, considering he only played one clay tournamentbefore RG. I like the hard work he put in and I am glad he is getting some results.
Roddick comes to FO with no pressure. If he meets Fed in the QF, it can be really helpful for him.

May 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Djokovic has already been broken in the second set. If he loses today, we’ll have the unexpected situation of Murray (and Roddick) going deeper in the tournament than the Serb.
And Serena is trailing 4-2 against Martinez Sanchez, so she (Serena)hasn’t got her formidable a-s in gear yet!

May 30th, 2009 at 11:32 am

Djoke is in big trouble.
Cue the trainer!

May 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am

what is going on with Djoko?
Come on boy, wake up!

The tennischanneltv is not showing the matches because NBC is supposed to show them. and NBC has decided to show children’s program now! oh man!

May 30th, 2009 at 11:36 am

Serena is also behind in her first set!

May 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am

Now Djokovic has to serve to stay in the second set! What’s the weather like in Paris? Is the heat getting to him?

May 30th, 2009 at 11:46 am

Djoko-Kohli match:
http://www.fromsport.com/video-29940.html

Fed-PMH match:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/igtv2

Fed alredy with BP on PHM’s serve!

May 30th, 2009 at 11:49 am

Congrats to Roddick! I see we’ll get that Tsonga vs/ Del Po match which should be fun.

I am not surprised about Djoko; if he goes out today, which it’s looking like he will, I saw signs of it in his last match, and I mentioned then that it wouldn’t matter much whose side of the draw he’s on if he continues to play like that. He was not playing well. Very disappointing after an excellent clay season until now. There is no way he’ll reach the semis even if he somehow wins 3 sets in a row, which he won’t. Bye Djoko – see you on grass.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

What’s happening with Djoko?! I can’ see the match. Is he playing that bad or what?

May 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

Fed’s forehand is particularly solid today. His on the run forehand under attack is working fine.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

Djoko, it will be difficult to come back from 2 sets down. But it has happened before, Fed came back in this situation in the AO. That fitness thing djoko was talking about need to use it now.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Fed wasted a lot of break points and now it’s 0-40.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:16 pm

First break of the match goes to PHM!

May 30th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Oh! Break of serve, let’s see if he decides to break right back.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Djoko started to play better towards the end of the second set. We will see how it goes.
Kohli is a good player, but Djoko has played a great clay season. He shouldn’t go out now.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Daniel it’s a combination of things: his serve is off, he’s getting pulverized on second serves, he can’t seem to read/return Kohls’ serve, he’s making WAY too many ues (unsuccessful at net), he’s at 32 ues and its only the beginning of the second set. So that’s all. Bad day at the office for Djoko. Meanwhile, Kohls is playing well.

I am really sad for Djoko, and i expected more given the clay season he’s had, but if he can’t play his best when it truly matters then that’s they way the cookie crumbles. : (

I will throw my support behind the Andys and maybe Tsonga too since he’s been playing well and I love to watch him. Maybe we’ll have one (or two) surprise finalists.

I see Fed’s struggling a bit too. But Fed can rise up.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Jane,
You never know. I can’t see Djoko’s match, but from the scoreboard it seems that he is playing better in the third set.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

Federer lost 1st set. PHM is swinging…wow, what a day !!

May 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

PHM wins the first set… not looking good.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

zola, too little too late. Even if Djoko somehow gets it together, I just can’t seen him winning 3 straight sets if Kohls is playing well. That’s just how it goes. Not all players are iron men like Rafa. : )

Mathieu played a confident first set.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Jane
**Not all players are iron men like Rafa. : )***

lol!
I think Djoko has changed a bit this year. In previous years he relied more on his reserves. This year he seems to fight a bit more. Let’s wait and see. 4 all in the third set.

And Fed has the first break in the second set.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:41 pm

and Serena has the break in the deciding set.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Fed fans needn’t worry. PHM has a long history of choking. He just now gave his serve away to start the 2nd Set. He’ll have some occasional brilliance, and might even force it to five sets, but his customary choking is almost as certain as the sunrise.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Break point Kohl, things are nit good for Djoko. He has to remeber who he is!

May 30th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Kohl serving for the match

May 30th, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Khols serving for match. Well kudos to him.

