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2011 French Open
- Thread starter Chris_2593
- Start date
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NERDY
Club Legend
DANG.
Probably wants to get as fit as possible for Wimbledon. He'll probably play Halle again he beat Federer in the Final last year.
beez
A*mazing
Damn, disappointing for Lleyton, although he was never going to get very far.
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- Thread starter
- #30
Sam through 6-2 6-3. Pretty easy match. Also Casey is out on court 6 and lost the first set 7-5 and is now 3-3 in the second set.
Ahh stuff that, I really wanted to follow Hewitt. Guess I'll have to wait.
Casey Dellacqua cannot hold serve for shit. She as up 4-2 in the first set and up a break about midway through the second as well. Although I think she was out with shoulder injuries so its not suprising.
Dokic to play later today.
Casey Dellacqua cannot hold serve for shit. She as up 4-2 in the first set and up a break about midway through the second as well. Although I think she was out with shoulder injuries so its not suprising.
Dokic to play later today.
matt_897
Premium Platinum
Dellacqua doesn't have the serve to threaten people and they just tee off and get Dellacqua on the run and she is screwed from there. She's done alright this clay season, hopefully she can take it to another level on the grass at wimbleodn.
Not surprising about Hewitt, it had been hinted at all week, and although he has been practising, obivously getting ready for wimbledon and halle.
Good start from Sam
Not surprising about Hewitt, it had been hinted at all week, and although he has been practising, obivously getting ready for wimbledon and halle.
Good start from Sam
- Thread starter
- #34
Gulbis just lost the first set 6-1. 2 winners and 15 unforced errrors. Such a wasted talent. Read an article the other day saying that he doesnt like to or doesnt want to train he just wants to win Grand Slams. Well sorry Ernest but you have to train if you want to win one. No wonder he has gone from being ranked in the 20's to only just hanging in the top 100.
Dokic took the 1st set 6-4, but is down a break at 2-4 in the second.
Goerges on Fox, good stuff.
Polona Hercog just won the 1st set without dropping a game. Potential superstar on clay.
Goerges on Fox, good stuff.
Polona Hercog just won the 1st set without dropping a game. Potential superstar on clay.
- Thread starter
- #36
Dokic lost 4-6 6-4 6-3. We have Tomic playing third on court 10 tonight and Rodionova first on court 7. Looking foward to the OOP tonight.
That was really disappointing from Dokic. I think she had about 50 + unforced errors by the end of the match. She'd already clocked up close to 30 by the end of the first set as well. When you think that if you don't have any deuce games 24 points will equate to a set then its pretty unbelieveable that she even won a set.
Rodionova will get smashed by Petrova, I'm sure it'll be a feisty match though.
Also just to comment on one of the dangers in Stosur's quarter, Goerges apparantly struggled a bit against some french girl last night. Plays Safarova next (not that a tall lefty Czech would be better for Sam anyway...)
Rodionova will get smashed by Petrova, I'm sure it'll be a feisty match though.
Also just to comment on one of the dangers in Stosur's quarter, Goerges apparantly struggled a bit against some french girl last night. Plays Safarova next (not that a tall lefty Czech would be better for Sam anyway...)
If Sam s at her best she would not fear anyone! look at last year when she defeated Justin Henin (who was a favorite last year), Serena Williams who is the best player in the world and Jelena Jankovic who is one of the best clay courter's! If she is moving well and is serving well and if her forehand is on song she can beat any girl on clay! its all about confidence with sam!
Apologies for it being so long, but I figured I might as well get a preview up, gives me something to do and when I'm really bored I might look back at it some time! I'll get the women's up shortly, probably not as long though! 
