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 .

[HM Murdock]

Don't worry HM, Cilic should fold now.  I can't see him getting anywhere now.

I'm only watching the scores but it seems like a fairly typical Cilic performance so far - comes out of the blocks well, hitting big, but just falls aways at the end.

As much as it's a tough 3R draw for Novak, it's also pretty unlucky for Cilic too!

[Jahu]

Fed looks like he's been into labour himself.  Winning mostly on serve and UE galore.  He should go home in next round and get ready for W.

[The Special Juan]

Imagine ending consecutive sentences with "now".

You're absolutely right. People always mention "so-and-so could be a horrible draw for Federer/Murray/Djokovic/Nadal" but they forget that Federer/Murray/Djokovic/Nadal are horrible draws for so-and-so!!

[HM Murdock]

Imagine ending consecutive sentences with "now".  

Now, now, don't don't be too hard on yourself now.

[lags72]

Novak in control, 3-1 in 2nd

Tursunov pretty much matching Federer in every department, and there really is little between them on today's showing. Having already pushed Federer hard this year with two TB's in Indian Wells, Tursunov would go into a third set with a massive confidence boost if he could find a way to level things up here

[kemet]

Methinks Taylor Townsend needs to work on her conditioning and fitness as soon as possible.

Some weight loss will do her good.

[kemet]

As well as Tursunov is playing, Roger HAS to take his break chances!

If he has to lose today, it may be a lesson well learned.

[lags72]

That was ten minutes of pure magic from Tursunov. He saved three BP's in the 12th game, then rescued the minibreak in the TB ; and Fed himself was not playing badly.

One set apiece - and a totally accurate reflection of how things have been going.......

[kemet]

That was ten minutes of pure magic from Tursunov. He saved three BP's in the 12th game, then rescued the minibreak in the TB ; and Fed himself was not playing badly.

One set apiece -  and a totally accurate reflection of how things have been going.......

Put Rafa, Novak, or Murray in that situation and tell me that Tursunov would not be down 2 sets to love right now.

[ChequeredJersey]

Well, that. Or the single most important factor will be whether Djokovic can hold Serve or not. He's dropped his Serve three times already in his first two matches here.

If Rafa gets good length on his shots and, in turn, the right court position, I think Djokovic can serve well and still lose, especially on clay.

You're right about his draw though, it looks tough. Cilic in round 3 and perhaps Tsonga in round 4 are both particularly tricky opponents for relatively early rounds.

He dropped serve 3 times in his first match I believe, and also made hard work of serving out all three sets. The performance v Chardy was better.

Rafa starts Slams slowly. He will only improve

[kemet]

I will say this: If Federer wins the French, I will eat my hat.

I cannot see him winning the French on the evidence of this match today, unless Roger finds a way to roll back the years.

[Jahu]

Who said Fed can win the FO? He won it once cause Nadal got knocked out.

Save the hat, enjoy the sunshine   

[lags72]

That was ten minutes of pure magic from Tursunov. He saved three BP's in the 12th game, then rescued the minibreak in the TB ; and Fed himself was not playing badly.

One set apiece -  and a totally accurate reflection of how things have been going.......

Put Rafa, Novak, or Murray in that situation and tell me that Tursunov would not be down 2 sets to love right now.

You mean in the same way that for countless years in his prime Federer never let guys like Tursunov get anywhere near him ......?

One can easily find many many examples of Rafa, Novak, and Murray (especially Murray ...) not just dropping sets but losing to lower.-ranked players. None of them is some sort of paragon of perfection.

We can all have conveniently short memories if we really want to ....... 

[Jahu]

Tursunos will fold now I guess or Fed up it quickly since a break up.

[kemet]

Who said Fed can win the FO?  He won it once cause Nadal got knocked out.

Save the hat,  enjoy the sunshine   

Not most knowledgeable people; that's why I made the "eat my hat" reference; because, it is very improbable.

[Jahu]

Come on Cilic,  take a set,  blind him with that crazy yellow colour.

[kemet]

That was ten minutes of pure magic from Tursunov. He saved three BP's in the 12th game, then rescued the minibreak in the TB ; and Fed himself was not playing badly.

One set apiece -  and a totally accurate reflection of how things have been going.......

