French Open discussion thread

[Danny_1982]

First topic message reminder :

Murray is surely going to go all out attack in the SF. I can't see him beating Nadal who is starting to look close to his peak form. However, if he can give him a tough match that will be very encouraging for Wimbledon.

Yep, it'll be all guns blazing I imagine. Going after every return he can and trying to end points quickly. It'll be fun to watch, but if you offered me a 4 set defeat for Muzza now I'd bite your hand off.

[mthierry]

Great win for Rafa. What an amazing year it may have been if not for the AussieOpen finals disaster. Looked like it hit him hard cos he hasn't been the same for a long time.

[laverfan]

Lf, sorry but he was warmongering. Will behave

Thanks, Jahu.

[Born Slippy]

Awesome win for Rafa. Looked like the back was causing him a few problems but he still found a way past Novak. Slam wins in 10 years straight as well which I think is a record.

[laverfan]

Djokovic's career slam dream is still alive.

Well, of course, but it is putting positive spin on things.  More like "Yet another chance to achieve career slam missed for Djokovic".

Perhaps, like Federer, the fourth attempt in the final will be worth it.

[Guest]

The match against Ferrer was when Nadal clicked an looked like he could do it, and soo it seemed. Had Novak taken the second he would have won in four but couldnt hold it together.

[skyeman]

One half of great sport on a Sunday over, onto the Canadian GP.

Well done Rafa   

[ALPanorak]

I really don't believe Djokovic will ever beat Nadal here. Ability-wise he's able, but he doesn't have the mindset to do it.

Not sure who will eventually dethrone Rafa at RG, but Novak better be ready to take that chance like Fed was fortunate to do.

[summerblues]

Perhaps, like Federer, the fourth attempt in the final will be worth it.

So 2016 then?

More seriously; he now played Rafa many times here, including three times post-2011, and yet he has nothing to show for it.  He might ultimately get there, but I am starting to think that he might not.  Three years ago, I thought he would most likely get at least one title here, but now I would give him less than 50% chance (though, unlike Murdoch, I would give him better than 50% chance to win at least one more slam in his career )

[Jahu]

Rafa peaked today. Against Andy he did not need much as Andy was spent.

Thought Djoko was not even 70% of their last FO final.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Overall this was the worst french open in recent memory. Neither finalist were pushed at all before today and then today had both players unclutch. Novak with Becker won't work out..

[socal1976]

Overall this was the worst french open in recent memory. Neither finalist were pushed at all before today and then today had both players unclutch. Novak with Becker won't work out..

Except for the executions Nadal handed out Federer on a routine basis.

[HM Murdock]

I must confess that I didn't bother watching today. I was totally convinced it would go the way it did and it turns out I was correct!

But I read that he lost on a double fault again?! Ridiculous.

Last 6 slam finals played have yielded only one win. It's amazing to me how many people think Novak has another slam in him. His record against his rivals at the slams since 2011 is shocking.

[summerblues]

I hope for Nole's sake that he had a bad virus or something today because he sure did not look like he had what it took to outlast Rafa over five - less so than the last couple of years in fact.

[yloponom68]

Rafa broke the previous record of consecutive years (8) in which a man has won a Major title, last year, with his 9th year of winning a Major. He extended that to 10 years, with this title today.

[summerblues]

It's amazing to me how many people think Novak has another slam in him.

Must be all fools

I never thought he would reach double digits - not even after his 2012 AO win - but I certainly think he is very likely to win at least one more.

If your prediction turns out to be correct, hats off to you big time (though I suppose you would prefer to be wrong).

[Guest]

What a way to lose a final. Again!

Nadal certainly the king of clay!

Hopefully Novak will eventually complete his career slam.

[Guest]

Well Hm he just needs to keep punching at the wall, its not like hes short of opportunities, he wil almost certainly either get lucky with an opponent or eventually get through

[Jahu]

Mats has a point. Since Robin is the only one to defeat Rafa at RG, somehow ti gives all us hope that Rafa can be beaten here.

[summerblues]

Mats has a point. Since Robin is the only one to defeat Rafa at RG, somehow ti gives all us hope that Rafa can be beaten here.

Well, yes, more hope than if Rafa had just won his 10th straight, but it is straw clutching indeed.