Men's Preview:
The 2011 French Open got underway on its typical Sunday start but the big guns start hitting the court tonight. Women’s defending champion Francesa Schiavone will begin tonight’s proceedings on Court Chatrier against inconsistent young American Melanie Oudin, while for the men world #2 Novak Djokovic will look to make it 38 straight wins in 2011 when he takes on talented Thiemo de Bakker. Following the Serb it will be Roger Federer who faces a tough initiation against Feliciano Lopez. Interestingly enough, women’s world #1 Caroline Wozniacki opens up on Roland Garros’ third largest court, Court 1, against veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and will be looking to equal Bjorn Borg record 6 French Open titles. First up is American giant John Isner who has a losing record this year and won’t cause Nadal any concerns on the clay. Nadal will likely face two time FO Semi Finalist Davydenko in the 3rd round and countryman Verdasco in the 4th, but anything’s possible with Fernando. It’s almost irrelevant looking at Nadal’s draw as whoever he faces he’ll prove too good. The only man outside of Djokovic who could threaten him is Soderling and they are scheduled to meet in the Quarters, but lightning won’t strike twice. Losing in consecutive Masters finals to Djokovic might be of some concern, but over 5 sets it’s virtually a new game, and at the very least Nadal will put himself in position to get ultimate revenge.
Novak Djokovic arrives in Paris with incredible confidence knowing he’s yet to lose a match this year. His official streak stands at 37; 42 if you include Davis Cup and Hopman Cup victories. He’s already claimed a remarkable 7 titles in 2011, including the Australian Open, and he should improve on his SF showings from 2007 and 2008 by booking a spot in the final. With unwavering confidence and finally being rid of health and fitness issues, he’s finally delivering on his potential and a French Open title would help complete one of the most amazing streaks in tennis history. His draw is far from ideal, starts off against de Bakker, then likely Hanescu who in 2005 reached the Quarters. 3R could be 2009 Semi finalist Juan Martin Del Potro, and in the 4th it’ll either be Gasquet or Bellucci, the latter managed to push Novak all the way in Madrid. That’s about as tough a first four rounds as a 2nd seed could get, and half the battle in achieving his goal here is saving as much energy as possible during the first week. This draw might force Novak to spend longer on court than he’d hoped, but during he’s streak he’s brushed aside some accomplished players with ease. Draw’s can be misleading; often the one who seemed to have the hardest draw will have it completely open up, Djokovic can only hope that’ll happen here. Looking even further, Berdych in the QF and Federer or Ferrer in the SF, if Djokovic makes the final he’s done well, if he wins it it’ll be incredible.
For the first time in what must be over half a dozen years, Roger Federer is third favourite to win and his odds of winning are as lengthy as I can remember, $13. Those odds are tempting for someone who’s won 16 Slams, is a former champion and is still ranked 3rd, but safe money is on Nadal or Djokovic. Federer’s form is reasonable but he hasn’t won a title since the first week of January and more importantly, his record against Nadal and Djokovic this year is 0-5. The fact that he’s slipping under the radar might work in his favour, and although there is talk of a possible first round upset against Lopez, I think his draw has done him no harm. Second round opponent is the winner of tonight’s wildcard dual, and 3R could be Tipsarevic, but he’s no threat on clay. He’s looking at reaching the 4R without having to raise a sweat, and that’s where he’ll have either Tsonga or Wawrinka. Tsonga had a good win last night and seems to be constantly improving on clay, but for mine is too flawed to challenge, as for Wawrinka, we all know he is scared at the sight of his countryman and will have done well to win a set. The Quarters is where Federer will probably be challenged for the first time against 7th seed David Ferrer who is in good form with R/U performances in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Ferrer looked impressive in comfortably accounting for Nieminen last night, and assuming he doesn’t have troubles with Monfils in the 4th, we get the intriguing QF match-up.
Robin Soderling has been the runner-up at the French over the past two years and he’ll know that recent form doesn’t mean much in regards to his chances. He arrived in Paris in poor form last year but turned it on as soon as he hit Paris, and expect the same thing to occur again. The high bounce suits his game perfectly and his movement isn’t exposed here like it can otherwise be. Soderling has a very comfortable road to Nadal in the Quarters; Becker first, a qualifier second, likely no one of note in the third, and maybe Fish or Simon in the 4th. All signs point to a third consecutive French Open showdown with Nadal where I’d expect a much harder fought battle than last year’s final, but ultimately the same result.
