French Open discussion thread

by Mad for Chelsea Mon 26 May - 13:16

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 clap

.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 20:28

As light fades if they get taken off I wouldn't fancy Murray tomorrow to win with a hamstring problem left to simmer overnight. For me it is a must he gets this done tonight - one way or the other.

by Jahu Sat 31 May - 20:31

Holy mamma. What a shot for a BP from Kohli.

Andy holds.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 20:33

A loss here will be disappointing considering Murray should have wrapped it up in four. However, he was never going to win here at RG so it is not a catastrophe but would just prefer him to exit in better circumstances rather than chucking a match away if that is what he does.

by The Special Juan Sat 31 May - 20:34

For a 5 set match that's gone into "extra time", it's been fairly quick. It took Kvitova and Kuzzy about this long to play 3 sets.

by Jahu Sat 31 May - 20:35

I think officially they can have 1 more serve each and call it a night.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 20:37

But lets not take anything away from Kohlschreiber as he has played some excellent stuff today.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 20:38

One thing you cannot deny - you nearly always get drama in a Murray match.

by Jahu Sat 31 May - 20:39

Andy 2 points from winning and will play tomorrow again.

by The Special Juan Sat 31 May - 20:40

When Andy eventually does call it quits, I'll miss this.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 20:40

Play suspended at 7-7. Drama. Murray can only blame himself for the predicament he is in.

by lags72 Sat 31 May - 20:58

Well it became a right mess, he sure had lots of chances to wrap things up, and it should never have even gone to a fifth.

But sport is also about grinding out a win when you're far from your best. He's still there, he's still battling and there's no reason he can't see it through tomorrow.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 21:01

Yes lags but it would be a win that would pose more questions than answers as to what went on at the end of the fourth set and what is fitness level is?

by Silver Sat 31 May - 21:03

CaledonianCraig wrote:One thing you cannot deny - you nearly always get drama in a Murray match.

I'll happily deny that. He has some pretty dull matches, just like every player.

Be interesting to see how things go tomorrow, though the winner will be fed through the Verdasco threshing machine irrespective of result.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 21:06

Figuratively speaking Silver of course.

by Silver Sat 31 May - 21:10

Haha, I know, only ribbing you. I missed the match, was it a decent level of play?

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 21:23

Silver wrote:Haha, I know, only ribbing you. I missed the match, was it a decent level of play?

Up and down. Some excellent stuff and some poor stuff.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 31 May - 21:39

Whoever the new coach is I hope they have a solution to Andy's serving issues and get that first serve percentage up to a more respectable level more of the time.

by Born Slippy Sat 31 May - 22:19

Hmm, saw up to 4-2 in the 4th. It was obvious Andy was carrying what looked like a tight hamstring but he was looking in very good form. Sounds like he got sloppy and Kohli stepped it up. Would be massively disappointing to lose here if for nothing else than the chance to improve his Wimbledon seeding.

by The Special Juan Sat 31 May - 22:36

Because of the weird formula Wimbledon use, it should be pretty good anyway, shouldn't it?

by Born Slippy Sat 31 May - 22:40

The Special Juan wrote:Because of the weird formula Wimbledon use, it should be pretty good anyway, shouldn't it?

I haven't done the calculation but I would say he needs more than 90 points here to get a top 4 seeding.

by antonico Sun 1 Jun - 0:04

Gerry SA wrote:Tbh the double bagel said more about Ginepri than it did about Nadal

It's always says more about the other guy. You said Nadal wasn't doing it anymore at all. Just a correction of your mistaken assertion.

by invisiblecoolers Sun 1 Jun - 0:41

Last time Andy fought some outsider in a GS he went on to win the slam, so is Kols the lucky doom again for Andy?

For me Andy needs a tough match at the start of the tournament to honestly realize his level and play at that level, Kols match would have schooled him two interesting thoughts

1]His B-Game is not enough to even outsiders
2]When he starts to find his range then he can be a nightmare to any opponent.

Andy really need a match like this to overcome coz he is on Rafa's quarter, if not he can bow down here and leave happily saying he fought his best yet could not overcome an inspired Kols.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 1 Jun - 7:18

It is an odd and strangely pleasant experience I have today. Normally, I'd be nervous for Andy wanting him to win an edge of the seat match but that sensation isn't there today. Sure I still want him to win and wish him all the best as always but I won't be as gutted as usual should he lose as plain and simply it will be his own fault and I can't offer any sympathy. This match should have been over in four sets but his play and concentration dipped to such a level it offered Kohlschreiber hope and chances too good to refuse. So Andy you made your own bed you can lie in it.

by YvonneT Sun 1 Jun - 10:38

Born Slippy wrote:
The Special Juan wrote:Because of the weird formula Wimbledon use, it should be pretty good anyway, shouldn't it?

I haven't done the calculation but I would say he needs more than 90 points here to get a top 4 seeding.

Murray's got at least 2900 grass points to add on and is just under 1300 below Wawrinka. So even if Murray loses 250 at Queens and Wawrinka gains 250 he'll be seeded above him. I think the only danger he doesn't get a top 4 seed is Ferrer or Berdych winning the French - I haven't done the calculation on that either and won't unless it starts to look feasible.

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 10:59

The girls really must start agreeing outfits & colours with each other once the match draws are known. Far too many clashes here at RG in the past week, and another one here with Bouchard and Kerber ...... Wink

(not that it really matters what Eugenie Bouchard wears, as far as most male viewers are concerned .....)

by slashermcguirk Sun 1 Jun - 11:02

Berdych looking very impressive today, if he beats isner I wouldn't rule him out of beating federer. He has the experience of beating federer at wimbledon and the us open in the past, so there shouldn't be a dead factor.

