2016 Roland Garros: Paris Sidewalk Cafe Discussions

[Moxie]

Wild cards on the men's side:
- Quentin HALYS (FRA)
- Maxime HAMOU (FRA)
- Thanasi KOKKINAKIS (AUS)*
- Nicolas MAHUT (FRA)
- Paul-Henri MATHIEU (FRA)
- Lucas POUILLE (FRA)
- Edouard ROGER-VASSELIN (FRA)
- Frances TIAFOE (USA)*

 

[DarthFed]

^ His draw last year was brutal. Nadal in QF, Murray in SF, and Wawrinka in Final. You do realize that chances are his draw will be easier this year right?

Who exactly are these vast array of players you give more than a punchers chance?

 

[Moxie]

^ His draw last year was brutal. Nadal in QF, Murray in SF, and Wawrinka in Final. You do realize that chances are his draw will be easier this year right?

Who exactly are these vast array of players you give more than a punchers chance?

He's still the player to beat, we all agree on that. But don't play revisionist history. Last year, everyone knew he was going to pick off Nadal, or figured that for done. Murray was only suddenly making a show of himself, and, well, Wawrinka showed up when it mattered, though no one expected it. As for this year: Rafa is back, Murray is even better this year than last on clay, and you've got spoilers like Thiem, Kyrgios and other youngsters in the mix. Forget Wawrinka, though he might spoil someone's day. There is probably a way that Novak's draw could be easier this year, but there are also likely more landlines than last year.

 

[masterclass]

Although it doesn't seem likely at his age, one shouldn't be too eager to write off the defending RG champion, Stan the Man. Stranger things have happened. World #4 Wawrinka has done little after winning Chennai and Dubai this year, especially on clay, but it means he is also fairly fresh. If he suddenly gains form, and makes it to the semis, his eyes will get very big, and one would not want to ignore him at that point.

 

[DarthFed]

He's still the player to beat, we all agree on that. But don't play revisionist history. Last year, everyone knew he was going to pick off Nadal, or figured that for done. Murray was only suddenly making a show of himself, and, well, Wawrinka showed up when it mattered, though no one expected it. As for this year: Rafa is back, Murray is even better this year than last on clay, and you've got spoilers like Thiem, Kyrgios and other youngsters in the mix. Forget Wawrinka, though he might spoil someone's day. There is probably a way that Novak's draw could be easier this year, but there are also likely more landlines than last year.

Everyone knew or figured he'd beat everyone but he ended up playing the 3 most likely players to cause an upset. Murray was something like 15-0 on clay before that semifinal so he was playing very well last year too, arguably just as well as this year. And even though no one figured Stan would win the final he was always going to be the most dangerous player to Djokovic on the opposite side of the draw.

Though Rafa is playing better there is a huge difference in circumstances compared to last year in that he has now lost seven in a row, all in straight sets vs. Djokovic. At this time last year Djokovic had a winning streak of 1 against Rafa and had never won against him at RG. I don't think anyone saw that match last year as a foregone conclusion, they just correctly saw Djokovic as a clear favorite. And if they meet again this year he will also be the clear favorite. I think Rafa's best chance of beating Nole at RG took place in that QF in Rome last week. He needed that one badly and given Nole's shaky form that whole tournament he had a great opportunity.

It's possible that Nole does get something like Thiem/Kyrgios in round 4, Rafa in the QF, Nishikori in SF, and Murray in the Final, and that's pretty much the only scenario where his draw will be considered tougher than last year. There are lots of scenarios where his draw could be easier, possibly significantly so.

 

[britbox]

Nick Kyrgios will play doubles with Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros. Fun pairing, to say the least.

 

[britbox]

Federer sighted practicing at Roland Garros.

