French Open 2015 - Day 8

Philippe-Chatrier Court
11:00 AM

Women's Singles - Round 4
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [19] vs. Alize Cornet (FRA) [29]

Men's Singles - Round 4
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [14] vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [4]

Men's Singles - Round 4
Gael Monfils (FRA) [13] vs. Roger Federer (SUI) [2]

Women's Singles - Round 4
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) [28] vs. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [21]

Suzanne-Lenglen Court
11:00 AM

Women's Singles - Round 4
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [7] vs. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) [9]

Men's Singles - Round 4
Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5] vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)

Men's Singles - Round 4
Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [8] vs. Gilles Simon (FRA) [12]

Women's Singles - Round 4
Lucie Safarova (CZE) [13] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS) [2]

Read more at http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/index.html#qV78Xd0KIYm0U0Ow.99

Cmon Gael take his arse out. I mean I favor Roger because Monfils has to be gassed after all the dramatics and is ripe for the taking. But this should at least be a half way decent semi challenge.

That's all the bases covered then.

Federer plays Monfils (14), Djokovic plays Gasquet (20), Nadal plays Sock (unseeded) and Murray plays Chardy (unseeded) - and people keep ranting and whinning about Federer's cakewalk draw? Shame. 

I wouldn't get bothered about it, it depends on who writes it. Socal knows it's not true, he's just looking to see if he can make a lively thread.

I'm more concerned about this report of him cutting training short and the inference the back is bad again, not so much for RG but with Wimbledon just round the corner.

bogbrush wrote:
No, no. I don't mean scratch. I mean decide to run the obligations out & retire, subject to actually being able to play.

This back thing has been there through his whole career and it's obviously a fundamental condition. There must come a point where it wins for good.

I think this applies more to Rafa. With his history of injuries and his already incredible CV that has him as one of the best if not the best player ever he's got nothing to prove. Especially here at RG. To be honest I'm not sure why he doesn't give it a miss. 9, 10, 11 titles they are all "a lot" and the exact number makes little difference.

I think he's just playing for the fun of it now and for the benefit of all tennis fans

Perhaps it applies to him too but I can't see anything you e written that wouldn't apply double for Federer. I mean 17 Slams doesn't leave much undone!

In any case, all I mean with Federer is that this back thing - if it's that again today - really has dogged him incessantly and can't be going away, and after so much effort to come back from the 2013 disaster it must be a bitter setback.

Then again, he skipped the MC final to prevent aggravating it so maybe anything goes.

bogbrush wrote:I wouldn't get bothered about it, it depends on who writes it. Socal knows it's not true, he's just looking to see if he can make a lively thread.

I'm more concerned about this report of him cutting training short and the inference the back is bad again, not so much for RG but with Wimbledon just round the corner.

 I'm relatively new, so don't know who to take seriously or not.

Your second point- just being realistic, I don't see him winning another slam. If it's not the back, it's something else. The guy is really feeling the age now. He may have an easier time managing certain shots with the new racquet, sure, still plays awesome here and there, but age goes up consistency goes down. No consistency, no slam. Love for him to prove me wrong. 

Very big chance for a "surprise" finalist at RG this year. If Federer loses today, am I right in saying Monfils would be the only player in his half to have reached RG quarters at more than once?

hawkeye wrote:
To be honest I'm not sure why he doesn't give it a miss. 9, 10, 11 titles they are all "a lot" and the exact number makes little difference.

You mean you'd rather see Nadal officially retire then going for the big 10?

Has rain stopped play.  The RG site says nothing

Yes, showing replays atm.

temporary21 wrote:Has rain stopped play.  The RG site says nothing

It does if you check the Live Scores

Yeah, rain suspended play. Hopefully they'll get them on court soon.

I'm going with the double Swiss upset today - Simon and Monfils to exact revenge for the Davis Cup loss.

What's the score on Feds back again?

Not sure temp, nothing official through from anyone yet. TRuffin reckons he might have tweaked something in practice, but it could be nothing. We'll wait and see, I guess.

Looks like play is back on?

Irs back on 5-5 second set in the wimmenz match now. Tell you what though, the wind is horrible, Roger better be sharp today

So no Fed-Mon today? Will be dark.

Girls at 9:9 quite some match.

Sweetolina wins finally, on second set TB.

Come on Tsonga, crush him.

Rain break imminent

Just checking the scores. Surprised with Tsonga leading Berdych.

