Federer Leads Record-setting Day at Roland Garros; Tuesday Preview; X-Notes

by Staff | May 29th, 2012, 1:09 am
  • 76 Comments

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic won Monday at Roland Garros, but No. 3 seed Roger Federer stole the show with his 233rd Grand Slam match win, tying the record of Jimmy Connors. Federer defeated German Tobias Kamke 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
ADHEREL
“I’m very happy, because Jimmy Connors was a huge champion and still is, so it’s a great pleasure,” Federer said. “Jimmy is obviously one of the greats of all time, and was around for 20 years. This is my 13th or 14th French Open as well. It all started back in 1999 against [Pat] Rafter and I have hardly missed any Grand Slams.”

Meanwhile Djokovic opened his campaign for a piece of his own history, a potential fourth consecutive Grand Slam win, with a straight-set win over Italian Potito Starace.

“Pressure is always present, and the way I look at it, it’s a privilege and it’s a challenge,” Djokovic said. “So you need to try to understand and learn how to deal with it, and if you feel pressure, that means that you’re doing something that is right.”


Other Top 10 winners on the day were No. 7 Tomas Berdych and No. 10 John Isner.

On the upset tip were Frenchman Florent Serra topping No. 15 Feliciano Lopez when F-Lo retired in the first set with a left oblique muscle injury, and Belgian riser David Goffin burying No. 23 Radek “The Worm” Stepanek in five sets.

In other seeded action No. 11 Gilles Simon rebounded from a first-set loss to defeat American Ryan Harrison, No. 28 Viktor Troicki outlasted Thomaz Bellucci in five, and No. 31 Kevin “Mr.” Anderson saved four match points to defeat Portugal’s Rui Machado 11-9 in the fifth.

Among notable all-unseeded action, French net-rushing veteran Michael Llodra topped Spanish dirtballer Guillermo “G-Lo” Garcia-Lopez in four, French veteran Arnaud Clement beat Alex Bogomolov Jr. when the Russian retired with cramps in the fifth set, and American comeback story Brian Baker defeated Xavier “X-Man” Malisse in straight sets.

“I could not move my legs. You don’t get a medical timeout for cramps,” Bogomolov said. “My whole leg was straight. I couldn’t bend it. I couldn’t walk. I didn’t want to risk a potential ligament damage or something. And you can’t get a trainer for that.”

Matches to watch for Tuesday at Roland Garros include (2) Rafael Nadal vs. Simone Bolelli, (4) Andy Murray vs. Tatsuma Ito, (8) Janko Tipsarevic vs. Sam Querrey, former world No. 2 Tommy Haas to finish leading Filippo Volandri two sets to one and 4-2, (27) Mikhail Youzhny vs. the sun-setting American James Blake, U.S. car crash Donald Young vs. Grigor Dimitrov, and the all-veteran Juan Ignacio Chela vs. Marcos Baghdatis battle.

On the women’s side Tuesday there was excitement in the American media that U.S. women completed a 10-0 win-loss record. Call us when someone besides a Williams sister reaches the quarterfinals.

World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka received a scare during a sloppy performance against Italian Alberta Brianti, eventually triumphing 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-2.

“Bad days happen,” said Azarenka, who committed 60 unforced errors during the match. “Unfortunately today I had way more mistakes than I usually do, but it happens sometimes. The first match, they’re not easy. But in the end of the day I still won the match, I manage to go through those 60 mistakes and still win the match. I think that’s pretty good statistics.”

Other Top 10-seeded winners were No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska bageling Bojana Jovanovski, No. 7 Li Na losing three games to Sorana Cirstea, and No. 8 Marion Bartoli defeating Czech qualifier Karolina Pliskova.

American Bethanie Mattek-Sands turned in the largest upset of the day, topping No. 12 Sabine Lisicki 6-4, 6-3. Mattek-Sands was her illustrious self in her 2012 Roland Garros debut, dressed in an ensemble including black knee-high socks, a navy spotted skirt, black shorts and a green vest.

