Is in 15 days, anyone else excited? Can FedX defend his title? The real tennis season begins NOW! 
Roland Garros 2010
- Thread starter Baby Faced Assassin
- Start date
I hope Rafa finally gets his act together to give Fed some competition again.
Fed has been poor on clay so far having lost to Montanes and Gulbis so if Nadal is on his game he has a great chance at winning
I have a feeling Fed is just saving his game for the slams now. Quite the arrogant thing to do but at his age, I wouldn't say that's that bad of an idea.
Ok - Been following alot of tennis this year. No idea where I stand on the french as of yet. I think Fed is seriously lacking his ground strokes. He's a serious lay for me. I wouldn't be surprised to see him gone early.
Nadal is showing signs of greatness again, Djorkovik is gone. Mentally not at the races. Love the guy - but fecked. Roddick hasn't even made an appearance yet on clay, Murray will lose in 5 to someone like Ferrer (I still have an eye on him for Wimbledon), Del Potro is injured, Tsonga & Monfils show signs of brillance and complete lack of brillance. Ferrer,, Ferroro Verdasco, Almagro can beat any player on their day so I'd be backing them with a view to trading lower. Youzhny & Soderling are playing OK. A good draw and they are semi final material
My darling at present is Gulbis, I've loved this player since junior ranks. Hitting the ball excellently. Playing great on clay.
So Nadal to win, Gulbis to knock out someone. Fed to be knocked out early.
For the women's its anyone.
Nadal is showing signs of greatness again, Djorkovik is gone. Mentally not at the races. Love the guy - but fecked. Roddick hasn't even made an appearance yet on clay, Murray will lose in 5 to someone like Ferrer (I still have an eye on him for Wimbledon), Del Potro is injured, Tsonga & Monfils show signs of brillance and complete lack of brillance. Ferrer,, Ferroro Verdasco, Almagro can beat any player on their day so I'd be backing them with a view to trading lower. Youzhny & Soderling are playing OK. A good draw and they are semi final material
My darling at present is Gulbis, I've loved this player since junior ranks. Hitting the ball excellently. Playing great on clay.
So Nadal to win, Gulbis to knock out someone. Fed to be knocked out early.
For the women's its anyone.
I haven't watched that much this year.
Why do you say that his groundstrokes are lacking Baz? Something you've seen this season or a general flaw in his game like?
I think it will be between Federer and Nadal, and Nadal will win it. Then everyone here will say that Federer can't be the best ever, because he didn't beat an opponent etc etc.
Why do you say that his groundstrokes are lacking Baz? Something you've seen this season or a general flaw in his game like?
I think it will be between Federer and Nadal, and Nadal will win it. Then everyone here will say that Federer can't be the best ever, because he didn't beat an opponent etc etc.
He just is making too many errors in that game where he seldom has before. Serve is still there, but his tempo is lacking.
He took a month out after Indian wells. He didn't even spark there and he just is not sparking. I'm the biggest fan he has, but just cann't see him rise his game for the french. Wimbledon should be ok I expect. But more and more players outside the top 10 are starting to hold Federer to a match. Something we seldom have seen.
In relation to his ground stroke - just timing not there.
Ok, thanks.
Like I said, I haven't watched anything this year. Hopefully he'll find his feet soon enough.
Like I said, I haven't watched anything this year. Hopefully he'll find his feet soon enough.
Going on present form, Nadal will win it by default.
Federer's game has gone to pot, as Baz says, and he's showing signs of being a little slower across the court than he was at his peak. That said, for the last year or so he's been hitting the ball much earlier when it's on the rise, and that was one of the areas he's struggled on against Nadal in the French. He's also someone who only really turns it on in the Slams now, so I'd expect him to be a sight better than he has been the last few months.
Another factor is whether Nadal's knees are able for this much tennis in short periods. If you watch him at the moment he's going for more shots than he ever was, which is a pretty good indicator that he's trying to shorten the points and get off the court. That works fine when you're on form, but if you come up against someone who's on form, as he did against Soderling last year, then that might not be the wisest ploy.
