French open
- Thread starter loopymitch
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I agree with you Loopy.
It's strange how, so often the really competitive, exciting game comes at the semi-final stage, and the final is a bit of an anti-climax by comparison. I can remember so many Wimbledon semis which were nail biters.
I have this feeling that its going to be Rogers title at Roland Garros this time.
It's strange how, so often the really competitive, exciting game comes at the semi-final stage, and the final is a bit of an anti-climax by comparison. I can remember so many Wimbledon semis which were nail biters.
I have this feeling that its going to be Rogers title at Roland Garros this time.
Londonking said:
I agree with you Loopy.
It's strange how, so often the really competitive, exciting game comes at the semi-final stage, and the final is a bit of an anti-climax by comparison. I can remember so many Wimbledon semis which were nail biters.
I have this feeling that its going to be Rogers title at Roland Garros this time.
It's strange how, so often the really competitive, exciting game comes at the semi-final stage, and the final is a bit of an anti-climax by comparison. I can remember so many Wimbledon semis which were nail biters.
I have this feeling that its going to be Rogers title at Roland Garros this time.
You might be right but I hope not. I really like Nadal and I'd love to see him win. I remember a lot of those Wimbledon semis also.
As far as Ferrero, he just hasn't been the same since he won and apparantly now he's dating Sharapova so I guess he's distracted. Sio many players win the French and never do anything anywhere else again. It's because clay is so specialised. Look at Kuerten, he won 3 times in Paris but that was about all he did. I hope he gets better but it doesn't look like it. I miss Googa.
Any self-respecting tennis fan should agree with you.
As the case with many, Ferrero was derailed by injuries. At least he looks to be on his way back. Surely he'll contend for the French again, at some point.
Call it luck of the draw...I guess the charm of a draw, is that you are less likely of having to see the same matchups in the latter rounds. i.e. #1 plays anyone out of #5-8, whereas in the NBA #1 would be playing the #8 no matter what.
I have to agree with Loopy here. Nadal is still favourite in the semi. Nadal really took it to him in Miami, and that was just hardcourt. Roger has admitted that he had trouble handling the huge topspin generated by Nadal's strokes, and I have no reason to believe it will be different this time. Up until now, Nadal has looked more impressive as well -- that match vs Grosjean was amazing. Federer, on the other hand, has been in cruise mode all-along, with his only really tough match being the one against Gonzalez (which is prerequisite in his quest for greatness - the ability to 'cruise along', i.e. do just enough to win his matches, without wasting too much energy). Moya was injured.
I love Roger. I hope he will eventually accomplish what my former fave, Sampras, failed to do. But I'm not entirely convinced he *will* win eventually.
You're not giving Ferrero enough credit. As I said, he's been injured badly; and it's a little bit too easy to stereotype him as a such a player.
Not to say that clay isn't his specialty, but he did reach the US Open finals, and the semis of the Australian Open. If you want to use the argument "But he didn't win other slams", well, if that standard is to be held, then just about any player, other than Federer/Safin/Hewitt, should be criticised according to that standard.
Guga at least won the Masters Cup, won Cincinnati and finished #1. Again, saying stuff like 'that was about all he did' seems to imply otherwise. No, he didn't win at the other slams, but then again, not many players have been able to win at two or more slams.
Surely you can't be too surprised?
As the case with many, Ferrero was derailed by injuries. At least he looks to be on his way back. Surely he'll contend for the French again, at some point.
Call it luck of the draw...I guess the charm of a draw, is that you are less likely of having to see the same matchups in the latter rounds. i.e. #1 plays anyone out of #5-8, whereas in the NBA #1 would be playing the #8 no matter what.
I have to agree with Loopy here. Nadal is still favourite in the semi. Nadal really took it to him in Miami, and that was just hardcourt. Roger has admitted that he had trouble handling the huge topspin generated by Nadal's strokes, and I have no reason to believe it will be different this time. Up until now, Nadal has looked more impressive as well -- that match vs Grosjean was amazing. Federer, on the other hand, has been in cruise mode all-along, with his only really tough match being the one against Gonzalez (which is prerequisite in his quest for greatness - the ability to 'cruise along', i.e. do just enough to win his matches, without wasting too much energy). Moya was injured.
I love Roger. I hope he will eventually accomplish what my former fave, Sampras, failed to do. But I'm not entirely convinced he *will* win eventually.
You're not giving Ferrero enough credit. As I said, he's been injured badly; and it's a little bit too easy to stereotype him as a such a player.
Not to say that clay isn't his specialty, but he did reach the US Open finals, and the semis of the Australian Open. If you want to use the argument "But he didn't win other slams", well, if that standard is to be held, then just about any player, other than Federer/Safin/Hewitt, should be criticised according to that standard.
Guga at least won the Masters Cup, won Cincinnati and finished #1. Again, saying stuff like 'that was about all he did' seems to imply otherwise. No, he didn't win at the other slams, but then again, not many players have been able to win at two or more slams.
Surely you can't be too surprised?
Nadal won in 4, as I somehow expected it would be. Federer was broken from the start, and was never in it. Federer just playing awful at times (62 Unforced Errors), ultimately this inconsistency caused his downfall. Even though Federer is different from Pete, I had a deja vu all over again. Inexplicable inconsistency. Can't get a first serve in (4th set; was 27%). Big weapon turned into big liability (forehand). Cannot have two well-constructed points in a row.