Andy Murray is enjoying somewhat of resurgence after an encouraging run to the Semi’s in Rome. He was only two points away from ending Djokovic’s streak and booking a spot in the final. His credentials on clay are starting to mount given he also reached the Semi’s in Monte Carlo and has reached the round of 16 in each of the past two years in Paris, including a QF apperance in 2009. What’s more important is that he has one of the more favourable draws of any of the high seeds, and it’ll give him a major chance to go deep into the second week. He opens his campaign against a qualifier, which is followed by another clash with a qualifier. In the third round he’ll either face young Canadian talent Milos Raonic or a handful of veterans in Clement, Volandri or Berrer. I think everyone wants Raonic to advance from that section simply due to the fact he’s got the potential for great things and it would result in a fascinating 3R clash. Anyone else and it’d just be more hitting practice for Murray. Dolgopolov or Troicki are the seeds he’d then face in the 4th, and given their respective records on clay in 2011 and before that, I’m thinking it’s another easy win for Murray. Finally Murray will have a tough opponent in the Quarters with either Almagro or Melzer likely to be waiting. Murray’s certainly not the worst clay courter going around, but he’s been boosted by an incredibly favourable draw, and nothing short of a QF appearance would be a disappointment.
Outside the top 5 ranked players, the only other contenders would be Ferrer and Berdych. On this surface Monfils might be another, but his lack of form and match practice might prevent him from being at his best, and last year’s surprise Semi finalist Melzer looked good in Monte Carlo, but his form has dropped off since. It’ll be interesting to see whether Tomas Berdych, who reached the Semi’s here in 2010, can recapture the same form a year later. Similar to last year, he’s only recorded moderate success in the lead-up, but like Soderling, he might just feel at home knowing what he achieved on these same courts. Perhaps Nicolas Almagro deserves a look, he’s claimd 3 titles on the clay but his impressive 20-4 W/L record is boosted by wins in rather average fields, but QF showings in 2010 and 2008 indicate that he’s at home in Paris and he should set up a clash with Melzer in the 4th.
Prediction: Nadal def. Djokovic
Who deserves to start as favourite? Nadal, the man who’s won this title 5 times and has only ever lost once, or the man who is 37-0 on the year and has beaten Nadal in 4 straight Masters finals? Almost singlehandedly, Robin Soderling has sparked incredible interest in this tournament for the past two years, but it seems like 2011 is just destined to be a shootout between Nadal and Djokovic. Incredibly hungry, incredibly focussed, Nadal and Djokovic look set to meet in two week’s time in what would be a amazing spectacle. I’m giving the edge to Nadal because when fit I don’t know if anyone can beat him here over 5 sets, and Djokovic’s energy must have taken a hit in Rome. I’ll finish by saying that in 2009 we all thought it was going to be Nadal and Djokovic after their epic battles leading to Paris, and it turned sour for both. I can’t see it happening again, but who knows...
The 2011 French Open got underway on its typical Sunday start but the big guns start hitting the court tonight. Women’s defending champion Francesa Schiavone will begin tonight’s proceedings on Court Chatrier against inconsistent young American Melanie Oudin, while for the men world #2 Novak Djokovic will look to make it 38 straight wins in 2011 when he takes on talented Thiemo de Bakker. Following the Serb it will be Roger Federer who faces a tough initiation against Feliciano Lopez. Interestingly enough, women’s world #1 Caroline Wozniacki opens up on Roland Garros’ third largest court, Court 1, against veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Rafael Nadal is the defending champion and will be looking to equal Bjorn Borg record 6 French Open titles. First up is American giant John Isner who has a losing record this year and won’t cause Nadal any concerns on the clay. Nadal will likely face two time FO Semi Finalist Davydenko in the 3rd round and countryman Verdasco in the 4th, but anything’s possible with Fernando. It’s almost irrelevant looking at Nadal’s draw as whoever he faces he’ll prove too good. The only man outside of Djokovic who could threaten him is Soderling and they are scheduled to meet in the Quarters, but lightning won’t strike twice. Losing in consecutive Masters finals to Djokovic might be of some concern, but over 5 sets it’s virtually a new game, and at the very least Nadal will put himself in position to get ultimate revenge.
