French Open

RosyLily · 20-05-2011 09:17PM #1

2nd Grand Slam of 2011. Clay....a surface some players can't seem to master.

The draws were made earlier today. Very interesting matches. Defending champion and Number 1 seed Nadal will play John Isner in his first round match. He also has Murray (possible SF opponent?), Malisse, Verdasco, Soderling (poss. QF), Almagro and Melzer in his half of the draw.

Djokovic, who is on a major roll (and many people's pick), plays Thiemo de Bakker in the first round and has Ferrer, Berdych (poss. QF), del Potro, Gasquet and Federer (poss. SF?) in his half.

Federer has a tough opener in Feliciano Lopez whereas Andy Murray will play a qualifier. Men's draw is looking very good. Will be interesting to see if Djokovic can keep up his form in 5 sets.

As for the Women's Draw, defending champion Francesca Schiavone will play American Melanie Oudin in the first round and has Jelena Jankovic, Pennetta and Zvonareva in her quarter- potential SF opponent could be Wozniacki.

Speaking of Caroline, she will play Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm in the first round. She could play Sam Stosur in the quarter's.

Sharapova, the winner of Italian Open, seems to be finding her feet on clay this year. She has a tough quarter with Clijsters, Petkovic and Wickmayer in her quarter; she might have Azarenka or Li in the SF. Maria will play her first round match against Mijana Lucic.

Source Source

Paddy Power have Nadal at even odds, followed by Djokovic, Murray (

why?), Federer and Ferrer. Schiavone is 16/1 to retain the title. Wozniacki and Azarenka are favourites at 5/1, followed by Sharapova (11/2), Zvonareva (9/1), Kvitova and Clijsters (both 10/1), and Stosur (11/1)

Should be a really good tournament. It all kicks off Sunday 22nd on Eurosport. Can't wait!:D

Mo14 · 20-05-2011 10:22PM

Really looking forward to this, my money's definitely on Djokovic, hope he can keep his roll up, it's great to see.
Anyone know do BBC usually broadcast the French? I have to do without Eurosport at the moment and I'd prefer tv to internet streams.

the_monkey · 20-05-2011 10:34PM

Nadal gets an easy draw as usual - Djokovic gets a really tough one - typical stitch up as usual - don't know why the French love Nadal so much.

Rjd2 · 22-05-2011 12:13AM

RosyLily wrote: »

2nd Grand Slam of 2011. Clay....a surface some players can't seem to master.

The draws were made earlier today. Very interesting matches. Defending champion and Number 1 seed Nadal will play John Isner in his first round match. He also has Murray (possible SF opponent?), Malisse, Verdasco, Soderling (poss. QF), Almagro and Melzer in his half of the draw.

Djokovic, who is on a major roll (and many people's pick), plays Thiemo de Bakker in the first round and has Ferrer, Berdych (poss. QF), del Potro, Gasquet and Federer (poss. SF?) in his half.

Federer has a tough opener in Feliciano Lopez whereas Andy Murray will play a qualifier. Men's draw is looking very good. Will be interesting to see if Djokovic can keep up his form in 5 sets.

As for the Women's Draw, defending champion Francesca Schiavone will play American Melanie Oudin in the first round and has Jelena Jankovic, Pennetta and Zvonareva in her quarter- potential SF opponent could be Wozniacki.

Speaking of Caroline, she will play Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm in the first round. She could play Sam Stosur in the quarter's.

Sharapova, the winner of Italian Open, seems to be finding her feet on clay this year. She has a tough quarter with Clijsters, Petkovic and Wickmayer in her quarter; she might have Azarenka or Li in the SF. Maria will play her first round match against Mijana Lucic.

Source Source

Paddy Power have Nadal at even odds, followed by Djokovic, Murray (why?), Federer and Ferrer. Schiavone is 16/1 to retain the title. Wozniacki and Azarenka are favourites at 5/1, followed by Sharapova (11/2), Zvonareva (9/1), Kvitova and Clijsters (both 10/1), and Stosur (11/1)

Should be a really good tournament. It all kicks off Sunday 22nd on Eurosport. Can't wait!:D

Astounded that people (not yourself) think that Isner has a chance in that game, any other surface maybe, but clay? He will be battered. The quarter looks comfortable really. Soderling has been very average since he split from his coach and Verdasco the other supposed challanger from the quarter has been absolute **** all year. Seriously I watched this lad 6-2 5-4, 40-0 love up against Soderling the other week, lose.:eek::pac:

Murray is one of the favs simply due to his performance the other week. I expect him to implode against Dolgopolov or Almagro.

