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| Rafa Nadal with French Open trophy in 2012 |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Sunday, 2 June 2013
Birthday Greetings
The management and staff of the Breathe Tennis Blog would like to extend
warm 27th birthday greetings to the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. Here's wishing you a great day and all the best defending your French Open title. Good luck making history with a record eighth Roland Garros championship win. VAM8S Rafa!!
Friday, 31 May 2013
Regulation Day
So on Thursday, Li Na wound up on the losing end of the hugest upset on the women's side, falling to Bethanie Mattek-Sands in a three-set match that had its ups, its downs and its runarounds. The Chinese former champ was up 4-0 at one point in the first set when she first faltered and lost the lead. And although she managed to win that set 7-5, Bethanie had all the momentum. The American charged through the second set, winning it 6-3 and then stunned everyone watching - and the other person playing (Li, in a post-match interview would say how "surprised" she was by the way Mattek-Sands was hitting) - by winning the decider 6-2. We're not sure if the "bullring", as Court 1 at Stade Roland Garros is called, has mystical upset powers or merely favors the more outrageously clad, but there's one thing for certain: it was Bethanie's lucky court on Thursday. Paula Ormaechea, her third round opponent, had better hope this is as far as Mattek-Sands can go.
That, I'm afraid, was the only notable upset that has occurred since Thursday at the French Open. It has been mostly regulation on all courts, men's and women's singles alike.
The Lads
Gael Monfils's mesmerizing run has finally come to an end as he surrendered to the Spaniard Tommy Robredo in a tough five-setter that had even the French crowd celebrating with Robredo. It seemed like Monfils ran out of gas early in the third set and turned his two sets to one lead into a nightmare of epic proportions. In the fourth set, he even had a match point at 5-4, 40-30 on his own serve when Robredo produced an unreturnable inside-out forehand that ended the long rally and more than likely pounded the last bit of verve out of Monfils. Before long, Robredo would break for 5-even and win the ensuing tiebreak to force a fifth and deciding set. Disappointment leading to poor strategy and shot selection, Monfils quickly fell to a 2-5 deficit and, unable to retrieve a delicate dropshot from Robredo at triple match point, he had ended his French Open campaign just like that. Robredo dropped to the dirt in celebration, laughing in near disbelief at his victory. But will he still be laughing when he next steps onto court with compatriot Nicolas Almagro on the other side of the net? Maybe, maybe not.
Tsonga, Ferrer, Troicki and the impeccable Roger Federer all made it through their third round matches in straight sets.
Kevin Anderson got the best of Milos Raonic but a bit of inconsistency is expected from the newly-turned-pro Canadian.
Just three spots in the rankings separating them, Gilles Simon (ranked 15th in the world) would battle past US native Sam Querrey in five sets, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2. The number of Americans left in the draw is diminishing quickly, even as Tommy Haas is set to play John Isner tomorrow for a fourth round spot; whereas the number of Spaniards left, and indeed the likelihood of one particular Mallorcan making it at least to the semis, seems steady as a rock.
Do any more surprises lie in store? Or are we headed for the almost inevitable Nadal-Djokovic showdown? And will the triumphant man of that semifinal have enough left in the fuel tank to take on Roger Federer, the lower half favorite? One can only hope.
The Lasses
Now, call me crazy but I really did expect a tighter match between Sara Errani and Sabine Lisicki. We all knew the 5'5" Errani was the overwhelming favorite to win it but Sabine could have come up with something more convincing than a mere 0-6, 4-6 pushover. Is this not the same Sabine who beat Maria Sharapova in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year? The same Sabine who refused to be pushed around by a hard-hitting Nastassja Burnett at Stuttgart just earlier this year? The technically sound Errani was just too good, I suppose. Now Errani, one of only three Italian ladies left in the draw, must face Carla Suarez-Navarro and continue to show that what she lacks in height, she makes up for in heart.