Novak Djokovic arrives in Paris with incredible confidence knowing he’s yet to lose a match this year. His official streak stands at 37; 42 if you include Davis Cup and Hopman Cup victories. He’s already claimed a remarkable 7 titles in 2011, including the Australian Open, and he should improve on his SF showings from 2007 and 2008 by booking a spot in the final. With unwavering confidence and finally being rid of health and fitness issues, he’s finally delivering on his potential and a French Open title would help complete one of the most amazing streaks in tennis history. His draw is far from ideal, starts off against de Bakker, then likely Hanescu who in 2005 reached the Quarters. 3R could be 2009 Semi finalist Juan Martin Del Potro, and in the 4th it’ll either be Gasquet or Bellucci, the latter managed to push Novak all the way in Madrid. That’s about as tough a first four rounds as a 2nd seed could get, and half the battle in achieving his goal here is saving as much energy as possible during the first week. This draw might force Novak to spend longer on court than he’d hoped, but during he’s streak he’s brushed aside some accomplished players with ease. Draw’s can be misleading; often the one who seemed to have the hardest draw will have it completely open up, Djokovic can only hope that’ll happen here. Looking even further, Berdych in the QF and Federer or Ferrer in the SF, if Djokovic makes the final he’s done well, if he wins it it’ll be incredible.
For the first time in what must be over half a dozen years, Roger Federer is third favourite to win and his odds of winning are as lengthy as I can remember, $13. Those odds are tempting for someone who’s won 16 Slams, is a former champion and is still ranked 3rd, but safe money is on Nadal or Djokovic. Federer’s form is reasonable but he hasn’t won a title since the first week of January and more importantly, his record against Nadal and Djokovic this year is 0-5. The fact that he’s slipping under the radar might work in his favour, and although there is talk of a possible first round upset against Lopez, I think his draw has done him no harm. Second round opponent is the winner of tonight’s wildcard dual, and 3R could be Tipsarevic, but he’s no threat on clay. He’s looking at reaching the 4R without having to raise a sweat, and that’s where he’ll have either Tsonga or Wawrinka. Tsonga had a good win last night and seems to be constantly improving on clay, but for mine is too flawed to challenge, as for Wawrinka, we all know he is scared at the sight of his countryman and will have done well to win a set. The Quarters is where Federer will probably be challenged for the first time against 7th seed David Ferrer who is in good form with R/U performances in both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Ferrer looked impressive in comfortably accounting for Nieminen last night, and assuming he doesn’t have troubles with Monfils in the 4th, we get the intriguing QF match-up.
Robin Soderling has been the runner-up at the French over the past two years and he’ll know that recent form doesn’t mean much in regards to his chances. He arrived in Paris in poor form last year but turned it on as soon as he hit Paris, and expect the same thing to occur again. The high bounce suits his game perfectly and his movement isn’t exposed here like it can otherwise be. Soderling has a very comfortable road to Nadal in the Quarters; Becker first, a qualifier second, likely no one of note in the third, and maybe Fish or Simon in the 4th. All signs point to a third consecutive French Open showdown with Nadal where I’d expect a much harder fought battle than last year’s final, but ultimately the same result.
Andy Murray is enjoying somewhat of resurgence after an encouraging run to the Semi’s in Rome. He was only two points away from ending Djokovic’s streak and booking a spot in the final. His credentials on clay are starting to mount given he also reached the Semi’s in Monte Carlo and has reached the round of 16 in each of the past two years in Paris, including a QF apperance in 2009. What’s more important is that he has one of the more favourable draws of any of the high seeds, and it’ll give him a major chance to go deep into the second week. He opens his campaign against a qualifier, which is followed by another clash with a qualifier. In the third round he’ll either face young Canadian talent Milos Raonic or a handful of veterans in Clement, Volandri or Berrer. I think everyone wants Raonic to advance from that section simply due to the fact he’s got the potential for great things and it would result in a fascinating 3R clash. Anyone else and it’d just be more hitting practice for Murray. Dolgopolov or Troicki are the seeds he’d then face in the 4th, and given their respective records on clay in 2011 and before that, I’m thinking it’s another easy win for Murray. Finally Murray will have a tough opponent in the Quarters with either Almagro or Melzer likely to be waiting. Murray’s certainly not the worst clay courter going around, but he’s been boosted by an incredibly favourable draw, and nothing short of a QF appearance would be a disappointment.
