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 .

[skyeman]

Surely they won't stop with the local boy on high, with 25 minutes of natural light? 25 minutes is a lot of prime time advertiser money.

And a quarter of the crowd gone after being 2-0 down.

I take your point King, but there will only be 1 or 2 games. Seemed daft.

[banbrotam]

Dozy idiot!! It's his own fault for giving up on the 4th set

Didn't he see Monfils v Roddick in 09'???!!!   

There wasn't a cat in hells chance that they would stop the match in this situation

Great hold by him - but his lack of true confidence on this surface is coming back to haunt him

[Jahu]

Andy needs a break now and go and sleep it off till tomorrow.

[skyeman]

And if Murray now breaks.   

[Jahu]

And Andy breakssss

[skyeman]

PMSL He breaks.

[Guest]

If your Rafa you are loving this.

[skyeman]

I bet Monfils would have hoped the ref took them both off now.

[Jahu]

Bagel approaching…

[CaledonianCraig]

At times Andy really is like a hibernating bear. At times he goes to sleep in matches as he has done here and V Kohli. He has awoken again now can he get this job done as Monfils implodes.

[skyeman]

10 minutes from hero to zero.

[banbrotam]

Hilarious stuff!! Monfils should be paid to play every match as you have no idea what is coming

[Guest]

Gael deserves a slap for letting this one go...

[Jahu]

What a turn. Monfils should of gone to Specsavers…

[Gerry SA]

Shame Murray's wasted 70-80 mins letting Monfils regain some credibility.

Extra wear on his legs doesn't bode well for his match with Nadal.

Anyway hopefully Murray pushes Nadal into a tough 4/5 sets.

[skyeman]

Imploded.

Still think it was wrong from the ref, but i am glad now.

[Guest]

Come on Andy! surely theyl let it finish at 5-0

[Jahu]

5:0. Monfils needs night vision.

[CaledonianCraig]

Jeez what goes through Monfils mind? You'd swear he had bet on a bagel in this set.

[whocares]

Bet Monfils did not see this coming. Andy getting all the shots he wants.

[Guest]

I mean hes utterly screwed against rafa, but COME ON!

[banbrotam]

Gael deserves a slap for letting this one go...

But in fairness, Murray from around the mid-point of the first game of this set, was superb for three matches

You can see why ones a multi-tournament winner and the other one isn't

[Guest]

Its never easy with him is it... but hes done what he good at, just gettng it done

[Guest]

This is embarassing nor for Monf, hes completely given up

[Jahu]

Mercer agreeing Andy is happy he got overruled for not wanting to play fifth set.

[Guest]

Done deal. HOW did that finish tnight! what the hell did Gael do between the 4th an 5th!!!

[Guest]

Not sure if I wanted Andy to win that one. 2 5 setters in the legs and Nadal next? :gulp:

[Jahu]

Andy first brit since 1969 in FO semi final.


Well done.

[Guest]

Well LKv2, hes buggered against Rafa ofc, but the points for the semi are absolute gold dust

[ChequeredJersey]

Andy first brit since 1969 in FO semi final.


Well done.

Is Rafa withdrawing then?

[Gerry SA]

Andy first brit since 1969 in FO semi final.


Well done.

Tonight's lotto numbers if you'd be so kind

[ChequeredJersey]

Andy first brit since 1969 in FO semi final.


Well done.

Is Rafa withdrawing then?

Ah, too slow!

[Jahu]

Andy-Gulbis final.

[Gerry SA]

720 valuable ranking points for Murray.

[CaledonianCraig]

A crazy match and Murray wins in five sets. Not sure what to make of that performance to be honest apart from patchy. However, there is a trend now that Murray can now turn the tide in tight matches when in the past he would have lost. I cannot see him beating Rafa at all but a semi here is as good as could be expected. I do believe Andy has now reached the semis at least twice in all four slams now.

[skyeman]

Well, my Friday just got a bit better.

[Jahu]

Corrected!!! And yes Rafa is not in the final

[kingraf]

What the Frack was that? Comical.

[CaledonianCraig]

720 valuable ranking points for Murray.

That is how I see it. I cannot see him beating Rafa.

[ChequeredJersey]

If Murray beats Rafa here I will be so impressed. Can't see it

[Guest]

Well falzy unless he goes into Soderling mode I can't see Andy taking a set.

[kingraf]

Huge for Murray, he gains 720 points, David loses 500, could prove massive come Flushing Meadows

[Danny_1982]

Well, that was poor from Muzza in the 4th... But the character of the man at the start of the fifth, with all that pressure on him. It looked inevitable and somehow he turned it on its head.

It's poor from Monfils that it finished 6/0, but the heart from Murray in those first two games. Immense.

Don't care what happens v Rafa, I'm elated with semis for Andy. Tremendous stuff.

[JuliusHMarx]

Wow. Fantastic result! No-one saw that coming after the fourth set.

[HM Murdock]

Love it! Andy serves up a 5th set bagel on The Greatest Athlete The Game Has Ever Seen.

Let's hope it's the Andy of sets 1, 2 and 5 who turns up in the semi final and not that strange bloke playing in yellow in sets 3 and 4.

[Gerry SA]

720 valuable ranking points for Murray.

That is how I see it. I cannot see him beating Rafa.

I wouldn't say he can't beat Nadal.

But two five setters take their toll. And Nadal will try and run Murray off the court.

Still I'd give Murray a 30/70 chance.

[Guest]

I didn't see anything other than a Monfils victory after the fourth. I still don't know how Andy pulled that 5th set out of the fire.

[skyeman]

Wow. Fantastic result! No-one saw that coming after the fourth set.

  

Absolutely, i still can't believe it.

[The Special Juan]

Bye Gael. It was never in doubt, Gael isn't fit enough to win many 5 set matches against the best. Murray should have had it in 3 but anyone, the above comments are right. 720 points for Murray which will be important towards the end of the year.

[Jahu]

WARNING--- JHM ---- is back ---- WARNING

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