French Open discussion thread

[Mad for Chelsea]

First topic message reminder :

I thought it was about time we got one of these started. While Federer surprisingly (cough cough) had the advantage of starting his campaign nice and early on day 1, Djokovic is currently in action against Sousa of Portugal. Also on at the moment we have everyone's favourite Briton... James Ward. He's been handed a tough draw against Tommy Robredo, but is battling hard, despite being a break down in the first.

We're also due our first major upset over on court 1, with Nishikori on his way out against Klizan. Injury issues? Finally we have Mahut vs Kukushkin in a pleasant match between two talented shot-makers. That one's at one set all, with the intriguing possibility of the winner meeting Isner in R2.

EDIT: in the time it took me to write this one, Ward has broken back, and is level at 3-3, well done that man .

[Jahu]

Monfils gave his heart out and won the set.

Andy wake the fun up boy!!

[kingraf]

Ooh, things just got interesting

[kingraf]

Ooh, things just got interesting

[Jahu]

Nadal bagels Ferret.

[The Special Juan]

Monfils doesn't deserve this but as we all know it doesn't really matter if we deserve things or not.

[invisiblecoolers]

Murray gifts the set.

Story of his career really.

Really was shocked to see the score line , I just turned on to Murray match after the 3rd set btw Ferrer and Nadal thinking the match would have been over but to see 6-4 for Monfils from 4-4 shows Murray never losses his bad habits.

[HM Murdock]

How unlike Ferrer to fold from a promising position against Rafa.

[Guest]

Murray giving away all the momentum. You need to up the intensity lad if you want to finish tonight

[ChequeredJersey]

Pretty harsh to blame Ferrer too much. He's not alone in the fold to Rafa set, and Rafa has bageled many players here. Double bageled Fed, didn't he, once?

[Gerry SA]

Beating Nadal 3/5 sets on clay seems to be the toughest challenge in tennis.

Ferrer was magnificent is the first set.

And his level dropped perhaps 5% in the second and that's all it took.

Don't see Nadal beating Djokovic/Gulbis though..

[Gerry SA]

Pretty harsh to blame Ferrer too much. He's not alone in the fold to Rafa set, and Rafa has bageled many players here. Double bageled Fed, didn't he, once?

East tiger, King Roger has only had one bagel at Roland Garros against Nadal.

[Jahu]

Rafa on cryptonite. Reaching every ball, running like a mad dog.

[ChequeredJersey]

Pretty harsh to blame Ferrer too much. He's not alone in the fold to Rafa set, and Rafa has bageled many players here. Double bageled Fed, didn't he, once?

East tiger, King Roger has only had one bagel at Roland Garros against Nadal.

You're right, it was a bagel and a breadstick. Point still stands though

[kingraf]

Surely kryptonite would have the opposite effect?

[ChequeredJersey]

Beating Nadal 3/5 sets on clay seems to be the toughest challenge in tennis.

Ferrer was magnificent is the first set.

And his level dropped perhaps 5% in the second and that's all it took.

Don't see Nadal beating Djokovic/Gulbis though..

By that you mean Djoko really, right? Can't see Gulbis getting close at all to Rafa unless he has a Soderling level game


Also you're right, it is the hardest thing in tennis, that's why it's only been done here once!

[Guest]

Andy needs some Monfils juice!

[kingraf]

0 Unforced errors in the third for Rafa.

[Gerry SA]

Beating Nadal 3/5 sets on clay seems to be the toughest challenge in tennis.

Ferrer was magnificent is the first set.

And his level dropped perhaps 5% in the second and that's all it took.

Don't see Nadal beating Djokovic/Gulbis though..

By that you mean Djoko really, right? Can't see Gulbis getting close at all to Rafa unless he has a Soderling level game

TBH Gulbis would be a total unknown. If he can serve at 75-80% 1st serves, like he has in the past, he can beat anyone.

But if he has his meltdown moment, Nadal would probably hammer him.

[Jahu]

Surely kryptonite would have the opposite effect?

The jury is still out on that.

Rafa 2:0 up in fourth.

[Danny_1982]

Bad 20 mins from Murray this. Moving sluggishly, complaining, giving errors aplenty...Fair play to Monfils for making a match out of this, but he's been invited in.