“It really shows that some of the Americans are coming through, playing tough, grinding it out here on the clay,” Mattek-Sands said of the American women’s resurgence. “And it’s awesome.”

Other upset victims were No. 17 Roberta Vinci losing to Sofia Arvidsson in three, American qualifier Lauren Davis pounding No. 30 Mona Barthel 1-and-1, and Russian Nina Bratchikova rebounding from a first-set bagel to beat No. 32 Monica Niculescu 0-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Women’s highlights Tuesday are (14) Francesca Schiavone vs. the ageless Kimiko Date-Krumm, (5) Serena Williams vs. Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, (4) Petra Kvitova vs. Aussie Ashleigh Barty, (2) Maria Sharapova vs. Romanian Alexandra Cadantu, (9) Caroline Wozniacki vs. veteran Eleni Daniilidou, and (28) Shuai Peng vs. upset-maker Tamira Paszek.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS

S.A. DAVIS CUP BROKE-ASS BROKE — How broke is Tennis South Africa (TSA), the country’s tennis federation? So broke that they are giving up on hosting home-field advantage for their September Davis Cup World Group Playoff tie with Canada. TSA is citing “current economic conditions” for its inability to organize the tie on home ground. Canada will now have the homecountry advantage for the tie, but at the same time now South Africa’s No. 1 player, Kevin Anderson, who is pretty much U.S. based, may play since the date is around the US Open.

TENNIS HALL OF CRIMINALS — The Tennis Hall of Fame is getting a lot of heat since failing to act on numerous accusations of South African inductee Bob Hewitt sexually abusing underage girls he was coaching and working with over an almost 20-year period. Roughly a dozen women on three continents came forward to say Hewitt abused them, and the Hall of Fame said they would investigate — before doing nothing. The Hall of Fame council/representatives have not answered any inquiries from the alleged victims, and according to the Boston Globe have now announced they are dropping their inquiry into Hewitt altogether, sweeping it tidily under the rug. “We’re going to be diligent about it and see what we can discover,” said Tony Trabert, the hall’s president at the time, nine months ago, but apparently the Hall of Fame has done nothing but wish it away. Hall of Fame Executive Director Mark Stenning told the Globe that the hall scrapped the investigation in favor of drafting a policy to address similar issues in the future. Hall of Fame President and former player Stan Smith would not comment to the Globe, but Smith’s former doubles partner Bob Lutz was not so quiet on the topic, stating, “The whole thing is sickening. Reggie Bush lost the Heisman Trophy for much less than Hewitt is accused of doing as a player. Hewitt should be kicked out of the hall.” The Boston Globe in an editorial summed it up: “The allegations of sexual misconduct against former tennis star Bob Hewitt have echoed across the sport since they were first reported by the Globe’s Bob Hohler last year — everywhere, that is, except at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. Hewitt, the South African doubles legend, remains enshrined in the hall, whose leaders are seriously damaging their organization’s credibility by failing to take the accusations more seriously…If the organization had wanted to make a principled stand that off-court behavior doesn’t count, or start a philosophical colloquy on the issue, it could have done so when the news was reported. But promising an investigation and then not delivering one is inexcusable.”