Novak's draw is obviously the hardest though, Del Potro in the third round is just cruel. Juan looked really good on clay before he got injured in Madrid.

I haven't looked to much at the ladies side, I will be keeping an eye on Kvitova, girl has been immense this year in big competitions and she tore Azrenka apart a few weeks ago so she is to be feared. Interesting to see how Julia Goerges does as well.

I'm expecting Schiavone to exit very early, she has been mediocre all season sadly. Zvonareva and Kuznetsova will probably not do a lot here either, both have been dire recently.

Azarenka obviously is favorite but watching Kvitova deal with her very comfortably a few weeks ago I am not convinced. Her winning streak was impressive but their wasn't to much quality players defeated bu her on it. Also she breaks down way to much as well.

MisterAnarchy · 22-05-2011 02:27AM

the_monkey wrote: »

Nadal gets an easy draw as usual - Djokovic gets a really tough one - typical stitch up as usual - don't know why the French love Nadal so much.

The draw does look seriously lopsided.
Djokovic and Federer have by far the tougher draw.

Clijsters (both 10/1)

She is worth a punt at that .She is experienced and one of the few top woman players with a decent temperament.
The standard of womens tennis is dreadful.

RosyLily · 22-05-2011 11:33PM

Rjd2 wrote: »

Astounded that people (not yourself) think that Isner has a chance in that game, any other surface maybe, but clay? He will be battered.

Completely agree there. Isner hasn't a hope against Nadal. Hasn't been a decent American clay player in years!

Rjd2 wrote: »

Murray is one of the favs simply due to his performance the other week. I expect him to implode against Dolgopolov or Almagro.

Murray will never win French Open. I was really surprised to see that he was rated so high in bookies....they obviously haven't a clue! He's been well below average this year.

Rjd2 wrote: »

Novak's draw is obviously the hardest though, Del Potro in the third round is just cruel. Juan looked really good on clay before he got injured in Madrid.

Agreed. Both Novak and Federer have pretty tough draws. del Potro is looking almost back to his best. Can't wait to see him on summer hardcourts.

Rjd2 wrote: »

Azarenka obviously is favorite but watching Kvitova deal with her very comfortably a few weeks ago I am not convinced. Her winning streak was impressive but their wasn't to much quality players defeated bu her on it. Also she breaks down way to much as well.

I expect Kvitova to do really well at F.O. She's improving and is a real danger to everyone.

the_monkey · 24-05-2011 08:33PM

The fact that Nadal almost lost today actually makes it more likely he will win the whole tournament in my mind, always crawling back always winning matches he has no busniess winning.

Nadal 2011 FO Champion
DONE DEAL

RosyLily · 24-05-2011 09:26PM

I was pleasantly surprised that Isner took Nadal to five sets...very well done!

I think Sharapova and Clijsters are looking really good, perhaps have the potential to go far or even win the title.

Rjd2 · 24-05-2011 10:02PM

MONUMENTAL chokes from Almagro and Berdych in the last two days...:pac:

Looking at how tricky Isner and Karlovic were to dispose you get the feeling its looking like a hard court...:o

I'm not on the Sharapova bandwagon yet, today she smashed a very ordinary player, nothing special at all. Kvitova and Goerges done the same and nobody is getting half as excited about that. :rolleyes:

On Goerges she has probably the best womens match of tomorrow against the very talented Safrova while Vera Zvonareva who is dire on this surface faces a very unpredictable Lisicki. Jankvovic also has a nasty match with Dushevina as well. I would be shocked if all three favorites in those matches progressed.

The mens side sadly tomorrow doesn't look half as interesting.:(:(

adamski8 · 24-05-2011 11:51PM

heading to the french open this fri, sat and sun. anyone else been? any advice? only thing on my list is booo murray

MisterAnarchy · 25-05-2011 01:25AM

Seems the new balls are causing some controversy in Paris.

Almagro hit out at the new Babolat balls, which have replaced Dunlop this year, saying: 'I don't like the ball. The balls are very heavy. The courts are the same so I think the reason for the change is the ball.'

Nadal, who is sponsored by Babolat, feels the balls will suit him but joined other top players in voicing concerns about the potential for injuries after using Dunlop for the rest of the clay-court season.

He added: 'I think this ball is better for me in general but it is a dangerous ball because it is a big change. The problem is that the previous ball was not that good.'
"The balls are very, very fast, so it's really difficult to control," second-seeded Novak Djokovic told reporters on Sunday. "Maybe it's going to favour the servers and the big hitters. But you never know. I mean, it still is clay."

