Roland Garros Game - first round!

Order of play for today, some interesting matches:

http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/schedule/p_schedule10.pdf



Nishi-Kuznetsov should be good.

Of course she was your kind of player. Light like a fly, stinging like a wasp.

Every shot was make or break.

Yes, she was a nice, natural player, but I wouldn't say a make or break type.

Sharapova and Henin were both gutsier.

Women's tennis is rarely gutless, anyway. Its downside is simplicity, so I rarely watch(ed) it.

This Bourgue is not bad at all!

I thought you couldn't better a dripshot+lob combination on clay, but Bourgue just did - he added a great volley on top!

wowwww...I peeped into CC to see the french guy making Murray look even less talented!


Pretty cool. Looks like he will have the guts to go all the way....as Murray is pretty tired now.

I put £10 on him when he was 4.3.

 ALLEEEEZZZ!!!

Tenez wrote:wowwww...I peeped into CC to see the french guy making Murray look even less talented!


Pretty cool. Looks like he will have the guts to go all the way....as Murray is pretty tired now.

Where did he come from?!!!
Never heard.

Would be fantastic if he coud win.

5th set.

Bouroge is only 22!

He is doing so well, probably never played a 5th set. I know he is super tired, but imagine if he won!!! 

GO GO GOOOOOOOOOOO!  

Garner umpiring as if he is going to get double pay if Murray wins.  

And Murray's body language, c'moning Bourgue's UEs etc is even uglier. He is making his mentor Brad Gilbert blush...

But again.....phyiscally not up to the level.

He is dead on his feet but playing so bravely with all he's got, I really like him!

Disappointing from Pouille.

he was teh better player but played the big points terribly.

A typical Simon's score.....

Court 1
Men's Singles
Round 2
G. Simon [16]
G. Pella
46 16 76 76 64

Tenez wrote:Disappointing from Pouille.

he was teh better player but played the big points terribly.

I didn't even know he was playing...he usually does not choke.
Round one and two all blended and made mess of the scheduling.

Tenez wrote:
A typical Simon's score.....

Court 1
Men's Singles
Round 2
G. Simon [16]
G. Pella
46 16 76 76 64

I went to the supermarket when he was 0:2 down in sets , £20 on him and made £27 on top

I actually forgot I did and thought bet365 made a mistake when I saw the balance...

good on you. smart but 2 TBs could have gone either way.

Tenez wrote:good on you. smart but 2 TBs could have gone either way.

They never do with Gillou. He is an amazing player...the way he can cleverly keep the ball in play and move the opponent...
(Unless he plays top4)

What did you think of Bouroge?
When I saw the name I thought he was Spanish or stg, so didn't bother watching till the 4th set.
I was impressed with how much he as able to do, how cool and varied he was, a true tennis player. I really enjoyed watching his game.
"Only" missing fitness.

ps
Rubi didn't even qualify and Chung lost badly in R1.

I have just read that His was Bouroge's FIRST ATP MATCH!!!!

He only played challengers and futures before. I hope he doesn't disappear into oblivion now.

You mean Bourgue. Yes he is good and has talent. But again, physically he is not in the same league. He doesn't look like he is on something. He looked like another of those 90s player, though I am sure he works very hard in the gym.

It's a strange world. Those guys (stepanek included)are much more skilled than the top player....or rather they play for the game whereas the top players play for money. They may have some talent but simply choose not to rely on it.

Tenez wrote:You mean Bourgue. Yes he is good and has talent. But again, physically he is not in the same league. He doesn't look like he is on something. He looked like another of those 90s player, though I am sure he works very hard in the gym.

I liked him a lot!
Just couldn't believe how much game and finesse he already had esp compared to Pouille amd even Paire.
A complete player, but as you said not on anything that could give him "the confidence".
He could've done with slightly quicker feet and that should be achievable with a good fitness coach and a bit of head down work.

Still, he compensated for it with his heart, and that's what impressed me most and completely melted me!
His legs must have felt heavy as lead yet he was hitting the ball faster and better than Murray who really hammered it with his sushi-muscles.

And all that  over 5 sets!

Knowing French tennis federation, they'll give him more support now as it was such a good showing and the well-earnt and justified WC.

Not sure about the potential, but as a player he is already better than Chardy, Benne etc.

Tenez wrote:It's a strange world. Those guys (stepanek  included)are much more skilled than the top player....or rather they play for the game whereas the top players play for money. They may have some talent but simply choose not to rely on it.

Yes...though to be fair, I am sure all or most players (Step incl) are on something.
It's just that that "something" doesn't work the same for all players and doesn't suit everyone's game.
And some simply don't want/can't to play the physical game or punish their bodies.
They are probably happy woth the money they are making and letting the unsatiable ones fight for prey.

I always think of Safin when he said stg like it's below him to run like a rabbit. That's why that whole generation retired "early".

In this era, Stepaneks of this world enjoy life more. I think their balance is wiser.

The very top players fighting for glory....it requires amazing will and work.

I think if Federer was a Russian, he would've retired lomg ago, too.

Money can give you the best doctors and best treatments. That is also an area which has evolved over the last 10 years and a reason why those players with no particular extra talent are doing so well at the top (not only the top 3 but the rest of teh top 10 too).

Tenez wrote:Money can give you the best doctors and best treatments. That is also an area which has evolved over the last 10 years and a reason why those players with no particular extra talent are doing so well at the top (not only the top 3 but the rest of teh top 10 too).

