2013 French Open...Roland Garros, Paris, France

[stroke]

What a great couple of matches today with Querry/Simon and Robredo/Monfil. Both Robredo and Simon, such impressive wins. Both of those guys just simply took it from their opponents. Robredo in particular put on his hard hat on, a la Nadal and Ferrer,, and just took the fight out of Monfils. Robredo is such a professional. That was how it is done.

[stotty]

Paire

Which brings us to Benoit Paire...who is being mega hyped by our licensedcoach.

I wouldn't say "mega hyped"...wrong expression. Just someone picked out who is good to watch and could be a threat to anyone, and looks like he's on the up. He has a great backhand. How good his forehand is I'm not to sure. He runs round his forehand to hit backhands sometimes...unusual. He does audacious touches both from the back of the court and from the net.

He's different, decent to watch...that's why I like him. It's as good a reason as any to support a player. Whether he has a big heart or not remains to be seen. Judgement day is tomorrow...let's wait and see.

[don_budge]

The Top Half...starting with Djokovic and ending with "Cocaine Lips"

Dimitrov/Novak match looming large. Dimitov may be ready for the big breakthrough.

Yeah...it’s looming large but pales in comparison to the draw sheet as a whole. It is truly an amazing tournament this year. It’s as if the whole field has grown up together and is coming of age.

Sure this is a compelling matchup. Djokovic is 2-1 against DiMitrov and Grigor beat Novak at Madrid in three sets, 7-6, 6-7 6-3. What’s more DiMitrov served for the first set against Djokovic at Indian Well only to serve three double faults. Growing pains. Experience. He is slowly and surely by increments...learning how to take the next step. To handle the pressure by maintaining pressure on your opponent. Wilander had a bit to say about this match on Eurosport last night. He likes DiMitrov...he is training in Sweden in the Good to Great program in Stockholm. I believe that somehow Wawrinka is participating as well. But Wilander brought up the subject of DiMitrov’s one handed backhand as the thing that stands out for him...as if the one hander will be preserved by this young man being a top player in the years to come. I thought that was interesting coming from Mats.

Then DiMitrov himself had an interview and he acknowledged that it was great to beat Djokovic in Madrid but he said that Djokovic will be that much more focused as this is a Grand Slam and the three out of five changes everything. It’s all about courage as mr. bottle has educated us as to who Roland Garros was. But the young man who does not like to be called “Baby Fed” any longer is relishing his opportunity for this match. He does not seem to be intimidated one little bit. The funny thing about this match is that he has absolutely nothing to lose. When he walks away from this experience he will have won something in one way or another...whether it is solely the experience of being there in a big moment or maybe he will make a real match of it. Who knows...what if he wins? Grigor is maybe the man to watch...he’s been gradually growing into his role and he has found his niche as exemplified that he no longer wants to play second fiddle to “The Man” himself. He doesn't like to be called "Baby Fed" any longer. Once it was probably a great compliment. He is his own man now and he becomes more and more dangerous with each match. He may be ready for a breakthrough...but then again he has already broken through in a lot of respects. I see what you are saying...the BIG breakthrough. Novak Djokovic has something to say about that though...he is ready for this moment. I guarantee that. This could turn into a donnybrook.

Yesterday I wrote about the bottom half. The top half is equally as compelling and quite possibly significantly stronger. It is stronger in the sense that both Djokovic and Nadal are in the top half. Other than that...it is questionable which is stronger. Because they both have some fabulous matches in the near horizon. Few will have much interest in the Hanescu vs. Kohlschreiber pairing...both won abbreviated matches in the previous round. But take a look just below in the next foursome...three Americans. One of them must get through...barring something awful. Tommy Haas will have a sensational match with Jack Sock. There’s a name for a tennis player for you. He might not have the guns or the experience to hang with Haas but the experience isn’t going to hurt him. It will give us a good chance to assess his potential at least.