Djoko – sad for you… back to the drawing board.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Voicemale1, “He’ll have some occasional brilliance” That’s the way with so many of the French players. I mean PHM is more streaky than Tsonga, but even Tsonga can be up and down. Monfils, Gasquet, same with them. Just not sure why this is. We’ve talked about it before, whether they’re not hungry enough or what’s up.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Kohlschrieber wins… wow, the draws just got completely opened.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm

OMG! I just came back to see Kohli won Djoko!

Jane,
Sorry for that. I was really looking for a Djoko-Fed semi. He had a great run on clay this season. Pitty to go out so soon.

Yes, I think Tsonga-DelPotro will be a very good one. I am impartial. I don’t like either of them!

May 30th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

seems a different PHM is playing in the second set. balls go everywhere but the other side of the net!

May 30th, 2009 at 12:53 pm

Sh**t! Djoko lost. Now he will be further away from the top 3. Well, at least he has Wimby to make up the missing points.
But this is a very bad loss, maybe he felt the effects of too much play on cay this year. That match in Madrid with Nadal must have spent 1/4 of his energy for the whole year, physically and mentally.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

I sometimes think that it’s a mental thing with Djoko – big stage, pressure (i.e. people expecting him to get to final etc) and then he loses. I don’t know. But I do believe that sometimes the other player just clicks too. Khols is totally grooved; he just had a great match with Ferrero so he was ready to go in this match. Djoko had a retirement and a suspension so I don’t think he got into a rhythm at this event. That’s not an excuse, just the truth. He still lost to the better player on the day.

But that said, Djoko needs to rise up in these occasions rather than go away.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:54 pm

Fed takes the second set 6-1…. much better.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:55 pm

Djoko Fans..big sorry. He did very well leading up to this. The commentators here say maybe he played too many matches?

By just looking at the draw you can never tell. Nobody thought Kohl will be dangerous, especially after finishing 5 sets with Ferrero yesterday.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

See guys. I told you that looking too deep into the draw before the tournament even begins is pretty pointless.

This is a HUGE upset. It’s not like he lost to a clay court specialist. He lost to Kolshreiber, someone who thirves on fast courts (I like Kol btw), and he beat Djoko convincingly. Can’t wait to hear what Novak has to say.

I look forward to a Fed vs. Tsonga semi.

Fed just won the second set in a breeze. Mathieu is playing with the right stategy but his execution is letting him down.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

Sure fact: Del Potro or Tsonga will be in the semis which will be great for either one of them, a very good boost in ranking points! DelPo will consolidated his n. 5 and Tsonga will rize cause last year he didn’t play RG nor Wimby.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

I can’t believe Nole lost. I am so disappointed. Nole had nothing, no energy nothing. He did not look like the person we saw during the clay court season. I agree with the commentators–too many matches. Kohls stayed focused and solid.

May 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm

It’s about time Nadal and Djoko took a page out of Fed’s book: Only play master series 1000 events in the clay season. Nadal plays Barcalona, Nole plays Belgrade, and they’re pretty beat by the time the build up tounaments are finished, only difference is Nadal’s fitness is much better than Novak’s.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Its sad to see but I think djok is free falling rite now. From last wimbledon onwards his results in slams have been lower than in the previous years

wim 07 semi finalist , wim 08 3rd round
uso 07 finalist , uso 08 semi finals
ao 08 winner , ao 09 quarters
fo 08 semi finalist , fo 09 3rd round

The more he shows the no.1 finger during matches the more he is moving away from it.How ironic….

May 30th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Kimo,

Fed plays Basel every year because it is in his home town. I can’t blame Djoko or Rafa because they support their hometown tournaments. I think for Rafa, he can perhaps take a break after winning the tournament for five years. But it is harder for Djoko. They tried so hard to have a tournament in Serbia and his family organizes it!

I don’t know why Belgrade is on clay and at that time slot. I don’t know if they can change it to a better time.

But Djoko had a week after Madrid and he had a walkover here. I agree with Jane. The loss of rythm can be a big factor.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

Ryan,
who knows if having one finger up is showing the number 1 gesture. Didn’t Federer do that in Madrid?