This FO has been very successful for the Frenchmen so far. One of them could conceivably make it to the final from the bottom half.

Why does't JWT always play like this..superb stuff from him at the momen

Berdych completely neutralised by the conditions. His only weapon is taken away from him in this weather.

Whatever, still credit has to go to Jo

Best I've seen Tsonga play in a while this. Berdych a bit flat so far - still, I think he will come back into this match, and win the 3rd set at least. Elsewhere, Nishikori looking solid - he'll be hoping to keep his match short so he's got plenty in reserve for tougher battles ahead.

I wasn't criticising Tsonga, just noting that Berdych has had his game taken away from him. JWT is playing a guy with moderate to heavy power, not the usual bombs from Berdych.

True, I agree that Berdy is limited.. Makes me question his seeding..
but that's tennis. Still JWT is playing well (crowd assisted of course)

It's early days, but this is the best I've seen Tsonga playing for three years.

Is it me or has he lost weight and toned up a bit?

He still wouldn't trouble Djoko or Murray, as their scrambling game simply takes him out of his comfort zone - but I wouldn't make Fed a firm favourite, assuming they met

Berdy really is a robot. That volley at 15-40 was pitiful. Good chase by JWT but he shouldn't have made the service line before it was dead.

Tsonga vaporising the czech lager.

Come on finish in quick 3, want to watch Fed tonight.

Jo is taking him apart

Haddie-nuff wrote:True, I agree that Berdy is limited.. Makes me question his seeding..
but that's tennis. Still JWT is playing well (crowd assisted of course)

Berdych's consistency is almost robotic like it's untrue. He's vulnerable to anyone who comes near his power, but also has a bit of variety - but will never get beat by those who don't

There was a moment a couple of games ago where Murray or Novak would have made a running forehand winner. Berdy could do nothing with it except flop it into the tramlines on his side

I do agree with those who think there would be a serious quality question if he was always contesting semis / finals at slams

Back to Jo and there is still room for him to have a couple of years battling for the No.5/6 spot - but we know he'll have a great match here and then lose tamely later

We're right in our criticism, but if this was bright and dry he'd be winning this no problem.

He just is what he is.

]Back to Jo and there is still room for him to have a couple of years battling for the No.5/6 spot - but we know he'll have a great match here and then lose tamely later[/b]

How many players can we say that about though.?. the giant killers of tennis.

What happens when you put Berdych against an elite player that doesn't mess about?

He looks like a challenger level without a hope

In slam matches vs Feds he can look great.

Sadly all the compliments I can think of that apply to Berdy have nothing to do with his tennis

Haddie-nuff wrote:]Back to Jo and there is still room for him to have a couple of years battling for the No.5/6 spot - but we know he'll have a great match here and then lose tamely later[/b]

How many players can we say that about though.?. the giant killers of tennis.

Tsonga's talent, as illustrated here should have delivered far better. In fairness to Berdych at least he's made the most of is. Clearly Jo is a more skilled player - so what's he been doing since he first launched himself to us at the Aus Open in 2008?

Most giant killers do it because they play to the limits of their powers on that one day, but can't really play like that as a default (Rosol for example). Tsonga can - but simply often doesn't turn up

Talking of the weather. Interestingly, it's going to get hotter - particularly Wed to Fri, i.e. when Novak and Rafa play!! Friday could be 30 Celsius. Surely, that's just what Rafa wants

Tsonga's talent, as illustrated here should have delivered far better
That's a fact
It can be said  in part to other  French players (Simon aside)
thinking of Montfils and Gasquet .. you could apply the same criticism.
Must be all that wine and frogs legs

banbrotam wrote:Talking of the weather. Interestingly, it's going to get hotter  - particularly Wed to Fri, i.e. when Novak and Rafa play!! Friday could be 30 Celsius. Surely, that's just what Rafa wants

I think after ten years he must have battled all the elements at RG by now don't you??

Not watching Nishi but it looks like he is winning easily. He has had an amazing draw. He will get into the QF playing only 3 matches, and none of them very taxing.

Break now, Jo.

Yes!!!!

Very poor game from Berd though.

Even worst one from Tsonga serving for the set 30:40 bp for Berdy.

Oh no.

Tsonga chokes on closing the match, 5:5.

Come onnnnn

Raining again, Tsonga needs to close it down NOW.

So Berdy with a bad back holding ok now.

Tsonga melting totally.

If Tsonga loses this match, he has only himself to blame. Berdych did not do anything that much to earn that break.