The next foursome is probably the least likely to have a major impact on the tournament but Verdasco and Tipsarevic might prove to be somewhat interesting. Somewhat. But the real marching begins just below as Rafael Nadal really bow his neck now. This will be a real test of his fitness and if he has any problems with the knee we will certainly be aware of it in the next several days. It appears that Nadal and his braintrust have timed it perfectly for the season. He warmed up with a handful of tournaments...came away with a boatload of trophies. He's pronounced ready and fit for fight. This is his house and everyone knows it. Everyone looks forwards to the Fognini-Nadal match...that is anyone that isn’t gay.

Which brings us to Benoit Paire...who is being mega hyped by our licensedcoach. I am not so sure about this one. Reputation wise he apparently has some issues with temperament although I have not seen it the couple of times that I have seen him play. I don’t know if he has the whole package to be a legitimate contender. But I say if he does...bring it on. The more the merrier these days and if he is going to one of the up and comers to start challenging the top players that’s great. Once again...Mats Wilander seemed to agree with me and he more or less gave the nod to the diminutive Japanese fellow...Kei Nishikori. He projected Nishikori to one of the top five or six players in the world in the next couple of years. That’s pretty ambitious stuff coming from Mats. This is a match that could be highly entertaining as well. I would like to see what Paire looks like when he blows his stack. Just curious.

But I think that the next projected match is the most interesting of all...if one could make that distinction. Stanislas Wawrinka wants to come out of the shadow of “The Man” just as Grigor DiMitrov does. That is what happens to an aging champion...everyone wants to pile onto his demise and make him obsolete. Dust bin material. Jerzy “Joe” Janowicz has been equally hyped by our tennis_chiro and I have been watching him with great interest as well. When tennis_chiro speaks...I listen. Big Don to me. We differ a bit...I love the drop shots and I love the temper. We will see a lot of what he is made of here in the next couple of days. I don’t think that Robin Haase is going to concede a spot to face the winner of Wawrinka and Zeballos. May the best man win...I just hope for the Wawrinka and Janowicz match. Both of these guys are hungry. You can see the determination etched on Wawrinka’s face. He was getting a bit testy during his match with DiMitrov last week. I love the emotion. Passion.

Quietly...the bottom of the top half eases on into the Parisian night. Richard Gasquet? Not certain he will ever get over that kiss from the lady in the Miami night club. She with the cocaine lips.

[stotty]

Borg v Nadal

I agree about Paire. He could beat anyone. Way more dangerous than Nishikori. Paire is the only Frenchman I could see possibly beating Nasal. I still remember a Gasquet quote a couple of years ago after losing to Nadal on clay(do not remember which tournament) saying post match that beating Nadal on clay "nearly impossible task". I still shake my head when I hear McEnroe musing on air about who is the greatest clay courter of all time, Nasal or Borg. Nafal's 7 FO titles in 8 years is just astonishing.

Borg better than Nadal? Different time, different era. Borg would have won ten French Open's had he not retired so ridiculously early. He was phenomenal just like Nadal. It was a different game back then. I know because I was there. Wooden rackets meant a player had to rally forever to beat Borg...and Borg couldn't be out rallied, period. He skipped the FO one year to play Team Tennis...that would have been eight. I cannot tell you how good Borg was on clay in his day. You just had to be there.

His technique was derided when he first emerged on the scene...many were still sceptical after he won his second Wimbledon title. By the time he'd won three Wimbledons...connoisseurs and coaches began to think...hmm...this might be the way to go.

That said, I make Nadal the better of the two...on the basis he is left handed...it's just such an edge to be lefthanded.

But you cannot compare the two eras...just impossible. Would Nadal be able to play anywhere near as well were he to swap his Babolat for a wooden Donnay? Would he able to play with a wooden racket at all? Unlikely...so comparisons...forget it. But be careful not to be dismissive of Borg. He was exceptional. He retired at 26 with plenty more French Open's in him...and he would have won them for sure.

