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 .

[banbrotam]

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

Age and the quality of the opponent

The Big 4, particularly Rafa and Roger have gained such massive respect for their abilities to be only beaten by each other (generally) that we understandably think that something is wrong when they become 'normal' great players

Currently and I said this a couple of weeks ago, I don't think any one player is dominating to such a degree that they couldn't be bounced at Wimby before say the QF's

Here, it's a Rafa and Novak shoot out - hopefully plenty of entertainment beforehand

[Jahu]

Gulbis takes second set. Anyone close to Fed? Throw him a glass of cold water on his big nose   

[lags72]

I'd agree with your analysis banbrotam.

Even if he were 40, Federer would almost certainly still come up with occasional mini-streaks of magic that leave everyone shaking their heads in disbelief. But his serve gets broken these days in ways it never used to.

When facing a much younger player who is not only in great form (despite temperamental aberrations) AND with the added motivation of dumping out a legend, Roger begins to look just as vulnerable as someone way down the rankings.

[lags72]

Clear signs now that this can be a happy day for Gulbis .....

[Jahu]

Fed breaks. Wake up boy.

[Jahu]

5:2. Gulbis a little lost.

[Jahu]

Or hurt. MTO.

[lags72]

He might come back magically re-energised with a Mother Teresa cure, a la Rafa  

[Jahu]

He has. Some magic massage!

[lags72]

Yep, he was given the magic pill.

What odds now on yet another Federer meltdown ......  

[Jahu]

Fed needs this set. Magic massage can not last too long…

[kingraf]

He might come back magically re-energised with a Mother Teresa cure, a la Rafa  

Bit like the Australian Open final then?

[Jahu]

Fed agitated a little.  MTO has thrown him off balance.  Set 5, knock it out fast swisso.

[lags72]

Here we go.

Gulbis staying calm & surprisingly composed.

Federer's mood looks grim. But he finally grinds out the fourth.

[invisiblecoolers]

A horrible 4th set by both players but Fed somehow holds his nerve to close it out on serving for the set 2nd time [remember he had 2 breaks of serve and was leading 5-2]

[The Special Juan]

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

I think it's just human nature to have mini concentration lapses. I was guilty of it so many times when I was sitting exams at school - I'd finish a question or even a paragraph in that question and even though it was a high pressure scenario my mind would wander off and it'd take a couple of minutes to get back.

[The Special Juan]

Granollers hits a new low as he is bagelled on his favourite surface by Raonic.

[Jahu]

Fed cant shootout with this guy. He needs to mix up a little, hit some lines, etc etc, hes got enough tools. Broken again.

[The Special Juan]

Or not. He lost the set 6-3 instead!! My scores website went a bit mental.

[lags72]

Absolutely every department of Fed's game distinctly average today, journeyman-standard

Even if he were to somehow pull it out of the fire (most unlikely) this sort of stuff v a solid-looking Berdych would see him dumped out in straights anyway

[Jahu]

Fed is going home. No chance to beat this wierdo.

[TopoftheChops]

Fed is going home.  No chance to beat this wierdo.

Why is Gulbis weird? Don't you like the aeroplane technique on his forehand?

[Guest]

He can hit a forehand and stop traffic both ways, ingenious. In all seriousness this is a big match for him

[Jahu]

Nope I dont. Like his hair cut thought, nice BH too.

[kingraf]

We are all learning the importance of beating Ernests. The lads generating some serious hate on Twitter. You'd swear he killed someone.

[bogbrush]

I'd agree with your analysis banbrotam.

Even if he were 40, Federer would almost certainly still come up with occasional mini-streaks of magic that leave everyone shaking their heads in disbelief. But his serve gets broken these days in ways it never used to.

When facing a much younger player who is not only in great form (despite temperamental aberrations) AND with the added motivation of dumping out a legend, Roger begins to look just as vulnerable as someone way down the rankings.

It gives me no pleasure to mention that I've been saying more or less this for a good few years now. Obviously now and then he wheels out a good bit but it's been gone consistently for a number of years.

Makes it quite annoying if you get deceived by a good bit.

[Jahu]

No need to hate Gulbis. He's kicking ass, full stop. Better him then Djoko   

[lags72]

Whilst I'm confident that Gulbis will now take the match, I certainly don't think he's weird. Very resourceful when he has needed to be, and he's had a great day.

But it was a day when everything came together at just the crucial moments, and I would put a lot of money on him going out in the quarters, and perhaps in pretty limp fashion too.

Very poor from Fed, age is undoubtedly catching up, and these exits will become a much more familiar pattern for as long he continues on the Tour

[bogbrush]

We are all learning the importance of beating Ernests. The lads generating some serious hate on Twitter. You'd swear he killed someone.

I love twitter. It's where all the d*ckheads congregate leaving the rest of the place free for normal people.