[HM Murdock]

It's amazing to me how many people think Novak has another slam in him.

Must be all fools

I never thought he would reach double digits - not even after his 2012 AO win - but I certainly think he is very likely to win at least one more.

If your prediction turns out to be correct, hats off to you big time (though I suppose you would prefer to be wrong).

I'd be perfectly happy with being wrong!

My hunch is that the rest of the year will be a write off. I can't see him winning Wimbledon. By the time USO comes around, the baby will be getting close, so it's tough to imagine him being too focused.

[Guest]

I didnt watch all of it either not because i coudlnt be bothered but because i was pretty nervous

[summerblues]

Doubt if I'll bother dropping in here again.

Oh do not do that.  Just ignore it.  Big matches bring a lot of interest but also a lot of tensions and the aftermath can be nasty.  If you are sick of it, I suggest you instead take a break for a couple of days and come back once it calms down.  But I still think the best thing is just to ignore it and pay attention only to the posts that you find interesting.

[laverfan]

Please refrain from baiting and name-calling, otherwise this will be locked again.

[skyeman]

Thank you for opening again.

[Guest]

I do wonder if Rafa will play Halle still.

[summerblues]

I didnt watch all of it either not because i coudlnt be bothered but because i was pretty nervous

I am trying to figure out who your favorite player is.  I know you like Rafa and I seem to remember that you also liked Andy, but do not know which one is your #1.  I have always thought it was Rafa but then I seem to remember some recent post from you that made me less certain.

Mhmmmm.  Such an important question, and I have no answer to it.

[skyeman]

Becker will get him right again and very soon.

Murray had it more difficult, got Lendl and then won two,

[invisiblecoolers]

It's amazing to me how many people think Novak has another slam in him.

Must be all fools

I never thought he would reach double digits - not even after his 2012 AO win - but I certainly think he is very likely to win at least one more.

If your prediction turns out to be correct, hats off to you big time (though I suppose you would prefer to be wrong).

The problem is if not Novak then who else? such a pity condition and era we are in that the best player of the time [last 3-4 years] is considered as the no hoper to win the slam

[Jahu]

Can we have some W and US HC perspective on top 4 + Andy?

Dont think Rafa can win W, neither i think Fed, so Djoko pending todays mental damage and Andys back issues, make them still favorite for W?

[kingraf]

Surely he has to play Halle? I mean he's skipped two hasn't he?

[Josiah Maiestas]

Novak is declining fast. He had nothing on his FH or BH today, certainly he was better last year.

Who knew Socal would mention Federer!?    the loss has hit you HARD hahaha.

[summerblues]

Dont think Rafa can win W, neither i think Fed, so Djoko pending todays mental damage and Andys back issues, make them still favorite for W?

I actually think Rafa can, and perhaps even Roger.

This RG, we had yet again three out of the big four in the SF and who knows, Roger may well have been there too had he not just had kids.

I had hopes for Dimi and Nishi for this French, and both of them did exactly nothing.  Raonic at least played to his expected level, but he did not show any huge step forward relative to that.  I think we are still looking at much the same picture - the big four are the guys to beat, at most they are a touch less dominant than they used to be - Fed especially.

[Guest]

Surely he has to play Halle? I mean he's skipped two hasn't he?

Well I wonder if he does have enough in the tank. Would he want to risk his back?

[Jahu]

Yes both Nadal and Fed playing Halle. Im guessing Nike made Rafa play there with Fed and sure the UK taxing income for players.

[Guest]

Well summerblues ill give you the answer
1) Murray
2) Rafa
3) People I feel deserve the title

I was nervous for Rafa today, I did really feel Djoko was gonna take it, it was a little spilit because I knew Djoko deserves one

[skyeman]

Queens tomorrow. Worked out well for Andy last year.

[invisiblecoolers]

What a disappointing finals to otherwise a glorious tournament, but yes Congrats to Rafa and his undoubted claim as Clay GOAT, now all left is 17 which is well on the striking distance.

One thing I still wonder how on earth a human lungs could breath that hard with so much ease for that long for the kind of game he got, he certainly is a man of steel and not an ordinary human being.