Could be interesting

by slashermcguirk Sun 1 Jun - 11:03

Fear factor, damn you predictive text!!

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 11:08

You're looking ahead .....Federer needs to get past Gulbis first .......

by slashermcguirk Sun 1 Jun - 11:19

Sorry, had allowed for the near inevitable gulbis implosion

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 11:35

We shall see !

Fed was less than sparkling v Tursunov, and his BP conversion was dreadful. Today's another day. If he's at anywhere close to his best, then the Gulbis run will come to an end. But if he's not .......

by TopoftheChops Sun 1 Jun - 12:21

Verdasco superb today. Will beat Murray or Kohlschreiber next round

by michael_o Sun 1 Jun - 12:22

Extremely impressive performance from Verdasco, probably the best match (certainly on clay) that he's ever played in his long career. On that form it's easy to see him as a likely semi-finalist.

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 12:38

Impressive indeed !

On his very best days, Verdasco can look World No.1 quality. Inconsistency has of course stopped him getting anywhere close.

This was right up there with his fantastic AO semi v Rafa

by Josiah Maiestas Sun 1 Jun - 12:48

Strange the way Murray looks a decent level on Rome clay but on RG clay he looks like anyone in top 50 can beat him. Kohli is equally looking poor though so he still could win Sad

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 12:56

Still impossible to call, although Kohli does seem the more confident of the two

Meanwhile Gulbis giving Federer a lot of trouble already ......

by The Special Juan Sun 1 Jun - 13:04

YvonneT wrote:
Born Slippy wrote:
The Special Juan wrote:Because of the weird formula Wimbledon use, it should be pretty good anyway, shouldn't it?

I haven't done the calculation but I would say he needs more than 90 points here to get a top 4 seeding.
Murray's got at least 2900 grass points to add on and is just under 1300 below Wawrinka. So even if Murray loses 250 at Queens and Wawrinka gains 250 he'll be seeded above him. I think the only danger he doesn't get a top 4 seed is Ferrer or Berdych winning the French - I haven't done the calculation on that either and won't unless it starts to look feasible.

Excellent, thanks

by kingraf Sun 1 Jun - 13:07

This sets gone longer than Nadals opening match

by TopoftheChops Sun 1 Jun - 13:07

well done andy, he showed guts

by The Special Juan Sun 1 Jun - 13:08

Well done Kohli clap

That was some fight he put up there. As for Mr Murray, I've never seen him that intense after winning!!

by The Special Juan Sun 1 Jun - 13:17

Also, a shout-out to Eugenie Bouchard this morning. I've rarely seen such a comprehensive dismantling of a top 10 player and Bouchard had the answer to everything Kerber threw at her. Bouchard will be a top player - she moves well and has terrific defensive skills but can also go on the offensive.

by Guest Sun 1 Jun - 13:26

Gulbis implodes at the wrong time, Fed takes the first, its gonna be straights I feel from here

by slashermcguirk Sun 1 Jun - 13:27

Gulbis imploding....who would have thought?? Such a frustrating player

by TopoftheChops Sun 1 Jun - 13:28

The Special Juan wrote:Also, a shout-out to Eugenie Bouchard this morning. I've rarely seen such a comprehensive dismantling of a top 10 player and Bouchard had the answer to everything Kerber threw at her. Bouchard will be a top player - she moves well and has terrific defensive skills but can also go on the offensive.

She's also very attractive

by TopoftheChops Sun 1 Jun - 13:30

slashermcguirk wrote:Gulbis imploding....who would have thought?? Such a frustrating player

Dont count him out yet

by The Special Juan Sun 1 Jun - 13:51

TopoftheChops wrote:
The Special Juan wrote:Also, a shout-out to Eugenie Bouchard this morning. I've rarely seen such a comprehensive dismantling of a top 10 player and Bouchard had the answer to everything Kerber threw at her. Bouchard will be a top player - she moves well and has terrific defensive skills but can also go on the offensive.

She's also very attractive

Well, there is that too...

by banbrotam Sun 1 Jun - 13:56

TopoftheChops wrote:Verdasco superb today. Will beat Murray or Kohlschreiber next round

No. Gasquet was terrible. Yet again he and Tsonga take turns in teasing us with their talent and consistently underachieving.

Let's remember that Verdasco took five sets beat a player ranked 136 in the last round Whistle

Kohlschrieber was a very tricky opponent, who I thought would beat him and I'd argue it's one of Murray's best clay court wins

Today's match replaces practice and Verdasco knows he's only ever beaten Murray when there was something wrong with him as the 9-1 record shows

by banbrotam Sun 1 Jun - 13:58

CaledonianCraig wrote:
Silver wrote:Haha, I know, only ribbing you. I missed the match, was it a decent level of play?

Up and down. Some excellent stuff and some poor stuff.

I thought the level was superb, virtually all the way through as it was great to see two very good all court players rely on shot making rather than just their serve

If this had been Federer v Gulbis, we'd have had all the purists cooing about what great tennis it was

by The Special Juan Sun 1 Jun - 14:09

Gulbis comes second in my list of 'Tennis players I love to "hate"'.

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 14:11

Gulbis in the middle of a really purple patch and was looking good to level things up here.

Until the broken racquet + warning ........

But just what causes these lapses in focus from Federer .....?

If this was an anonymous 250, it would be understandable after so many years on the Tour. But there's a QF Slam spot at stake.

by lags72 Sun 1 Jun - 14:15

Gulbis can most likely level up anyway, due to some fantastic defensive play and no little assistance from Fed.

by Sponsored content