French Open 2017

RosyLily

Defending champions are Novak Djokovic and Garbine Muguruza. No Serena, Maria or Roger. Murray, Kerber and Djokovic are in slump. Lots of players look like potential winners. It'll be interesting viewing for the next 2 weeks!:)

Kvitova opened play on Chatrier against Boserup. She's up 5-2 in the first set.

Pistachios & cream

Welcome back Petra! 6-3 6-2. While some of her shots lacked 'feel' her movement was excellent. Better than I've seen for a long time. Her coaches said they really focused on that during her injury lay off and it shows. Good bet for Wimbledon.

Floppybits

Kerber in trouble in the first set against makarova.

RosyLily

Some flashes of 2016 Kerber in the second set. Still missing way too much! That drop shot there was a beauty though!!

Makarova is a tough opponent....not who you want to see in the first round.

Floppybits

Kerber in big trouble now. 4-1 down in the second.

It was nice drop shot by Kerber.

Floppybits

Glimmer of hope now for Kerber. 4-2 now to makarova

Floppybits

Shocking service game from Kerber.

RosyLily

Kerber beaten 6-2 6-2 by Makarova. First time in the Open Era that the #1 women's seed has lost in the first round at RG.

jr86

Top half is really wide open, murray and Stan both in horrible form. Id usually expect murray to switch it on in a major but he's coming into this with even more illness. Stan is well capable of playing lights out from nowhere, but fognini is a serious banana skin if it materialises and he is pushing on a bit now in tennis terms

The finalist could easily be any of murray, Stan, cilic, nishikori, zverev berdych or even cuevas or fognini. I think it's way too early for zverev though and hel have his work cut out to even get past verdasco

Hard to look past an inevitable Novak rafa semi the other side

Floppybits

jr86 wrote: »

Top half is really wide open, murray and Stan both in horrible form. Id usually expect murray to switch it on in a major but he's coming into this with even more illness. Stan is well capable of playing lights out from nowhere, but fognini is a serious banana skin if it materialises and he is pushing on a bit now in tennis terms

The finalist could easily be any of murray, Stan, cilic, nishikori, zverev berdych or even cuevas or fognini. I think it's way too early for zverev though and hel have his work cut out to even get past verdasco

Hard to look past an inevitable Novak rafa semi the other side

I cant see Nishikori, Cilic or Berdych going further than the quarter finals. Cilic hasn't done anything since his US Open win in 2015.  Nishikori can barely finish an ATP event played over 3 sets without being injured, I just can't see his body standing up to the rigors of clay court tennis.  Berdych hasn't the mentality to win a Slam.  I cant remember the last time he pulled off an upset against the top 4 in a slam. 
I can Zverev going to the Semi's, the thing that will cost him is the fitness for these 5 set matches, this is where he is behind the top guys on the tour. As soon as he builds up the stamina for these 5 sets matches he will be a big threat and will start winning these Slams.  Hard to know with Stan, if he comes into the second week and can be bothered then I can see him going all the way to the Final.  Murray is really struggling cant see him making the final.  
Of the outsiders Cuevas is probably the big danger.  He has been consistent on the clay so far.  For Fognini it all depends on what side of the bed he gets out of.  For me I think it is set up for an out and out clay courter to make a name for themselves.

Floppybits

Great to see Muguruza playing well against Schiavone.

Rekop dog

No mention for Thiem? After Rafa for me he's been the most consistent player this clay season, beaten finalist in Madrid and Barcelona and semi's in Rome.

He'll give an out of form Djoko a huge test in the quarters.

Floppybits

Thiem is just not there yet and he has to get past Djokovic and Nadal and I don't think he can do that in a five set game for the same reasons that I can't see Zverev doing it. In the Slams it is all about the stamina and that is what Nadal, Djokovic and Murray have and to a lesser extent Stan, but he has improved.

Rekop dog

Think it's a changing of the guards to be honest and we will have a few surprise slam winners over the coming years. Murray and Djoko not dominating like they have which has let former greats and some young stars share the spoils so far this year.

yerwanthere123

Women's draw could be a lot of fun. I've hot Halep, Muguruza, Svitolina, Mladenovic, Kuznetsova, Bertens, Stosur and even Venus down as possible champions. Muguruza-Mladenovic in the 4th round could be a great match.