Murray never looks at home on clay, and you get the feeling he's going to focus everything he has on Wimbledon and even more so, The US Open.
Djokovic is a decent player, but I never fancy him to beat big players in big games. He just doesn't have the ability to pull out brilliance when he needs it often enough, so barring a good draw, form and injuries going his way, I don't see him doing any better than the semi-finals.
As Baz says (again) Gulbis is an absurdly talented player -and I think Baz and I were raving about him in one of the tennis threads a year or two back - and he finally looks to have brought his game together. I don't see him winning it, but he might cause an upset along the way.
Federer's game has gone to pot, as Baz says, and he's showing signs of being a little slower across the court than he was at his peak. That said, for the last year or so he's been hitting the ball much earlier when it's on the rise, and that was one of the areas he's struggled on against Nadal in the French. He's also someone who only really turns it on in the Slams now, so I'd expect him to be a sight better than he has been the last few months.
Another factor is whether Nadal's knees are able for this much tennis in short periods. If you watch him at the moment he's going for more shots than he ever was, which is a pretty good indicator that he's trying to shorten the points and get off the court. That works fine when you're on form, but if you come up against someone who's on form, as he did against Soderling last year, then that might not be the wisest ploy.
Murray never looks at home on clay, and you get the feeling he's going to focus everything he has on Wimbledon and even more so, The US Open.
Djokovic is a decent player, but I never fancy him to beat big players in big games. He just doesn't have the ability to pull out brilliance when he needs it often enough, so barring a good draw, form and injuries going his way, I don't see him doing any better than the semi-finals.
As Baz says (again) Gulbis is an absurdly talented player -and I think Baz and I were raving about him in one of the tennis threads a year or two back - and he finally looks to have brought his game together. I don't see him winning it, but he might cause an upset along the way.
Indeed we were - Wimbledon 2008. Gulbis was part of a trilogy in the Junior ranks, alongside Del Potro, Murray. They lived and trained together in Spain for 2 years and every pundit at the time could not separate the three of them. It was taken for granted that one of them would win a major soon enough (Murray made the first Final, while Del Poto obviously won the US). Gulbis never made the charge like the other 2 in 2008. Injury saw him take a step backwards while in 2009 - he simple could not get his game together and was viewed as a failure. This year he has found his game and risen to 32 in the rankings and will be top 16 shortly. He is hitting great, serving great and in the form of his life. Watch out for him.
During the time the three were in Spain, they seemingly all hate each other. Del Potro always throws out a dig about Murray's Mum - Seemingly this is about his mother waning him about girls in Spain. Del Potro gets slagged because Gulbis stole a girlfriend off him. While Gulbis gets slagged about getting beaten by a local spanish kid. Anytime these guys meet - expect to see fireworks.
Roll on the summer Brophs
Personally, I don't like the French too much. It's too slow for my liking. Points drag on and on.
Same time last year - Federer didn't reach a single final after the AO, he was losing to Wawrinka, Djokovic and Murray and the final sets weren't even close. He broke a racquet against Djokovic in Miami(he's not done this before(maybe back in 01 against Henman in Basel final but I'm not too sure about that)) and after Nadal excelling in every event at that time the general consensus was that he's done. Then couple of weeks fast forward he won Madrid(final now), won RG and Wimbledon double and lost in 5 tight sets to Delpo at the USO. Then this year he won the AO in convincing fashion brushing Murray aside in 3 sets.
Why do you think he lost in all those clay events this year? Wasnt the same when he was losing to Volandri and Canas in events like that? Federer didn't win a MS shield for 2 years come Madrid last year. Did he go early in the last 9 slams since 07?
