Roland Garros 2013: Day 10

[noleisthebest]

Day 10 and we have 4 matches on the menu today, Tsonga - Federer being the main meal & dessert all in one

Court Philippe Chatrier 1:00 PM UK time

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4]vs.Sara Errani (ITA) [5]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [6]vs.Roger Federer (SUI) [2]

Court Suzanne Lenglen 1:00 UK time

Serena Williams (USA) [1]vs.Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) [32]vs.David Ferrer (ESP) [4]


I'll leave it to rotla to determine how many points each pick carries.

[Tenez]

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
Roger Federer (SUI) [2]

Court Suzanne Lenglen 1:00 UK time

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
David Ferrer (ESP) [4]

[noleisthebest]

What a horribe, horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible and once more - horrible first match on Chatrier!!!! I feel deeply sorry for people with tickets today.

Hopefully the second match will make up for it. I wish both Errani and Radwanska could lose this match. But I think Radwanska will drive even Errani mad with her scrapping so my picks:

Radwanska, Federer, Williams, Ferrer

[raiders_of_the_lost_ark]

My picks:

Radwanska, Federer, Kuznetsova, Robrado

[noleisthebest]

Just as Gulbis was bewailing the fact there are no characters in tennis these days, Michail Youzhny, aka Dr Misha, having just lost 9 consecutive games to Haas flashes that fiery temper again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wrgKTYIvWCo

For those who haven't seen Dr Misha's wildest edition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi-CgSO9Evw

[noleisthebest]

I just saw this Q&A, Q was a lot more interested than the A !

Q. Mats Wilander said today many players throw in the towel too early against Rafael Nadal, and if they could fight until the end, and not half trying, they would make him more tired and you would have a better chance and eventual final, semifinal. I don't know whether you agree with the last part of the analysis, but the first?

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I always think it's important to believe in your chances, you know. At the end of the day we're all professional tennis players, and I think we have worked really hard. So you've got to believe in your chance. The throwing in the towel thing, I mean, I couldn't agree more that that shouldn't happen, you know. Finally you can play Nadal or me or anybody ‑ let's say Nadal in this situation ‑ and why not fight? Because like in Tommy Robredo's situation, you never know. The match is not over until the match point is played. You never know if he gets hurt. You want to put him in that position where he might. I'm just saying like you want to make the points tough, you want to make the match tough, and believe in it and play that way, too, and not just pretend. I think that's very important. Yeah, so important against a player like that. That's where I was happy to see that more players were beating at times the top 4 again, because at one point there, I also agree, many didn't believe they actually could break through, which for me has changed a little bit. But maybe there is some way to go for some players. Who knows?


Disappointed Fed refused to answer the question, just got out of it safe and unscathed.

[Tenez]

It's funny as again Mats says what I have been saying about tiring Nadal. Nadal can hit a wall and that would make things much easier once his topspin get shorter as he woudl be forced to do more running and then suddenly the balance woudl shift. I think I said that a few days ago.....as well as months ago too.

2 of the few Federer's wins over Nadal have been over 5 sets with Nadal losing respectively 6 and 5 games in a row.

Djokovic also destroys Nadal in the first 3 sets, then nadal is completely useless afterwards (USO 2010 being teh best example where Djoko managed to finish Nadal despite not being able to serve witha back problem).

Coria also found Nadal's limits in 5 setters ....except that once he realised Nadal was dead he himself choked.

So in a way Nadal is bluffing about his fitness. This jumping at teh net is certainly part of teh psy battle.

Now, Having said all that, it's a pretty tough challenge nonetheless. And teh main challenge is to have to deliver pretty fine shots one after the other to keep Nadal running. It's mentally draining too.

[noleisthebest]

It's funny to see that Mats is obviously really frustrated with players not realising the obvious or not doing much about it.