Great to see Petra back and get the win, to think some initially speculated she may never play again. Regardless of how she does here, she's a contender at Wimbledon. On an off-topic note, she's either lost weight or the sleeveless look flatters her figure more.. or both! Either way, she looks great.

On the men's side I'm in the anyone but Nadal or Djokovic camp. Would like Murray to find some form, I'd take QF's/SF's any day. Would love Zverev to keep his good form going as well.

lostcat

The murray/stan half could blow up in a number of directions. Stan just won a tournament so he could be gassed and go out early and hard to know what where Murray is at..

Djokovics quarter look the hardest, and its hard to trust him with his serve looking vulnerable, (something Becker improved upon greatly and I can't see Agassi doing much with). I see Becker popped into his box during the match today, imagine the craic if he ended up with Agassi and Becker as joint coaches (with the love guru adding some...love)

I have a strange feeling that someone will catch Nadal, though his draw looks fairly straightforward.

Rekop dog

Zverev beaten fairly handily. That sort of inconsistency to be expected in someone so youthful I guess.

yerwanthere123

Yeah it was disappointing, he was terrible. Despite his Rome win, I think he's said himself that clay isn't his favourite surface? Should probably expect more from him at Wimbledon and the US Open. He's got plenty of time. Still, at least he's self-aware :pac:

https://twitter.com/dougrobson/status/869545092901634048

Floppybits

Konta gone in the first round of the ladies.

jr86

Not at all surprised at the zverev result, simply as verdasco is a top 20 player when he hits form. It's a horror first round draw

Murray played his best tennis all year today for the last two sets. I'm sure he was able to prod the powers that be to give him a Tuesday first round match to help him fully get over his illness.

Novak looked well out of sorts again yesterday. Broken at will.

Nadal was impressive but as someone alluded to above , I just have a feeling he's not winning this

jr86

Floppybits wrote: »

Konta gone in the first round of the ladies.

The women's game is complete bonkers I'm tempted to throw a few quid on an absolute rank outsider for wimbledon.

I know someone who had bartoli outright in 2013 pre-tournament. Mad stuff!

Rekop dog

Nadal Djok and Theim all through with ease today, proper collision course in that bottom half of the draw.

Stanimal probably the value for the tournament at 12's. Picked up a major a year last three years and with Murray off pace currently that top half is his for the taking. His major final record is imperious too so despite him likely being the outsider in the final he's a formidable opponent on the biggest occasion.

suffering golfer

Disgraceful carry on by Borna Coric. You tube clips making the rounds. I know Tennis can be an emotional sport, but there should be a degree of professionalism there and that is simply going too far. Very cringe worthy given the way the other lad was emotional over the death of his father.

josip

If Nadal were to win Roland Garos would he move to No. 2 in the rankings and Djokovic drop to No.3/No. 4 (depending on Wawrinka)?

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/rankings/singles
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/tournaments/roland-garros/520/overview?detailTab=points

Floppybits

I was watching the coverage this morning on Eurosport and they were discussing Murray's match and his opponent to day Klizan. They should a clip of Klizan's opening match with Lokoli and Lokoli wouldn't shake his hand at the end the of the match and told him to go away.   I only seen the clip with Klizan celebrating breaking Lokoli's serve when Lokoli served a double fault at break point.  Anyone see this match? Rudseski was intimating that the crowd may have been giving Klizan a hard time and saying how difficult it is to play in France.  
Could be an interesting match today with Murray if something happens?

Chivito550

Would love to share the optimism that Nadal won't win this, but honestly can't see it. It looks a done deal to me really. Hard to see who is going to take him on clay given how bad Djokovic and Murray have been. Maybe if Thiam was in his quarter, but with him being on the other half they probably won't play each other. Far more likely to catch Nadal in a 4R or QF at RG than in the final too.

average_runner

Backed Williams at 18/1 to win wimbledon.

Floppybits

Murray in a first set tie break against Klizan.  As usual he is doing a lot of moaning.