MISC
Have American women really gone 10-0 thus far at the French Open? Or is it a dream? In 2003 11 reached the 2nd RD. In 1991 13 made it out of the 1st RD… Roger Federer is now the only player with 50+ wins at all four Grand Slams. Federer has not lost first round at a Grand Slam since 2003 French Open to Luis HornaVictoria Azarenka avoided becoming the first No. 1-seeded women to lose first round at a Slam since Martina Hingis lost to Virginia Ruano Pascual at 2001 Wimbledon. The Belarussian was down 7-6 4-0 and was twice two points from trailing 5-0…Novak Djokovic is six wins from a “Djoker Slam”…Serena Williams has won 17 straight matches, and 17 straight on clay…Roger Federer has tied Jimmy Connors with 233 career Grand Slam match wins…Serena Williams has never lost first round at a Slam (46-0)…Novak Djokovic is undefeated in his new UNIQLO gear…11 of the 40 (or 27%) men playing Tuesday have never won a match at the French Open…Rafael Nadal is bidding for his 150th career Slam match win…Roger Federer has won his last 48 matches against German foes…Rafael Nadal’s opponent, Simone Bolelli, is a putrid 1-27 career against Top 10 players…Maria Sharapova has reached the finals in 5 of 7 events this year…Petra Kvitova is the only Top 10 player yet to reach a final this season…After being the top seed at the Australian Open, Caroline Wozniacki is now ranked No. 9… 2011 finalist Francesa Schiavone will have to reach the fourth round to stay in the Top 20…Kimiko Date-Krumm is 41, Ash Barty is 16…Alex Bogomolov, who’s been a bust since switching his nationality to Russian from American, retired down match point in the fifth set because of cramps. Huh?…American ships passing in the night: American comeback story Brian Baker has won 26 of his last 29 matches while Andy Roddick has won just one of his last 10 sets….USA Today reports Mardy Fish missed the spring and the French Open dealing with a heart issue he feared would kill him…Both Frank Dancevic and Feliciano Lopez retired early in their matches today after not winning a game, but hey, then earned about $22K in first round prize money. Cool…American Brian Baker’s first-round win in Nice was his first tour-level win in nearly seven years, since beating Gaston Gaudio at the 2005 US Open…Kim Clijsters says she will retire…again…following the US Open. Clijsters, who will miss the French with injury, came out of retirement in 2009 at age 28, winning three Grand Slam titles since then…Robin Soderling’s bout with mono, which has kept him off the tour since July 2011, will keep him out of the 2012 French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics. “I feel all right as long as I don’t put too much stress on my body with heavy training,” the Swede told the AP. “But I learned early on to not go back too quickly and I don’t want another big setback.”…Maria Sharapova on Victoria Azarenka’s bitching about having to play injured or take rankings “zero pointers” for missing big WTA events: “She is probably injured more than any other player at No. 1. Last year she had more retirements (five) than anyone but played a full schedule. After two days you would see her practicing. It’s tough to know what her state is and what she is feeling. If I’m injured — however big or small the fine is — health is the most important thing. You pay the fine or take the zero points.”…The WTA Tour is debuting a “Challenger Series,” like the ATP Challenger series, with total prize money of $125,000 and 160 ranking points for the champion. The series will debut in Taipei in October…Roger Federer says he doesn’t like the ITF’s new rule that you must participate in Davis Cup four times between the Olympics to become eligible for Olympic participation, and that no one is going to tell him what to do: “I disagree with this completely. I was in the room when the ITF presented this to us and I was not asked about it before the decision was made. They might as well have just sent us a letter. The ITF makes it seem as if playing in the Davis Cup is the only place in tennis where you represent your country. That isn’t right at all. They are forcing people to play, almost, and that is not a good vibe…I will have to see what happens. I am focused on this year and I will make sure that whatever schedule I have for next year best suits me.”..24-year-old Bulgarian Dimitar Kutrovsky has been banned for two years after testing positive for methylhexaneamine in February at the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif. Kutrovsky claims it got into his system when he took the supplement “Jack’d.” Dumbass…Maria Sharapova has a career perfect record in claycourt finals…Robin Soderling is having a baby later this year.


