First round results
The beginning of Grand Slams tell you a lot. For one, it tells you that anything can happen to any player of any stature. Secondly, those who you thought may be ‘in with an inside chance’, often end up at the wayside. Third, the first round begins to shape everyone’s ideas as to who are the possible quarter-finalists, semi-finalists and finalists.
Nothing was different in the first round of the French Open this year. Although the future of the site of the French Open is under question, this year Rolland Garros was glorious under the baking French sun as it started on Sunday and continued with round one on Monday.
Most of the big names in the men’s draw have gone through: Roger Federer gave a neat and tidy display against Aussie Luczak; it may be a first round performance but the crowd still gets the flashes of Federer magic that will start to become more and more in use in later rounds. Rafael Nadal had little problem sweeping aside a brave Mina. Dressed, rather confusingly, in the yellow colours usually donned by his fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils, Mina only managed at 6-2 6-2 6-2 dent in Nadal’s thumping onwards to the second round. However, it was gusty play from a teenager playing only his second match at ATP Player. Naturally he was the home favourite, but Nadal won through with superior strength and intelligence, and it was a comforting sight to see him back in his swing at Rolland Garros.
It’s these two competitors whose performance dominates the game. Will it more »
Written by:The Night Before the Day Before
Tomorrow, my university exams begin. Tomorrow, the players will be waking up with a sensation in the pit of their stomach that tells them that a Grand Slam is starting soon. Of course I would rather be in a position to play some fabulous tennis under the hot French sun instead of sitting an exam, but we all have our lot in life. And over the next two weeks whilst I will be slogging through timed essays, the top tennis players in the world will be taking part in second Grand Slam of the year at Rolland Garros.
The draw came out today, and so now the players know their fate as to how the tournament may play out for them. Two casualties have already altered everyone’s view of what the final may be; Juan Martin del Potro will be out for what looks like all of the Grand Slams this year, with his wrist still recovering from surgery. And the Henin/Clijsters final we have all been waiting will have to be postponed, with Kim Clijsters out with an injury sustained in the Davis Cup.
So what should be affecting your favourites for this year’s French Open?
Some are questioning Roger Federer’s ability to take his next in a long string of Grand Slam titles with other strong players nipping at his heels, and a difficult half of the draw. After all, Rafael Nadal is back on blistering form, having taken a host of titles after his 11 month dry spell. With Nadal’s more »
Written by:Various Goings On in Europe
Attentions this week are split three ways, with major tournaments going on in Belgrade, Portugal, and Munich for the men’s tournaments.
Belgrade
When you’re one of Serbia’s biggest stars, winning a tournament in your hometown must be a special moment. Winning in your hometown in a tournament your family now own and run is even more special. Goran Djokovic, Uncle to world no. 2 Novak Djokovic, is the Serbia Open’s director, and after the popularity of the tournament in Belgrade last year has increased the capacity of the stadium in Belgrade. The calibre of players has increased slightly from last year too, and the Djokovic family are hoping it will go from strength to strength in the coming years. Needless to say, Nole is hoping for his second win in his family’s tournament’s second year. He has currently booked a place in the quarter final after beating Italy’s Fabio Foginini.
Portugal
Roger Federer started the tournament in Portugal with a children’s clinic at the Estoril stadium. The kids got to have a knock up with the world no. 1, and I imagine there are a number of very jealous fans around the world at seeing that opportunity. Today he got through to the semi-final, beating Arnaud Clement 7-6 (9-7) 6-2 for the spot. Looks like the champ hasn’t let his shock exit in Rome hamper the rest of the season; well, did anyone really expect it to?
Munich
At the BMW Open in Germany, Marin Cilic is top seed, with M more »
Written by:Clay Season underway
Andy Murray’s year not improving…
Poor Andy Murray’s year is not looking any brighter. Starting with that blaze of form at the Australian Open, the loss in the finals and the following few months seem to have knocked it all out of the Scot. At home he is garnishing criticism for not playing in the GB Davis Cup team, and out on the circuit he is being knocked out of the earliest of the early rounds. His latest disappointment was at the Monte Carlo masters. He had a bye in the first round, but was out in the second, losing 6-2 6-1 to Philip Kohlschreiber. ‘Muzza’ is going to have to pick himself up from this quickly; last year his clay season was an impressive improvement on the surface, and if he gets a bad season under his belt who knows what that’ll do to his confidence come Wimbledon.
…but Rafael Nadal’s year improving significantly
It’s been a bit of the grind the last eighteen months or so for the Majorcan. Fortunately for Rafa fans, he appears to be back to fighting fitness ready for his favourite season of the year. Those vibrant clay courts just wouldn’t be the same without him. His latest title, and first for a while, was taken at the Monte Carlo Masters, beating Fernando Verdasco 6-0 6-1. This is the sixth consecutive time he has won his tournament. Well, some people are just greedy like that. With his form as blistering as it is at the moment, he looks on track to get his old French Open title back from Federer. Finger more »
Written by:News Titbits
Navratilova announces breast cancer diagnoses
Martina Navratilova, the former tennis champion with 18 Grand Slam titles, announced that she as recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, it was caught at a very early stage and was detected through a routine mammogram. The doctors have given her an excellent prognosis, and she will undergo an operation and six weeks of radiation therapy in May. She gave a stark warning for women with regards to their vigilance over checking for breast cancer; Navratilova pointed out that she has always kept her body in fantastic shape, a good diet and high fitness, and yet this did not make her immune. She had left it four years since her last check-up: ‘…don’t make excuses’.
Serena still injured
Serena Williams is still struggling after her win at the Australian Open, with her knee continuing to play up. She has decided to withdraw from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston. Earlier on in the year she also had to withdraw from the Paris Indoor Open, all important tournaments and weeks she is spending off the court. This means that her preparation for the French Open is coming under some serious trouble.
Roddick wins in Miami
It’s been four years since his last Masters title, but Andy Roddick finally nabbed it in Miami at the Sony Ericsson Open. After making the final in Indian Wells last month, more »