May 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

What add more to the irony is that before RG the biggest question was on which half of the draw will Novak land.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Kimo, I agree with you. The problem is that Barcelona is Rafa’s “home” event and Belgrade is Djoko’s, and they fall during the clay season. Meanwhile, Fed also plays Basel but it comes at a much more opportune time. So it’s a bit difficult.

Ryan, that’s not good. But it’s true. I don’t know why that is but he better rethink things and discuss this with his team.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

zola, yes Fed did that in madrid; I saw a photo of it.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Djokovic will have a good Wimbledon. He gets an extra week to get used to grass again. It is sad to see him lose but he has been so consistent for more than a year (qf or better at 7 of the past 9 slams, Aussie Open and Masters Cup titles …) that he will bounce back.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

He finger was pointed at Mirka. It meant something like “I told you I could do it”.

It didn’t mean I’ll be no.1 soon. Nadal is too far ahead right now.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

I am looking at Fed-PHM stats. exactly the same UE number (18), but Fed has 44 winners to PHMs 33!

May 30th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

Kimo,
The photo I saw, his finger was up in the air. But wouldn’t it be the same for Djoko? Who knows who he was pointing his finger to and what it meant?

May 30th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

PHM-Fed….egalite! again!

May 30th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Dan Martin – thanks for the positive outlook on Djoko’s loss. Hope you’re right.

Fed’s forehand, as I think someone mentioned already, looks very solid today. He’s also hit some zinging backhand winners. He looks like a strong contender still.

I wonder if Tsonga gets to the semis and meets Fed how that would go. The one time they played Fed beat Tsonga easily, but I wonder if Tsonga could put up a challenge with crowd support. Mind you, the crowd is very supportive of Federer too.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

Huge hold for PHM. 4-3

May 30th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I’m a huge Fed fan, but I think Tsonga would be a tough match for Roger should they meet.

…but again I don’t wanna look too far ahead in the draw, we’re still in the 3rd round.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

That was odd! Fed missed a backhand!
PHM holds after a million “egalite”s.

Serena won her match.
I forgot Stosur who beat Dimentieva. It was sad to see Dokic go out like that while winning the match against Dimentieva. Seems Sam took over and finished the job.

She is a solid player.Very strong ground strokes.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

What is the lighting looking like at this time? Having top players play last makes sense, but I also think finishing matches makes sense too.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:33 pm

There was a lot of talk about whose side of the draw Novak was on and again, in a GS, it really didn’t matter. Didn’t he lose in the third round at Wimbledon in straight sets to Safin?

May 30th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Dan, there’s at least an hour of light remaining, but I agree. They’re making top player play way too late.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

I was definitely sadden to hear about Dokic injuring her back and having to retire. The poor girl has been through so much. Why can’t Dementieva do better at the slams. She is such a wonderful player, I can not understand why she does not have a GS title.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

Everyone was worried about Djokovic and maybe its Murray that Nadal should be worried about now.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

about Mathieu-Federer: is it just me, or have these two played very conservatively until now? How hot is it out there?

May 30th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

You could be right NachoF. Those players flying under the radar are the dangerous ones, it turns out. Murray is still a huge threat, and in my opinion, Tsonga could be also. Tsonga is streaky so it depends but this is his home event, he’s playing well, and he’s got nothing to lose.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

Fed broke in the first game of the fourth. Let’s wrap this up quickly Roger before the sun sets. :)

May 30th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

It was the same in AO. Everyone was worried about Murray and he did not make it to the semis. Seems like when it comes to slams, it is still Rafa and Fed.

Fed seems to have the match under control. The stupid NBC just started showing FO and the coverage will be 2-3 hours! shame!

AI
Dokic had an MRI in Paris which will determine how serious the injury was. She said it was a strange pain in her lower back.
I agree about Dimentieva. Such a wonderful player. Hopefully she’ll do better in Wimbly and US Open.

Have a nice day everyone.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:47 pm

Fed’s forehand has been on fire in the 2nd and third sets!!! He’s made only six UE in the last two sets!!!!

May 30th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

zola, that’s true, and similar to Djoko, Murray had played incredibly well leading up to the Australian Open and then he lost there to Verdasco in the Round of 16.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

Speaking of Murray, I believe he could usurp Federer’s number 2 status if Fed loses in the quarters and Murray goes deeper.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

Funny thing, Fed didn’t use a single drop shot today! Maybe as he know Mathieu is a big hitter he is trading backstrokes to sharpen his game when he faces Nadal. Sometimes they are really punishing the ball on the forehand side.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:53 pm

Zola-
So true I was thinking the same thing about Murray I was so confident that he would win AO, never materialized. It is not easy to get through all these rounds. Hopefully Nole gets the rest he needs and comes back strong for the grass court season.