You Might Like:
By The Numbers: Rafael Nadal Wins The 2014 French Open
2019 French Open Men’s SF Open Thread: Federer v Nadal, Djokovic v Thiem
French Open Men’s SF Open Thread: Nadal v Ferrer, Djokovic v Federer
French Open Women’s Final Open Thread: Serena Williams v Maria Sharapova
2020 French Open Final Open Thread: Novak Djokovic v Rafael Nadal

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

76 Comments for Federer Leads Record-setting Day at Roland Garros; Tuesday Preview; X-Notes

Ben Pronin Says:

It’s pretty weird that many supplements have chemicals in them that are banned by organizations such as WADA. If professional athletes are prohibited from taking this stuff, why is it even sold to the general population?


trig Says:

Ben,

Pat Cash gave an interview for the Nouvel Observateur where he speaks about doping. I read the interview in French, but on THASP you have that part translated. Interesting stuff.


Kimmi Says:

“Novak Djokovic is undefeated in his new UNIQLO gear” LOL!!


Wog boy Says:

“Robin Soderling is having a baby later this year”

Just curious, who is having a baby, Robin or his partner or that is my English:)


Polo Says:

In the USA, they do not distinguish anymore between the pregnant mother and whoever got her pregnant. It is not unusual for couples to say, “We are pregnant.” I find it ridiculous.


Brando Says:

@polo: I COMPLETELY AGREE. Stick to the old fashioned “she’s pregnant” or “we are looking forward to welcoming a new member to the family” etc. It WORKS! None of this crazy “were pregnant” stuff please! I HATED arnie in twins and people saying things such as this bring back bad memories!


dari Says:

It’s robin, wog boy. That is why he has been off the tour


dari Says:

Go Andy today!


flaccid Says:

Soda’s been busy with something else, i see


Brando Says:

Oh no! ANOTHER pink rafa outfit at RG:-(


jane Says:

I see Sharapova served a double bagel this morning. Impressive start for her.


Wog boy Says:

dari,

I see, thanks:)


jane Says:

Bolleli makes a lot of errors long, wide, into the net.


Brando Says:

On the positive rafa seems to get a nice HEIGHT on the FH


Brando Says:

Wilander thinks nadal is getting more ACTION on the ball this year than last year- AGREE with him


jane Says:

Bolleli returns Rafa’s serve well and then he usually misses on the next shot or the shot after. They aren’t forced errors. They aren’t having any long rallies. Don’t think I’ve ever watch Bolleli before. He has a good serve and can really whack the ball, but the errors add up.

Rafa’s forehand is sitting up high indeed. He’s been patchy so far: more errors than winners for both of these players.


Brando Says:

Beautiful BH DTL by rafa there


Brando Says:

Lol, rafa DF on bp and crowd give a cheer…


jane Says:

Brando I assumed that they did it because Bolleli was getting a beatdown; they were just happy to see him get on the board: 4-1 instead of 5-0. He’s hit 26 errors to 10 winners so far so maybe a pity cheer? :)

How come everyone is dressed so similar; is the FO uniform light blue or white shirt with straw fedora? Are people required to wear this?

Seems like Rafa’s concentration and then serve went off the boil a little bit in the middle of the second set.


Polo Says:

I wish I can hear Wilander commentating instead of the brothers McEnroe and whoever is there at ESPN and the Tennis Channel. Wilander seems to give very interesting and fresh viewpoints as opposed to the cliches that the others spew out.


Brando Says:

@jane: hi, yes I saw it as that too. In all honesty was pleased bolleli got a couple of games in the 2nd. Rafa’s serve/ concentration did go missing abut in the 2nd set. His serve has not been impressive for 2 matches in a row now. So far I think novak was the most impressive of the big 3 in his opening match- the MOST consistent. Roger play was better JUST too many mental lapses. Your thoughts re big 3?


Mark Says:

@ Brando. Rafa’s shirt is not pink – it is defined as Scarlet Fire.


Brando Says:

@mark: thanks for that mark- GLAD it isn’t. Pink brings bad memories as a rafa fan- HATE that colour!