[stroke]

Yes, Dimitrov v Djokovic...well worth watching that one.

My man Benoit Paire plays Nishkori in the third round. He's not seeded to win this one, but I think he can...a man with that much ability ought to be able to beat anyone...even the Great One, the Spaniard himself. I am praying he gets past Nishkori for a showdown with the great man himself.

I agree about Paire. He could beat anyone. Way more dangerous than Nishikori. Paire is the only Frenchman I could see possibly beating Nasal. I still remember a Gasquet quote a couple of years ago after losing to Nadal on clay(do not remember which tournament) saying post match that beating Nadal on clay "nearly impossible task". I still shake my head when I hear McEnroe musing on air about who is the greatest clay courter of all time, Nasal or Borg. Nafal's 7 FO titles in 8 years is just astonishing.

[stotty]

Paire

Dimitrov/Novak match looming large. Dimitov may be ready for the big breakthrough.

Yes, Dimitrov v Djokovic...well worth watching that one.

My man Benoit Paire plays Nishkori in the third round. He's not seeded to win this one, but I think he can...a man with that much ability ought to be able to beat anyone...even the Great One, the Spaniard himself. I am praying he gets past Nishkori for a showdown with the great man himself.

[stroke]

Dimitrov/Novak match looming large. Dimitov may be ready for the big breakthrough.

[don_budge]

Fognini over Rosol...no rematch

I hope Rosol gets through his match for a showdown with Nadal. There will be an atmosphere to that match...

Interesting Greg Rusedski was lambasting today's one dimensional tennis, asking that players should play more all court tennis and make more trips to the net. In doing so he feels they will be give themselves more tactical options, options they will need if they are to break the stranglehold of the top four.

Greg states players with one dimensional games lack tactical options, by default.

Fabio Fognini defeats Lukas Rosol 6-2, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1

http://crackbillionair.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/the-pervy-picture-show-svetoslava-simeonova-fabio-fogninis-girlfriend/

Well it's a shame that you didn't get your rematch. But look at the bright side...if you happen to catch Fabio playing he has this pretty remarkable piece of eye candy in his box. But I understand that she doesn't like to clean house and she's got a weak backhand, not that any of this matters as far as this forum is concerned. I only bring it up in the interest of...well let's just say...I don't know. Why did I bring it up? She's not really my type. Let's just say it is a tactical diversion.

That Greg Rusedski sounds like a rather astute fellow. Doesn't he? He probably reads the tennisplayer.net forum.

[stotty]

Rosol

I hope Rosol gets through his match for a showdown with Nadal. There will be an atmosphere to that match...

Interesting Greg Rusedski was lambasting today's one dimensional tennis, asking that players should play more all court tennis and make more trips to the net. In doing so he feels they will be give themselves more tactical options, options they will need if they are to break the stranglehold of the top four.

Greg states players with one dimensional games lack tactical options, by default.

[don_budge]

Oh what the hell...here goes nothing

In fact...let's just let the thing continue with it's own volition. No sense in trying to egg it on. Let the game come to us. Let's just sit back and enjoy to the sounds of silence. Or rather to the sounds that I mentioned above.

I tried. I really did. But I was sitting here in my little office upstairs looking over the Swedish landscape outside...it's raining. I am thinking...glancing at the developing draw sheet. I thought of a couple of things to write about...a little food for thought for all of my virtual friends out there. I am not on FaceBook and never will be...you are the only virtual friends that I have got.

Anyways...the bottom half is ripe for a bit of analysis. So here goes nothing. I project Gael Monfils who has conquered Tomas Berdych and Ernesto Gulbis back to back to meet Nicolas Almagro. Now Almagro owns a 3-2 record against Monsieur Monfils and all three victories have been on clay. Is this interesting or what? Statistically Monfils has a slightly better win loss record overall and Monfils is currently ranked number 81 and Almagro number 13. But guess what...it is all about the location, location, location. They are in Paris...I give the edge to Monsieur Monfils. This guy is really entertaining to watch. A real ham.