 

[Carol]

Still Roger is trying if he can play or not? come on, it's true what many people says, if he has back spams and pain he knows perfectly well that he can't play, not at 5 sets and not even 3. Sponsors or something else in his mind to withdraw at the last minute? :scratch:

 

[Mastoor]

He's still the player to beat, we all agree on that. But don't play revisionist history. Last year, everyone knew he was going to pick off Nadal, or figured that for done. Murray was only suddenly making a show of himself, and, well, Wawrinka showed up when it mattered, though no one expected it. As for this year: Rafa is back, Murray is even better this year than last on clay, and you've got spoilers like Thiem, Kyrgios and other youngsters in the mix. Forget Wawrinka, though he might spoil someone's day. There is probably a way that Novak's draw could be easier this year, but there are also likely more landlines than last year.

In other words, you are saying No1e had the worst possible draw last year and they will make even worse one for him this year. He did have a preview in Rome.

I should find some stats Yolita came up with re FO draws and will post it here. Amazing stuff.

 

[Mastoor]

Still Roger is trying if he can play or not? come on, it's true what many people says, if he has back spams and pain he knows perfectly well that he can't play, not at 5 sets and not even 3. Sponsors or something else in his mind to withdraw at the last minute? :scratch:

Another opportunity to read/watch "news" about him.

 

[Moxie]

Federer sighted practicing at Roland Garros.

This from tennis.com:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...french-open-participation/58546/#.Vz0KwWORFSU

Roger says he'll practice there and then decide, depending on how his back is. Obviously, Nadal fans will hope that, if he's going to pull out, he does so before the draw, giving Rafa the #4 spot. However, unless he's really not feeling it, I don't see why he wouldn't give himself the additional days to hit around and see if he's better. And have a look at the draw.

 

[Moxie]

In other words, you are saying No1e had the worst possible draw last year and they will make even worse one for him this year. He did have a preview in Rome.

I should find some stats Yolita came up with re FO draws and will post it here. Amazing stuff.

No, it was Twisted who said he had a difficult draw last year. Personally, I think that's a slightly retrospective view. (Novak's draw was perfectly genial until the QFs.) One thing that mattered, perhaps, was where Nadal fell in the QF, and Novak drew him. Where he lands in QFs this year will probably be a factor, too, if Roger stays in. My argument is that there are more land-mines this year, with the likes of Thiem and Kyrgios coming more onto form. And obviously also with Nadal much-improved. But that applies to everyone concerned, and depends on how the draw shakes out. There aren't that many players to trouble Nole, so most combinations of options should be fine until the QFs, at least, once again. The new theory seems to be that it's "cumulative effect" that could get him, which was some of what happened last year, and at this year's Rome. I'll be hoping he gets a rough draw, and that Rafa doesn't see him before the finals, if then.

 

[Mastoor]

No, it was Twisted who said he had a difficult draw last year. Personally, I think that's a slightly retrospective view. (Novak's draw was perfectly genial until the QFs.) One thing that mattered, perhaps, was where Nadal fell in the QF, and Novak drew him. Where he lands in QFs this year will probably be a factor, too, if Roger stays in. My argument is that there are more land-mines this year, with the likes of Thiem and Kyrgios coming more onto form. And obviously also with Nadal much-improved. But that applies to everyone concerned, and depends on how the draw shakes out. There aren't that many players to trouble Nole, so most combinations of options should be fine until the QFs, at least, once again. The new theory seems to be that it's "cumulative effect" that could get him, which was some of what happened last year, and at this year's Rome. I'll be hoping he gets a rough draw, and that Rafa doesn't see him before the finals, if then.

OK then, I think his draw was the worst possible and it could be even worse this year for the reasons you stated.

 

[Moxie]

OK then, I think his draw was the worst possible and it could be even worse this year for the reasons you stated.

Your man is the dominating player on tour. By a lot. There aren't many draws that would even challenge him. You're just tetchy because it's the French Open. Last year was the "worst possible draw" only because of how it worked out. If Murray had been on the other side of the draw, Stan might have been Novak's SF opponent, and Stan had the hot hand in the semis. It just went the way it did. Either Novak is going to get the French, or he isn't. It's not about the draw conspiring against him. In my opinion, it will likely come down to him controlling his own nerves. As the opportunities diminish, he gets more and more nervy at RG. He's got the chops to beat everyone there, except, possibly Rafa, should they meet in the final, or maybe a semi.