May 30th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Mathieu is coming back…..

May 30th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

jane: just heard news, commiserations. Novak had been playing so well. By the way,from another thread, is media a collective noun?!
Don’t know about Andy M’s chances tomorrow Cilic is on fire. He’s achieved his goal for this tournament whatever happens anyway.
Saw Monfils’ match. I know he pumps something rotten but I think he’s wonderful! Apparently he’s got a new coach and he looked really terrific. He was retrieving everything and his athleticism was joyful. Expect one particular shot will find its way to utube. Go look people and enjoy!

May 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Best point of the match!

May 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Wow, Fed won a point saving an impossible ball! Mathieu is in the groove again.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Ps apparently Novak said court was playing like a hard court which, if same tomorrow, would help Andy M. I guess.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

Replay of that awsome point!

May 30th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

Yeah it was pretty similar…. Fed breaks again!.. lets hope hes able to hold this time

May 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

hi margot – thanks. Sad, that. I am cheering for the Andys now! It’s true Cilic has been playing well but Andy has more experience. Tsonga is still a big threat.

“By the way, from another thread, is media a collective noun?!”

Good question. A medium, like t.v., internet, etc, is singlular, so when used in that context, then yes, media is collective to signify all types of media. On the other hand, sometimes I think media is used metonymically for the press, in which case it is meant to be singular.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:13 pm

I was really looking forward to Djokovic Federer in the Semis. To bad….

There has been a lot of talk about him having played so many clay matches contributing to fitness issues. Has he played more than Rafa? I know many speculate about Rafa breaking down cause of the way he plays.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Fed looks like 2006 now! Amazing shots from all over the court.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Daniel, the thing is, we dont need Federer from 2006…. we already know he wont beat Nadal on a 5 set clay match…. we need Federer from Madrid 09!… but Im sure Federer from 2006 can take care of Mathieu! ;)

May 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Totally agree with you NachoF! :)

May 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Rsutherland – he played almost the exact same amount as Rafa, almost. Rafa played one more match – the final in Madrid. But otherwise Nole was in both finals MC and Rome, with Rafa, and both Rafa and Nole won their home clay events: Barcelona and Belgrade.

I just read Djoko’s interview and he does not blame the matches he’s played, he says it’s not physical. He also said it’s not the pressure. He said he could not find a rhythm in the match today, couldn’t get grooved on the return, made too many unforced errors and his movement was not good. He basically said he played a poor match and that he is disappointed in himself only. But he gave a lot of credit to Khols also.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Fed wins!!

May 30th, 2009 at 2:30 pm

Wuf, great win for Fed! He raise his level and close the door when it matters.

Well Fed is in the quartes, no way Haas will beat him.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Looking at the Sweet 16, if I can borrow that term from NCAA hoops, I think Marin Cilic is in an interesting spot. He can beat Murray on clay, but is not expected to. He is tall enough to handle some high bounding spin. I am not saying he is even close to a favorite, but if I have to pick a dark horse who will make some noise from here to the end or close to the end it is Cilic.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

Wow ! that was close, PHM had the crowd in the end there and it was difficult for fed to serve for the match. Great finish the great man. Now Haas is waiting, has always been a challenge to fed. Haas is playing well but so is fed.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Dan what about Tsonga as a dark horse “who will make some noise from here to the end or close to the end”??

May 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

Tsonga v. Del Potro is a great looking match. The winner of that match could be in the final for sure. I picked Cilic because I think the road to the title runs through Rafa and his height and young legs might (emphasizing might) lead to a classic match if they play in the semis.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:49 pm

Who is this girl CIRSTEA ? She is giving WOZNIACKI a match. She took the 1st set 7-6, now they are 4-4. Is there another upset coming ? wish I could see the match.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Kimmi – I know. So much is happening in the women’s side at this event that I am starting to get really excited. I mean it’s not a shoe-in that Serena will win as she lost a set today. Nor is it certain Safina will. Sharpie is still out there too, as are the Serb girls.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

And Kimmi – Wozniak from Canada has made the R16. Problem is that Serena is up next for her. Oh well.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

I said at the beginning of the tournament that I don’t think Djoko had the game to beat Fed, and I stand by that, but as for Tsonga, that’s a different story.