Shame. It's exactly why I said Federer might never win the French. History has shown it's incredibly rare (to win all four in your career, let alone in one year), and for some reason, such a match showed why.
Federer should have taken this to a 5th set, at least. The way he lost that 3-1 lead in the 4th was just unbelievably dumb (yet you could expect it a bit, with his spotty play).
Federer's serve let him down at the important moments. His forehand was just awful. And his tactic to slice, either on backhand, or when being in defensive mode with his forehand, just does not work against Nadal (or against Safin). The worst part is, that he bunted many of the balls back, especially off the Nadal serve...Nadal's serve is definitely attackable. When Federer was unable to return well, Nadal just took initiative with his forehand. And that's exactly what do you do *not* want.
As great as Federer's forehand is, he sorely misses a running forehand.
Nadal played extremely well. Amazing that he is only a 19-year old kid (since today). I hope he's not going to blow it in the final - that would be a shame.
Again, I expected such a result, but I'm still very disappointed. Federer might never have such a good chance again (mild draw, straight sets until semis, still fit) at Roland Garros, whereas Nadal will have plenty.
Shame. It's exactly why I said Federer might never win the French. History has shown it's incredibly rare (to win all four in your career, let alone in one year), and for some reason, such a match showed why.
Federer should have taken this to a 5th set, at least. The way he lost that 3-1 lead in the 4th was just unbelievably dumb (yet you could expect it a bit, with his spotty play).
Federer's serve let him down at the important moments. His forehand was just awful. And his tactic to slice, either on backhand, or when being in defensive mode with his forehand, just does not work against Nadal (or against Safin). The worst part is, that he bunted many of the balls back, especially off the Nadal serve...Nadal's serve is definitely attackable. When Federer was unable to return well, Nadal just took initiative with his forehand. And that's exactly what do you do *not* want.
As great as Federer's forehand is, he sorely misses a running forehand.
Nadal played extremely well. Amazing that he is only a 19-year old kid (since today). I hope he's not going to blow it in the final - that would be a shame.
Again, I expected such a result, but I'm still very disappointed. Federer might never have such a good chance again (mild draw, straight sets until semis, still fit) at Roland Garros, whereas Nadal will have plenty.
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Nadal was playing with an awful lot of energy... strange... I've never rooted for Federer before, but this time, I found something to admire in his game, even though he was losing, he always had his composure, and was clearly thinking about how he'd win every point.
Nadal did a great job of keeping him out of his comfort zone, blasting balls every direction, and changing it up with a few choice drop shots. Didn't always look like he had control of the ball, but always had control of the match.
Nadal did a great job of keeping him out of his comfort zone, blasting balls every direction, and changing it up with a few choice drop shots. Didn't always look like he had control of the ball, but always had control of the match.
Congrats nadal, good match. I'm very glad you won, what a birthday present!!!
Just don't let me down in the final, I've been pulling for Raf since the beginning and I love to be right lol
He's going to be great and I love the fact that a Spaniard wants to win Wimbledon more than the French. Those shorts are nice too, wouldn't mind seeing them in the NBA.
Just don't let me down in the final, I've been pulling for Raf since the beginning and I love to be right lol
He's going to be great and I love the fact that a Spaniard wants to win Wimbledon more than the French. Those shorts are nice too, wouldn't mind seeing them in the NBA.
I've never quoted myself before but as I was right and that doesn't happen very often, I had to do it
Congrats raf, you had a great tournament and looking forward to seeing you at Wimbledon.
Americans almost won the doubles but the Bryan brothers were eliminated in 3 sets. They're turning losing into the finals a habit, maybe next time.
Congrats raf, you had a great tournament and looking forward to seeing you at Wimbledon.
Americans almost won the doubles but the Bryan brothers were eliminated in 3 sets. They're turning losing into the finals a habit, maybe next time.
Well done Loopy. Nadal was your pick from the beginning, and Kajun agreed with you.
As usual, no need to re-post my prediction....!
Wimbledon wont be long now, I guess Federer will start favorite, but my hunch will be Roddick (of course i will keep my fingers crossed for Tim, but i m also a realist so i wont be expecting too much from him)
As usual, no need to re-post my prediction....!
Wimbledon wont be long now, I guess Federer will start favorite, but my hunch will be Roddick (of course i will keep my fingers crossed for Tim, but i m also a realist so i wont be expecting too much from him)
Londonking said:
Well done Loopy. Nadal was your pick from the beginning, and Kajun agreed with you.
As usual, no need to re-post my prediction....!
Wimbledon wont be long now, I guess Federer will start favorite, but my hunch will be Roddick (of course i will keep my fingers crossed for Tim, but i m also a realist so i wont be expecting too much from him)
As usual, no need to re-post my prediction....!
Wimbledon wont be long now, I guess Federer will start favorite, but my hunch will be Roddick (of course i will keep my fingers crossed for Tim, but i m also a realist so i wont be expecting too much from him)
Gee thanks LK, Roddick is now officially jinxed and won't win.
bbball, have great time at the big W. I went for many years and had so much fun. You probably won't be able to get seats on the main courts to see those 3 but you can see some great matches on the outside courts and you're so close to them there, it's great atmosphere. Can you smuggle me in your suitcase?