Federer is different animal in slams. Last year's RG the pressure had gone to him. He nearly went out to Haas, but Haas was playing out of his mind that match. He was playing deep, serving wery well and his shots off both wings were paining the lines. Come the SF and Delpo was serving lights out for 3 sets in a row. Federer was 'lucky' just to stay with him in the 2nd to win it in TB. Had Nadal played in that match he'd be out in 3 - just shows how good was Delpo playing at the time. He dismantled Nadal at the USO 6-2 X3 months later. Sure that's Nadal's worst surface, but he's an awful matchup anywhere but grass.
Never underestimate Federer. The last time he went out early (before the SF's) was before 6 years to Kuerten (3 times RG champion in the 4th). Let's not forget that Federer has been 4 times FO finalist in a row, as much as Nadal.
Nadal was beaten by Ljubicic, Roddick, dismantled by Murray in AO. He did pretty well in MC(but the field was incredibly weak), he was nearly taken out by Gulbis in Rome and yesterday he lost a set to Almagro of all people and Almagro had 2 BP in the 2nd to go up a break (1-0) and he choked them away. Almagro is a big time choker, he does not have the mental toughness to win 3 sets out of 5. He's not in the contention at the FO, I'm positive on that one.
Djokovic - I agree.Not in the best form atm and had breathing problems in Belgrade(retired from the match and missing Madrid). Roddick is a no go on clay. Murray showed some promise against Ferrer in Madrid. He's slowly getting back into it after being devastated at the AO, Tsonga is a no go on clay, Monfils is good but plays too deep(weak version of Nadal). Soderling can take Nadal out if he's playing like last year. And Davy is returning for the French so I can see him making the SF"s if he's fully rested and has match fitness.
Gulbis can not beat Federer in 3 out of 5 atm. Federer can be outgrinded only by Nadal. Nevermind 28 - he has better fitness than anyone bar Nadal. Only Nadal, Safin, Djokovic(had mono at the time) and Delpo have taken Federer out of a slam since 2004.
All in all it's another Federer - Nadal final for me with Nadal winning it.
Really hope Rafa returns to form. Hoping he can rekindle that Rafa-Fed rivalry that culminated in those magnificent Wimbledon and Aussie Open finals.
Federer lost to Nadal today. Again. 4 or 5 wins against Federer in a row now which include wins in Federer's backyard (wimbledon) and another on hardcourt at the Aussie Open. Never seen a candidate for best player ever so totally dominated by one single player.
Luckily that player is injury prone and takes ages to recover his form... lucky Federer. Nadal was clearly on top and won THREE back to back Grand Slam finals against Federer (two on fast surfaces) plus massacred him allowing him 2 games at Roland Garros.You couldn't see where the next Grand Slam would come from, with Nadal simply matching and OVERPOWERING Federer in Grand Slam mode. And then BAM. Injury galore.
You truly were born under the right star.
Luckily that player is injury prone and takes ages to recover his form... lucky Federer. Nadal was clearly on top and won THREE back to back Grand Slam finals against Federer (two on fast surfaces) plus massacred him allowing him 2 games at Roland Garros.You couldn't see where the next Grand Slam would come from, with Nadal simply matching and OVERPOWERING Federer in Grand Slam mode. And then BAM. Injury galore.
You truly were born under the right star.
Is in 15 days, anyone else excited? Can FedX defend his title? The real tennis season begins NOW!
If Nadal's injury free and gets back some form, he'll only beat Federer 6-3 6-3 6-3 this time, as opposed to allowing him two or three games the last time they played there in the final.
Like clockwork.Federer defeated Nadal the last time they met in Madrid. There's also a reason why Nadal gets injured more, his game relies much more on physicality; don't think you can blame it only on bad luck. Federer get's injured far less because his game is just technique and timing. Saying that his timing does seem to be a bit erratic recently so can't see him winning the french.
Federer defeated Nadal the last time they met in Madrid. There's also a reason why Nadal gets injured more, his game relies much more on physicality; don't think you can blame it only on bad luck. Federer get's injured far less because his game is just technique and timing. Saying that his timing does seem to be a bit erratic recently so can't see him winning the french.