Andy looks like he wants out of there!

[Guest]

This is nadal in beast mode. Ferret can't live with it. Even for his powets

[bogbrush]

0 Unforced errors in the third for Rafa.

That's been a pattern in this tournament against opponents who are done hasn't it?

[whocares]

Monfils doesn't deserve this but as we all know it doesn't really matter if we deserve things or not.

That does not make much sense unless you are on the booze.
Murray converted the 1st set point to take the 1st set. It took 3 set points for Monfils to take the 3rd. Similar story here. Clearly Murray just relying on the other guy to make mistakes in the 3rd wasnt good enough when his agressive tennis was paying off in the first two.

[Gerry SA]

Nadal making Ferrer regret his (deserved)victory in monte carlo

[Jahu]

Chill people, give Andy a few minutes to compose himself. Its 15.000 people against him   

[invisiblecoolers]

Pretty harsh to blame Ferrer too much. He's not alone in the fold to Rafa set, and Rafa has bageled many players here. Double bageled Fed, didn't he, once?

He never double bagelled Federer.   

[Jahu]

Andy broken   

[Guest]

Someone get a mop and bucket and clean up in Philippe Chatrier! It's becoming really pathetic.

[The Special Juan]

Monfils doesn't deserve this but as we all know it doesn't really matter if we deserve things or not.

That does not make much sense unless you are on the booze.
Murray converted the 1st set point to take the 1st set. It took 3 set points for Monfils to take the 3rd. Similar story here. Clearly Murray just relying on the other guy to make mistakes in the 3rd wasnt good enough when his agressive tennis was paying off in the first two.

Monfils tanked the 3rd at the start but got lucky.

[Jahu]

Ferrer breaks back once, 3:1

[invisiblecoolers]

Looks like Nadal - Ferrer will get over today and Monfils - Murray tomorrow, what a change of momentum.

[ChequeredJersey]

Pretty harsh to blame Ferrer too much. He's not alone in the fold to Rafa set, and Rafa has bageled many players here. Double bageled Fed, didn't he, once?

He never double bagelled Federer.   

Gerry already corrected me, I apologise for besmirching the great one

[Gerry SA]

Is it me or does it seem like Murray's running out of gas?

Seems very heavy legged.

[Guest]

Andy showing the heart of a gnat and the brains of a goldfish!

[Gerry SA]

Ferrer ends a 0-10 game streak

[skyeman]

Murray definitely needs the overnight. What the frig is he doing?

Tired?

[Jahu]

Easy with brains man, he has a bigger IQ then you   

[Guest]

Really? If he can top 132 I will take my hat off

[whocares]

Guess the 5th set (assuming there is one) will be played tomorrow and Murray will get his composure back.

[kingraf]

Gael needs to seal this set sharpish,
and see if he can get Murray to serve
a game or two tonight, while he's still
in this apparent quagmire.

[skyeman]

Don't think they will start the fifth, no matter what.

[kingraf]

Don't think they will start the fifth, no matter what.

I think they will, unless Murray makes a big deal about it. Which I think is unlikely.

[Jahu]

Holy apple, 2:2. Murray wants the night off.

[skyeman]

Don't think they will start the fifth, no matter what.

I think they will, unless Murray makes a big deal about it. Which I think is unlikely.

You were right, but wrong decision by the ref for me.

[Jahu]

Really? If he can top 132 I will take my hat off

Metric or imperial   

[Gerry SA]

Game set match Nadal

4/6 6/4 6/0 6/1

Nadal improves to 64-1 at Roland Garros. Increases his unbeaten streak to 33 match. Again another record.

And finally becomes the second man(Federer 2005-2009) to make 5 consecutive Roland Garros semi finals.

[kingraf]

Surely they won't stop with the local boy on high, with 25 minutes of natural light? 25 minutes is a lot of prime time advertiser money.

[whocares]

Agree starting the 5th is a bit of a travesty though

[kingraf]

I did say earlier that Gael had to win in straight sets, I just didn't think it would be from 0-2 down

[kingraf]

I did say earlier that Gael had to win in straight sets, I just didn't think it would be from 0-2 down

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