French Open discussion thread

[Mad for Chelsea]

First topic message reminder :

I thought it was about time we got one of these started. While Federer surprisingly (cough cough) had the advantage of starting his campaign nice and early on day 1, Djokovic is currently in action against Sousa of Portugal. Also on at the moment we have everyone's favourite Briton... James Ward. He's been handed a tough draw against Tommy Robredo, but is battling hard, despite being a break down in the first.

We're also due our first major upset over on court 1, with Nishikori on his way out against Klizan. Injury issues? Finally we have Mahut vs Kukushkin in a pleasant match between two talented shot-makers. That one's at one set all, with the intriguing possibility of the winner meeting Isner in R2.

EDIT: in the time it took me to write this one, Ward has broken back, and is level at 3-3, well done that man .

[kingraf]

Fognini Monfils is an assault on the senses

[Gerry SA]

Same as last year then


Mayer's not an unknown though

I'm calling Mayer an unknown for the casual fan.

They see Nadal as 61-1 at Roland Garros. Years gone by he was dishing up bagels and breadsticks to these lower ranked guys.

Not anymore.

[The Special Juan]

For such an "athlete", Monfils sure does struggle physically after a handful of matches. He gives me the impression of a sprinter trying to run a marathon

[lags72]

Once again Nadal's length has been damn awful.

He's been getting stung by a relative unknown.

Djokovic will have a field day with all these mid court balls Nadal's giving up.

Something tells me the sting has been fairly painless.

It remains to be seen just what sort of 'field day' Djokovic may or may not have. Rafa meanwhile has shown an uncanny habit over many years of doing as much as is necessary to progress in Paris, based on the competence of any given opponent.

The number of alleged problems/faults/shortcomings in Nadal's game and performance,  as detected by various observers not just this year but in previous years, strikes me as being in inverse proportion to the number of losses he has suffered at Roland Garros.

[summerblues]

Agree that Rafa looked so-so today. If he meets Djokovic in the final he will need to play far better than that. Also, with Nole having looked better this clay court season than last year, and Rafa having been worse, this year's RG could be intriguing.

Then again, Rafa and Nole played five times at RG, and Nole is yet to win once - though he has in general been getting closer.

[CaledonianCraig]

What must be understood though is that Rafa has so many gears to go up through. It is frightening that is in low gears yet winning matches so comfortably.

[CaledonianCraig]

Andy Murray soon to step on court to play Kohlschreiber. Andy cannot afford any dips in his concentration/intensity or form here or he will be punished.

[sirfredperry]

Can't understand the commentators' excitement over Monfils. He plays from miles behind the baseline, rarely stays fit and is, to me, a wasted talent.
Should have been in the top 10 for the last six years.

[The Special Juan]

Tipsarevic was ranked 8th this time last year. Now 118th.

[summerblues]

Can't understand the commentators' excitement over Monfils. He plays from miles behind the baseline, rarely stays fit and is, to me, a wasted talent.
  Should have been in the top 10 for the last six years.

"Wasted talent" describes him very well.  This time last year he looked like he was trying to play consistently more aggressive, I was almost hoping he would finally get somewhere.

[Gerry SA]

What must be understood though is that Rafa has so many gears to go up through. It is frightening that is in low gears yet winning matches so comfortably.

Question isn't about gears Craig.

It's whether he has anything left.

Seems like Nadal, as great as he once was, is running on empty.

[Jahu]

Murray in the Final of FO! Kohli is a joke today.

[CaledonianCraig]

What must be understood though is that Rafa has so many gears to go up through. It is frightening that is in low gears yet winning matches so comfortably.

Question isn't about gears Craig.

It's whether he has anything left.

Seems like Nadal, as great as he once was, is running on empty.

I think it is more confidence/belief than anything else. On clay Rafa has had a career where he has been unbeatable and unflappable but this season he has suffered losses on courts he'd have down as strongholds. Those must play on the mind and erode confidence.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray in the Final of FO!  Kohli is a joke today.

      one of those emoticons for both statements.

[Guest]

Nadal played pretty well, no need to play like a final in the third round... hes hitting it better and the FHDHL looks way better, as does the BH in general, I mean super Djoko will still beat him but its no guarantee he'll turn up.

Wasted talent, maybe... but Monfils isnt a match, its a show, you enjoy it for the passion and the drama, hell be remembered a lot more than a lot of purely better players for that.

[The Special Juan]

Lump on Novak?

"Rafael Nadal says he's been bothered by his back the last two matches, and that it is affecting his serve."

[Jahu]

Ok I reverse my prediction. Murray is being slammed now. Kohli has woken up. Andy showing some pain?