"The balls are faster, indeed," said No. 3 Roger Federer. "It might be a bit difficult in the beginning, but in the end, they're not that fast."

Good to see the balls being sped up .

Rjd2 · 25-05-2011 11:03AM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Seems the new balls are causing some controversy in Paris.

Good to see the balls being sped up .

What an absolute clown Almagro is, not the balls fault he choked so terribly against a qualifier when he had the game at his mercy so many times.:pac:

Rjd2 · 26-05-2011 11:45AM

Rjd2 wrote: »

On Goerges she has probably the best womens match of tomorrow against the very talented Safrova while Vera Zvonareva who is dire on this surface faces a very unpredictable Lisicki. Jankvovic also has a nasty match with Dushevina as well. I would be shocked if all three favorites in those matches progressed.

:o:o

Vera should have lost 5-2 down in the final set and her opponent choked. Safrova was also in total control a set and break up against Julia but as she does so often like her boyfriend she totally bottled it.

Wasn't impressed with Wozniacki yesterday, she got the job done but she hasn't impressed me on clay this season. You suspect if Stosur brings her A- Game she should be able to blast her off the court.

RosyLily · 26-05-2011 12:16PM

Clijsters is out!!! :O Beaten in 3 sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-1, by Arantxa Rus.

Shocked by this, but fantastic play by Rus at the end of 2nd set and the 3rd set.

There goes my pick to win! :P

BazBox · 27-05-2011 08:03AM

Nadal had a tough one again yesterday, not at his best yet but I would love to see him win, awesome player and I love seeing people go mad when he wins, its brilliant

MisterAnarchy · 27-05-2011 03:32PM

Wozniacki hammered by Hantuchova ,6-1,6-3,she was 4-0 down in the second set.
Wozniacki had a huge zero winners in the first set.:eek:
It makes a farce of the womens game that she is no 1.

bing3 · 27-05-2011 09:28PM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

Wozniacki hammered by Hantuchova ,6-1,6-3,she was 4-0 down in the second set.
Wozniacki had a huge zero winners in the first set.:eek:
It makes a farce of the womens game that she is no 1.

To be fair she has been consistent enough in her reign at no 1 so far.
Losing to Hantuchova who is as flaky as it gets though is fairly damning on the womens game.
Hopefully the likes of Rus, Petko, Kvitova and Goerges (damn you bartoli) can start to solidify the division. Plus Zvonareva looks like shes putting it all together..

Great to see the nicest backhands in the game; Gasquet and Wawrinka, winning through.
Federer and Murray look like they're playing with a weight off and Djokovic/DelPo looks set for an epic on resumption.

jcf · 27-05-2011 09:39PM

How is 1-1 Djokovic Del Potro Djokovics record "seriosuly under threat " ?

bing3 · 27-05-2011 09:50PM

jcf wrote: »

How is 1-1 Djokovic Del Potro Djokovics record "seriosuly under threat " ?

Who said that? Granted Del Potro is still obviously in it, but the break will favour Djokovic in my opinion.

jcf · 28-05-2011 02:42AM

bing3 wrote: »

Who said that? Granted Del Potro is still obviously in it, but the break will favour Djokovic in my opinion.

BBC ,

It's all part of the ****ing media campaign against him, like the support of Barça . Nadal and Barça are the little media darlings and no one can do anything against them...

RosyLily · 28-05-2011 04:47PM

Sharapova looking good in her match against Yun-Jan Chan, 5-1 up with Chan serving to stay in the set. I'd be surprised if Masha didn't make the semi-final....at least!

Djokovic's streak still in tact after beating del Potro 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

RosyLily · 29-05-2011 08:04PM

Zvonareva - gone (to Anastasia Pavlychenkova 6-7, 6-2, 2-6)
Jankovic - gone (to Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-2, 4-6)
Dulko - gone (to Marion Bartoli 5-7, 0-1 ret.)
Gasquet - gone (to Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 2-6)
Montanes - gone (to Fabio Fognini 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 9-11)
Wawrinka - gone (to Roger Federer 3-6, 2-6, 5-7)

Some great matches today, especially that Montanes-Fognini one...didn't know who would win.

David Ferrer-Gael Monfils still going on Suzanne Lenglen 4-6, 6-2, 5-6 in the 3rd. Really good game...might even go to 5 sets!

Daniela Hantuchova - Svetlana Kuznetsova on Court 1- 7-6, 3-6, 2-3. Also a good match.

