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.

I'd practically given up on this but now it's 5-5 in the third.

Schwartzman holds 5-5, Nadal seems to be feeling it. Missing so many easy shots in the latter stages of the third set

Nadal saves 3 break points and holds 6-5, yet another marathon game on the Spaniard’s serve well over 12 minutes. It’s gone back to the beginning of the match topsy turvy.

I'd love to see a tiebreak but probably Rafa will break for the match.

Schwartzman has had 12 breakpoints to Nadals 9, but while Schwartzman has only converted 3 Nadal has converted 6.

Schwartzman holds tie breaker time

Nadal's serve has held up to pressure better than Schwartzman's so Nadal is the favorite to win the tie break.

What are the conditions like - is it another windy day on court?

No name Bertie wrote:What are the conditions like - is it another windy day on court?

Just seem heavy and slow. No real wind

Nadal wins 6-3 6-3 7-6(0). Made a meal of it at the latter stages

So Nadal takes the tie break 7-0 and wins in straight sets. Nadal is just better able to handle the pressure than Schwartzman.

Well, I wanted a tiebreak. Be careful what you wish for as it ended 7-0 to Rafa.

But Diego gave him a really good match. Interesting the way the Argentinian peppered the Rafa BH, constantly pinning Rafa in his BH corner.

There were not as many as usual inside-out forehands from the Spaniard. When they did come, particularly in that vital 11th game of the third set when he was 15-40 down, they were lethal.

Well some of us thought it would be straight sets but at least Schwartzman made a match of it.

Tough 3rd set for Rafa but it was understandable. Rafa was playing for something on the line while Diego had nothing to lose. once both under pressure, Rafa prevailed.

Djokovic saves 4 break points in the opening game 1-0

I thought there was going to be a bit of break between the two semi-finals, but no straight into the second semi-final. Interesting match up and a bit difficult to call but Djokovic is the favorite.

Djokovic breaks Tsitsipas 2-0

Djokovic 3-0
Tsitsipas a tad wild so far

The Greek just loves to play his shots. Trouble is some have been flying off the frame straight into the crowd.

Djoko looking very focused today.

Tsitsipas up and running 1-3 much better service game.

23 stroke rally and Djokovic saves a breakpoint.

Another BP squandered. Been the story of the afternoon.

Djoko looks good for a straight-sets victory.

Depends whether Tsitsipas has sorted out his service game. It seems to have improved significantly from his first service game which he lost.

This second game in the second set is turning into a mammoth game with Djokovic already saving two breakpoints.

Quality match here between Djokovic and Tsitsipas, amazing ball striking by both

Strange.  Tsitsipas having no problem with his service game in the second set, then from 40 love up on his serve loses 5 straight points to drop serve.

Tsitsipas no conversions from 7 break points.  Djokovic 2 from 2.

Tsitsi playing the better tennis but Djoko winning the mental battle. Often think the source of Djoko's mental strength is knowing he can wall up on the important points and dare the opponent to create something.

Tsitsipas loses consecutive service games after being 40 love up on both. This is a bit strange.

He's beating himself here. Those 7 squandered break points surely having an effect on his confidence. Wouldn't be surprised if he was ahead on points won up until the last game or two but hey ho it's all about winning the important ones.

I don’t agree, Djokovic standard is very high so far today. He is dictating a lot of points. Tsitsipas is playing well though

Djokovic serves out the second set with four unreturnable serves including three aces, which takes his ace count from 1 to 4 in this match.

Tsitsipas dare I say it somewhat bottled that second set.

This match is a bit confusing. Tsitsipas starts strongly in the third set with a love service game and then gets a breakpoint on Djokovic's serve but fails to take it.

Another break point goes begging. He seemed to freeze a bit movement wise, was slow to a couple of balls that weren't hit that hard or with much angle.

Tsitsipas is playing very well, you are underestimating how hard it is to play the top 3 when they are locked in. Djokovic is so clutch

Today we are just getting a glimpse of the difference between the golden generation and the next generation.

Just when Djoko looked home and dried the Greek gets it to 5-6.

Stats wise both are similar except on breakpoint conversion rate: 4 from 5 for Djokovic and 1 from 11 for Tsitsipas. If this third set goes to a tie break then it should be very competitive and it is difficult to call who will win it.

Tsitsipas has a beautiful and really potent backhand down the line. Not quite Wawrinka or Thiem but not far behind

Djokovic saves Tsitsipas set point

Tsitsipas breaks and takes the third set 7-5. Last 10-15 minutes been extraordinary for the Greek boy.

Tsitsipas keeping the faith within himself and fighting back to take the third set.

Some terrific hitting from Tsitsipas to come back from the dead.

Tsitsipas’ slice backhand has started to make an impact. He should use it more frequently

Similar to 3rd set of rafa-diego but with different outcome. It was that fine margin at top level.

Tsitsipas saves BP 1-0

Tsitispas is currently on a four game winning streak from being 4-5 down in the third set.

Tsitsipas cutting Djokovic to pieces with the backhand slice.
And he breaks again. Incredible 2-0

Tsitispas breaks to love to extend his winning streak to 5 consecutive games and goes 2-0 in the fourth set.

Djokovic breaks back 1-2

Djokovic breaks back to end Tsitsipas game winning streak.  Was this a question of Tsitsipas running out of energy for that game.