[HM Murdock]

I must confess that I didn't bother watching today. I was totally convinced it would go the way it did and it turns out I was correct!

How can anyone who purports to be a tennis fan not watch the Final of what, in my opinion, is the best tennis tournament in the world??

Because watching Novak in a slam final is a bit like being told a tedious story you've heard lots of times before.

Also, it's lovely, sunny day and going out seemed like more fun.

[summerblues]

Well summerblues ill give you the answer
1) Murray
2) Rafa
3) People I feel deserve the title

I was nervous for Rafa today, I did really feel Djoko was gonna take it, it was a little spilit because I knew Djoko deserves one

Ok thanks   so I got it close enough.  So you must be overall quite pleased with how this RG went - Andy matched his best ever result here (and so did Rafa )

[DJB14]

Unbelievable win for Nadal today, ten years in a row with a slam win is a mightily impressive accolade. I have seen both of them play much better tennis than that but with physical problems and momentum the match was tense throughout.

Commiserations to Djokovic, like Federer, he deserves at least one RG crown and will, most likely, still get that. However, Nadal has firmly put Djokovic in his place once more with that win. Even if Djokovic beats Nadal 6-0 6-0 6-0 next year it won't dent Nadal's legacy in any way.

I was surprised how long it took for the commentators to pick up on nadal's back problems. They were so focused on Djokovic struggling that they failed to see that Nadal's celebrations were muted and he also took some tablets (pain killers perhaps) at one of the sit downs. I was amazed he managed to win that last set with his back clearly hampering him.

I do wonder how long left we have of Nadal with back/knee issues. He could retire quite happily right now, but another W or AO crown would be the icing on the cake.

[kingraf]

Still can't believe at one stage I was in a genuine debate, being in the minority who thought Nadal was a tougher assignment than Murray in the final...

[Jahu]

Nadal has been playing a lot this year, meaning his body has to give up for second half of the season.

Djoko has his mental demons.

Fed in Tourist mode.

Andy so so cause if back.

Will be a interesting 6 months up to WTF.

[invisiblecoolers]

I don't have a clue who this "michael_o" is , but dude you don't have to leave the forum for one such thread, take a lesson from Jahu and Falzy they have already moved on.

Btw Jahu and Falzy, I am laughing at you guys, coz thats the stick me and Bog Brush use to get from somebody for having a critic on Djoko.  , you guy had to bear the wrath today as neither of us [Me and BB] were actively posting on this thread.   

Escape for us today    

[lydian]

Yes!

Can't believe Djokovic lost again on a double fault as he did the last time he played Rafa in a final here. Nadal has now beaten Djokovic 3 years running on the way to the title. More worryingly Djokovic has now lost 5 out of last 6 slam finals which must start to prey on his mind at some point. You feel if he couldn't beat a Nadal with an increasingly bad back today when can he win FO?

Looking ahead, I don't see Nadal turning up in Halle and his Wimb prep must be a worry given the ongoing back issues, he needs to give it a long rest after Wimb.

Anyway...#14...and 10 years straight winning a slam...not bad for a guy many said would never have longevity. Indeed he's pulled 2 years clear of all the other greats. Vamos

[Guest]

Would he skip Wimbledon lydian? Last year he cited lack of preparation on grass for his early exit last year. If he doesn't turn up to Halle would he be a sitting duck for the early rounds? Unless of course he gets a favourable draw.

[lydian]

Quite possibly LK, if the back is still sore in a week he may decide to skip as you need a strong serve on grass and of course bending down for low DHBH shots is going to put a huge strain on the back too.

[Guest]

Watching that Djokovic DF again. I am glad he motioned to the crowd afterwards. Just disgraceful.

[CaledonianCraig]

I don't see why there should be any recriminations or condemnations of Novak. Heck he lost in four sets against the greatest clay court of all-time bar none who may retire in a few years time with a record haul in slam wins. The simple fact is Rafa is untouchable on this surface. He came here with question marks hanging over his form but he has answered them all. Well done Rafa and commiserations Novak. But for Rafa then Novak may have won two or three French Opens.

[laverfan]

Losing the second set at 7-5 when Djokovic had carved his way back in and got his break back, was very tragic.

[Guest]

That was the turning point no doubt

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