The only two three-set matches amongst the women today were those of Angelique Kerber (d. Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-7, 6-4) and Roberta Vinci (d. Petra Cetkovska 6-1, 2-6, 6-2). Everyone else, from Serena to Agnieszka made it through in straights. Stiff competition amidst the women....we like that, don't we?
Soon, we'll be down to the final 16 and we'll see who really won't go away without a fight and a half.
Breathe tennis!!
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| Known for her wacky outfits and knee-high socks, Bethanie Mattek-Sands outplayed Li Na on Thursday |
That, I'm afraid, was the only notable upset that has occurred since Thursday at the French Open. It has been mostly regulation on all courts, men's and women's singles alike.
The Lads
Gael Monfils's mesmerizing run has finally come to an end as he surrendered to the Spaniard Tommy Robredo in a tough five-setter that had even the French crowd celebrating with Robredo. It seemed like Monfils ran out of gas early in the third set and turned his two sets to one lead into a nightmare of epic proportions. In the fourth set, he even had a match point at 5-4, 40-30 on his own serve when Robredo produced an unreturnable inside-out forehand that ended the long rally and more than likely pounded the last bit of verve out of Monfils. Before long, Robredo would break for 5-even and win the ensuing tiebreak to force a fifth and deciding set. Disappointment leading to poor strategy and shot selection, Monfils quickly fell to a 2-5 deficit and, unable to retrieve a delicate dropshot from Robredo at triple match point, he had ended his French Open campaign just like that. Robredo dropped to the dirt in celebration, laughing in near disbelief at his victory. But will he still be laughing when he next steps onto court with compatriot Nicolas Almagro on the other side of the net? Maybe, maybe not.
Tsonga, Ferrer, Troicki and the impeccable Roger Federer all made it through their third round matches in straight sets.
Kevin Anderson got the best of Milos Raonic but a bit of inconsistency is expected from the newly-turned-pro Canadian.
Just three spots in the rankings separating them, Gilles Simon (ranked 15th in the world) would battle past US native Sam Querrey in five sets, 2-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2. The number of Americans left in the draw is diminishing quickly, even as Tommy Haas is set to play John Isner tomorrow for a fourth round spot; whereas the number of Spaniards left, and indeed the likelihood of one particular Mallorcan making it at least to the semis, seems steady as a rock.
Do any more surprises lie in store? Or are we headed for the almost inevitable Nadal-Djokovic showdown? And will the triumphant man of that semifinal have enough left in the fuel tank to take on Roger Federer, the lower half favorite? One can only hope.
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| Nadal (L) leads the rivalry against Djokovic (R) on clay 12-3....for now. |
The Lasses
Now, call me crazy but I really did expect a tighter match between Sara Errani and Sabine Lisicki. We all knew the 5'5" Errani was the overwhelming favorite to win it but Sabine could have come up with something more convincing than a mere 0-6, 4-6 pushover. Is this not the same Sabine who beat Maria Sharapova in the fourth round at Wimbledon last year? The same Sabine who refused to be pushed around by a hard-hitting Nastassja Burnett at Stuttgart just earlier this year? The technically sound Errani was just too good, I suppose. Now Errani, one of only three Italian ladies left in the draw, must face Carla Suarez-Navarro and continue to show that what she lacks in height, she makes up for in heart.
The only two three-set matches amongst the women today were those of Angelique Kerber (d. Varvara Lepchenko 6-4, 6-7, 6-4) and Roberta Vinci (d. Petra Cetkovska 6-1, 2-6, 6-2). Everyone else, from Serena to Agnieszka made it through in straights. Stiff competition amidst the women....we like that, don't we?
Soon, we'll be down to the final 16 and we'll see who really won't go away without a fight and a half.
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| Sabine Lisicki at Stuttgart in 2013 |
Breathe tennis!!