Outside the top 5 ranked players, the only other contenders would be Ferrer and Berdych. On this surface Monfils might be another, but his lack of form and match practice might prevent him from being at his best, and last year’s surprise Semi finalist Melzer looked good in Monte Carlo, but his form has dropped off since. It’ll be interesting to see whether Tomas Berdych, who reached the Semi’s here in 2010, can recapture the same form a year later. Similar to last year, he’s only recorded moderate success in the lead-up, but like Soderling, he might just feel at home knowing what he achieved on these same courts. Perhaps Nicolas Almagro deserves a look, he’s claimd 3 titles on the clay but his impressive 20-4 W/L record is boosted by wins in rather average fields, but QF showings in 2010 and 2008 indicate that he’s at home in Paris and he should set up a clash with Melzer in the 4th.
Prediction: Nadal def. Djokovic
Who deserves to start as favourite? Nadal, the man who’s won this title 5 times and has only ever lost once, or the man who is 37-0 on the year and has beaten Nadal in 4 straight Masters finals? Almost singlehandedly, Robin Soderling has sparked incredible interest in this tournament for the past two years, but it seems like 2011 is just destined to be a shootout between Nadal and Djokovic. Incredibly hungry, incredibly focussed, Nadal and Djokovic look set to meet in two week’s time in what would be a amazing spectacle. I’m giving the edge to Nadal because when fit I don’t know if anyone can beat him here over 5 sets, and Djokovic’s energy must have taken a hit in Rome. I’ll finish by saying that in 2009 we all thought it was going to be Nadal and Djokovic after their epic battles leading to Paris, and it turned sour for both. I can’t see it happening again, but who knows...
Women's Preview:
While it seems to get said for virtually every Slam, this French Open is one of the most wide open women’s fields in history. Both Williams sisters are absent, Clijsters is playing but has been under constant injury clouds and hasn’t played a match on clay this year. World #1 Caroline Wozniacki just won her second clay court title of the year but did so in a weakened field and has lost to heavy hitters three times in more significant tournaments. Schiavone is the defending champion, but I give her almost no chance of defending her title.
Samantha Stosur will be looking to go one step further in 2011 after falling agonisingly close last year. She appeared to have done all the hard work by defeating Henin, Serena and Jankovic to make the final but a combination of nerves and a faultless game plan and execution by Schiavone ended her dream. SF in 2009, R/U in 2010, form line is promising, but is it that simple? Last year most thought he’d have a tough time defending her points from 2009, so few are willing to doubt her this year. She started off well last night with a convincing with against Benesova. She’ll now face youngster Simona Halep, a talent, but Stosur should win easy. 3R might be Pironkova who is pretty woeful for a seeded player; she managed to end her 6 match losing streak last night but I think her one match ‘streak’ will end against Dulko. It’s the 4th where Stosur might have some concerns as Goerges is playing the best tennis of her career but for the first time she’ll have to cope with the pressure of being a contender at a Slam. On last night’s evidence against Johansson, I wouldn’t rule out Safarova causing an upset, but her similar game-style might play in to her hands. Regardless, I think Stosur sets up a QF clash with Wozniacki.
Schiavone, defending champion, can she repeat her heroics of 2010? I think she'll breeze through the first few rounds, although in the 3rd she'll either face Peng who is coming off the final in Brussels or Hercog who's game suits the clay and at her best can challenge anyone. I just don't think she can recapture her magic of last year, and at best she'll reach the Semi's.
Caroline Wozniacki has comfortably won the match matches of anyone in 2011 with 34 wins and she’ll be looking for her 5th title of the year. Her draw is reasonably easy, Date-Krumm, followed by a virtual walkover, Hantuchova in the third, it’s the 4th where former champion Kuznetsova might cause a few headaches. As each Slam passes and Wozniacki still walks away empty handed, the pressure mounts. She’s world #1 for a reason, her consistency, but the in-form big hitters who are always hovering late in Slams have shown many times they can get her number. Is this year’s French any different, or is now finally the time for the breakthrough?
