2014 French Open...Roland Garros, Paris, France

[klacr]

Berdych with a great draw. Wawrinka vanishes early. Guillermo Garcia-Lopez has 11 wins in his career vs. top 10 opponents. Has a very steady one-handed backhand and likes the big stage. Not afraid of a seeded player.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[stotty]

Shame Wawrinka has bitten the dust so early. What a disappointment. I was looking forward to seeing him progress deep into the tournament, along with Nishikori who has also bitten dust.

It's looking like the same old, same old already.

I didn't see Jerzy. Let's hope he will perform at least a little bit...

[don_budge]

Dominic "Dominator" Thiem...vs. Rafa Nadal

Interesting second round match coming soon. I just watched "The Dominator" dismantle Paul-Henri Mathieu in straight sets. The kid is looking like a real pro now...straight setting guys in the first round at Roland Garros. Now he get's a tussle he doesn't mind coming with Rafa Nadal. What the hell...he's nothing to lose.

Wawrinka currently down 2 sets to 1 in the first round. Anyone thinking that he had any chance here at the French must realize now that by winning the Australian Open in January he created a huge bull's eye target square in the middle of his back. Everyone will take dead aim now...he has a big bounty on his head now. That is the price of success in professional tennis. You have to be one tough hombre to handle that kind of pressure. It's largely a mental thing.

Winning a Slam title doesn't cement the deal. Winning multiple Slams is more like it. But the pressure is relentless and it keeps mounting.

Radek Stepanek...the other Czech...and Mikhail Youzhny in a interesting second round match. Both won five setters in the first round...both are great competitors getting a bit on in years at 36 and 32 years respectively. Fighting for pride in the second round should get the juices flowing.

Wawrinka down 4-0 in the fourth set. See what I mean?

[don_budge]

don_budge "Wawrinka Watch" notice 5-26-2013

None of the newcomers really are contenders yet. At least on paper. They are only one inspired week away from establishing themselves into the upper echelon. Three names make an impression on me in this regard. Grigor DiMitrov from Bulgaria and training out of Sweden, Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland and Jerzy "Joe" Janowicz from Poland. These three guys have the correct combination of all of the ingredients and are in the process of calibrating themselves for a run at a major. Maybe not this year...maybe not ever. But nonetheless...these are the guys that are worth watching. If you are looking for something to spice things up.

Side note...I put out a "Wawrinka Watch" notice last year in this post. Not bad for a non-prognastigator. The Kia Nishikori watch is already terminated. His hopes dashed by none other than Martin Klizan. Is Stan the Man or is he a one hit wonder? How about "the other Swiss" dude...Roger Federer? Strange sound to that...eh? And how about that racquet...can it make a difference on the red clay of Roland Garros? I hope so.

[don_budge]

Here is last years 2013 French Open thread...

http://www.tennisplayer.net/bulletin/showthread.php?t=2366&highlight=french+open

Ok...let the games begin! This one promises to be special. The Parisian Hour...coming soon.