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Rain Delays
Spring showers in Paris are becoming a bit of a nuisance to French Open players who just want to get on with their business on court. From Philippe Chatrier to Suzanne Lenglen and every other court on the grounds, heavy showers and overcast skies have forced play to be postponed until tomorrow morning, when a less dreary forecast is expected.
Featured matches like the one between Rafael Nadal and Martin Klizan did not really leave the starting gate, as the torrential downpour came just after the coin toss and pre-match formalities; whereas matches in full swing such as Zeballos/Wawrinka and Sharapova/Bouchard might experience a shift in momentum come tomorrow. Stan was a up a set and at 3-all in the second against Horacio Zeballos so a re-entry might not cost him too much but Maria was well within reach of victory at 6-2, 4-2 against Bouchard when play was stopped. She can't be pleased about that.
Li Na won't have to wait out anything to know what her chances are. She practically had her "racket" handed to her in a three setter from which her opponent Bethanie Mattek-Stands emerged victorious (5-7, 6-3, 6-2). There goes the 2011 champ, out of the running, biting the dust, ousted by the American with the wardrobe that never ceases to amaze (Monfils would be proud). Quelle surprise! I wonder who'll be the next top seeder to go.
The players' skills and tenacity will tell us who, but it's the rain who determines when more RG action, upsets and stunners included, will unfold. Players may be stuck inside, winding up their own nerves and quickly losing patience but there isn't much that they or we can do but wait tolerantly and PRAY that the sun shines strong tomorrow.
Schedule of Play for tomorrow Friday May 31, according to the official Roland Garros website here (webpage version) or here (printable version).
Featured matches like the one between Rafael Nadal and Martin Klizan did not really leave the starting gate, as the torrential downpour came just after the coin toss and pre-match formalities; whereas matches in full swing such as Zeballos/Wawrinka and Sharapova/Bouchard might experience a shift in momentum come tomorrow. Stan was a up a set and at 3-all in the second against Horacio Zeballos so a re-entry might not cost him too much but Maria was well within reach of victory at 6-2, 4-2 against Bouchard when play was stopped. She can't be pleased about that.
Li Na won't have to wait out anything to know what her chances are. She practically had her "racket" handed to her in a three setter from which her opponent Bethanie Mattek-Stands emerged victorious (5-7, 6-3, 6-2). There goes the 2011 champ, out of the running, biting the dust, ousted by the American with the wardrobe that never ceases to amaze (Monfils would be proud). Quelle surprise! I wonder who'll be the next top seeder to go.
The players' skills and tenacity will tell us who, but it's the rain who determines when more RG action, upsets and stunners included, will unfold. Players may be stuck inside, winding up their own nerves and quickly losing patience but there isn't much that they or we can do but wait tolerantly and PRAY that the sun shines strong tomorrow.
Schedule of Play for tomorrow Friday May 31, according to the official Roland Garros website here (webpage version) or here (printable version).
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| One of the courts being quickly covered as rain stopped play on Thursday at Roland Garros |
RG13 First Round Action
These past few days have been a whirlwind of "oohs" and "aahs" and enough matches to make any tennis fan feel like a kid in a candy store! Let's recap the major stories....
Men's Singles
Top ranked Novak Djokovic made light work of Belgian David Goffin on Court Philippe Chatrier this Tuesday, defeating him in straight sets (7-6, 6-4, 7-5). Yes it's the result we expected but Goffin deserves some measure of credit for staying level with Nole in the early stages of the match, falling short only on the pressure points that cost him the first set and, eventually, the match. Djokovic faces Argentinian Guido Pella in the second round, who made it past Ivan Dodig in four sets. So Nole is still on the warpath to unseating Nadal from a seven-year reign at the throne of Roland Garros. What NOT to do is underestimate the Serbian as he has proven time and again that Rafa isn't the impenetrable force on clay that he appears to be to so many others.