Victoria Azarenka’s season started in predictable fashion with a disappointing AO exit followed by a retirement due to more soft tissue injuries. Things turned around dramatically in Miami however as she beat Clijsters, Zvonareva and Sharpova without dropping a set to claim the title. She then followed it up by winning another title, extending her streak to 11 matches. It ended with another retirement, and after losing the final in Madrid to Kvtiova, she then retired for the third time in Rome. 3 finals, 3 retirements, she’s one of the hardest players to predict, but at a career high rank of #4, now is the time for her to have a breakthrough at a Slam. For all her potential and hype, she’s yet to reach the a Slam SF, a disappointing statistic, and she needs to change that here. I really like her draw, it likely reads Hlavackova, Pervak, Vinci, an easy beginning, and then in the 4th it’s either Ivanovic/Kanepi. While clay might not be her best surface, another underwhelming showing at a Slam could dent her confidence. She needs a deep run.
For some reason, I’ve got the feeling Kuznetsova might be the big surprise packet here. She shouldn’t be as she was champion in 2009 and is still ranked 13, but yesterday was her first win on clay for the year and more than almost anyone else, the difference between her best and worst is gigantic. It’s just that if she is at her best, it can be good enough, and given she has been there and done that, that’s got to be an advantage given the nature of women’s tennis. She won comfortably yesterday and now may face Rezai, who while talented and with the home crowd behind her, is wildly inconsistent even within matches. Kuznetsova may have to run into MJMS in the 3rd, one of those tricky clay courters you’d prefer to miss, but I see Svetlana setting up a clash with Caroline in the 4th.
Maria Sharapova is aiming to achieve a feat something many thought she’d never accomplish, winning the French and subsequently owning all four Grand Slam titles. She’s been remarkably solid in 2011 with a 21-5 W/L record, and is coming off the biggest clay court result of her career by winning Rome. She made the Semi’s in 2007 so she can go deep, and with the field the way it is she may never have a better chance, and I like her draw. Lucic-Ondraskova-Zakopalova is her draw working purely by most likely outcome, so that’s a breeze through to the 4R. Radwanska is likely waiting there and she’s shown nothing to suggest she’s a threat. Clijsters on form would likely take her out in the Quarters, and she still might, but Kim’s got so many unanswered questions to have any confidence in. Going on form, Petkovic is the one in her bracket with the most chance of meeting Maria in the Quarters as she’s coming off a win in Strasbourg. Sharapova may have just won Rome, but to me she doesn’t have the clay court qualities to win.
Petra Kvitova has skyrocketed to #9 in the world and has been one of the most consistent players so far this year. She won in Brisbane, she won indoors in Paris, and in her only clay tournament in Madrid, she dropped only one set in claiming the title. She’s a true power hitter, one of the best ball strikers I’ve seen, and if her form holds, she should set up a fascinating rematch against Azarenka. Zvonareva, at #3 in the world, has again flown under the radar. She’s done nothing of note on the clay this year, and statistically the French is her worst Slam, so while her ranking makes her one of the favourites and in theory she has the game to make a serious run, I can’t see it.
Out of this tournament I’d love to see the next generation, Wozniacki, Kvitova, Azarenka, Pavlychenkova, Goerges, really step up and achieve career best results at this stage. The absence of the Williams sisters and no Henin really gives them a great opportunity to do so. Who will take their opportunity? Just behind those leading lights it’s Jovanovski, Hercog, Lisicki, Cornet who could also mark their mark.