Floppybits

Murray lost the first set on a tie break.  He is playing awful and doing his usual giving out about everything and anything.

Floppybits

Some display of sportsmanship from Del Potro.  Poor Almagro had to retire to a knee injury and was upset, Del Potro sat down with him to give him some support.

Rekop dog

Murray struggling badly here. Carrying niggly injuries all year and hasn't got into any rhythm.

If he does progress you'd have to fancy Del Potro against him next round.

Itssoeasy

Floppybits wrote: »

Some display of sportsmanship from Del Potro.  Poor Almagro had to retire to a knee injury and was upset, Del Potro sat down with him to give him some support.

https://twitter.com/benrothenberg/status/870270373513879552

Unbelievable stuff.

jr86

Rekop dog wrote: »

Murray struggling badly here. Carrying niggly injuries all year and hasn't got into any rhythm.

If he does progress you'd have to fancy Del Potro against him next round.

Del Potro is probably more likely not to turn up than beat murray

He was potentially a few games from retirement today but almagro beat him to the punch

Murray will drop shot the hell out of it either way and force delpo to keep hitting on the run.

If fognini actually turns up he can absolutely beat Stan Saturday. Murray's draw would open up some amount then. Gasquet and monfils is the other match in that quarter- two potential belters in store.

A bit up and down today from murray but klizan is far from a slouch. Relying on memory here but as far as I recall he's taken a set off nadal in both their last two slam encounters and took Stan to 5 at the AO in january. Beat a prime Tsonga a few years back in New York. He's very up and down but is well able for the big occasion

Like last year murray just needs to play himself into form.

Lenglen is slower and has far less room behind the baseline than chatrier. It's always been a horrible court for murray

Rekop dog

Novak up against it early doors.

At this rate Rafa might win it again without dropping a set. World number 1 and 2 miles off their best.

josip

Jocko being taken to 5 sets but it looks like the momentum is with him after the last set.

jr86

Still wouldn't write off Djokovic. He's played 5 setters against lesser opponents than schwartzmann in slams that he's eventually won.

He still has two rounds to fine-tune his game for a probable clash with Nadal.

jr86

Rekop dog wrote: »

Novak up against it early doors.

At this rate Rafa might win it again without dropping a set. World number 1 and 2 miles off their best.

It's a hell of a long time since nadal straight setted djokovic in a major. Raonic can nick a tie-break too like isner did twice here a few years back.

Sport is funny though. His soderling and rosol FO and Wimbledon losses really come from nowhere and out of the blue

Nadal - as handy as he's winning matches - is still not the nadal of old and is always that bit more vulnerable nowadays. I still maintain he's had a bit of an easier time of it this year with draws and form/fitness of rivals

lostcat

jr86 wrote: »

Still wouldn't write off Djokovic. He's played 5 setters against lesser opponents than schwartzmann in slams that he's eventually won.

He still has two rounds to fine-tune his game for a probable clash with Nadal.

I agree with this, but his serve is very poor atm and will get him into trouble against someone who wont run out of stream like Schwartzmann seemed to...

I think Agassi is leaving in a couple of days also


Murray Del Potro should be worth a watch tomorrow

Halloween Jack

Great first set Murray v delpo, delpo was blowing him off court early doors but Murray weathered the storm, broke at 4-5 and took it to the breaker. Early break in the second, delpo looks a little fatigued.

Rekop dog

This is a cracking match.

Halloween Jack

Impressive from Murray, disappointing from delpo in the end...

jr86

Have to say I'm very impressed with Murray here. He's had a lot of tough breaks this year, no real pre-season, a tough freak loss in Melbourne and then battling shingles, an elbow injury and various other ailments. He hasn't even been able to play points in practice throughout a lot of the year or serve

The way he was playing, a draw of Kuznetsov - Klizan - Delpo looked a real tantalising prospect - to only make the 4th round.

He's definitely playing himself into form and looking more confident and better with every match. The way his year has been, a come-down could come at any time but he looks to have a real manageable path to the semis now. Even then if Andy is hitting well and fully fit he has the tools to outclass Stan on clay, as shown last year here.

