Wimbledon 1996 and Roland Garros 2009

Life of course does not follow past patterns, but I was thinking about parallels with previous slams from last night and I came on Wimbledon 1996 and RG 2009.

At Wimbledon Krajicek hit a vein of form and blasted Stich then Sampras off the Court with huge serves and huge hitting. He was 16th seed and had won several tournaments, so there's no parallel there, but I was reminded of him last night by the extraordinary combination of power and the monotonous confidence/certainty with which it was applied by Rosol. I recall Krajicek working his way through Wimbledon (at a similar age) with the same sort of expressionless look on his face, almost beatific, just like Rosol looked, and there's also a sort of naive, almost idiot savant look. Whether Rosol can find similar form to that in the next rounds is the big question - the 4th set against Rafa showed what happens when the wheels come off and his past record and ranking of 100 suggests that they come off quite a lot. If he knows what's good for him he'll keep the media away as best he can today.

RG 2009 has one obvious parallel, a shock defeat of Rafa by powerful flat hitting, but also the possible effect on others in the draw. Federer clearly felt the pressure of the best chance he was ever going to get to win and nearly succumbed to Haas, Murray may find himself in a similar situation in further rounds. Federer may perk up a little knowing that Djoko may not be the gatekeeper to his nemesis, but more like a summit, or at least the edge of a plateau.

It's no secret I'm not a fan of Rafas (although I obviously respect his achievements), but I think that of the top 4 his absence from the draw creates more interest, sub-plots and stories than with any of the other top 4.

I just watched that match on youtube after the Rosol win. It was a thing to behold to see Sampras schooled on grass.... Krajicek of course went on to win... I can't see Rosol doing that. I think this year is Fed v tsonga.

Kohlschreiber will take care of Rosol today Kohli has been playing well on this surface for a few years now and Rosol hasn't won 3 games in a row in his ATP life.I just hope Rosol doesn't become laggy in the legs and gift Kohli the easiest of passages.

I wouldn't be so sure. Rosol will have gained a lot of confidence.

5-2 down in no time, Rosol has very little variety sadly.

I want to see more fight from Rosol in the second set!

Sadly Rosol is going to be a one hit wonder. He's winning far less points off his first serve and he's been broken again and again by Koli and now in the second set.

He wasn't even down to Rafa 2 sets so looks like he'll be out in str8 sets. A shame but it does underline what many thought, a freak performance by an inspired player. Rafa has little to worry about therefore, as shocking as the exit appeared. The pressure is all on Rosol in this match too, he's not earned a single break point. In 4/5 sets on Thursday, he gained break points, he hasn't got even one this entire match so far.

Well done Rosol, but sadly consistency is needed to progress at this level, ask Gulbis, another seed slayer.

Oh well, Rosol has done his part! He has cemented his name in history for at least something

I wonder if other players will see this and think "If Rosol can do it, so can I!"?

reckoner wrote:I wonder if other players will see this and think "If Rosol can do it, so can I!"?

Benn did....

I dunno - Benn know Fed's game from way back and has beaten him before so not sure if Rosol was entirely responsible for his inspired performance yesterday though who knows perhaps it played a part. I was thinking more of up and coming players

reckoner wrote:I dunno - Benn know Fed's game from way back and has beaten him before so not sure if Rosol was entirely responsible for his inspired performance yesterday though who knows perhaps it played a part. I was thinking more of up and coming players

Del Potro is the only one left out and I wish to see him in the finals v Fed, would he repeat the USO 2009 ? , I can only wish.