Rafatennis Part II - Roland Garros 22 May - 5 June 2011

First topic message reminder :

So here we are then folks...the second slam of the year, with so much riding on it.

Will Novak get that No 1 that he so craves? Will Rafa get title No 6 to equal Bjorn Borg's records? Will Roger step back up and prove a threat and will Murray follow up his good form on the clay of Monte Carlo and Rome with a good run here?

The draw is out and Rafa faces John Isner in Round 1. Robin Soderling is in Rafa's quarter and Andy Murray in the same half.

Rafa has been in Paris for a couple of days already on the promotion trail with appearances at Armani and the Nike store. He's also been at the tournament site practising with Gilles Simon.

Good luck Rafa and vamos!

Isner's problem is that he's going to win at most 25% of baseline rallies against Nadal, and probably less; As such, he needs to come up with a different gameplan, maybe dropshot a bit more, mix things up, etc.

Isner starting to rally, but its Rafa that puts his shot out ... 15-0

Rafan <squeeze> Kubot taking NICOOOOO to four sets.

Drop shot (not "vintage") from Isner for 30-0

Rafa shot in net. 40-0

ACE ... game

Come on Kubot, do a Robert on us!

Nice serve, but c/c forehand out by Rafa. 0-15

Isner shot out for 15-15

Tut. Good Rafa serve and he was on the front foot from the off. But ... Isner gets a lucky netcord. 15-30 Now come on Rafa.

Great lefty serve wide out, which Isner hits out. 30-30

Tut tut and triple tut ... Isner comes in off a short ball and comes in and Rafa hits it out past him. Gulp 30-40.

AND RAFA hits it wide to get the break back.

Crowd love it.

Isner breaks back, too tentative from Rafa in that game, and Isner cashes in, it's 4-4

Blinking crowd

Come on Nicoooooooooooooooo!

This game has become very intriguing. Very cat and mouse stuff and I love it.

Rafa pushing Isner around, but he was short in one shot but got away with that ... 0-15 to Rafa

Rafa return out.

Rafa left stranded cos he is returning miles back and Isner rushes to net for a volley with Rafa no chance of getting it.

I am not liking this now.

Unbelieveable bad hit return by Rafa to give him 40-15

Rafa needs to get a grip here.

Same play by Isner, but he volleys out. 40-30.

S/v by Isner and Rafa hits in net.

Poo.

Rafa going through a bit of a rough patch here after playing so well ... pick it up.

Oh commies bringing him into it now ...

I used to live in Paris and proper tennis fans were always a bit embarrassed by the Paris crowd. It's a lovely city otherwise though Anyway Isner holds for 5-4 while Kubot and Almagro are at 1-1 in the fourth (as a Murray fan you'll have to forgive me if I support Kulbot today)

I've been to RG for 3 years and I think it's great, but the crowd can be almost bullying at times. I thought the way they treated Hingis that time against Graf was disgraceful. Wimbledon crowds are much more supportive.

That's my boy!!! Good first serve and aggressive in-court play. Drop shot easy for Rafa to pounce on. 15-0

Lovely one-two tennis and Isner hits out. Vamos! says Rafa.

Super serve and lovely b/h. Isner hits out. 40-0

Grrrr ... blinkin d/f.

Rally which Rafa wins ...

Much better honey.

MFC ... are you French? And if yes, how come you follow Murray?

Rubbish return off Rafa lets Isner level at 15-15 and now Isner plays a volley at the net for 30-15.

Rafa return in net.

Another good serve gets Isner the game.

Yikes ... its going to be tight here.

Isner playing a very good match here. Loving the serve and volley. Don't know how Rafa returned the opening serve of that game though. Thought it was destined for the crowd!

COME ON RAFFFAAAAA!!! We need a good service game. Come on!!

Hmmm Isner holds for 6-5, these fast conditions not helping Rafa, and he's standing too deep on his return of serve still. Well I did say the second set would be tight, though I predicted 7-5...

I'm in and out of this match...and Rafa's Been broken back...poo!!!

Bet the crowd loved it

Woofs, I'm Franco-Britanico-Australian really, born in France to a British mum and an Aussie dad. Bit confusing I know. I follow Murray because he's British and because I really like his game.

Go on the MFC! We need more Murray fans here

Hold onto your socks. Tiebreaker!

Wonderful in the court c/c f/h by Rafi for 15-0.

Forehand on fire. 30-0

Isner moves into net, but very poor from him. 40-0

Pass hit long by Isner. Game Rafa.

All I can say now is ... <CLUNK> <CLICK>

Cor MFC...that's a mixture

Oh Rafa!!! He's doing it to us again

Goodness, TB against Isner...HELP !!

Rafa hit out so 0-1.

Rafa long on his forehand. 0-2.

COME ON RAFFFFAAAA!!

Great serve. Isner says out. Umpire says INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

<tongue out> 1-2

Yikes ... massive serve from Isner. 3-1

Rafa waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. And hits in the net.

RAFFFAAAA COME ONNNNNNNNNNN 4-1 Isner.

Come on Rafa.

Stoopid crowd.

Gooid serve. Bets his forehands ... MASSIVE!!! 2-4

Can Isner hold it together. Still feel the pressure is very much on him 4-2.

Typing gone to pot. Come on Rafa!!!

Oh dear. My poor nerves.

Well played Isner that point. Thought he came in behind the wrong shot, but how wrong I was.

Great serve and rallying by Rafa. But Isner moves to the net and you think PASS PASS but nooooooo ... Isner gets it and Rafa in net.

Rafa is TENSE. 2-5

Commies talking a load of **** again

Oh Rafa hits out as Isner rushes to net.

oh Rafa...that's a real let off for Isner....you are a fool

Credit to Isner. What courage. Rafa is going to come out firing.

well well well Isner takes the TB very comfortably. Rafa's passing has been poor today and Isner has taken advantage, rushing to the net at every opportunity to put pressure on him. Time for a change of tactics for Rafa?

Right ... Is my tummy flipping. NO.

Am I worried? NO.

Rafa lost his level at the wrong time in that set and Isner upped his.

Have faith Rafateers. Rafa loses a set and suddenly all hell breaks loose. Our boy can do this!!

Rafa to serve.

COME ON HONEY!!!!

Game on, I guess. Come on, Rafa !!

I'll be really blue for Rafa if he doesn't do this!

VAMOS Rafa - let's avoid any more TBs please

Not sure why Isner is not trying to move in closer to the baseline on his return. He will get murdered with that tactic. Great service game by Rafa there.

Rafa punching forehand and Isner hits out ... 15-0

Rafa hitting his groundies very nicely there. 30-0

Whoops, loose one in net there Rafa. 30-15.

Commies "length" "length" "length".

Beautiful cross court backhand pass to get Isner at the net.

Lovely cross court forehand to win the game.

Well played Rafa.

Much better game from Rafa, more aggression and Isner can't cope.

If Rafa has lost before I get there at the weekend, I am seriously going to cry.

I am sure he won't Wombie

Poor poor from Isner. Should have done better with the forehand at 40-40.