I saw an interesting piece with Murray pre-tournament where he appeared much more mellow and philosophical than I've ever seen him. I think tennis is no longer the complete be-all-and-end-all for him and he's enjoying life itself a bit more. Interestingly though he stated how much he wanted to make a mark here in Paris and he heavily implied he's no longer prioritising Masters events. He said the slams are what he'll be remembered for and with a stint at number one already to his name, that's the focus from here on in.

But when so many other top players coming in with injury or form problems would come out with "a few rounds would be great" or "I'm not expecting much" it was refreshing to see him making zero excuses in advance and that he'd be deeply disappointed if he doesn't go deep here.

He's definitely playing his way into form and as it is I can see him in a final, where he would have zero to lose

jr86

Monfils and Gasquet - this one could be all kinds of brilliant!

Great to see Verdasco backing up his round one win. Cuevas has never made round 4 of a major and it shows. The former will blow up eventually though, either Nishikori or Murray will hammer him

I think the insight provided by Courier and Petchey on ITV is second to none, absolute streets ahead of the usual suspects on the Beeb every year during Wimbledon. Some top class analysis of the Murray Del Potro match

Halloween Jack

jr86 wrote: »

Monfils and Gasquet - this one could be all kinds of brilliant!

Great to see Verdasco backing up his round one win. Cuevas has never made round 4 of a major and it shows. The former will blow up eventually though, either Nishikori or Murray will hammer him

I think the insight provided by Courier and Petchey on ITV is second to none, absolute streets ahead of the usual suspects on the Beeb every year during Wimbledon. Some top class analysis of the Murray Del Potro match

Always felt petchey was a great analyst.

RosyLily

I think Agassi is coaching Djokovic full time now someone mentioned on Twitter. Makes sense....I don't really see the point in bringing in somebody for a tournament or part of the season. Surely their coaching would take time. Especially someone like Agassi who has years of experience on the tour and might have some great insight.

Watching the women's matches and I have no clue who could win. Kuznetsova, Halep, Svitolina, Muguruza, Williams even Mladenovic have a shot at winning! Personally I'd love to see Halep win. Or Venus for nostalgia. She plays like she's 10 years younger sometimes.

jr86

Just don't see what Agassi will bring to Novak, given ND is pretty much better at every facet of the game than Andre was

as bizarre as the Becker appointment seemed at the time he has proven a great help with ND's serve, net play and grass game in general

Similar to Johnny mac and raonic last year.

Novak needs some new motivation and hunger but he'll only really get that out of himself. He needs little to no improvement on the technical side, bar his serve as lostcat mentioned

Dirty Dingus McGee

Why have the crowds been so poor/not turning up on time.Looks really bad for the sport when there are so many empty seats at one of the 4 major events of the year.

Rjd2

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Why have the crowds been so poor/not turning up on time.Looks really bad for the sport when there are so many empty seats at one of the 4 major events of the year.

Many times over the years the French has been played in front of sporadic crowds, sadly not a new thing.

I recall Gulbis and Novak playing a semi a few years ago and it was near empty.

Who knows, lack of stars?

Pistachios & cream

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Why have the crowds been so poor/not turning up on time.Looks really bad for the sport when there are so many empty seats at one of the 4 major events of the year.

A lot better of the tickets for the lower tier of Philippe chatrier court are corporate tickets. These are often sold as a package with dinner and drinks so people can be in the restaurants enjoying the hospitality. The upper tiers are usually pretty full with real tennis fans.

Also tennis matches bar the first match don't have set start times so it can be hard to time things do you're in your seat on time. I went to Roland garros last year and the queue to get in took over an hour.

Rekop dog

Thiem only drops 5 games today to cruise into the quarters. He's looked formidable.

He's got the game to put it up to an under performing Djoko, let's see if he can deal with the mental challenge.

jr86

Thiem is a perfect match up for Djokovic though

He's been all at sea against ND in their matches to date, ND dictates the play with his deep shots and DT needs time to set up his long winding ground-strokes which is a luxury he's simply not granted in this match-up. Novak will retrieve all day aswell

The wind that's forecast may be a bit of a leveller though.