On the same court later that day, Nadal's first set against German tough guy Daniel Brands was a challenge that some feared he wouldn't find his way out of, but the Mallorcan found the tools to rebound and win the match in four sets (4-6, 7-6, 6-4, 6-3). Admirable power play from Daniel gave him a 5-4, 40-15 lead over Nadal and he blasted a forehand winner that ended the rally, secured him the first set and had the crowd cheering in delightful disbelief. It is rare for Nadal to lose a set, far less a
first set, on the surface and in the tournament that favors him so greatly. But balance in the universe was restored when, after being down 0-3 in the second set tiebreak, Rafa rallied back to take it 7-6 (7-4). Thereafter, typical Rafa could be seen; he wrapped up the match with an irretrievable forehand winner.
Frenchman Gael Monfils made his hometown proud on Monday when he defeated finals contender Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. It seems Gael used his loss to Albert Montanes in the finals of the Nice Open to fuel a wondrous performance on center court. The final score: 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7,
7-5. Monfils continues his unprecedented run with a victory over Ernests Gulbis in the second round. He will play Tommy Robredo in the upcoming third round match.
The legendary Roger Federer dismantled his first and second round opponents, Pablo Carreno-Busta and Somdev Devvarman respectively, in straights, giving him a comfortable spot in the third round, where he will play Julien Benneteau. Experts argue that Federer is now coming into form and will reach the zenith of his clay season magic as he works his way through to the finals. Without Murray in his half of the draw, one can see how this theory holds water. However, the mental monster that can be created with the (lack of) pressure in this half of the draw, combined with the knowledge that he does not have much success in this tournament, may rear its head and cost him the chance to lift the French Open trophy. Rather than count him out, we will leave Federer on the back burner and allow him to sneak into the final four. Just you watch.
More first round action: Marinko Matosevic fell to fourth seed David Ferrer in straights - 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Ferrer then put an end to Nice 2013 champion Albert Montanes's French Open bid with another straight sets win - 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. Next up for the Spaniard David is his compatriot Feliciano Lopez.
Women's Singles
As predicted, Serena Williams took care of business in her first and second round matches, conceding a total of just four games in her triumphs over Anna Tatishvili and Caroline Garcia respectively. With these victories, she improves her season W/L ratio to 38-2 and forges a career best win streak of 26 consecutive matches. She faces Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the third round. Will Serena soon be adding a second French Open title to her striking array of accomplishments?
Victoria Azarenka is hoping not. She cruised through her match in the first round against Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-4 and will play Annika Beck of Germany in the second round. The Belarusian has never made it past the quarterfinals here at the French, but with a 21-2 win/loss ratio coming into the tournament and more experience than previous years (including becoming world #1 after capturing the 2012 Australian Open title, her first GS), Vika can more than see herself claiming the trophy here at Roland Garros. She in the opposite half as Ms. Williams and so stands a good chance of meeting her in the finals, but there's one person who undeniably stands in her way....
Maria Sharapova has a lot to prove to herself, her critics and especially her chief adversary, Serena Williams, during this tournament. It is easy to forget that she is actually the defending champion here at Roland Garros, probably because, in order to win last year, she didn't have to go through the solid rock that is Serena Williams. Now that both women seem almost destined to make it to the closing rounds, Maria must be eager to set their head-to-head straight (well, as straight as 16-3 would make it) and really take it to the one player who knows just how to break her down. Sharapova has been steadily improving her performance on clay surfaces, transforming from a self-proclaimed "cow on ice" to a crowned champion at Stuttgart, Rome and Paris last year. She won comfortably against Su-Wei Hsieh 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. It looks like this might be the year she wins her fifth Grand Slam title and silences some doubts among her detractors (and certainly within herself) about her capabilities and competitive edge on court.
Among other likely contenders of the French Open title are:
Men's Singles
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| Djokovic serving vs. Goffin in R1 |
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| Daniel Brands of Germany |
first set, on the surface and in the tournament that favors him so greatly. But balance in the universe was restored when, after being down 0-3 in the second set tiebreak, Rafa rallied back to take it 7-6 (7-4). Thereafter, typical Rafa could be seen; he wrapped up the match with an irretrievable forehand winner.