Milos Raonic vs. David Ferrer. This is more speculation of course. Forecasting a round in advance is not adviseable...but it is all in fun. Another compelling match...it appears to be all David Ferrer and his ability to subdue with a combination of boredom and tenacity. A lethal combination on the clay of Roland Garros. That is not to say that Raonic is to be counted out. Ferrer owns him on clay 2-0 and 4-0 overall, but the matches have been close. Is it time for Raonic to turn the tables? It is within the realm of possibilities let's say...but not likely. Ferrer has his teeth into the tournament. Raonic is suspect in terms of agility and mobility once the effect of the serve has vanished into thin air.

The next block of matches may not be so clear when making the projection...it's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Jeremy Chardy both French Musketeers. Guess what...they have split two matches. This is going to be a great match, I think. The crowd will really have a lot of fun with this one. Tsonga is the odds on favorite but the odd pressure of being the favorite in front such a huge hometown throng may just be enough to light a fire under Chardy. Let's just assume that the seeding holds here...for the time being.

In the same block is Viktor Troicki and Marin Cilic and this is another match that goes either way. Cilic won their first five matches and Troicki the more recent two. All of them have been on hard courts. It just may be Troicki's time...he looked very impressive against James Blake and then gutted out a five setter after being down two sets to one. More stuff of interest.

Getting down towards the bottom of things to come...we have Gilles Simon vs. Sam "Frankie" Querry. Although personally I think Kevin Anderson may strike more of a resemblance, but I really hesitate to compare anybody to that French behemoth...he was French wasn't he? Frankenstein. French Jewish perhaps. My American born chocolate lab is named Frankie but sometimes I call him Frankenstein. See what I mean? But anyways...Simon has a 2-1 advantage but Querry has the lone victory on clay. But it is in front of a Parisian audience that they shall dance before...advantage Simon. If he can find the courage.

So here we are...the Swiss Riddle. The Swiss Maestro. What is his fitness at this point? Is his back bothering him? Some good drugs are available for pain...a non factor? But Benneteau is a factor and so is the French crowd. But all in all it won't be enough against Roger "The Man" Federer. He still has some gas in the tank. Federer has an overall advantage of 4-2 against Julien and is licking his chops looking at the draw. Quite possibly one of the best draws ever in the history of tennis. I am tempted to project him through to the finals. Afterall this is a Grand Slam event and hopefully he will compete 110%! I wonder...is there some way that I can transmit my tactical analysis to him and Annacone. Just in case he were to meet Nadal. Hmmmm.

End of transmission.

[don_budge]

The Sponsor's Dream...

I think what gets lost in Nadal's unbelievable French Open record is Federer has been the 2nd best clay courter in the world every time Nadal has won the French. Oddsmakers this year have Fed as the 3rd favorite. Top 5:

Nadal-5/6
Novak-11/4
Fed-9/1
Ferrer-19/1
Tsonga-43/1

The world's second best clay courter...one must ponder what it would take to be number one. Hmmm...as I watched him carve up the little diminutive Indian yesterday everytime he hit the kinds of shots that I have been musing about I try to convince myself that he is practicing his tactics for the Nadal scythe. The Grim Reaper slicing at air.

Very interesting stroke...as is the championships. Somehow the draw is more compelling than it has been in a long while. I smell a changing of the guard...a real one this time. In the next two years the landscape is going to look entirely different and will not even resemble the current "Big Four" syndrome.

The draw is really taking form as if a great score of music would. It's developing. The rhythm and the melody that looms in the near horizon with the sound of tennis balls meeting the poly, the sound of feet sliding on the clay, the sound of the physical efforts, the sounds of the crowd oohing and awing along with the sound of the applause is going to compose a real fine tapestry woven of the collective styles, techniques and interpretations of the game. We have got some real characters present and engaged. We will let the top half of the draw go another round before getting into it much deeper but it looks very promising indeed.