 

[DarthFed]

No, it was Twisted who said he had a difficult draw last year. Personally, I think that's a slightly retrospective view. (Novak's draw was perfectly genial until the QFs.) One thing that mattered, perhaps, was where Nadal fell in the QF, and Novak drew him. Where he lands in QFs this year will probably be a factor, too, if Roger stays in. My argument is that there are more land-mines this year, with the likes of Thiem and Kyrgios coming more onto form. And obviously also with Nadal much-improved. But that applies to everyone concerned, and depends on how the draw shakes out. There aren't that many players to trouble Nole, so most combinations of options should be fine until the QFs, at least, once again. The new theory seems to be that it's "cumulative effect" that could get him, which was some of what happened last year, and at this year's Rome. I'll be hoping he gets a rough draw, and that Rafa doesn't see him before the finals, if then.

There is nothing retrospective about it. He ended up playing the 3 players most likely to upset him last year. It is extremely unusual for that to happen. And you are left saying "well he had a nice draw to the QF's" as though there was realistically going to be a tough draw before then.

Kyrgios and Thiem are improved but they are not great yet. If Nole lost to one of them it'd be a landscape changing loss which would indicate he is slipping big because they are still far off from being elite.

 

[DarthFed]

Your man is the dominating player on tour. By a lot. There aren't many draws that would even challenge him. You're just tetchy because it's the French Open. Last year was the "worst possible draw" only because of how it worked out. If Murray had been on the other side of the draw, Stan might have been Novak's SF opponent, and Stan had the hot hand in the semis. It just went the way it did. Either Novak is going to get the French, or he isn't. It's not about the draw conspiring against him. In my opinion, it will likely come down to him controlling his own nerves. As the opportunities diminish, he gets more and more nervy at RG. He's got the chops to beat everyone there, except, possibly Rafa, should they meet in the final, or maybe a semi.

You're better than this. Are you seriously questioning if he has the chops to beat Rafa at RG? :scratch: He just beat Rafa in straights in what was a weak tournament for him in Rome.

 

[DarthFed]

This from tennis.com:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016...french-open-participation/58546/#.Vz0KwWORFSU

Roger says he'll practice there and then decide, depending on how his back is. Obviously, Nadal fans will hope that, if he's going to pull out, he does so before the draw, giving Rafa the #4 spot. However, unless he's really not feeling it, I don't see why he wouldn't give himself the additional days to hit around and see if he's better. And have a look at the draw.

Yes, certain classless Rafa fans are just praying he pulls out. I for one hope he plays even if he is slightly injured. He needs match play. Arriving healthy to Wimbledon doesn't matter if he's only played 5 matches since Australia

 

[Billie]

I just wish Nole has a normal schedule and a proper day off between matches. Nothing to be done about draws, they can be little better, little harder or from hell, but I can't do anything about it. I can only prepare for the worst. How he handles the opening rounds and every match after that will be very important. One never knows who will get inspired and play extremely well and where the challenges might come from.

 

[Billie]

You're better than this. Are you seriously questioning if he has the chops to beat Rafa at RG? :scratch: He just beat Rafa in straights in what was a weak tournament for him in Rome.

They can't make up their mind....I thought that Rafa was washed up and done and the wins over him are automatic.:lulz2:

 

[Carol]

Yes, certain classless Rafa fans are just praying he pulls out. I for one hope he plays even if he is slightly injured. He needs match play. Arriving healthy to Wimbledon doesn't matter if he's only played 5 matches since Australia

Rafa and his fans don't have anything to do with Roger decision but certain classless Roger's fans don't want to see more ahead of their nose. It's not his fault that Rafa is #5 and it's ok if he feels well but I DOUBT he is able to play a GS in that conditions he is (according to him with spasms and pain) If his goal is to do well on grass and later the Olympics he should to be focus from now training on grass (no clay) playing the tournament before Wimbledon instead to play one or two matches and make worse his problem. But like I said before it's just his decision which I think he is taking too long because who knows what he has in his mind or what is going on around him.....