French Open discussion thread

by Mad for Chelsea Mon May 26, 2014 1:16 pm

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

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by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:57 pm

If Fed made the QF, he would of broken from Jimmy Connors as both stand at 41 QF.

Another record standing is Santoro at 70 appearances and Fed second at 60. Don't think Fed can do 2015 and 2016 and do those 8 slams, assuming he does the W and USO this year.

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:04 pm

legendkillarV2 wrote:Really Lopez? I thought he dropped out of the top 100 at one time. That is a hell of an achievement!

It's undoubtedly very very impressive in terms of staying fit enough - and of course good enough - to play in so many Slams. Santoro especially so with that record number of 70.

But appearances are one thing ; how deep you actually progress in all those events is quite another ........ chin

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:06 pm

Lopez is due a Wimbledon QF this year - he had one in 2005, 2008 and 2011.

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:10 pm

That tally of 70 appearances by Santoro conceals a somewhat less impressive record :
29 first round exits ........ Shocked

good at showing up though ..... Wink

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:12 pm

Is that a record too?? Laugh

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:14 pm

Dunno. Sounds like it could be ....!!

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:19 pm

Poor Fabrice Laugh

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:23 pm

Murray at times plays like he's in his 40's. I feel sorry for his next coach.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:28 pm

Verdasco's playing nowhere near lights-out tennis. Murray should be easing this.

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:31 pm

The Special Juan wrote:Poor Fabrice

I guess we should give him credit for plugging away year after year after year ..... not everyone would be so motivated !

And in today's Slam world, even 4 x R1 pay cheques every year would be enough to give you a living .....

Meanwhile this is looking as tight as I expected. Five sets anyone .....??

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:32 pm

Murray Looks jaded, but doing the right thing and going at the ball harder to compensate. Verdasco doing a Chockdasco, means that Muzz has the upper hand for now

by TopoftheChops Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:35 pm

good set from andy, nice and solid

by CaledonianCraig Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:36 pm

Murray takes the first set 6-4. Solid enough and dealt well with Verdasco's powerful hitting. He needs this down in straight sets though as I agree with falzy21.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:37 pm

Monfils delivers a bagel to GGL Shocked

by Mad for Chelsea Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:37 pm

interesting first set. Murray started off very aggressive but making a few errors, while Verdasco's been surprisingly timid. Murray realised that and reined in a bit, and that was enough to take the first set.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:38 pm

lags72 wrote:
The Special Juan wrote:Poor Fabrice

I guess we should give him credit for plugging away year after year after year ..... not everyone would be so motivated !

And in today's Slam world, even 4 x R1 pay cheques every year would be enough to give you a living .....

Meanwhile this is looking as tight as I expected. Five sets anyone .....??

This was the best I could find - "According to ATPworldtour.com after the 2010 Australian Open, Santoro has lost more singles matches (444) than any other professional player (active or not)."

by bogbrush Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:39 pm

Why are they talking about them wearing the same outfit, and folk saying they can't tell them apart.

If you know anything at all about tennis the clue is the guy playing left-handed isn't Murray. If you don't know that much then you shouldn't be watching.

Either way, it's a lame comment.

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:41 pm

Gael is playing gaelightful tennis. I hereby patent the term "gaelightful" whilst referring to Gael.

Verdasco is a slow starter he will still comeback like a maestro mug

by Josiah Maiestas Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:43 pm

If only Rog had GGL or Verdasco instead of flippin Gulbis mad

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:45 pm

True but whats Santoros overall win percentage?

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:53 pm

His W-L was 474-444 so that's a win percentage of 51.6%.

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:55 pm

Not bad for a guy of Fabrices longevity and rank. Gulbis was a nightmare 4th round opponent really, Fed still would have had to get past Berdy though, which is no gimme nowadays.

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 4:58 pm

He's a nice enough guy and at least doesn't try to create the impression that he was some sort of legend of the sport in the way that Pat (aren't I wonderful) Cash does. Ok, so Cash did get one Slam of course, but he sure dines out on it at every conceivable opportunity.
When you take that Wimbledon win out of the equation, big-head Cash won only the same number of career tour events as Fabrice, ie a grand total of ...... six .... Shocked

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:08 pm

Murray's getting close to breaking serve but is making silly errors at crucial points. I just hope he doesn't throw in a stinker of a service game to throw away the set.

by CaledonianCraig Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:14 pm

The Special Juan wrote:Murray's getting close to breaking serve but is making silly errors at crucial points. I just hope he doesn't throw in a stinker of a service game to throw away the set.

That is my concern as well. It has been known.

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:16 pm

3-4 30:30 that was a big point and a big save

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:24 pm

Excellent return game clap

by CaledonianCraig Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:25 pm

Great game that from Murray - a break when he needed it. Now all he needs to do is serve it out. Far easier said than done the way Andy's serve percentages are. Rolling Eyes

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:27 pm

Yep, Verdasco throwing whatever he can at Murray, who is soaking it all up in impressive fashion .....

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:32 pm

I'd section these two - first sign of madness is speaking to yourself.

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:34 pm

This guy from Scotland is playing balls with Verdsco. 2 sets up.

by CaledonianCraig Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:35 pm

Murray holds his nerve and serve and leads 6-4 7-5. I see no way back now for Fernando but Andy must power on to a straight sets win to keep something in the tank for the quarters.

by TopoftheChops Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:35 pm

This is brilliant from Murray

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:36 pm

Are most spanish players a little b1tchy? Shouting, swearing etc etc… a little girlish.

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:36 pm

Thats a great effort.

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:40 pm

Ok I will revise my prediction of Murray in 4. Murray in 3 Smile

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:42 pm

Verdasco is frustrated.

It says very clearly in his 'ABC Book of Tennis' that players from Scotland do not beat players from Spain on clay.

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:42 pm

Murray -Nadal final. You heard it here first, mark my words (i'm copying a guy who used to post like this here, I think Jersey?, Djoko fan obviously)

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:43 pm

Murray's best ever performance on the dirt? I'd say so. I'm very encouraged for Wimbledon and barring new injuries, I think he'll go close.

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:43 pm

Jahu wrote:Murray -Nadal final. You heard it here first, mark my words (i'm copying a guy who used to post like this here, I think Jersey?, Djoko fan obviously)

They have to meet in the semis I'm afraid.

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:48 pm

Oh crap. I messed the draw.

At least the scotch whisky is kicking the spanish rioja in the nuts.

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:50 pm

Murray can beat Nadal on clay. Nadal will be scared of Djoko in the final RedWine

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:52 pm

Jahu - therein lies the danger of trying to copy Jersey Rolling Eyes

I think you're better off not doing so. The vast majority of his you-heard-it-here-firsts never came to pass .........

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:52 pm

Murray, IF he gets there i dont think will have nadal over a long ding dong on the red stuff, would be a good semi though.

Btw I cant rememember, do they stagger mens and womens days in the french like at wimby? Ie is tomorrow womens quarters only?

by TopoftheChops Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:53 pm

If Murray wins, i can't see him losing to monfils

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:56 pm

lags, agree. Just it crossed my mind.

Where is my friend kemet? And why has no one answered my last weeks question: where is JHM? Has he quit us?

by Guest Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:57 pm

He messaged me yesterday, hes on holiday

by Jahu Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:58 pm

Lucky boy. Hope hes having more fun then us.

by lags72 Mon Jun 02, 2014 5:58 pm

Don't jinx him please TotC

You assured us that Nadal wouldn't get past Thiem. And that Murray would be knocked out by Kohlschreiber .......

by The Special Juan Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:03 pm

Good game this. My only criticism of Murray's display today is his break point conversion percentage.

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