[The Special Juan]

It doesn't matter. I'd rather he had more time for grass practice rather than take part in an event he has no chance of winning anyway.

[CaledonianCraig]

Ok I reverse my prediction.  Murray is being slammed now.  Kohli has woken up.  Andy showing some pain?

Or better still why not comment on the tennis instead of every post being either a prediction or a dig at Djoko's lugs.   

[antonico]

Same as last year then


Mayer's not an unknown though

I'm calling Mayer an unknown for the casual fan.

They see Nadal as 61-1 at Roland Garros. Years gone by he was dishing up bagels and breadsticks to these lower ranked guys.

Not anymore.

Nadal double-bageled Ginepri in the first round here this year.

[Jahu]

But both my predictions and digs are tennis related  

[Jahu]

What a match Lopez-Young, 2 sets down and Young got next 2 sets. 1:1 in fifth.

[Gerry SA]

Same as last year then


Mayer's not an unknown though

I'm calling Mayer an unknown for the casual fan.

They see Nadal as 61-1 at Roland Garros. Years gone by he was dishing up bagels and breadsticks to these lower ranked guys.

Not anymore.

Nadal double-bageled Ginepri in the first round here this year.

Tbh the double bagel said more about Ginepri than it did about Nadal

[Guest]

Murray pulling up... loses the set, think i rather he pull out and get healthy for wimby than carry on a struggle on clay

[TopoftheChops]

Classic Andy on clay- absolute rubbish

[bogbrush]

Murray limping.

Must be behind.

[The Special Juan]

Murray limping.

Must be behind.

This.

[ChequeredJersey]

What must be understood though is that Rafa has so many gears to go up through. It is frightening that is in low gears yet winning matches so comfortably.

Question isn't about gears Craig.

It's whether he has anything left.

Seems like Nadal, as great as he once was, is running on empty.

Last year he looked the same in early RG. He has plenty left

[bogbrush]

Nadal double-bageled Ginepri in the first round here this year.

I remember Kuerten triple-bagelling Federer here many years ago.

[Guest]

Heh, good one bb, was a bit of a worse one than before, then again hes started set 2 brightly, looks like the limbs healed   

[Jahu]

Andy got the sense of where he is now.

[The Special Juan]

Maybe he wants to level it up before he retires (see Granollers last year).

[Born Slippy]

Murray playing very aggressive. Clearly got some sort of niggle and isnt moving as well as normal but striking it well.

[Jahu]

Andy cant hold the lead, broken back.

[Born Slippy]

Hmm, then 2 doubles to chuck away his serve. Just seems to have lost so much of his matchplay abilities this year.

[The Special Juan]

They're obviously trying to match Fog/Monf in terms of playing poorly.

[Jahu]

At least that had many funny moments. These too are too serious.

[Born Slippy]

Good match this. Both players hitting some absolutely brutal returns. Murray's forehand looks in ominous shape ahead of the rather more important (for him) tournaments ahead.

[Born Slippy]

Class set from Murray. Expect a typical lull now though at the start of the third.

[CaledonianCraig]

Good match this. Both players hitting some absolutely brutal returns. Murray's forehand looks in ominous shape ahead of the rather more important (for him) tournaments ahead.

At last!!    A sensible post on the match.   

[CaledonianCraig]

Murray levels it up at one set all. Whoever wins this third set wins the match for me.

[summerblues]

Murray limping.

Must be behind.

Indeed.  Much like when Nole is looking exhausted.

[Born Slippy]

One of the best rallies of the tournament there.

[bogbrush]

Murray limping.

Must be behind.

Indeed.  Much like when Nole is looking exhausted.

Afraid so.

[TopoftheChops]

Get in there andy!

[CaledonianCraig]

One of the best rallies of the tournament there.

Shhh you cannot talk positive like that on a Murray match.   

Superb play from Murray who breaks to lead 3-2. Now hold Andy.   

[Born Slippy]

Three awesome points from Murray to get the break. Kohli did very little wrong.

[CaledonianCraig]

Get in there andy!

Friggin' heck can I refer you to your earlier comment - Classic Andy on clay - absolute rubbish.   

[TopoftheChops]

Get in there andy!

Friggin' heck can I refer you to your earlier comment - Classic Andy on clay - absolute rubbish.   

Doesn't mean I don't support him!

[CaledonianCraig]

Get in there andy!

Friggin' heck can I refer you to your earlier comment - Classic Andy on clay - absolute rubbish.   

Doesn't mean I don't support him!

No but it does say you don't know your tennis if you claim Murray is absolute rubbish on clay. Certainly not in the class of the top players but absolute rubbish he is not.

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