Prediction: Stosur def. Azarenka
Truth be told, I’ve got no idea how this tournament will pan out. Being realistic, there are a number of potential winners including Stosur, Wozniacki, Azarenka, Sharapova, Clijsters, Kuznetsova, Schiavone, you could even throw in Kvitova, Jankovic, Zvonareva, Goerges if they’re at the top of their games. I can’t make any prediction with any degree of confidence, but I just think that these courts suit Stosur’s game so well. The serve, the forehand, the all-court game, she’s the current best clay courter in the world, she proved 2009 was no fluke, if she finds herself in the same position again this year you’ve just got to hope she’s better equipped. As for the other finalist, I think Azarenka is ready. I’ve bet on her to win each Slam for the past 5 or 6 Slams because I want to be on her when she finally achieves the ultimate breakthrough like we all know she can. Gut feel says Schiavone can’t repeat, and that Kuznetsova could be the big surprise and that Stosur’s preparation has gone well enough to give her another shot at glory.
While it seems to get said for virtually every Slam, this French Open is one of the most wide open women’s fields in history. Both Williams sisters are absent, Clijsters is playing but has been under constant injury clouds and hasn’t played a match on clay this year. World #1 Caroline Wozniacki just won her second clay court title of the year but did so in a weakened field and has lost to heavy hitters three times in more significant tournaments. Schiavone is the defending champion, but I give her almost no chance of defending her title.
Samantha Stosur will be looking to go one step further in 2011 after falling agonisingly close last year. She appeared to have done all the hard work by defeating Henin, Serena and Jankovic to make the final but a combination of nerves and a faultless game plan and execution by Schiavone ended her dream. SF in 2009, R/U in 2010, form line is promising, but is it that simple? Last year most thought he’d have a tough time defending her points from 2009, so few are willing to doubt her this year. She started off well last night with a convincing with against Benesova. She’ll now face youngster Simona Halep, a talent, but Stosur should win easy. 3R might be Pironkova who is pretty woeful for a seeded player; she managed to end her 6 match losing streak last night but I think her one match ‘streak’ will end against Dulko. It’s the 4th where Stosur might have some concerns as Goerges is playing the best tennis of her career but for the first time she’ll have to cope with the pressure of being a contender at a Slam. On last night’s evidence against Johansson, I wouldn’t rule out Safarova causing an upset, but her similar game-style might play in to her hands. Regardless, I think Stosur sets up a QF clash with Wozniacki.
Schiavone, defending champion, can she repeat her heroics of 2010? I think she'll breeze through the first few rounds, although in the 3rd she'll either face Peng who is coming off the final in Brussels or Hercog who's game suits the clay and at her best can challenge anyone. I just don't think she can recapture her magic of last year, and at best she'll reach the Semi's.
Caroline Wozniacki has comfortably won the match matches of anyone in 2011 with 34 wins and she’ll be looking for her 5th title of the year. Her draw is reasonably easy, Date-Krumm, followed by a virtual walkover, Hantuchova in the third, it’s the 4th where former champion Kuznetsova might cause a few headaches. As each Slam passes and Wozniacki still walks away empty handed, the pressure mounts. She’s world #1 for a reason, her consistency, but the in-form big hitters who are always hovering late in Slams have shown many times they can get her number. Is this year’s French any different, or is now finally the time for the breakthrough?
Victoria Azarenka’s season started in predictable fashion with a disappointing AO exit followed by a retirement due to more soft tissue injuries. Things turned around dramatically in Miami however as she beat Clijsters, Zvonareva and Sharpova without dropping a set to claim the title. She then followed it up by winning another title, extending her streak to 11 matches. It ended with another retirement, and after losing the final in Madrid to Kvtiova, she then retired for the third time in Rome. 3 finals, 3 retirements, she’s one of the hardest players to predict, but at a career high rank of #4, now is the time for her to have a breakthrough at a Slam. For all her potential and hype, she’s yet to reach the a Slam SF, a disappointing statistic, and she needs to change that here. I really like her draw, it likely reads Hlavackova, Pervak, Vinci, an easy beginning, and then in the 4th it’s either Ivanovic/Kanepi. While clay might not be her best surface, another underwhelming showing at a Slam could dent her confidence. She needs a deep run.