Put Rafa, Novak, or Murray in that situation and tell me that Tursunov would not be down 2 sets to love right now.

You mean in the same way that for countless years in his prime Federer never let guys like Tursunov get anywhere near him ......?

One can easily find many many examples of Rafa, Novak, and Murray (especially Murray ...) not just dropping sets but losing to lower.-ranked players. None of them is some sort of paragon of perfection.

We can all have conveniently short memories if we really want to ....... 

No, I do not have a short memory, and it really proves the difference even the loss of a step by a millisecond makes.

Roger's return game, which was quite good, has suffered the most during this period of his inevitable decline.

If this match had happened eight years ago, I daresay, even with Tursunov playing this well, the match could very well have a different complexion

[Jahu]

Kemet, are you in the mood of confirming obvious things?

[ChequeredJersey]

I will say this: If Federer wins the French, I will eat my hat.

I cannot see him winning the French on the evidence of this match today, unless Roger finds a way to roll back the years.

I said that about Murray ever winning Wimbledon a few years ago and i had to eat a hat

[kemet]

Kemet,  are you in the mood of confirming obvious things?

Oh, you are going to have a go at me now? And considering the source, isn't it ironic that you are accusing me of confirming obvious things?...

Think about it...

[lags72]

Who said Fed can win the FO?  He won it once cause Nadal got knocked out.

 

Weird wasn't it    

Soderling good enough to beat Rafa ; but couldn't get the better of Federer ......

Meanwhile, fast forward many years ...I don't know of anyone who thinks a 32 year old can win the FO !!

[Jahu]

I'm not having a go.  Just saying that you are stating things we all know.

And no,  I dont think on forums. Where's the fun doing that?  Random crap is perfect for forums. I have proved it many times.  True story this one.

[kemet]

I'm not having a go.  Just saying that you are stating things we all know.

And no,  I dont think on forums. Where's the fun doing that?  Random crap is perfect for forums. I have proved it many times.  True story this one.

Well excuse me Your Royal Tennis Highness, mister king of the inane one-liners that do not really add anything to any tennis discussion.

I will not take these insults from you.

So please cease and desist.

[Jahu]

But, I was right? And careful when you talk about Royals. Respect!

And I don't discuss tennis, and yes I only do one liners.

See, again you are just stating obvious things?

Please explain.

[kemet]

But,  I was right?  And careful when you talk about Royals. Respect!

And I don't discuss tennis,  and yes I only do one liners.

See,  again you are just stating obvious things?

Please explain.

Alright dude, you are simply trolling now, and I feel my IQ plummeting by the second.

I seem to recall the saying "it is not wise to argue with fools".... or something to that effect.

If it makes you feel better, I am an idiot that does not belong on this tennis forum.

Happy?

[kemet]

To the mods and the rest of the forum, I apologize, I should not have allowed myself to be baited like that.

Back to tennis...

Another thing I have noticed is that Roger's forehand is not as potent as its once been, although it appears to be holding up well today so far.

I think this is why he will struggle in this FO and in future majors.

[Jahu]

Happy? Why would I be happy? Why would your posts make me happy?

Take a chill pill and relax.

[Jahu]

Are balls sounding different this year, sharper? Any changes on them this year?

[Jahu]

Cilic takes third set on TB.

[lags72]

.................................................................................

If this match had happened eight years ago, I daresay, even with Tursunov playing this well, the match could very well have a different complexion

I agree 100%   

I guess pretty much any event in the world of sport could have had a different complexion had it taken place eight years ago.

That's part of the fun in speculating on ifs buts & maybes ........

Meanwhile another example (as though one were necessary !) on a nearby court, of why Federer is far from alone in dropping sets from seemingly unassailable positions .......

[kingraf]

Meanwhile, Djokovic just got taken to the shed in the tie breaker, and it's 2-1

[kemet]

Happy?  Why would I be happy? Why would your posts make me happy?

Take a chill pill and relax.

Sorry, I don't suffer fools (or trolls) gladly.

But if you want to accuse me of confirming the obvious (when you do the same, maybe?), forgive me for pointing out the obvious (see what I did there?) irony in your post. You put it on a platter and I could not resists.

There I go again responding to you again.....

[kingraf]

.................................................................................