In fact...let's just let the thing continue with it's own volition. No sense in trying to egg it on. Let the game come to us. Let's just sit back and enjoy to the sounds of silence. Or rather to the sounds that I mentioned above. Trust me on this one...it's going to. Monsieur Monfils, Tsonga, Chardy, Simon, Benneteau, Paire, Pouille and Gasquet. All of the home town guys still in the mix. There is the story so far. Paris must indeed be gay these days...as in giddy or frivolously happy. So much to root for. Just imagine if the U. S. Open was similarly represented by Americans. Too much to hope for. It is always too much to hope for...when you just wish that things were as you would have them. In a perfect world.

Wawrinka vs. Janowicz looming in the not too distant horizon.

[stroke]

I think what gets lost in Nadal's unbelievable French Open record is Federer has been the 2nd best clay courter in the world every time Nadal has won the French. Oddsmakers this year have Fed as the 3rd favorite. Top 5:

Nadal-5/6
Novak-11/4
Fed-9/1
Ferrer-19/1
Tsonga-43/1

[don_budge]

Match of the Day...TennisPlayer.net special

Monfils vs. Gulbis

Very, very interesting. Two enigmatic personalities. Strange pairing. The crowd just may be the deciding factor.

Ernesto created all of that controversy on the forum with his strange forehand.

[tennis_chiro]

Berdych's press conference

I saw the video of TBerd's post match press conference. Have to give him credit; he said all the right things and came off really classy. But I think he does himself a little bit of a disservice. That one had to really hurt. As TBerd put it, "I had my chance in the last set and I missed and he made it" ... or words to that effect. He helps himself if he says, "that really hurt, but I played well and I'll keep working. I'll be alright in a few days. I have a week to recover and I'll be ready for the grass season." But I think he needs to acknowledge to himself that it hurt. And that he needs to work on his forehand a little bit. It let him down.

The other thing is all rules are out the window against Monfils. You can't get upset about that, but you should acknowledge that. He can beat anyone and he can lose to almost anyone. It's very tough to take that determination (I mean control of the situation, not the virtue) out of his hands.

Good sign for Monfils is he played doubles today. So he probably loosened up a bit from the long match. Perfect.

And Jerzy also played doubles. And beat the 4th seeded Bhupathi/Bopanna.

Jerzy plays Haase to play, probably, Wawrinka, who may not be 100% to play Gasquet whom he beat in Rome to play Nadal. Or as the "churchlady" might say on SNL, "Wouldn't that be special!"

don

[klacr]

Still a bit bruised from the Berdych match so I'm keeping a safe distance so I don't say something I may regret . haha.

Great points Don. Reading and hearing everything you say. But as we all know, it's easier said than done. It's a matter of executing and completely believing in the game plan.

The way Brands played against Nadal, not caring about the stat sheet, going for every ball he had time on, giving Nadal 0 rhythm has been the only way guys seem to make progress against him.

Fed needs to blatantly expose the backhand of Nadal. Make it obvious, who cares? The issue comes when Nadal gets a look at a forehand. How will Fed be able to defend that forehand against a shaky backhand. Could Fed play with two hands on the backhand every time against Nadal? Kidding of course but it is a dilemma that Roger must figure out. Federer is almost too classic and too text book to really play the way bigger guys have which is to hit the ball relentlessly hard, go big on the returns even if that means missing. Roger hates missing returns so he winds up starting a point in neutral against Nadal. he needs to start on offense, play on offense, finish on offense. No one has ever played a perfect match against Nadal, you have to be aware that you may litter the unforced error sheet, but you have to show him who wears the pants, who is dictating and who has the intention to go for the knockout, not the jabs and hooks.

Sorry for the bloviating.

Can Berdych get a mulligan please? Good news is he does not have too many points to defend at Wimbledon since he lost 1st round there last year to Gulbis. Only can go up from here!

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton