The X Blog - Dysfunctional Tennis Blogging at its Finest

Rafael Nadal: If I Keep Playing Well, Then Maybe I Can Return To No. 1!

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 5:07 pm

Who would have believed 12 months ago after leaving the French Open that Novak Djokovic would be down to No. 4 in the rankings and Rafael Nadal would be in position to overtake Andy Murray for the top spot this summer.

Nadal is slowing make such speculation reality after coasting to his 10th French Open and 15th Slam title today, dismissing Stan Wawrinka 62, 63, 61. Nadal’s win moves his back …

Rafael Nadal Unsure If He’s Playing Better Than Ever, But He’s Happy!

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 5:05 pm

Despite arguably his most dominating performance ever at the French Open, an event he’s not won an astounding 10 times, Rafael Nadal is not ready to say if he’s playing better than ever.

“I don’t know,” Nadal said of his play. “I cannot say. I cannot say not. These two weeks have been great level of tennis, is true. But I already won two Roland Garros, too, without losing a set …

Rafael Nadal: In 2005, I Thought In 2017 I’d Be Fishing On My Boat In Mallorca

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 3:41 pm

Not even Rafael Nadal can believe it. Twelve years after winning his first French Open title, Rafael Nadal is still the King of Roland Garros after an emphatic 62, 63, 61 victory over Stan Wawrinka.

“In 2005, I thought in 2017 I’d be fishing on my boat in Mallorca,” Nadal joked after winning a 10th French title. “I didn’t really think I’d have such a long career and win …

Stan Wawrinka: Rafa’s Playing The Best He’s Ever Played

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 3:06 pm

After getting crushed by Rafael Nadal in the French Open final today, Stan Wawrinka agrees, Rafa’s in tip top form and even better than when he won the previous nine (!!!) times.

“What he did is so big for the sport. He’s playing the best he’s ever played,” said Wawrinka. “He’s an amazing fighter. There is always one more ball coming back. There is always spin on the ball. There is …

Grand Slam Titles Leaders: Rafael Nadal With 15, 3 Behind Roger Federer

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 2:53 pm

Could Rafael Nadal catch Roger Federer’s 18? It seemed unlikely at the start of the year but with the way the Spaniard is playing – winning his 10th French Open and third without losing a set – anything seems possible.

Nadal’s win moves him alone on the historic all-time men’s Grand Slam leaderboard with 15, which is three behind Federer’s 18.

Nadal as previously tied with Sampras for the last three years …

Rafael Nadal: Winning 10 Is A Feeling That’s Impossible To Describe

Posted by Tom Gainey on June 11th, 2017 @ 2:47 pm

Twelve years after first hoisting the French Open trophy, Rafael Nadal has done it again, winning a 10th title at Roland Garros by crushing Stan Wawrinka 62, 63, 61 in the Sunday final.

“It’s a feeling that’s impossible to describe,” Nadal said. “For me the nerves and the adrenaline I feel when I play on this court is impossible to compare to another court. It is the most important event in …

2017 French Open Men’s Final Open Thread: Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal

Posted by Staff on June 11th, 2017 @ 7:24 am

Rafael Nadal will try to make history once again by becoming the first man to ever win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam. The 9-time French Open champion has yet to drop a set in six matches as he seeks a 3rd title at Roland Garros without surrendering a set.

Stan Wawrinka is going for his second French Open title, fourth at a Slam. The Swiss has won his last …

Maria Sharapova Withdraws From Grass Season, Wimbledon

Posted by Sean Randall on June 10th, 2017 @ 7:03 pm

Some late breaking news, Maria Sharapova will not play on the grass this year due to a left thigh injury.

Sharapova injured her thigh in a loss to Mirjana Lucic in Rome last month, and it came on the same day of the announcement the French had denied her a wildcard into their event.

Well, it turns out this injury was significant enough for her to miss Birmingham, where she had a …

Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka In the French Open Final, Who’s The Pick?

Posted by Sean Randall on June 10th, 2017 @ 6:52 pm

I’m really itching to pick Stan Wawrinka to pull the upset tomorrow and stun Rafael Nadal in the French Open final. I say that because Stan has proven over and over again to be a big match, big stage player. And that’s what you have to be to beat Nadal, especially in his house.

That said, Wawrinka’s never done it on the clay at Roland Garros and he’s never beaten Rafa …

Ostapenko Stuns Halep for 1st WTA Title at French Open

Posted by Jeremy Davis on June 10th, 2017 @ 11:48 am

Unseeded Jelena Ostapenko, still a teenager when the tournament began, stunned No. 3-seeded Simona Halep from a set and a break down 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the French Open on Saturday.

“Congrats to Simona you had a great week and it was really tough for me,” Ostapenko told the crowd and Halep after the final. “I hope you have a great rest of the season.”

After winning a first-set …

Nadal Returns To French Open Final, Will Face Wawrinka Who Outlasts Murray In 5

Posted by Sean Randall on June 9th, 2017 @ 7:00 pm

It’s set, Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka will meet Sunday for the French Open final!

Earlier today, Nadal absolutely dominated Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 to reach his 10th final on the grounds of Roland Garros.

The match started out a little shaky for the 9-time champ who had just lost to Thiem last month in Rome – Thiem won the same number of games as then, but this time over three …

Halep, Teenager Ostapenko Advance to French Final, No. 1 on the Line

Posted by Staff on June 8th, 2017 @ 10:34 pm

No. 3 seed Simona Halep stopped Karolina Pliskova from becoming No. 1. Now she has to stop a teenager from winning her first title, a win which would lift Halep to the No. 1 spot for the first time.

Halep beat the No. 2-seeded Pliskova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Thursday in the semifinals to return to the French Open final.

“I feel like I have more experience,” Halep said afterwards. “I’m happy, …

Murray v Wawrinka, Nadal v Thiem; French Open SF Picks And Pans

Posted by Sean Randall on June 8th, 2017 @ 6:55 pm

Novak Djokovic didn’t make it, Roger Federer didn’t play, but the men’s final four at the French Open still looks pretty good. Actually, really good. And, at least on paper, it should make for quite a good day of tennis. But will it live up to expectations?

To be honest, the event thus far in the men’s has been rather flat. Other than the first set of Novak Djokovic-Dominic Thiem, …

French Open Women’s Semis Set: Pliskova vs. Halep to Determine No. 1

Posted by Staff on June 7th, 2017 @ 9:28 pm

Karolina Pliskova and Simona Halep advanced on Wednesday to a semifinal meeting at the French Open where a first-time No. 1 ranking will be on the line for both players.

The No. 3-seeded Halep made an unlikely comeback in her quarterfinal match against No. 5 Elina Svitolina, trailing a set and two breaks, with her opponent serving for the match, but coming from the brink to win 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-0.

“I said …

Novak Djokovic Is In Freefall

Posted by Sean Randall on June 7th, 2017 @ 5:49 pm

Even with Andre Agassi, it’s not getting better Novak Djokovic. In fact, it’s getting worse. Today, against a guy he had beaten 12 games to one last month in Rome, Djokovic all but quit after losing the first set to Dominic Thiem 7-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the French Open quarterfinals.

It was Djokovic’s worst loss by games of his career at the French Open. And it ended with Djokovic eating his …