Mark Says:

@ Brando. Same here. Damn 2009!!


jane Says:

Brando, I think all of their first round matches have been a bit patchy. Yesterday there were too many errors for Fed, but I saw only highlights of his match so cannot comment too much more. Rafa’s serve has been off and on today. On this court, with so much space around him, Rafa’s court positioning can revert to far behind the baseline as well because he defends so well. His DTL shots look great, on both the forehand and backhand sides; he should use those more imo. I think Nole’s match was interesting because Starace was playing so well, so it was challenging. I think Nole hit 39 winners (to 19 errors) in that match and Starace had 25 winners (to 27 errors) so overall it was a quality match. But then Nole started to loosen up, got a better read on Potito’s serve, and finished strongly. I think it was windier yesterday which may’ve accounted for Fed’s high error count? Like I say, I didn’t see his match as it was too early, but I caught some highlights and replay last night. He looked fast and sharp at times, but then some misses. One thing about Nole was that he served well; Potito didn’t even earn a break point.

Big win for Benoit Paire over Ramos. Sweet to see how happy he is.


jane Says:

Brando, I think all of their first round matches have been a bit patchy. Yesterday there were too many errors for Fed, but I saw only highlights of his match so cannot comment too much more. Rafa’s serve has been off and on today. On this court, with so much space around him, Rafa’s court positioning can revert to far behind the baseline as well because he defends so well. His DTL shots look great, on both the forehand and backhand sides; he should use those more imo. I think Nole’s match was interesting because Starace was playing so well, so it was challenging. I think Nole hit 39 winners (to 19 errors) in that match and Starace had 25 winners (to 27 errors) so overall it was a quality match. But then Nole started to loosen up, got a better read on Potito’s serve, and finished strongly. I think it was windier yesterday which may’ve accounted for Fed’s high error count? Like I say, I didn’t see his match as it was too early, but I caught some highlights and replay last night. He looked fast and sharp at times, but then some misses. One thing about Nole was that he served well; Potito didn’t even earn a break point.

Big win for Benoit Paire over Ramos. Sweet to see how happy he is.


jane Says:

Oops – sorry that posted twice.


Polo Says:

Re: scarlet fire color: Brando Says: “..thanks for that mark- GLAD it isn’t…”

Hahaha! Very witty remark there, Brando.


Brando Says:

@Jane:

Agree, they all have been abit patchy. It was windy yesterday- so that may have played a part in roger’s performance.

Nole looked the best to me since his serve, like you said, was the most solid out of the three. Further, storace was a better player than bolleli or kamke IMO, and yet novak was solid. His ROS of serve, funnily enough, at times seemed uncertain.

Rafa needs to improve his serve though- bar which a decent 1st round performance.


Brando Says:

@Mark:

LOL, same here- a decent start though by our fav: 6-2, 6-2, 6-1- with MUCH to improve

@Polo:

:-)


jane Says:

Agree Brando, on Rafa’s serve and Nole’s ROS. Although I think it was partly that he hadn’t played Starace in a long while and it took him some time to gage that serve re: the return. My bigger concern is Nole’s break point conversion. He needed to convert on more of his chances.

Murray is looking sharp so far. I am not familiar with his young Japanese opponent though.


Brando Says:

@Jane:

just looked at bracket challenge for the 1ST TIME and wow am i in need of some results ASAP!

Did not know lopez had lost and YET i had him going so far- regret that pick!

LOL, re me picking a fedal.

My reason: rafa should, hopefully, get to the final. I would have picked novak, BUT for me his body language this clay season, including his tennis, HAS NOT been up to the mark. He’ll be fine the 1st week, BUT i think the 2nd week the tension, pressure of a novak slam SHALL take it’s tool. Federer, on the other hand, has ABSOLUTELY ZERO to lose and loves the big stage. BAR the rome SF, he has looked pretty good this year too.


jane Says:

I did really well day one Brando, but since then my men’s bracket is sliding. Surprisingly I am doing better on the ladies’ – then again there is a lot less of us in that challenge.