[TopoftheChops]

that dropshot was lovely

[kingraf]

We are all learning the importance of beating Ernests. The lads generating some serious hate on Twitter. You'd swear he killed someone.

I love twitter. It's where all the d*ckheads congregate leaving the rest of the place free for normal people.

It's also a fantastic place to get live scores. Much faster than BBC live text.

[lags72]

I like that bogbrush !

For years there were countless oddbods with only a limited audience to whom they could peddle their nonsense and inane chatter - then lo & behold they can hook up with similar weirdos around the world ....!

[TopoftheChops]

Brilliant victory

[invisiblecoolers]

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

I think it's just human nature to have mini concentration lapses.  I was guilty of it so many times when I was sitting exams at school - I'd finish a question or even a paragraph in that question and even though it was a high pressure scenario my mind would wander off and it'd take a couple of minutes to get back.

The more the older you become the more you lose focus.

[Jahu]

Done and dusted. Deserved by Goulbis. Fed should next play in Basel and then quit for good. What a disaster.

[bogbrush]

We are all learning the importance of beating Ernests. The lads generating some serious hate on Twitter. You'd swear he killed someone.

I love twitter. It's where all the d*ckheads congregate leaving the rest of the place free for normal people.

It's also a fantastic place to get live scores. Much faster than BBC live text.

Ah so. But is it worth the brain damage?

[Gerry SA]

Right that's fudged my Sunday...

Congrats Ernests Gulbis   

[invisiblecoolers]

Nobody gonna stop Djoko from getting his maiden RG now, unless Tsonga takes up a bit of inspiration from the crowd and Gulbis.

[lags72]

Great performance from Gulbis. Many congratulations   

He sure got a help from Federer (not least in latter stages of the second) BUT a lot of guys have been offered help by Federer in the past, and not been good enough to take advantage

[TopoftheChops]

Tsonga winning will be icing on the cake

[kingraf]

Put some money on Tsonga, and I think he'll do the business for me.

[CaledonianCraig]

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

Sorry but I have to disagree here. Murray was leading two sets to one and 4-2 (30-0) and Kohlschreiber was going nowhere then Andy (as the commentators put it and I agree) gave Kohli the kiss of life as the wheels fell off all parts of his game and gifted Kohli a way back into the match. Even myself as a big Murray supporter cannot kid myself that that was excellent - it was criminal. And it is something you wouldn't want or expect to see from one of the top players in the world.

[michael_o]

Enjoyed Gulbis' interviews. Seems he has now grown up and comes across as quite an engaging character. Will take him a while though to shake off his old bad boy/playboy image.

[Jahu]

While Goulbis enjoys his super win, lets all support Tsonga

[CaledonianCraig]

Two matches today show time never stands still in tennis and how times change. Turn the clock back a few years and I am pretty sure Murray would have imploded last night and lost the fifth set but he hung in there and finally got the job done today so at least that is something he can take from the match. Likewise with Roger Federer if you turned the clock back a few years Roger would never have lost that match today after going a set up.

[lags72]

Put some money on Tsonga, and I think he'll do the business for me.

Don't share your confidence !

But if you're right, then the RG Committee are safe to tell Rafa he can keep hold of his trophy for yet another year and he can take a little break before going on to Halle.

[kingraf]

Put some money on Tsonga, and I think he'll do the business for me.

Don't share your confidence !

But if you're right, then the RG Committee are safe to tell Rafa he can keep hold of his trophy for yet another year and he can take a little break before going on to Halle.

yeah I may have been wrong.

[Jahu]

Tsong needs to hunt and chase. First set gone lets hope he wakes up on second.

[lags72]

Interesting observations CC.

I don't think anyone can now doubt Andy's capacity to stay calm in pressurised situations ; in fact I think he has already shown that 'new' ability a fair few times, and today was yet another example. Mind you, the DC tie v Fognini was a disappointment, but back then he was perhaps still lacking match practice after the long injury layoff.

As for Federer, I can't see that he would have made another Final here anyway. The only match where I feel he played at his true level of days past was in his opener. I checked out his U/E count for that 3 setter and it was a very respectable 19. Progressively downhill ever since : 34 R2 (3 sets) 39 R3 (4 sets) and a shabby 59 in today's 5 setter.

[bogbrush]

Two matches today show time never stands still in tennis and how times change. Turn the clock back a few years and I am pretty sure Murray would have imploded last night and lost the fifth set but he hung in there and finally got the job done today so at least that is something he can take from the match. Likewise with Roger Federer if you turned the clock back a few years Roger would never have lost that match today after going a set up.

Turn it back 7/8 years and he'd not lose it from 2sets and a break down.

Roger is on the most extended, multi-year,farewell tour in the history of the sport.

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