I always get annoyed the same when players just crumble and not persevere, surely anyone can last 3 sets today, but the truth is it's physically very tough to engage Nadal in long rallies and sap him of his energy; I'm sure they all want to do it, but not all have Novak's speed to get to some of his well set pacy, wide forehands, and for other players who don't have Novak's backhand it's hard to avoid that FH as much as Novak can by pinning him in his BH corner.
You also mentioned how deadly physically taxing is just to handle that ball as well. Plus, when you are in a match, on the court things go so fast....
Ferrer has been pretty good in the last two matches, so it should encourage others, on paper Murray is a perfect candidate, but we haven't seen the two play against teach other for a while.

[noleisthebest]

So in a way Nadal is bluffing about his fitness. This jumping at teh net is certainly part of teh psy battle.

Now, Having said all that, it's a pretty tough challenge nonetheless. And teh main challenge is to have to deliver pretty fine shots one after the other to keep Nadal running. It's mentally draining too.

I know!!!! He is hilarious like that, and I really can't stand it. Not only does he keep you waiting at the net, i.e. telling you he controls the time on the court, but he has to jump like a baboon and then sprint to the base-line and tell you how fit he is

I noticed another funny thing Nole does against Nadal, he actually stretches showing off his elasticitiy!

[Tenez]

Gulbis, Brands recently were close to beating him. Brands was really a few points from being 2 sets up. It woudl still have been a big challenge to go all the way....but it's important to show the rest that it can be done.

Easier said than done. As Fed said, those who underestimate the physical challenge he represents will fail.

[Tenez]

I know!!!! He is hilarious like that, and I really can't stand it. Not only does he keep you waiting at the net, i.e. telling you he controls the time on the court, but he has to jump like a baboon and then sprint to the base-line and tell you how fit he is

I noticed another funny thing Nole does against Nadal, he actually stretches showing off his elasticitiy!

Yes...you cannot impress those two with a well time shot. You need to be able to pull enough of those to win over 5 sets...and thus far....not many have succeeded in stoping them winning almost everything in the last 3 years.

[sphairistike]

Hi, just in case you guys missed them (I don't want people to say I said too late that Errani or Kuznetsova would win )

Order of play out for tomorrow:

Court Philippe Chatrier 1:00 PM UK time

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4]vs.Sara Errani (ITA) [5]
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [6]vs.Roger Federer (SUI) [2]

Court Suzanne Lenglen 1:00 UK time

Serena Williams (USA) [1]vs.Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS)
Tommy Robredo (ESP) [32]vs.David Ferrer (ESP) [4]

My picks (please move them to day 10 thread):
Errani [5], Tsonga [6], Kuznetsova, Robredo [32]

[noleisthebest]

I know!!!! He is hilarious like that, and I really can't stand it. Not only does he keep you waiting at the net, i.e. telling you he controls the time on the court, but he has to jump like a baboon and then sprint to the base-line and tell you how fit he is

I noticed another funny thing Nole does against Nadal, he actually stretches showing off his elasticitiy!

Yes...you cannot impress those two with a well time shot. You need to be able to pull enough of those to win over 5 sets...and thus far....not many have succeeded in stoping them winning almost everything in the last 3 years.

mmmm, don't know about that, Federer was able to do it both in RG 2011 and Wimbledon 2012.

[noleisthebest]

Wow, Kuznetsova Serena still going!!! And I thought I was going to miss at least half a set of Fed Tsonga!

Kuz can really play tennis, I'm glad she's back in the spiel.

[Tenez]

Do I dislike a player more Errani? Don;t think so.

Love Kutz game.

[noleisthebest]

Do I dislike a player more Errani? Don;t think so.

Love Kutz game.

She just won, what an ugly sight...can't even smile graciously after the win but has to snarl, she's got to be on some steroids....

[noleisthebest]

Serena through as well, she's become such a drama queen recently!

I think she wants this RG so badly, is she could she'd jump over the net and beat poor Sveta up, instead just bulges her eyes out at her and makes men's fist-pumps look like a joke .
How dared Kuznetsova take a set off her!!!

[noleisthebest]

Match of the day starting

[Tenez]

I am behind Serena now out of the remaining W players.

[Tenez]

Every shot of Fed is a joy. Power and grace.

How on earth did he lose so convincingly v Nadal in Rome?

[luvsports!]