Federer, whilst having the upper hand on faster courts against a very young Nadal (while he himself was starting to take over the tennis world) at the start, has been found out by a Nadal aged around 21-22. Since then, Nadal has looked Federer's equal at the very least and fast getting better even: the process was evident.
Nadal was knocking on the door the first time he lost against Federer in the Wimbledon final and a year later, he's won three consecutive grand slam finals against him: one more emphatic than ever on clay, two very tight finals to the layman, but experienced guys who play tennis themselves could see Federer was more hanging on and taking things to a decider fighting tooth and nail than actually ever looking like winning those matches.
Nadal had simply become better and the sky was the limit. Until the injury.
What is there to disagree with than the cold hard fact that Nadal, once he was a bit more experienced (actually he started looking dangerously close to Federer at around 20-21 didn't he) has won near every game against Federer? Can you say I'm wrong when I say he Nadal has the beating of him?
All very well now posting this up after Federer performed some heroics last week. I welcome your well informed posts however. When I posted my thoughts - I had watched Fed lose against Montanes & Gulbis in teh weeks previously. You can say all about trying new stuff out on Clay - but when his service stats are some of the lowest he had posted in 8 years - you had to question him. I still believe he was shit before I made that post. Since then I'm glad to say he has peformed some of the best tennis this year after the AO...
Yes - agreed - Will not lose to Gulbis in 5 and its a Fed - Nadal final... simple as and Nadal winning in 3
Nadal definitely has the beating of Federer, don't disagree at all. I was just pointing out that Nadal's injuries aren't down purely to bad luck. His game makes him more injury prone. Also Federer losing to Nadal on clay isn't that big a deal because I think Nadal's going to be the greatest clay court player ever.
Before many people talked about why Nadal has such an edge over Federer and obviously him being left handed were one of the main arguments. However, I don't think Federer is struggling that much with Nadal's lefty spin that much anymore. If you watch the Madrid game, Federer actually played a lot better than Nadal did. He had more variety and an overall better game but he struggled during the big points. I don't think it's the case anymore that Nadal genuinely has a game advantage over Fed but it's Federer that loses to himself.
The big and high left hand forehand with spin has been something Federer has always struggled with mostly in the RG IMO. On harder surfaces it seems like he has mastered it better (it's also something he has developed specially for Nadal matches). I agree that in many matches between them, on harder surfaces, Federer has just missed the important shots, and has lost the game because of himself more than being outplayed by Nadal.
Somdev Devvarman's going to walk this thing.
Comfortably Nadal and Henin. Can't see anyone beating them on this surface.
It's on Eurosport and now BBC red button now by the way. Bring it on!
It's on Eurosport and now BBC red button now by the way. Bring it on!
Sorry for Baz and Brophs, Gulbis is already out of the tournament through injury.
Gulbis is an annoying character. Extremely talented but can't make the step up to be amongst the elite.
Murray is down a set to Gasquet, a really tough first round draw
Just turned this on. How's Murray been doing generally?
The one thing he's got in his favour is that Gasquet is a bottler. Even two sets down I'd still give him a decent chance.
The one thing he's got in his favour is that Gasquet is a bottler. Even two sets down I'd still give him a decent chance.
Not really been watching myself, but it looks like Gasquet is controlling it to me
FedX off and running.
Not many better shots in the game than Gasquet's backhand
Indeed.He's been hurting Murray with it
Gasquets backhand is beautiful.
He lacks in other departments though.
He lacks in other departments though.
Important tiebreaker, can't see Murray winning the match unless he wins the tiebreak
He lost it?
Yup, Gasquet up two sets now
Finish him, Gasquet!
If my live update is to be believed Murray is struggling to win his games while Gasquets takes his serve quite easily.
Murray's just been broken. 3-2 in the third set.
What's annoying about this is that if Murray goes out the list of potential winners is reduced, as Gasquet will fall to pieces in the next couple of matches.
What's annoying about this is that if Murray goes out the list of potential winners is reduced, as Gasquet will fall to pieces in the next couple of matches.