Muzza’s opponent is ranked 68; he’s mostly been playing challengers and his best surface seems to be hard courts. He qualified and won a round at the AO.


jane Says:

The crowd is chanting “Ito”! He is playing better this second set.


jane Says:

Murray has righted the ship on some good serves, droppers and forehands.


racquet Says:

It was a sloppy 2nd set but he seems to be coasting now. Double break in the third.


Brando Says:

THIS IS SOO SPOT ON BY STEVE TIGNOR re NADAL/ DJOKOVIC ATM:

”Nadal’s biggest challenge remains Djokovic. Despite his two wins over Novak this spring, Djokovic can still control the rallies against Rafa, and still put the match on his racquet. The upside for the Spaniard is psychological; he seems much calmer and more confident against Djokovic these days, as if the fear that gripped him in their matches has finally passed. As I wrote above, this tournament feels like a peak moment for this clay-court era, and it would only be fitting if Nadal ended it on top again.”

He thinks RAFA shall win- hope he’s right :-)


jane Says:

Looks like Muzza is hungry for a bagel.


racquet Says:

And he gets said bagel.


Brando Says:

Good performance by andy today.

IMO IF he get to the QTRS then it will be an EXCELLENT tourny for him- all things considered.


jane Says:

He’s through: up and down match for Andy, but he ends with 23 winners to 22 errors, 56% first serves.


racquet Says:

Yeah, one match at a time. Low expectations this year.
Anyway, Jarko up next. He was really good recently on clay against one top guys (Rafa I think?).


alison hodge Says:

Brando yeah hope Steve Tignor is right about Rafa too,although i think Jane,Courbon,Wogboy,Mat4 might have different ideas though lol,nice to see the top 4 coming through virtually unscathed so far,i have no idea about my bracket i think i ballsed it up,as i dont even see my name with the other tennis x posters,so something went wrong somewhere,anyway sorry for rambling,just wondering who does Rafa play next?


Brando Says:

@Alison:

LOL- i can understand if they do. BUT for me tignor has hit the nail on the head, where he writes that the FEAR that was gripping nadal has seemingly gone against djokovic now.

In his last 2 matches against djokovic he has seemed pretty calm and composed- knowing what he has to do. i think for rafa that is a MAJOR PLUS.


alison hodge Says:

Thanks Brando, whos next up for Rafa?


Brando Says:

@alison:

Either Igor Kunitsyn or Denis Istomin


alison hodge Says:

I Have to say its great to see people just blogging,and talking tennis rather than the bickering and childish name calling.


Djokowins Says:

Thats because the participants in this thread are predominantly Nole and Rafa fans.


Brando Says:

@Alison, Djokowins:

LOL- i have to say that is soo TRUE!!!

nole fans have been BRILLIANT towards rafa fans during the 0-7- NEVER ONCE did i see them gloat once.

Likewise, rafa fans haven’t been PARADING the last 2 wins for rafa- being grateful for the wins more than anything else really.

there is a REALLY HEALTHY respect i think between the the 2 sets of fans- as it should be- for their fav and the other guy.

it’s a MASSIVE improvement on say the OTHER rivalry that usually dominates these blogs. Things just get really SPITEFUL at times in that one. sigh.

Nonetheless, really ENJOY this rivalry. :-)


Colin Says:

I knew something was missing from this thread – it’s time for childish abuse!
Let’s see.. erm… ALISON IS A SILLY SAUSAGE.
For a while there, it looked as though Andy Murray was, too. What’s the betting Lendl gets ulcers before the season is over?


alison hodge Says:

Colin lol,im going to throw my teddy on the floor,and stamp my feet and have a paddy lol
seriously though great Andy came through without dropping a set,i think all the big four have areas that need improving,thats what makes them so good,they win when not playing there best.


alison hodge Says:

Brando yeah spot on with that post.


jane Says:

Yay! I am sooo happy for Razzano! She played so well. I thought for sure when Serena went 3-0 up in the second set tiebreak that Serena would win, but Razzano just never gave up. She had zoo many chances to break in the second set and just couldn’t get them, but I felt throughout that “she deserves at least a set”, and indeed, she got two of them. Exciting!