Tsonga hits a heavy ball with very little topspin. He is a natural volleyer. He doesn’t choke. He can beat Fed is he hits his groove. However, if Fed find his groove as well (as he did today) the match between them can be a classic. Only down side is that whoever wins it has no chance in hell against Rafa because he’d be pretty exhausted. If JMDP beats Tsonga however, we’d be looking at another Rafa-Fed final folks.

May 30th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

NachoF, i’m sure nadal is shaking in his boots in fear that he may possibly face andy murray, just like he was shaking in his boots when he met andy murray in the final of indian wells on hardcourt!

May 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Jane, yes I heard about Wozniak. Apparently its the 1st time in 17 years a canadian woman to reach week 2 of the French open, heard that on TSN.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Kimmi I know and that’s great. Plus we have Nestor, an amazing doubles player and holder of a “golden slam.”

May 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

jane, looks like the match between WOZNIACKI and CIRSTEA has been stopped. Wow , woznicki so lucky because the other girl has only 2 points to finish the match. more drama here. Now they have to come and finish tomorrow, maybe play only two points. ridiculous !

May 30th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Monfils vs Roddick shud be a gud match. Their service motion looks soooo very similar to me. Monfils must have picked that motion from Andy for sure.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Tejuz:”Monfils vs Roddick shud be a gud match. Their service motion looks soooo very similar to me. Monfils must have picked that motion from Andy for sure.:

Yes, this will be a good one. Monfils will be tough for Roddick. I hope he is ready to hit 100 shots from the baseline and of course the hostile Parisian crowd.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Tejuz, plus Monfils and Roddick are 3-3 H2H. Roddick won the last two, but Monfils has never lost to Roddick on clay. I’d like to see Andy go deeper here, but I don’t mind watching an on-form Monfils either.

I have a feeling Roddick could be dangerous on the grass this year. It’s his best year in a while results-wise. And he’s pushed Fed to three sets on two occasions, which hasn’t happened a lot in their past match ups.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Jane, the match was not stopped, for some reason I thought they did, the scoreline was frozen for a long time…but this girl CIRSTEA won 7-6,7-5. Another big upset.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Yes, lots happened on the women’s side today Kimmi. It’s a shame that Safina, Ivanovic and Azarenka are all in the same little section and will cancel each other out. Sharpova, if she can fight through another round or two, is in that quarter too. The Serena / Jankovic half is more open.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

zola Says:
Ryan,
who knows if having one finger up is showing the number 1 gesture. Didn’t Federer do that in Madrid?

Ryan I don’t think Novak was saying he was number one when he is number four. You really believe that? I think it was a signal to Vajda. I am sad for this loss but life goes on. I still think his new physio will help him in the future, after all Gritch just started with Novak a few weeks ago. I guess I will go with Nadal now all the way with Agassi presenting the trophy.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

Wow Cirstea and JJ. I’d like to see JJ win her first slam.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

sar – commiserations re: Djoko. Let’s hope he does better on grass.

I think JJ has a pretty decent draw and has a shot at beating Serena on clay. We’ll see.

May 30th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

Tsonga has beaten Nadal in a HUGE match, admittedly on hard, but if he’s playing well, who knows? He’d be my outsider pick too jane. So is it media is or media are???

May 30th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

I didn’t see the match but I heard Wozniacki got a coaching warning and called for a medical timeout. Another site is calling her a bad sport and cheater. LOL

May 30th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

Speaking of cheaters. Did anyone catch Serena vs.Sanchez match? The ball obviously hit Sanchez arm and then hit her racket and hit the court for a winner. Instead of Sanchez admitting that the ball hit her arm and then the racquet thereby losing the point, she said nothing and got the break. I am surprise Serena shook her hand at the end of the match. I am surprised she didn’t say something to her at the net.

May 30th, 2009 at 4:54 pm

mem, exactly, or the US open 08 ;)

May 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm

I am not sure how to do this but this is Nole’s interview.

