The French Open 2020

First topic message reminder :

With the draw about to be made for RG, I thought I would get this topic going.

For me - and I say this every year - Rafa is clear favourite, although the strange nature of all sport this Covid-19 year might mean someone else (Thiem? Djoko?) might have a chance.

Halep stands out as the women's favourite, particularly as some of the top women are not appearing. More on this after the draw.

A few glitches on my system today. But it's back on again as Svitolina serves to stave off defeat.

Svitolina saves two MPs but not a third and another big seed bites the RG dust.

Who'd a thunk it?

sirfredperry wrote:A few glitches on my system today. But it's back on again as Svitolina serves to stave off defeat.

Likewise.

Podoroska (a qualifier) sends another seed packing beating Kvitolina in straight sets.

Next up is Thiem against Schwartzman.

Backing Schwartzman to defeat Thiem - the latter's tank looked pretty empty after his last game. Nadal should cruise later on to another straight sets win.

Tsitsipas has impressed me so far during this French Open and I think he'll get past Rublev in 4. Like a few others, I thought Djokovic was below his best in yesterday's match, and Carreno-Busta might take a set off him if that continues.

Another theory about the astonishing success of the lowly-ranked players at RG.

These players are used to difficult conditions in front of sparse crowds.

Are some of the top players a bit spoilt, in terms of conditions, atmosphere, accommodation and even the simple fact of having their towels handed to them?

These factors may be playing a part. But probably the main reason for the strange results may be simply lack of match/clay court practice.

CC - I like your Kvitolina (see above). Seems like the lowly-ranked Argentinian beat TWO players.

On the same basis, can we look forward to Collins playing Lenin?

Schwartzman on clay reminds me a lot of David Ferrer. Able to hang tough in rallies but does he have the capability to land enough killing blows? We shall see. Thiem will want to keep rallies short and sweet I think.

sirfredperry wrote:CC - I like your Kvitolina (see above). Seems like the lowly-ranked  Argentinian beat TWO players.

On the same basis, can we look forward to Collins playing Lenin?

Surely, then that is her into the Final since she beat two players?

Just seen the stats for the Svitolina match. She won just 33% of the points when she got her first serve in (a good figure would be around 80%).

Svitolina also hit only eight winners. Certainly one of the worst q-final Slam performances by a big seed - at least statistically.

Controversy. Scwartzman has his serve broken but he believes the Thiem shot was out. Thiem leads 4-2.

A rash of weird drop shots cost Thiem his serve and we are back on serve. Schwartzman to serve at 3-4.

Schwartzman saves a couple of break pointrs to hold in tricky windy conditions. We are level at 4-4.

Thiem survives a scare on his serve to lead 5-4. Some long games building up now with 42 minutes played.

sirfredperry wrote:Another theory about the astonishing success of the lowly-ranked players at RG.

These players are used to difficult conditions in front of sparse crowds.

Are some of the top players a bit spoilt, in terms of conditions, atmosphere, accommodation and even the simple fact of having their towels handed to them?

These factors may be playing a part. But probably the main reason for the strange results may be simply lack of match/clay court practice.

What was the other theory?  I seemed to have missed it.  Or were you referring to it in your final sentence? If so I have another theory.

Thiem threatens a break at 6-5 but Schwartzman holds form and we go into a first set tie-break.

A double blow for Thiem. He loses the tie-break comfortably and the set has been a long arduous one lasting over an hour. Schwartzman will be loving life just now. Thiem less so.

Just about the worst possible first set for Thiem. Lost it and it dragged on for a while.

Would be amazed if he came back here.

Thiem had his chances in that first set. First, he was a break up and then, secondly, he twice had 30-0 on the Schw serve.

Very difficult from here.

This is where winning quickly in the early rounds tells. Schw has got thru his matches with the minimum of fuss. Thiem hasn't.

Really great tennis this. Schwartzman battling to hold his serve in a marathon game at 4-4.

Schwartzman finally holds to win a 16 minute long game to lead 5-4.

Two hours played and yet to complete two sets of tennis.

Thiem looks utterly exhausted. Might need a bucket of red bull at the end of the set.

Two more break points for Thiem.

And Thiem breaks to go 6-5 up and he will serve for the second set.

And Thiem gets the job done to level at one set all but at what cost to his energy levels? Close to two and a quarter hours played for two sets after which there is parity.

Thiem forces a break straight away in the third set. Thiem leads 6-7 7-5 1-0.

But Thiem plays a weak service game and Schwartzman breaks right back. 1-1 in sets 1-1 in the third set.

You feel that Thiem must win in four or the match is Schwartzman's.

And Schwartzman breaks again and leads 3-1 in the third set. Thiem's movement beginning to look laboured.

Thiem hangs in though. Brutal, long rallies but Thiem breaks back.

Schwartzman breaks to lead 5-3 and is now serving for the third set.

This is like an 'Excuse me' dance. Thiem breaks after a very sloppy service game from Schwartzman. Thiem to serve trailing 5-4 as the three hour mark looms larger on the horizon.

Thiem saves a set point and somehow holds serve to level at 5-5 in the third set with three hours played.

And quelle suprise another break. Thiem leads 6-5 and will serve for the third set. He really needs this one.

And Schwartzman breaks to force a third set tie-break.

Schwartzman is such a great competitor. This tie break feels more crucial for Thiem to win

Thiem plays a far better tie-break the second time around and has the early upper hand leading 4-1.

Cracking tie-break. Schwartzman claws it back to 6-6 from 5-1 down.

But Thiem seals it 8-6. After 3 hours 21 minutes Thiem leads two sets to one.

Schwartzman has an irritating tendency to coast when he's on top, but raise his game when in trouble. His ability dropped off a cliff after going 5-3 up in that set, before dragging it back.

Odd match yet an enthralling one, with some quality shots and rallies. Thiem scrapping hard.

Winner of the fourth set wins the match? Could be a 5 hour-epic, like Das Boot.

Thiem holds serve to open the fourth set as Schwartzman requests the physio.

A definite drop in Schwartzman's level and Thiem now looking the more mobile.

A boost for Schwartzman as he breaks back and he'll be hoping for another boost after the physio has got to work on him.

Not watching but can see there have been 15 breaks of serve. Are they serving atrociously or what is happening?

Looks like blisters being treated on Schwartzman's fingers.

slashermcguirk wrote:Not watching but can see there have been 15 breaks of serve. Are they serving atrociously or what is happening?

Its very windy particularly at one end of the stadium which is causing havoc. That wind and coupled with Schwartzman not being a big server and the strategic way he has played to Thiem's backhand has helped too.

Another long energy-sapping game sees Schwartzman break to lead in the fourth set.

Schwartzman cements his break and holds serve to lead 4-2 in the fourth set.

Second serves are getting gobbled up by the returning player, especially.

Towards the end of the third and start of the fourth, Thiem looked fresher than at any point in the match so far. Now he seems to have hit a wall and the errors are coming in numbers.

Schwartzman needs to consolidate his advantage and take this set with a minimum of fuss, then take the momentum into the fifth.

Shwartzman leads 5-3 in the fourth set. Thiem serving to stay in it after 4 hours of play.