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| Monfils through to R3 |
Frenchman Gael Monfils made his hometown proud on Monday when he defeated finals contender Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. It seems Gael used his loss to Albert Montanes in the finals of the Nice Open to fuel a wondrous performance on center court. The final score: 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7,
7-5. Monfils continues his unprecedented run with a victory over Ernests Gulbis in the second round. He will play Tommy Robredo in the upcoming third round match.
The legendary Roger Federer dismantled his first and second round opponents, Pablo Carreno-Busta and Somdev Devvarman respectively, in straights, giving him a comfortable spot in the third round, where he will play Julien Benneteau. Experts argue that Federer is now coming into form and will reach the zenith of his clay season magic as he works his way through to the finals. Without Murray in his half of the draw, one can see how this theory holds water. However, the mental monster that can be created with the (lack of) pressure in this half of the draw, combined with the knowledge that he does not have much success in this tournament, may rear its head and cost him the chance to lift the French Open trophy. Rather than count him out, we will leave Federer on the back burner and allow him to sneak into the final four. Just you watch.
More first round action: Marinko Matosevic fell to fourth seed David Ferrer in straights - 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Ferrer then put an end to Nice 2013 champion Albert Montanes's French Open bid with another straight sets win - 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. Next up for the Spaniard David is his compatriot Feliciano Lopez.
Women's Singles
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| Serena reaching for a backhand |
Victoria Azarenka is hoping not. She cruised through her match in the first round against Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-4 and will play Annika Beck of Germany in the second round. The Belarusian has never made it past the quarterfinals here at the French, but with a 21-2 win/loss ratio coming into the tournament and more experience than previous years (including becoming world #1 after capturing the 2012 Australian Open title, her first GS), Vika can more than see herself claiming the trophy here at Roland Garros. She in the opposite half as Ms. Williams and so stands a good chance of meeting her in the finals, but there's one person who undeniably stands in her way....
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| Defending champ, Maria Sharapova |
Among other likely contenders of the French Open title are:
- Caroline Wozniacki - The pretty blonde from Denmark has fired off with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Great Britain's Laura Robson, though many believed she wouldn't be able to. Doubts discourage some, but fuel others. I think we know to which group Caro belongs.
- Agnieszka Radwanska - She's a tough cookie and has already earned her spot in the third round. The Polish powerhouse possesses good form on clay, with winning H2Hs against the likes of Li Na and Ana Ivanovic.
- Lisicki and Errani both are in the third round, meaning any lapse in focus is going to result in a major upset by one of these girls. There's no getting to the title without going through them first.
- Li Na - Former French Open champion (2011) Li Na is also past the first round and she plays Bethanie Mattek-Stands next. After relieving her husband of coaching duties several months ago, Li Na seems to be headed for more consistent GS performances and she continues to improve.
- Sloane Stephens - Perhaps to Serena Williams's dismay, young Sloane Stephens has easily made her way into the third round with straight set wins over Italian Karin Knapp (6-2, 7-5) and fellow American Vania King (6-1, 6-3). The men's chances seem poor but do the women give the US a more than decent shot of bringing home the trophy? Sure, it makes a world of difference who is doing the bringing but a win is a win nonetheless......right?
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| 2011 French Open Champion, Li Na |
Monday, 27 May 2013
French Open Live Coverage
In order to watch live streaming of Roland Garros 2013 matches, click here.
Please note that times stated are UTC times; therefore the video will not load until the match has officially begun.
To view the draws for tomorrow Tuesday May 28th, click here.
Breathe tennis!!
Please note that times stated are UTC times; therefore the video will not load until the match has officially begun.
To view the draws for tomorrow Tuesday May 28th, click here.
Breathe tennis!!
Friday, 24 May 2013
Roland Garros Draws Released
The draws are out! The draws are out!