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/interviews/2009-05-30/200905301243706212951.html

May 30th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

margot “So is it media is or media are???” That’s debatable and most current grammar texts and websites would tell you as much. You can say “The media are going to be all over Djokovic after his surprising loss”; however, many people see the media as singular and would say “The media is going to be all over…”.

May 30th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Well this was a good day for me. Roger and Serena won. I’m happy.

Sorry to you Djokovic fans for his loss. Don’t know what to say. Seems like maybe he has played too much this year, but he’s still young so it shouldn’t have affected him. Plus, he didn’t even have to play a full match this year because of an retirement against him. I think he came out flat and Kohli really played well, within himself and carried it through the end. So congrats to him.

I still think he’ll be Nadal (with no problem) winning this tournament. I just hope Roger can, at least, defend his final points. If he can do that and get to the final – that’s all I can hope for. I’m realistic. I hope some how he could win, but that’s a long way to go.

For those who think about Tsonga vs Federer (that’s way in the future) but just looking at the match-up – Roger tends to match-up well against Hard hitters like Tsonga. Just a thought.

On Roddick. I know I have given him a hard time because he hadn’t played anyone yet, but hey – Roddick is doing what he should do. He’s beating the people in his half of the draw. That’s all he can do and he’s doing it really well. He’s playing without any pressure and his fans should be very happy with the results. He has made the 2nd week in the French for the first time! Congrats to you guys, especially Von who is a big Roddick fan.

So now I can relax a little until Roger’s next match. I won’t take Haas for granted because they have played some great matches between them in the past. I just hope Haas PLAYS this one because the last 2 times they have been scheduled to play, Haas had withdrawn with injury.

May 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm

Nachof: “mem, exactly, or the US open 08 ;)”

My thought exactly. Murray plays according to his opponent. He always struggle in ealy rounds of any tournament, unfortunately this is something he needs to learn- especially on clay. But that said, he is a great tactician, the moment he plays federer he switch his tactics to suit federer, same applies if he plays Nadal, Djokovic or Tipsarevic etc. Amazing, isn’t it ? I just hope he gets to the semi and lets see him play Nadal.

May 30th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Oh Good Lawdy,

Looks like another Nadal over Federer final is brewing at Roland Garros.

**BIG YAWN**

How is anything going to be different? If anything Nadal is stronger this year than other year he’s won it. Fed’s game has stayed the same.

Of course many will “spin” Federer’s win in Spain over Nadal as a “maybe he can do it”. I’m not buying that at all.

The altitude and conditions did not suit him. Also, the Djokovic epic semi-final drained Nadal. Federer had everything going for him that day.

Just hope for tennis’s sake it’s not a blow out!!

Another Good Lawd!!

May 30th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

Cindy – whether or not it’s a “yawn” or whatever, I’m still rooting for Roger to make the final. Murray is too close for comfort for that #2 spot so I want Roger to win to keep that position. And, who knows, Roger and Nadal has created some really exciting finals in the past and no matter what people say – Roger is still the only person to ever win a ‘clay’ final against Nadal and he’s done it 2 times. So whether or not Nadal blows Roger out of the water again – I still want him to make the final. (call me selfish). lol!

May 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pm

too bad for nole, he was the only one capable of giving rafa any kind of a match. 5th in a row for rafa!!

May 30th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

The conditions at RG, according to JMDP, are “It was very dry, very fast. “

May 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

fed is afraid… too bad about Djokovic – guess someone should have told Kohli that he wasn’t suppose to beat him today because “he (Nole) was the only one capable of giving rafa any kind of a match”. lol! Oh well…

May 30th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

Jane:”Ivanovic and Azarenka are all in the same little section and will cancel each other out. Sharpova, if she can fight through another round or two, is in that quarter too. The Serena / Jankovic half is more open.”

Serena and JJ half is not that open as you think. Kuznetsova who enjoys good clay season, has been very solid here so far and can potentially meet Serena in the Qtrs. This is where I think Serena will be beaten. JJ qtr has opened up for her – she could reach the semi but not a guarantee since she has been having an up and down perfomance this year, and so far she has not played a strong opponent.. but so is Safina and Kutzy but I trust those two more.

