French Open 2012

[Selective Retention]

I watched the Stosur game. She didn't play that great, just let Cibulkova drown in her own errors really. Stosur did well to come back from 0-40 early in the set on serve and Cibulkova fell in a bundle after that. I was surprised at how in your face Cibulkova was towards her at the end of the first set.

As for the comments, I'm sure Australian players and fans said the same about Mauresmo when she was going around. Shoe on the other foot these days. Meh.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Well lets be honest here,we will get the top 4 in the men (although David Ferrer could surprise us all). The women is an absolute lottery but Sharapova has been the best player for over a month and a half so no surprises she has gone quietly through. Kerber should have beaten Errani, Stosur just needs to play smart against Errani, a lot of kick serves!

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

Gutted for Tsonga. Looked like he was headed for an embarrassing loss at 6-1, 2-0, but he turned it around with the best clay court tennis he has ever produced. 3 of the match points were saved by incredible Djokovic play, the other was a big Tsonga forehand DTL that hit the top of the net. So close. Regardless, it should be a massive confidence booster rather than a match that haunts him. Going toe-to-toe with the world number 1 on his least favourite surface is a great effort.

Federer the oldest player to make a RG SF since Jimmy Connors in 1985. Not bad old man.

 

[Mint Condition]

Djokovic is becoming an expert at saving match points and going on to win. The semi final will be interesting. Last year both he and Federer looked great going into it and the match was very high quality. This year both have been a lot more vulnerable so who knows what we'll get.

I think Ferrer will beat Murray. He's never lost to him on clay and is in the form of his life. Murray has looked very good at times too but his back injury must still linger and Ferrer will give him a very physical match. Nadal/Almagro looks predictable.

 

[matt_897]

I think Ferrer will beat Murray. He's never lost to him on clay and is in the form of his life. Murray has looked very good at times too but his back injury must still linger and Ferrer will give him a very physical match. Nadal/Almagro looks predictable.

I would of agreed with this up until the Gasquet match, some of the tennis played in the last couple of sets was outstanding, he wa sbeing aggressive and mixing up the play really well, granted Ferrer is a different prospect than Gasquet but I think Murray will actually win tonight.

Gutted for Tsonga too, but I think he will actually struggle with this one for a while, that forehand dtl he missed, heartbreaking. Helps Wimby is so close he can try to forget about it.

 

[Mint Condition]

If the Wimbledon organisers are smart they'll 'randomly' put Tsonga in Djokovic's quarter. Would make an interesting rematch. Well Djokovic or Federer's.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Yeah,

I would of agreed with this up until the Gasquet match, some of the tennis played in the last couple of sets was outstanding, he wa sbeing aggressive and mixing up the play really well, granted Ferrer is a different prospect than Gasquet but I think Murray will actually win tonight.

Gutted for Tsonga too, but I think he will actually struggle with this one for a while, that forehand dtl he missed, heartbreaking. Helps Wimby is so close he can try to forget about it.

Yeah, having 4 match points and not winning a match always screws with a guys head. All you can think about is 'what if'. It'll haunt him a bit I reckon. Tsonga has the game to really push the big guns, unbelievable power + very good athlete, just mentally he's a bit erratic- very much a french gene as they like to play with a bit of flair.

 

[pepsi]

Shattered for Tsonga. Out of all players who are yet to win a slam, he would be up there in the top 2 or 3 who I want to win one. I agree that this loss could be very difficult to get over.

Nothing wrong with what Cibulkova said. It is basically the truth. Even Dave Taylor has mentioned that Stosur's forehand is unique and he can see more women attempting to have that kind of forehand in the future. When she has time, can't think of many other female tennis players who are able to get that much torque, spin and racket head speed. Can't wait til her semi with Errani tomorrow night.

If Stosur was to make the final, do you think she stands a better chance against Kvitova or Sharapova?

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

If Stosur was to make the final, do you think she stands a better chance against Kvitova or Sharapova?

To be hoenst, I'm kind of hoping both get knocked out , but then I think the whole unkown quanitity in the final could be a bit scary as well. 6 of 1, half a dozen of the other, although maybe the fact she's actually beaten Sharapova before might count for something, unlike her record v Kvitova.

EDIT: actually changed my mind, Sharapova.

 

[TheStinger]

Nice work Murray, you rodent.

 

[JolyV]

Nole-Federer and Nadal-Ferrer the semis

 

[Mint Condition]

Ferrer too good for Murray as I thought he'd be. But can't see him beating Nadal. It's too hard for these other grinding clay courter types to beat Rafa as he's just that much better at their own game. Plus there's the mental edge. Ferrer was playing better than Rafa when these two played in Barcelona recently yet he lost in straight sets. He just sort of capitulated at important times in both sets.