Some nice play from both so far. Feds with the break at 3-2

[noleisthebest]

Every shot of Fed is a joy. Power and grace.

How on earth did he lose so convincingly v Nadal in Rome?

Don't you remember?
His serve didn't work and he was going for too much on the FH, then the BH started spraying....and than he gave up the ghost indulging Nadal in his butchery who kept going like his life depended on that win.

[noleisthebest]

Fed's got Tsonga and the crowd where he wants them: unsure & subdued.

[luvsports!]

now they are sure and ....dued

[noleisthebest]

Interesting how Fed's rhythm ebbs and flows. Like he gets enough of attacking, gets his foot off the gas and then has to paddle back because Tsonga claws his way in just being the same and doing nothing different.

[noleisthebest]

Don't you think Fed's a bit ambitious waiting for Tsonga's first serve on this dry clay inside the base line with his BH....

[luvsports!]

danger here, 0-30.

[luvsports!]

3 great points then two poor errors

[noleisthebest]

At least the serve is working...and that BH pass...

But Fed gives it all away to Tsonga. The match is still well on his racquet, though.

[Tenez]

Yes very strange set from Fed as he let a crucial lead whcih kep everybody quiet slip.

Now things can only get tougher.

[Tenez]

I think if Tsonga wins Federer today, he may have a good chance to win teh whole thing cause I think we will be able to hear the crowd from here.

[noleisthebest]

I think if Tsonga wins Federer today, he may have a good chance to win teh whole thing cause I think we will be able to hear the crowd from here.

I don't think Tsonga will win today. Fed-Nole final.

[Tenez]

Fed's FH has lost all its power since he got broken first time. It was flat and powerful until then...even if it included a couple of UEs. Now he has got Robredo's FH!

[noleisthebest]

I am so used to watching Nole dig himself out of pits like this and know exactly how he does it: battons down the hatches and bides his time until he regains the confidence.
It's interesting to watch Fed go about it his way: he goes ultra aggressive and risks A LOT!
I hope it works out for him, because it's a double edge sword.

You've got to love and admire it, though!

[Veejay]

Looks like an upset is looming,Tsonga is looking like the player who beat Fed at Wimbledon today

[noleisthebest]

Fed needs to try and read Tsonga's serve better or Tsonga to start missing it.

He just needs one good break game to turn the match around. Tsonga is very fragile when he gets his serve challenged.

[noleisthebest]

Come on Roggggg-errrrrr! You're better than Tsonga and you know it.

This Nole fan want to see you in the final

Go, go, gooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

[noleisthebest]

Why was his FH gone in that game, was he playing with the wind behind him? Anyway.....new set, new beginning.

[Tenez]

Sad....but again he has no life in his legs...and those are the typical signs of a bad back.

[noleisthebest]

Break!
That's more like it

[noleisthebest]

Fed refusing to run around his FH in an easy position and persisting with his CC BH is not a good sign.

Crowd getting behind me may be just what he needs right now, same like against Simon.

[noleisthebest]

Good hold. Notw time to break

[noleisthebest]

Robredo gone in 3 easy sets.

[raiders_of_the_lost_ark]

Fed is really struggling.

[raiders_of_the_lost_ark]

Fed got broken again...

[noleisthebest]

Back to the flat FH, hope it's not too late.

[noleisthebest]

[Tenez]

what's the score in the 3rd?

I did not watch it and it went very quickly. 5 sets with Simon....it;s all it takes to destroy Federer nowadays.

You could see his power was gone after that early break in the first set.

[Veejay]

Anticipated an upset after seeing Tsongas form in his previous match but whats really shocking is seeing Roger go down in straight sets
The funny thing is Fed was playing really well in the 1st set,he looked like he was in the mood to dominate

[noleisthebest]

What a strange match.
I can't say Fed played without confidence because he never stopped attacking to the last point, it could have been easily the other way, too: a few missed forehands (a bit unusual, so I thought he played with the wind behind him), and Tsonga looked more light-footed than Fed which was really odd.

What a shame.

Bring on some low bouncing grass....

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