If this match had happened eight years ago, I daresay, even with Tursunov playing this well, the match could very well have a different complexion

I agree 100%   

I guess pretty much any event in the world of sport could have had a different complexion had it taken place eight years ago.

That's part of the fun in speculating on ifs buts & maybes ........

Meanwhile another example (as though one were necessary !) on a nearby court, of why Federer is far from alone in dropping sets from seemingly unassailable positions .......

Being a break down then losing a tie breaker is not an unassailable position. Strange thing to say

[Jahu]

Ok, truce? Whats wrong with you? You used to post smart things, get a grip.

[kingraf]

.................................................................................

If this match had happened eight years ago, I daresay, even with Tursunov playing this well, the match could very well have a different complexion

I agree 100%   

I guess pretty much any event in the world of sport could have had a different complexion had it taken place eight years ago.

That's part of the fun in speculating on ifs buts & maybes ........

Meanwhile another example (as though one were necessary !) on a nearby court, of why Federer is far from alone in dropping sets from seemingly unassailable positions .......

Being a break down then losing a tie breaker is not an unassailable position. Strange thing to say

just had a re-read at the live text - seems Nole was a break up, not down. Apologies.

[kingraf]

.................................................................................

If this match had happened eight years ago, I daresay, even with Tursunov playing this well, the match could very well have a different complexion

I agree 100%   

I guess pretty much any event in the world of sport could have had a different complexion had it taken place eight years ago.

That's part of the fun in speculating on ifs buts & maybes ........

Meanwhile another example (as though one were necessary !) on a nearby court, of why Federer is far from alone in dropping sets from seemingly unassailable positions .......

Being a break down then losing a tie breaker is not an unassailable position. Strange thing to say

just had a re-read at the live text - seems Nole was a break up, not down. Apologies.

[Mad for Chelsea]

Djokovic has looked decent really. Cilic is a good player and has played pretty well, but a few too many errors.

Federer hasn't convinced me. Not good at all on BP conversions, and in general don't think much of his tactics, amazed he hasn't tried to keep Tursunov pinged on his (much weaker) BH wing. Had Tursunov not picked up a niggle in the third this one would have been even tighter IMO.

[TopoftheChops]

Gulbis will beat Federer in 4 sets

[kemet]

Djokovic has looked decent really. Cilic is a good player and has played pretty well, but a few too many errors.

Federer hasn't convinced me. Not good at all on BP conversions, and in general don't think much of his tactics, amazed he hasn't tried to keep Tursunov pinged on his (much weaker) BH wing. Had Tursunov not picked up a niggle in the third this one would have been even tighter IMO.

This has been a problem for a very long time with Federer's game. It seems like he is way too tentative on the return at times, and there is an ineffectual backhand return that he tends to dump into the net that is particularly irritating.

[TopoftheChops]

Cilic playing some good stuff today, finally living up to the reputation

[TopoftheChops]

Cilic back in the 4th set!

[kemet]

Novak is still going to win this is four. He will either break Cilic again, or win in the tiebreak.

[Gerry SA]

What I've observed of Djokovic in best of 5 set matches in recent times is that he's mentally and physically unable to be in the zone for the whole match, as he was in 2011-2012.

It's like he needs a breather and his opponents know it and can take it to him.

It's like Djokovic's body has dropped 5%, and it's not doing what his mind wants it to do.

[The Special Juan]

The tournament's needed this (even though I missed these final 2 sets when I was away out sunning ).

Brave umpiring there from Ramos!

[The Special Juan]

Oh. What a shame.

[kemet]

I was thinking to myself, "don't double-fault on match point, don't double-fault on match point"

And what does Cilic go and do?

Double-fault on match point.

[HM Murdock]

Brave umpiring there from Ramos!

What happened?

[TopoftheChops]

What I've observed of Djokovic in best of 5 set matches in recent times is that he's mentally and physically unable to be in the zone for the whole match, as he was in 2011-2012.

It's like he needs a breather and his opponents know it and can take it to him.

It's like Djokovic's body has dropped 5%, and it's not doing what his mind wants it to do.

That is complete rubbish.

[The Special Juan]

The French proving once again why they are the worst crowd in tennis. Pathetic.

[HM Murdock]

The French proving once again why they are the worst crowd in tennis.  Pathetic.

What's happening? (sorry, I've got live scores so I'm not seeing any actual footage!)

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