Like Almagro last night...takes the first set into a tie break hits a great first serve on the first point, but when it comes back to him slowly and halfway up the court decides to go for a stupid drop shot which he misses when he could have easily put it away with his forehand.

 

[heals]

Nice work Murray, you rodent.

Im sure his back was pretty 'sore'

 

[Butcher32]

Like Almagro last night...takes the first set into a tie break hits a great first serve on the first point, but when it comes back to him slowly and halfway up the court decides to go for a stupid drop shot which he misses when he could have easily put it away with his forehand.

I agree but what you said is half truth.On clay if you dont hit a perfect forehand, it aint gonna be a winner.People end up making way too many unforced errors against him cause they had to go for the extra bit.The idea of a drop shot was good, it was just poorly executed (rafa was 10 meters behind the baseline)..the slower conditions (being heavy) makes it even tougher to hit a winner.Ferrer will be no pushover, in slams he leads rafa 2-1

 

[Spitta09]

Murray gone is always good.

Doubt Nadal will get beaten from here you have to consistently paint the lines and more if you want to beat this guy on clay, he is a machine. Federer is past it, Djoker would have to have a very good day and based on this tournament it doesn't look like working for him

 

[bombermick]

Ferrer will push him, but like everyone else I can't see him beating Nadal. He won't be able to frustrate Nadal like he has everyone else.

Djokovic will be too mentally strong for Fed and that would be a great final. Nadal is a machine on clay, but he has his demons versus Djokovic.

 

[Big Tezza]

Ferrer may take a set, but that's the absolute best I can see him doing against Nadal, who has been imperious so far.

I have no idea what to expect with Fed/Djokovic. Both have been below their best form, but on the flipside, they have both been able to get out of whatever trouble they've found themselves in. I'm tipping Novak in four tight sets, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if Fed pinches it. Regardless of who reaches the final, Nadal will do it in a canter.

 

[Mint Condition]

It's funny how match ups work in tennis. I think Djokovic would have just about an equal chance of beating Nadal in the final as he would have beating Ferrer, who leads him 3-1 on clay...the only loss coming in Madrid last year to superNole on the faster Madrid surface. You could reasonably argue that Nadal is a better match up for him. Yet Federer has such a tiny chance of beating Nadal but would be very likely to beat Ferrer (who he has beaten in all 5 of the matches they've played on clay).

 

[pepsi]

I think they will be 2 very enjoyable semis. Think Djokovic and Nadal will get up and anything can happen in the final, though Nadal will start the favourite. If Novak does make the final, it really is huge in terms of the rest of the season. The Grand Slam would still be up for grabs, with the most difficult title for Djokovic being out of the way. Still a long way to go though.

Looking forward to watching Stosur tonight. Don't think she has been at her best this tournament, but she has been very impressive. Still thinking that Sharpova looks the goods to complete her career slam.

 

[Mint Condition]

Surely if Djokovic wins it'll be a grand slam. Just not a calendar slam. I don't think it really makes much difference. Holding all 4 titles at once is the same achievement irregardless of the order they were won.

 

[Caesar]

I don't think it really makes much difference. Holding all 4 titles at once is the same achievement irregardless of the order they were won.

Well... not quite. Schedule-wise, it's a lot more gruelling to do the CYGS because you don't have the big gap and the offseason break between the USO and the AO.

I definitely see the calender year slam as a much tougher achievement.

 

[Kaan]

Channel 9 will be showing the final if Stosur makes it, so good news for us FTA viewers.

 

[matt_897]

Well... not quite. Schedule-wise, it's a lot more gruelling to do the CYGS because you don't have the big gap and the offseason break between the USO and the AO
I definitely see the calender year slam as a much tougher achievement.

There is not really that much of a gap, tennis is basically almost an all year sport. It's tougher but more mentally than anything, not much of a difference.

Women's Semis are delayed, heavy conditions won't suit Sam but looks like it won't be at least another hour they'll be on court.

 

[pepsi]

Great they are planning to show the final, but I think they should probably be showing the semi as well.

 

[hirdy_is_champ]

Well... not quite. Schedule-wise, it's a lot more gruelling to do the CYGS because you don't have the big gap and the offseason break between the USO and the AO.

I definitely see the calender year slam as a much tougher achievement.

Uh oh, I can see this turning into an argument [far out the old emoticon of this was better]. I spose that's why they say "Novak slam", "Serena slam" etc.

Rain in Paris...