Men's Singles
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| Maria Sharapova's beau, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov |
Speaking of Nadal, the defending champion better be mentally prepared to face the likes of Lukal Rosol, who shut him out of Wimbledon in the second round last year, and Horacio Zeballos, who denied him his first title of 2013 at Viña del Mar. Also in his quarter of draw: Nishikori, Wawrinka, Davydenko and Gasquet. Since there's no such thing as an easy win, there's no telling if the Spaniard can weave his way into the winner's circle a record eighth time.
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| Gael Monfils on the fly |
Six Spaniards are in the third quarter together, including David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro. They share opportunities of advancing with the consistent Tomas Berdych and with players of unforeseeable talent, Milos Raonic and Ernests Gulbis. Frenchman Gael Monfils begins his French Open campaign against Berdych - now that will be an interesting match to watch.
Roger Federer rules his quarter of the draw, facing a horde of qualifiers before any true challenge comes his way. Power player American James Blake starts off by battling against Serbian Viktor Troicki. Gilles Simon of France will face Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt (nicknamed "Rusty") while Sam Querrey, the only other American in this quarter, will face Slovakian Lukas Lacko. With Mardy Fish out, there are only four other Americans in the entire men's draw and, among them, only John Isner (with an exceptional performance) seems capable of getting further than the round of 16.
First round predictions? No upsets in this round. Top seeds Djokovic, Nadal, Ferrer and Federer all make it through to the second round.
To see the full men's singles draw, click here.
Women's Singles
Former French Open champion Serena Williams seems to be in full control of her quarter of this year's draw. Is there a lady out there who can deny her a second round entry the way Razzano did last year? Possible candidates for a second straight Serena upset are: dainty Dane Caroline Wozniacki, who must first beat up-and-coming British sensation Laura Robson; compatriot Christina McHale;
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| Former world #1 but still without a GS title, Caroline Wozniacki |
Polish sisters Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska might have to square off against each other if they pull through the next couple rounds. Urszula has it tougher - she is set to play Venus Williams right off the bat. The infamous Razzano is among the numbers in this quarter, as well as Ivanovic, Lisicki and Errani.
Quarter three houses three potential finalists: 2011 winner Li Na, 2011 finalist Francesca Schiavone and world #2 Victoria Azarenka, all of whom are expected to pull through easily against their lower-ranked first round opponents. Other notable names in this quarter include Heather Watson of Great Britain, 12th seed Maria Kirilenko, francaise Marion Bartoli, and possibly Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.
Petra Kvitova, Jelena Jankovic and Samantha Stosur (who won the US Open in 2011) are all
formidable players in the bottom quarter. Yet another nightmarish opponent of Serena Williams is found in twenty-year-old US player Sloane Stephens. The Floridian defeated Williams in the quarterfinals of this year's Australian Open but then lost to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka. It would be a shame if Sloane hasn't used that to pep herself up in advance of this tournament, where some say she stands a good chance of making it to the closing rounds. However, Russian Maria Sharapova has an enormous debt to settle with Serena Williams and I doubt she will take an upset from anyone sitting down.
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| Serena look-alike? It's Sloane Stephens of the USA. |
First round predictions: Serena is the easy favourite to win the whole thing and is only hampered by her own mental preparedness. She will use her embarrassing first round loss in 2012 to fuel a solid win in this round and the ones that follow. Sharapova will come through in her usual shrieking style. Expect Vika Azarenka and Aggie Radwanska to make it through as well. The remaining second round spots are up for grabs.
To see the full women's singles draw, click here.
Play is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am local time on Sunday, May 26. If possible, links to live streams will be posted.
Breathe tennis!!
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Birthday Greetings
The management and staff of the Breathe Tennis Blog would like to extend
hearty belated 26th birthday greetings to World
#1 Novak Djokovic. Do have a wonderful day and all the best at Roland Garros next week!! Go Nole!!!!
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| Serbian tennis star and world #1, Novak Djokovic |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
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