Yes, and a reason why younger players are struggling to catch up. Only talent is on their side, which is good...as this new wave of players is quite decent despite not having results to show for.
Though, watching this ex-junior no 1 Brit player in our club who is now in a US college (just came back for a holiday, Rubi's contemporary), he is so dull.
Not to mention he's already had a back surgery...

All the time and effort over there has gone into hitting the ball harder, nothing else.


His tennis is basically hit CC as hard as possible until the other guy's arm falls off.

He is a min 190-2/3 cm tall, puffs air when hitting the ball, strains at every shot but his height is helping him a lot.

That's now American/British school of tennis.
All modelled on Murray.

So their advantage is height and time they had with modern technology from day one.

But the downside - no flair and no variety.

I am  glad it's different in France.
Not sure about Spain or Argentina.

East Europeams are a mixed bag, too.

We'll see...

Pretty ugly those zebra shirts. I am looking forward to see the first idiot in my club wearing it.

I kind of understand and maybe like the idea....but this big black patch at the back makes it look really ugly. and the zebra pattern itself is not greatly designed.

Tenez wrote:Pretty ugly those zebra shirts. I am looking forward to see the first idiot in my club wearing it.

I kind of understand and maybe like the idea....but this big black patch at the back makes it look really ugly. and the zebra pattern itself is not greatly designed.

Haven't had a chance to see any tennis today, will tune in now.

I LOVE zebras!

Such interestig and funky animals. Particularly fascinated with their habits and black&white design, so different from ANYTHING else God has made.

I can understand why Adidas tried it.

Didn't pay attention to the details of how well they have pulled it off.

Tenez wrote:Pretty ugly those zebra shirts. I am looking forward to see the first idiot in my club wearing it.

I kind of understand and maybe like the idea....but this big black patch at the back makes it look really ugly. and the zebra pattern itself is not greatly designed.

Take note of whose fan he/she is!

Nole-Darcis is boring....though I like Darcis, old school, just a bad match-up!

Baghdats - Tsonga. Should be a good match, more evenly balanced.

Tsonga looks he has shed his zebra hide he wore in R1.

So now he and Baghdatis are wearing the same: black...

Just like Nole & Darcis - black and red...

They should make a rule like in football to wear different colours.

RG pretty flat so far.

Only Bourgue managed to light it up yesterday.

Poor Tsonga even changed into his zebra tshirt - but no luck...the crowd, like grey skies in Paris are only putting more weight on his shoulders...

Well, looks like zebra shirt has turned Tsonga's luck from black to white, chased away the clouds and awakened the crowd!

I would not have minded Baggy to win. Anyway, I agree, besides seeing the top 3 losing I m not sure what could excite me in tennis nowadays.

Did you watch he match? Baggy had many chances, he left the court gutted.

The draw is looking more interesting now, hopefully we'll have better matches.

I look forward to Tsonga-Gulbis.

Wouldn't mind another Nole-Stan final.

I want a Nishi Ferrer final!

Richie-Kyrgios lookng a bit flat with Kyrgios trying his best to behave like a good boy.

Verdasco just showed why, despite a great talent doesn't win much: he unnecessarily volleyed standing in the tramlines. No brain-no gain!

Fortunately, he didn't miss.

5th set vs nishi. Kyrgios 2 sets down :/

Very high level tennis between Stan and Chardy.

Wawrink is playing as well as in the final last year.

Wilander saying that teh only player Djoko might fear is Stan.

I think Nishi is the other one.

Wilander: "when it comes to Federer, no-one comes close to him". About the void he is going to leave when he retires!

no coming back from Simon this time.

Yes, but despite being half-dead, he is still allez-ing himself, walking tall in the changeover, not calling a trainer, not retiring...giving crowd hope.

I love it.

And the crowd gives Gillou ovation as he leaves the court...and empties my bet365 budget as I put all I earnt in the last three days on him... /

But...non, je ne regrette rien!


Of course, happy for Viktor, he is a bit raw, but very good natured and has a big heart. Stan next!

Just managed to see Thiem-Zverev match point!

Thiem mentioning "Rafa" in his on court interview...a bit odd, no?

Unless he was scheduled to play him in the next round...

What is it nowadays with mens players hugging and cuddling each others instead of the normal hand shake at the end of the match?

Nole started it, isn't it?

I thought the same...sometimes they even change  shirts...

Don't know who started it, but it's plain stupid...just like clapping opponent's good shots.

The only "novelty" I welcome is post-match celebration...quite creative and character revealing.

From Nole's (ex)shirt-ripping, Tsonga's happy twirling, Murray's understatedness...

Wow, the Parisiens have fallen in love with Nole!

This 2016 is getting crazier by the minute! 

noleisthebest wrote:Wow, the Parisiens have fallen in love with Nole!

This 2016 is getting crazier by the minute! 

v Bedene? No choice really!

Exactly Tenez, I imagine if Djokovic plays Wawrinka/Thiem he won't get the most support because of his personality and how he plays.

50/50 who Paris crowd will root for between him and Murray.

Killjoys!

It was TRUE love...today!

Stan looking very beatable.

Both Stan and Viktor hitting the ball as hard as possible.
The player who doesn't have his feet planted inch perfect loses the point.
It will soon become physically unsustainable.

What's that got to do with tennis?

Unless somehing changes, I predict in 10-20 years time players will be jumping when they hit the ball.

And it's Troicki, the convicted doper, that runs out of steam first.