UPDATE: Kuznetsova beat Hantuchova 6-7, 6-3, 6-2; Play suspended on Ferrer-Monfils with Ferrer 2-0 up in 4th set.

Rjd2 · 29-05-2011 10:18PM

RosyLily wrote: »

Zvonareva - gone (to Anastasia Pavlychenkova 6-7, 6-2, 2-6)
Jankovic - gone (to Francesca Schiavone 3-6, 6-2, 4-6)
Dulko - gone (to Marion Bartoli 5-7, 0-1 ret.)
Gasquet - gone (to Novak Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 2-6)
Montanes - gone (to Fabio Fognini 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 9-11)
Wawrinka - gone (to Roger Federer 3-6, 2-6, 5-7)

Some great matches today, especially that Montanes-Fognini one...didn't know who would win.

David Ferrer-Gael Monfils still going on Suzanne Lenglen 4-6, 6-2, 5-6 in the 3rd. Really good game...might even go to 5 sets!

Daniela Hantuchova - Svetlana Kuznetsova on Court 1- 7-6, 3-6, 2-3. Also a good match.

UPDATE: Kuznetsova beat Hantuchova 6-7, 6-3, 6-2; Play suspended on Ferrer-Monfils with Ferrer 2-0 up in 4th set.

I watched nearly all of it, Pavlyuchenko was a bit erratic but luckily for her Vera was even worse! Pavly to be fair did show glimpses of class and reaching the quarters at 19 isn't to be laughed at.

Federer and Djokovic were very good but once they won the first sets their opponents gave up the ghost. Both will expect tougher tests in the next week.

Kuznetsova is hitting form after a horror season, she has to fancy her chances in that quarter.

_Bella_ · 30-05-2011 11:31AM

Fognini has withdrawn so Djokovic through to the semis.

Rjd2 · 30-05-2011 12:35PM

Kvitova gone, she was really erratic all morning, glimpses of sheer class from her in the first set and some of the third set but alas it was not to be.
Li Na will be happy but she knows that this was a case of Kvitova losing it rather than her winning it. Azarenka will be delighted with a Li Na quarter final.

Kvitova despite this morning will be a threat for Wimbledon especially if her shoulder issues are cleared up.

RosyLily · 30-05-2011 01:47PM

Kvitova will definitely be a threat on the grass courts at Wimbledon...looking forward to see what she can do there!

I'd say Montanes is kicking himself after losing the match to Fognini and now Foggy withdraws....rage!!

Nadal up now against Ivan Ljubicic- won the first set and its 3-3 in 2nd, which is going on serve

Johnmb · 30-05-2011 01:55PM

RosyLily wrote: »

I'd say Montanes is kicking himself after losing the match to Fognini and now Foggy withdraws....rage!!

That's why I've always felt they should do away with injury time outs. If you pick up an injury, and it's too serious for you to get to the next change of ends for treatment, then it's too serious to play on and you concede the match (or at least enough games to get you to the change of ends).

LuckyGent88 · 30-05-2011 06:17PM

Troicki very lucky he won that first set in the end after being 5-0 up.

Rjd2 · 30-05-2011 07:09PM

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Troicki very lucky he won that first set in the end after being 5-0 up.

Yeah, it looks like he has the second set in the bag although thats more due to Murray playing **** rather than his game.

RosyLily · 31-05-2011 11:01AM

Johnmb wrote: »

That's why I've always felt they should do away with injury time outs. If you pick up an injury, and it's too serious for you to get to the next change of ends for treatment, then it's too serious to play on and you concede the match (or at least enough games to get you to the change of ends).

Yeah, I don't agree with time outs during games; it disrupts the play and annoys everyone involved. They should just finish the game and have an early change of ends to see what the problem is.

Back to FO discussion, Murray-Troicki will resumed first on Suzanne Lenglen @ 1pm GMT.

Also on today:
Philippe Chatrier: Pavlychenkova - Schiavone; Monfils - Federer; Lindsteadt/Tecau - Mirnyi/Nestor
Suzanne Lenglen: Murray - Troicki; Lipsky/Ram - Llodra/Zimonjic; Kuznetsova - Bartoli; Bryan/Bryan - Bopanna/Qureshi

Play has begun on Court 1 with Womens Doubles. Petrova/Rodionova vs. King/Shevedova- King and Shevedova are 6-5 up and serving for 1st set.

hunter164 · 31-05-2011 04:56PM

Soderling is next for Nadal, does anyone think he has a chance?

French Open

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