For some reason, I’ve got the feeling Kuznetsova might be the big surprise packet here. She shouldn’t be as she was champion in 2009 and is still ranked 13, but yesterday was her first win on clay for the year and more than almost anyone else, the difference between her best and worst is gigantic. It’s just that if she is at her best, it can be good enough, and given she has been there and done that, that’s got to be an advantage given the nature of women’s tennis. She won comfortably yesterday and now may face Rezai, who while talented and with the home crowd behind her, is wildly inconsistent even within matches. Kuznetsova may have to run into MJMS in the 3rd, one of those tricky clay courters you’d prefer to miss, but I see Svetlana setting up a clash with Caroline in the 4th.
Maria Sharapova is aiming to achieve a feat something many thought she’d never accomplish, winning the French and subsequently owning all four Grand Slam titles. She’s been remarkably solid in 2011 with a 21-5 W/L record, and is coming off the biggest clay court result of her career by winning Rome. She made the Semi’s in 2007 so she can go deep, and with the field the way it is she may never have a better chance, and I like her draw. Lucic-Ondraskova-Zakopalova is her draw working purely by most likely outcome, so that’s a breeze through to the 4R. Radwanska is likely waiting there and she’s shown nothing to suggest she’s a threat. Clijsters on form would likely take her out in the Quarters, and she still might, but Kim’s got so many unanswered questions to have any confidence in. Going on form, Petkovic is the one in her bracket with the most chance of meeting Maria in the Quarters as she’s coming off a win in Strasbourg. Sharapova may have just won Rome, but to me she doesn’t have the clay court qualities to win.
Petra Kvitova has skyrocketed to #9 in the world and has been one of the most consistent players so far this year. She won in Brisbane, she won indoors in Paris, and in her only clay tournament in Madrid, she dropped only one set in claiming the title. She’s a true power hitter, one of the best ball strikers I’ve seen, and if her form holds, she should set up a fascinating rematch against Azarenka. Zvonareva, at #3 in the world, has again flown under the radar. She’s done nothing of note on the clay this year, and statistically the French is her worst Slam, so while her ranking makes her one of the favourites and in theory she has the game to make a serious run, I can’t see it.
Out of this tournament I’d love to see the next generation, Wozniacki, Kvitova, Azarenka, Pavlychenkova, Goerges, really step up and achieve career best results at this stage. The absence of the Williams sisters and no Henin really gives them a great opportunity to do so. Who will take their opportunity? Just behind those leading lights it’s Jovanovski, Hercog, Lisicki, Cornet who could also mark their mark.
Prediction: Stosur def. Azarenka
Truth be told, I’ve got no idea how this tournament will pan out. Being realistic, there are a number of potential winners including Stosur, Wozniacki, Azarenka, Sharapova, Clijsters, Kuznetsova, Schiavone, you could even throw in Kvitova, Jankovic, Zvonareva, Goerges if they’re at the top of their games. I can’t make any prediction with any degree of confidence, but I just think that these courts suit Stosur’s game so well. The serve, the forehand, the all-court game, she’s the current best clay courter in the world, she proved 2009 was no fluke, if she finds herself in the same position again this year you’ve just got to hope she’s better equipped. As for the other finalist, I think Azarenka is ready. I’ve bet on her to win each Slam for the past 5 or 6 Slams because I want to be on her when she finally achieves the ultimate breakthrough like we all know she can. Gut feel says Schiavone can’t repeat, and that Kuznetsova could be the big surprise and that Stosur’s preparation has gone well enough to give her another shot at glory.
- Thread starter
- #43
Rodionova lost the first set 7-6 and in the second set she was up 5-1 serving for the match and got broke now its 5-3 and she will try serve it out again. Del Potro and Karlovic tied up at 1 set all.
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beez
A*mazing
Rodionova wins
Lol can't believe Rodionova won. She'll play some girl called Gallovits-Hall, who I once saw play Groth via a stream and she was terrible. Good chance for Rodi to defend her points from last year then.
- Thread starter
- #48
WTF Rodionova? Had about 3 wins all year and the the 26th seed in a grand slam. Looking foward to see how Roger goes against Lopez. Novak just won 6-2 6-1 6-3 and looked pretty awesome tonight.
Starlin Castro
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Del Potro and Karlovic not a bad game..