May 30th, 2009 at 6:07 pm

“The conditions at RG, according to JMDP, are “It was very dry, very fast.” It’s funny. Annabelle Croft thinks it’s very fast. McEnroe insists it is dead slow, Wilander agrees, Federer said it was slow and heavy like in Hamburg, and hence suits him (even though most people seem to assume that fast clay is better for Fed). Well, obviously I have not the least idea myself,but it is entertaining to see the experts contradicting each other. The question is: who does the surface really suit? If we leave Nadal out of the equation, (all clay surfaces suit him….) does anyone out of Federer, Tsonga, Murray, Roddick ,del Potro and Monfils gain an advantage?

May 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm

I think the speed of the court also depends on what time of the day do you play. The last matches the cay is already gone, we can see that the court is spent, places with just the base, specially today that was a little windy.

May 30th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

Mofils gave Federer a tough match last year. He has the talent to give Fed fits if Mofils gets by Roddick.

Don’t see anyone else capable of stopping Fed on his way to the finals. Fed owns all the rest on his side of the draw.

I bet Fed is doing cartwheels knowing joker is out.

May 30th, 2009 at 7:27 pm

“Don’t see anyone else capable of stopping Fed on his way to the finals. Fed owns all the rest on his side of the draw.” Agree about Monfils. Can’t see del Potro beating Federer. Tsonga, certainly. And Roddick, despite what people say, has pushed Federer to the limit recently. So the new look Roddick is certainly in with a respectable chance. I think Federer is now favourite to get to the final, judging by the way he is playing. But it is very open. Nobody owns anyone, outside that damn Spaniard.

May 30th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

Grendel:”I think Federer is now favourite to get to the final, judging by the way he is playing. ”

Yes, that is on paper only. But judging the way he is playing, we just hope the Acasuso match moments are not going to show up again.

May 30th, 2009 at 8:05 pm

I think Del Potro and Tsonga should have been on the other side of the draw… they could have put up a good fight against Nadal… honestly, I dont see Nadal dropping a single set (maybe one against Murray) against anyone before the final

May 30th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

Monfils could trouble Nadal, even beat him.

Kimmi: I wouldn’t put it like that about Acasuso. For a while, he was just extraordinary. Too good for Federer, perhaps for most players. In the end, Federer I think was strengthened by this match.

May 30th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Kimmi, you’re right about Kuz; I didn’t give her enough credit. She just may beat Serena, although she’s not the most mentally tough player.

grendel, I believe the weather has a big impact. I thought after the first few matches when it was cool and there was rain it was playing dead slow, but since then, since the day Rafa ousted Hewitt, I believe it’s been sunny and warm and hence the court is playing faster. Daniel even adds in the time of day as a factor. Is clay really so fickle? Well, it’s organic so maybe.

“Nobody owns anyone, outside that damn Spaniard.” LOL.

“Monfils could trouble Nadal, even beat him.” I think Tsonga could trouble Nadal too.

“In the end, Federer I think was strengthened by this match.”
I agree – I said then it was a good match. I think that Djoko was missing a match like that. He started last of all the top guys; his first opponent retires after 1.5 sets, not even, then his second match is postponed after 2 sets. Frankly, I’d’ve rather seen him play a match like Fed had against Acasuso. And then again, maybe that’s what today’s match against Khols *should’ve* been. Ah well, coulda , shoulda, woulda.

Still lots of tennis to play, and Djoko will have better days.

May 30th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

Grendel, I agree Acasuso played very well, but I don’t think he was that good to break Fed twice in the 3rd set. The moments of losing concentration in the middle of the matches are what I am talking about. This has happened several times this year (IW, Miami, MC and Rome) and happened again with Acasuso. But Kudos to him for coming back.

As much as I give credit to Acasuso, federer need to be careful and any slip in concentration could see him losing since all coming opponents are going to be tougher. But today I thought he was very good, PHM was swinging as hard as he could and Federer was able to neutralize him with beautiful tactics.. So I hope he comes back and play tactically correct with Haas, coz Haas’s game has given Fed problem for number of years even though he has won majority of their matches.

May 30th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

For fed showing the no.1 finger doesnt matter much. Atleast he has been there for 237 weeks.But for novak he better be more focussed on winning than showing everyone who the real no.1 is.

May 30th, 2009 at 11:55 pm