Mark Says:

Good riddance Serena!! That is what you deserve for calling Rafa and Nole weenies!!!


trig Says:

Will never read “the Tignor” again. It WILL be only fitting WHEN Nole ends at the top again.


alison hodge Says:

Hi Jane yeah great win for Razzano,hopefully she will build upon this win,the draws really opened up now,i picked a Sharapova/Kvitova final on the womens side,with Petra getting her second GS,dont know why i just feel shes ready for another one,how about you?


jane Says:

I also didn’t picked Serena alison. I picked Radwanska/Sharapova in the final with Sharapova winning, but I would be happy for Petra too, only she’s not been too consistent on clay. But you never know.


jane Says:

pick not picked. I say that because everyone else in our bracket picked Serena as one of the finalists I am pretty sure.


trig Says:

@Brando:

Come on… It is not because we, Nole fans, are so nice (though we are nice indeed), but it is wily manner to belaud our godlike No1e. “The greater the challenge, the more glory in overcoming it.”


alison hodge Says:

Jane the womens side seems more open than the mens IMO,theres many talented potential winners makes things very interesting,thats for sure.


alison hodge Says:

Congrats to Britains Heather Watson,on a great performance,well done and good luck in the next round against Georges.


Thangs Says:

Wow…Very happy that Serena is out.


Polo Says:

I was so sure Serena would pull through when she had break points to put the last set back on serve. I am happy for Razzano but Sharapova may be even happier.


van orten Says:

yeah and razzano will go on to the next round and lose there for sure !!!


Humble Rafa Says:

As your Humble Highess observed a few weeks ago, Big Lady can’t win the French if she were the only woman playing in the tournament.

Tournament has to consider itself lucky that nobody was injured during Serena’s loss. Lines people, umpire seemed fined, from what I can tell.

Sharapova will win the French Open.


Kimmi Says:

alison – hope your WTA bracket works. Love petra lots but she has been very disappointing lately.


Lisa Says:

I also like the prospect of Li Na and Samantha Stosur…


skeezer Says:

Eric,

Thanks, good read and good journalism. A welcome break from the posts of Serena hating posts from Rafa fanatics, wtf?

The perpetual chip on the shoulder remarks towards anyone not Rafa continues…….

Now its good for Serena to be out for the Rafa fanatics..its her fault that the weenie lost in Madrid……lol…enjoy your cakewalk ride…. But do u have to trash other players on the way?


trig Says:

@Eric,

thanks. Interesting article. There was a similar evolution in boxing in the last decades.


King Federer Says:

Ofcourse rafa fans are nice to nole fans. nole doesn’t have the coj0nes to call rafa a weenie. [ofcourse, according to serena he is one too!] look @ the raf@tards crawling out of the hole to spew their hatred on serena! really? she was spot-on when she called rafa/nole cry babies. these guys were whining worse than kids and she called them out. kudos to her.

in some respects rafa/nole are birds of the same feather – constanly disregarding rules with time violations and medical time out abuses. ofcourse rafa is king of one and nole is the king of another.

rafa is a weenie! gotta love serena! come on babe, lets win it where it really matters. the big W. french open has mostly been the 3rd slam. the big 2 are W/USO.


metan Says:

Congratulation to Rafa.


metan Says:

Glad to know that Murray got through the first round


alison hodge Says:

@Thanks Kimmi may 29th 6.15pm,i dont know what i did wrong,when filling out the brackets,my name is not there with the tennis x posters(lalaland),but i would love for Petra to win here,shes so talented,one of my fav female players ATM.


Dave Says:

Shame on the Hall of Fame. And chop off Bob Hewitt’s babolats, dunlops or wilsons… or whatever ir is they play with in South Africa.


Steve 27 Says:

the big 2 are W/USO. Plop!
What a stupid statement, fedttard, no surprises with you lack of wisdom.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam