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 .

[HM Murdock]

What a time to break!

Novak takes the first set 7-5.

[bogbrush]

Gulbis humiliating the hideously limited Berdych.

[DirectView]

Djokovic would thank the gods, titans, and oracles if he landed a clash vs anyone but Nadal in the Finals, I mean really? Nadals worst year on clay is still a masters title better than anything Murray has ever done on the surface. Nadals control game has been on full display this year, I think he's averaging like 3.5 errors a set. It's only been five years since he lost on Paris clay. Best of five is a different animal, that's why despite going on various streaks against Nadal, Djokovic only beat him in five setters during that year he seemed to walk on water.

But people are talking here on match ups, and i certainly feel Djoko has the edge over Rafa and his hungrier for a french open title. Compared to Rafa, Murray could be more deadly in the finals for 1]He will play pressure free given he reached a stage he never reached before, 2] He knows how to control the game against Djoko.

Djoko and his team already have a very successful formula against Rafa, not sure whether they have spend any time in preparing a plan for Murray in clay, after all nobody expects a certain Murray to make the finals let alone Djoko team.

yeah, the 5/0 head to head at Paris really brings this point home.

You are living in the past bro.   

[DirectView]

Go Gulbis Go, st. set win would be fabulous , something Gulbis need to do after having a crowing victory over the GOAT.

[bogbrush]

I think the Nadal / Djokovic H2H is meaningless. Not saying Nadal cannot win, but he is vulnerable now.

Djokovic is not the only player who he could lose to this year.

[DirectView]

I think the Nadal / Djokovic H2H is meaningless. Not saying Nadal cannot win, but he is vulnerable now.

Djokovic is not the only player who he could lose to this year.

Gulbis might stop that match happening, he at the moment is making a complete mockery of berdych.

[Jahu]

Who said Berdy in 3?   

Gulbis 2 sets up and going to Final…

[antonico]

Maybe we should hope for Gulbis v Monfils, that might be fun.

Fantastic! Talk about drama!! I mean, what could possibly go wrong in a Major Final between those two?? 

[bogbrush]

I think the Nadal / Djokovic H2H is meaningless. Not saying Nadal cannot win, but he is vulnerable now.

Djokovic is not the only player who he could lose to this year.

Gulbis might stop that match happening, he at the moment is making a complete mockery of berdych.

It's a beat down at the moment. I'm very pleased, I like Gulbis as a character and he plays with some variety.

I'd be delighted if he won the tournament.

[DirectView]

I think the Nadal / Djokovic H2H is meaningless. Not saying Nadal cannot win, but he is vulnerable now.

Djokovic is not the only player who he could lose to this year.

Gulbis might stop that match happening, he at the moment is making a complete mockery of berdych.

It's a beat down at the moment. I'm very pleased, I like Gulbis as a character and he plays with some variety.

I'd be delighted if he won the tournament.

That would be one hell of an achievement to beat

Federer
Berdych
Djokovic
Rafa

  

could be even better than Del Potro's -Cilic [Murray Slayer], Rafa and Federer.

Given his form in the 1st two sets, I am already worried whether he gonna relax and go for sleep rather than finishing this out.

[Jahu]

Come on Raonic, crop his ears and dock his tail   

[Jahu]

Gubis toying around with this flower boy Berdy, 2:0 up third set.

Goulbis-Murray final!!

[kingraf]

yeah, the 5/0 head to head at Paris really brings this point home.

As much as I hate picking and choosing on statistics, the 5-0 H2H is only relevant if we think the matches of 2006, 2007 and 2008 tell us much about the present.

Okay, the 2-0 head to head last two years, combined with the fact that Djokovic has only beaten Nadal over five sets three times (over one six month period), really brings that home.

[bogbrush]

He was quite lucky last year.

[DirectView]

He was quite lucky last year.

I would say way too lucky , while optimism is ok the fact is if happens Djoko will start the favorite.

On form however Rafa looks menacing at the moment while Djoko seems struggling.

[kingraf]

He was quite lucky last year.

A match being stopped due to rain while you're on a streak is bad luck. A baby crying as you're about to serve on break point is luck. A horrible smasher bungling up a smash, admittedly in a way I wouldn't have imagined, isn't luck, it's fortunate, but it's no more lucky than forcing a striker to take an easy chance with his weaker foot.

If they get to the final Djokovic is of course the favorite, but that's not the discussion, is it?

[DirectView]

He was quite lucky last year.

If they get to the final Djokovic is of course the favorite, but that's not the discussion, is it?

What exactly is the discussion then?   

You claimed 5-0 as the stat of reflection and over hyped the chances of Rafa and now claiming Djoko will start favorite , I am kinda confused now.  

[Jahu]

Holy mackarel, Goulbis crushed Berdy. Crazy play from him.

[lags72]

Tremendous stuff from Gulbis    

Many surprise Federer conquerors go out the very next round, but not this guy !!

We won't have to put up with the Berdych horror shirt any longer here, and thankfully Wimbledon won't allow it of course.

[laverfan]

Good win for Gulbis. Looking forward to Djokovic-Gulbis match.

[Jahu]

Roanic has dissapointed today,  at least take a set of Djoko.

Ok,  well he takes a game on Djoko serve for the match.

[kingraf]

Ernests looking good. Clay suits his game as he can hit through the court, but more importantly, has that little bit more time to prepare on his forehand wing. Can't back him against Djokovic, but it could be fun, as they clearly don't like each other.

[Jahu]

Expect HM to come and say Djoko cant close the match   

[HM Murdock]

Djokovic fails to serve a match out AGAIN!!!

What is going on with that?

[kingraf]

Expect HM to come and say Djoko cant close the match   

On cue

[HM Murdock]

Expect HM to come and say Djoko cant close the match   

On cue

I aim to please!

[Jahu]

Hahahah,  yeah nice play from Djoko,  but Milo was a disaster today.

Goulbis sharpening his sword…

[CaledonianCraig]

Fabulous win for Gulbis and he is joined by Djokovic. Raonic is just not competent and consistent enough with returning service. Sure his serve is a huge weapon but it is not bullet-proof and all it takes is one break a set and you have him down and out.

The Gulbis win is more evidence (if it was needed) that we are going through a transitional phase now. Old guard players are now losing more regularly in slams to up and coming players and we are getting new faces in slam semis.

[HM Murdock]

If Djokovic ever gets into the position of serving for the title, he'd better be a double break up.

If he's not, forget it.

[DirectView]

If Djokovic ever gets into the position of serving for the title, he'd better be a double break up.

If he's not, forget it.

Double break up on normal matches, for title he better be up triple break   , but in most cases triple break means he won the set.

[DirectView]

Congrats Gulbis for almighty crushing win.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Gulbis being in semi's is bad for tennis his dad is already a billionaire. He's also a brat of a person who you wouldn't trust with your back turned

[Jahu]

Agreed, but if he can beat Djoko, Vatican will forgive all his sins.

[DirectView]

Agreed,  but if he can beat Djoko,  Vatican will forgive all his sins.

and if he goes on to beat Rafa in the finals, then?

[Jahu]

Then finally Tennis has moved on from the boring top 4.   

[kingraf]

But... one of them is in the semis, and two are in the quarters? Seems a little clingy, if this is how it moves on.

[kingraf]

But... one of them is in the semis, and two are in the quarters? Seems a little clingy, if this is how it moves on.

[Jahu]

At least bit by bit…

[TopoftheChops]

Gulbis being in semi's is bad for tennis his dad is already a billionaire. He's also a brat of a person who you wouldn't trust with your back turned

I don't care. He is earning money from his own talent and is playing good tennis. Not every player should be like "thank you very much" Nadal

[DJB14]

He was quite lucky last year.

True but so was Djokovic to even get to a fifth set. That match was just a mirror image of the AO 2012 final.

[DJB14]

Whilst I think Nadal is just simply due a loss at RG, the one h2h that Nadal does have in his favour is his slam one against Djokovic 7-3 (I think). Nadal has beaten Djokovic in bo5 on all surfaces and beat Djokovic less than 12 months ago on a hc slam final match. Djokovic is still searching for his first clay slam win against a now 28 year old Nadal.

Also, all of Djokovic's slam wins over Nadal came over a 7 month period. Another reason, though, why he is probably due another one.

[DJB14]

Haha, just saw the order of play for tomorrow, trust the French to look after their own.

The 7th seed v the 23rd seed Murray/Monfils on Chatrier and the number 1 vs 5th seed, and last years final rematch, Nadal/Ferrer on Lenglen

[CaledonianCraig]

Then finally Tennis has moved on from the boring top 4.   

Boring top four? If you are talking of Fed, Rafa, Novak and Andy that monopoly on slam semis was broken up a year and a half to two years ago and hasn't been a part of the sport since then.  

[TopoftheChops]

Haha, just saw the order of play for tomorrow, trust the French to look after their own.

The 7th seed v the 23rd seed Murray/Monfils on Chatrier and the number 1 vs 5th seed, and last years final rematch, Nadal/Ferrer on Lenglen

It happens at all of the slams

[naxroy]

the 8 times champion again playing on leglen

its funny

[TopoftheChops]

Monfils vs Murray is better than Nadal vs Ferrer, fact.

[DirectView]

Monfils vs Murray is better than Nadal vs Ferrer, fact.

Agreed   

[CaledonianCraig]

the 8 times champion again playing on leglen

its funny

Again? It is his only his second time in five mtches this year? First Round he was on Lenglen but he was playing a wildcard in Robby Ginepri and tomorrow when we pretty much know what sort of a match it will be V Ferrer hence it is on Lenglen as a home player taking on Murray as seen as a more exciting match-up which is fair enough.

[kingraf]

the 8 times champion again playing on leglen

its funny

Again? It is his only his second time in five mtches this year? First Round he was on Lenglen but he was playing a wildcard in Robby Ginepri and tomorrow when we pretty much know what sort of a match it will be V Ferrer hence it is on Lenglen as a home player taking on Murray as seen as a more exciting match-up which is fair enough.

Think it's his fourteenth match there now. Nearly a quarter of his career has been spent on the secondary court.

[The Special Juan]

If Raonic brings the performance he brought in Rome, this could be tighter than comfortable.

We are approaching the stage of a slam where Novak usually gets drawn into an unneccessarily painful 5 set bloodbath!

Was it ever in doubt? The most one dimensional player I've ever seen (yes, I'm including Ivo) against the best returner ever. He could have bagelled him in the last set if not for a couple of timely aces and a mini Chokovic.

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