French Open Draw

[Denis]

What a dissapointment. I thought the rigged the draw these days for the benefit of tennis entertainment. A Fedal final will not do that.

Let me get this straight...Had they (according to you) 'rigged' the draw and put Djokovic and Nadal in opposite sides of the draw, you would have moaned about them rigging the draw in the first place and Nadal getting a cakewalk into the finals. Now that they put Djoker and Nadal in the same half, it's still not good enough because it's not for the benefit of tennis entertainment (what is that btw?) and could result in yet another boring Fedal final. Mate, can anything please you at all? No offense intended, it's just funny. Berdych vs. Fed and Nole vs. Rafa are the best and most intriguing semis we could have hoped for but that's just me.

No offense taken. I would have been very very happy with Nadal and Djokovic ending up in different halfs. I don't expect Nadal to lose to anyone but Djokovic and really would have like to see that final. But yes, Berdych vs Fed, Nadal/Djokovic would be really good for semis. I was a bit too harsh, the rigging is not that bad.

Also, maybe I come accross as a bit too negative on Nadal, but I really enjoy watching him, I only root for Djokovic if they meet each other.

The rigging is a joke by the way. But I wouldn't mind if they rigged it if that will get us better matches. Again the semis you envision are something to look forward too.

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To add to this and to state the obvious, this is all pure speculation of course. All guys that defeated Novak this year are in his quarter, so let's see if he even makes it to the semis. I would not be surprised to see Berdych get upset either. The only player you can really count on to make the semis is Nadal. I'd say that bet is 98% safe. Ferrer is also quite safe I think as a bet to make it to the QF and I like his chances against Berdych.

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=BA47&oId=F401

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

well, at a closer look, i must say that Djokovic on the other hand can at least be rather content looking at the qf pairings - with Tipsy, he definitely got the weakest link there. i reckon he much prefers playing Tanko as opposed to a re-match with Berdych or Tsonga.

 

[Denis]

well, at a closer look, i must say that Djokovic on the other hand can at least be rather content looking at the qf pairings - with Tipsy, he definitely got the weakest link there. i reckon he much prefers playing Tanko as opposed to a re-match with Berdych or Tsonga.

yeah true. But he does have Haas, Dimitrov and Tomic in his quarter too. Those players beat him this year. Not that Tomic is really likely to beat him. But it's good that Berdych and Tsonga are not in his quarter.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

^ no doubt about it, there's some challenging stuff here. just felt like adding the Tispy caveat because at first sight, i'd marvelled at how tricky Nole's draw is. i guess it's something in between, with his challenges coming a bit earlier. then, he'll have a little time to recuperate before the big SF clash (since if it's Haas, then it's instead of Tipsy. and i wouldn't worry about facing Haas that late in the tournament in a best of five. a lot of time for age to be a severely limiting factor.)

 

[BalaryKar]

I am not sure if I am missing something. Fed vs Berdych? One FO SF and it seems like a sureshoot SF clash? Ferrer needs a 2-0 set lead to have a decent shot of winning SF against the Fedalovic. Not happening. Unless Federror the shankerer turns up, its his final not to play.
In a different way its good for Nole to face Nadal in semis as if he wins the semis, he is 99.99% locked in to win FO.

 

[Denis]

In a different way its good for Nole to face Nadal in semis as if he wins the semis, he is 99.99% locked in to win FO.

I am not sure about that. It will mean he will be in an excellent form. But beating Nadal on clay at RG is quite a Herculan task. It could very well be that he is completely exhausted after that. Both mentally and physically. And facing Federer after that is no cupcake either.

 

[Didi]

@Denis: Fair enough, I appologize. It's just that I'm sick and tired of the draw rigging theorists. No matter how the draws pan out, they always find something to moan about. I'm glad you turn out to be not one of them.

well, at a closer look, i must say that Djokovic on the other hand can at least be rather content looking at the qf pairings - with Tipsy, he definitely got the weakest link there. i reckon he much prefers playing Tanko as opposed to a re-match with Berdych or Tsonga.

I doubt Tipsa will make it that far. If Haas is fit and ready he could make it to the quarters. He really has a nice draw. The outcome won't be in doubt as I can't see Tommy taking 3 sets off of Nole but he has the game to trouble him to make it worth watching at least. But it could be Andujar or Crazy Doctor Youzhny too.

I also agree that Fed's draw isn't easy at all. Isabelle, you are kidding yourself if you believe that some early hurdles were going to seriously trouble Federer. Apart from Haas, I don't see anyone before the quarters who could have possibly troubled him. He isn't losing to Dimitrov, Gulbis or Raonic in a slam just yet. If Tsonga can recapture his magnificent level of last year's quarterfinal with Nole and if Berdych makes it past Ferrer, Fed will have Muhammad Ali and his 2nd biggest matchup nightmare in front of him. Not an easy task at all.

 

[BalaryKar]

In a different way its good for Nole to face Nadal in semis as if he wins the semis, he is 99.99% locked in to win FO.

I am not sure about that. It will mean he will be in an excellent form. But beating Nadal on clay at RG is quite a Herculan task. It could very well be that he is completely exhausted after that. Both mentally and physically. And facing Federer after that is no cupcake either.

I don't like Feds chances at FO and AO against Nole. Given the current Fed, it may be as embrassing as FO12 SF with Fed failing to win a set even after breaking Nole two times over. And that FO11 SF looks very unlikely from Fed end.
I agree with you in bold

 

[Asmodeus]

What's up with all the disrespect for Ferrer? We should be talking about a potential Federer/Ferrer SF.

The poor little guy gets no respect.

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Wow! I'm no longer a ball boy. I'm now a junior member, whatever that means.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

What's up with all the disrespect for Ferrer? We should be talking about a potential Federer/Ferrer SF.

The poor little guy gets no respect.

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Wow! I'm no longer a ball boy. I'm now a junior member, whatever that means.

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Pretty much means you can stop worrying about balls, but you still have to carry my bag to the court...

 

[huntingyou]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

 

[Denis]

A personal reason to be upset about the draw is that the semis are on the 7th of June. If Djokovic makes the semis, I am missing arguably the match of the year.

 

[britbox]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

 

[El Dude]

I am not sure if I am missing something. Fed vs Berdych? One FO SF and it seems like a sureshoot SF clash? Ferrer needs a 2-0 set lead to have a decent shot of winning SF against the Fedalovic. Not happening. Unless Federror the shankerer turns up, its his final not to play.
In a different way its good for Nole to face Nadal in semis as if he wins the semis, he is 99.99% locked in to win FO.

LOL at "Federror the Shankerer."

On a serious note, I know you're deliberately over-exaggerating Novak's chances of beating Federer (or whomever) in the Final, but that goes beyond exaggeration and into hyperbole. You think Federer has a 0.01% of beating Novak? I'd give him at least 10% right now, much higher if he can channel 2012 Federer and not "Federror." Actually, if he makes it past Ferrer or Tsonga, chances are he's playing pretty well and while I'd favor Novak, Roger would have a chance - and a much better one than against Rafa.

I'd give Roger about a 5-10% chance against Rafa in the Final, 20-30% against Novak.

 

[huntingyou]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

Really? I know he beat him back in 2011 playing amazing tennis but I think that boat sailed a while ago.......

Last year was painful to watch, I guess you being a Roger fan you fancy his chances against Novak but that's wishful thinking at this point in their respective careers. (only clay atm)

 

[Mog]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

Agree with both of you.
Though I ama Roger fan,if it is the Fedal final I am not going to watch it. It is too painful.

 

[britbox]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

Really? I know he beat him back in 2011 playing amazing tennis but I think that boat sailed a while ago.......

Last year was painful to watch, I guess you being a Roger fan you fancy his chances against Novak but that's wishful thinking at this point in their respective careers. (only clay atm)

I don't particularly fancy his chances but I'd still apply the "on any given Sunday" rule... I wouldn't even bother thinking about it if he was playing Nadal. I was surprised by the 2011 result to be honest, but then again, Federer has shot the doubters down several times over... as long as Nadal isn't part of the equation.

 

[tented]

I like the draw.

Ha, ha - me too... opened up nicely for Federer. Berdych is the big danger man in Roger's half.

All Roger's fans will have a big smile on thier faces.

I'm just looking at it, and I see what you mean. If Roger doesn't make it to the final, it will be embarrassing. I feel like we should already begin polls for the two possible finals:
Federer/Nadal
Federer/Djokovic

 

[huntingyou]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

Really? I know he beat him back in 2011 playing amazing tennis but I think that boat sailed a while ago.......

Last year was painful to watch, I guess you being a Roger fan you fancy his chances against Novak but that's wishful thinking at this point in their respective careers. (only clay atm)

I don't particularly fancy his chances but I'd still apply the "on any given Sunday" rule... I wouldn't even bother thinking about it if he was playing Nadal. I was surprised by the 2011 result to be honest, but then again, Federer has shot the doubters down several times over... as long as Nadal isn't part of the equation.

Well he is Federer, and Novak can have a let down unlike Rafa on clay. It will be his greatest single Slam if he happens to beat current #1 or better yet...Rafa.

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in the other hand, Ferrer looked like a mad dog at Madrid and Rome; I think he could deliver his first final.

 

[britbox]

one of the positives for this draw if you are Rafa fan......it's the chance he will get to expand his lead over Novak for the YE#1; other than that a final would have been more appealing.

and please, no Federer in the final........I can't stand more clay matches between those two.

A Djokovic/Federer final would still be interesting... but I agree that a Fedal final would be a foregone conclusion.

Really? I know he beat him back in 2011 playing amazing tennis but I think that boat sailed a while ago.......

Last year was painful to watch, I guess you being a Roger fan you fancy his chances against Novak but that's wishful thinking at this point in their respective careers. (only clay atm)

I don't particularly fancy his chances but I'd still apply the "on any given Sunday" rule... I wouldn't even bother thinking about it if he was playing Nadal. I was surprised by the 2011 result to be honest, but then again, Federer has shot the doubters down several times over... as long as Nadal isn't part of the equation.

Well he is Federer, and Novak can have a let down unlike Rafa on clay. It will be his greatest single Slam if he happens to beat current #1 or better yet...Rafa.

He has to get there first of course, but assuming he got to the final and Djokovic was the other side of the net - I'd certainly give him a shot even if he's not favorite.

Going back to 2011 - I actually thought that was the worst I'd seen Nadal play in a French Open Final. He was there for the taking. If Federer had held his nerve and not had the historic H2H imbalance hanging over him, he'd have had a shot at pulling off an upset.