French Open Draw

[DarthFed]

Gotta say, I would keel over with laughter if Rosol took Rafa out again.

I keeled over with laughter the first time :laydownlaughing

 

[Denis]

Possible third round match of Nadal/Rosol! That could be fun. Rosol will learn how aberrant the Wimbledon match was.

I've read simular comments from you and Kieran before. So much bitterness and resentment against an average and unknown player who just had an amazing day. Cut the guy some slack, you should be worried about Djokovic, not picking on Rosol.

 

[DarthFed]

Darth, seeing as he's avoiding Nadal and Djokovic how is it laughable to suggest he's got a decent shot at making the final?

Of course he has a decent shot, but it is far from a given as some are saying. The main thing of course was where Nadal landed and then if you're Federer the 2nd main thing was where Berdych landed. If Fed doesn't face Berd Id say he has a good chance to make it

I don't think of Berdych as a threat at RG, vs. faster surfaces like Wimbledon and the USO.

Rogers problems with Berd have a lot to do with his inability to get him on the run and out of position. That figures to be worse on clay than fast surfaces.

But as Britbox said Tomas could very well lose and if he does it absolutely is about the best draw for Roger. But Fed himself has showed next to nothing so far this year so nothings a given

 

[tenisplayrla08]

Darth, seeing as he's avoiding Nadal and Djokovic how is it laughable to suggest he's got a decent shot at making the final?

Of course he has a decent shot, but it is far from a given as some are saying. The main thing of course was where Nadal landed and then if you're Federer the 2nd main thing was where Berdych landed. If Fed doesn't face Berd Id say he has a good chance to make it

I don't think of Berdych as a threat at RG, vs. faster surfaces like Wimbledon and the USO.

I don't think of Berdych as a threat at RG, vs. faster surfaces like Wimbledon and the USO.

Typically, I would agree with you but Berdych showed me a lot the way he played in Rome vs Djoker. If he keeps his focus, he truly drives the bus with all the weapons that he has, Imo

IF they have to play, I still think it's up to Fed. If Fed is playing well, he probably controls Berdych and wins the match, though not easily. I think he can do it easier on clay. On the faster surfaces, even if Fed is playing well, Berdych can take Fed out of the match, IF he can control the ball to keep it in as he hits the cover off the ball. But even in those matches Fed has a pretty large chance of winning the match. Berdych has beaten Fed easily (in straights in Cincy in 2011) all of once, and there was still a tiebreak in the final set in that one. Other than that, Fed always gets a set.

Also, completely unrelated, looking at these two guys h2h a second ago I just noticed that Fed has over $77 million in career prize money. Absolutely ridiculous. Such a phenomenally consistent champion. It's been all gravy for a while now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Darth, seeing as he's avoiding Nadal and Djokovic how is it laughable to suggest he's got a decent shot at making the final?

Of course he has a decent shot, but it is far from a given as some are saying. The main thing of course was where Nadal landed and then if you're Federer the 2nd main thing was where Berdych landed. If Fed doesn't face Berd Id say he has a good chance to make it

I don't think of Berdych as a threat at RG, vs. faster surfaces like Wimbledon and the USO.

Berdych will trouble Roger anywhere from now on. Some of these guys hit so big and take such huge cuts at the ball that they would relish a clay court (Soderling, Del Potro, and Berdych himself, who made the semis and played a 5 setter against Sod in 2010).

I feel eventually Roger would start moving him around, use some variety, drop shot a lot and win the match, but I think he wouldn't be off to a good start and could easily see him going down a set and a break (or something like that) before starting to withstand Berdych's barrage.

 

[Riotbeard]

Gotta say, I would keel over with laughter if Rosol took Rafa out again.

I keeled over with laughter the first time :laydownlaughing

Me too!

 

[Front242]

Roger's draw isn't as easy as some are making it out to be. 1R and 2R should be easy but then he faces one of his nemeses in Benneteau in the 3R, Tsonga in the QF, and possibly Berdych (or Ferrer) in SF. I can't say I'm looking forward to the prospect of a Fedal Final.

Fed has a dream draw compares to the other top seeds . if everything holds to form, Fed is not making it past Tsonga or Berdych, IMO

Berdych has a rough draw . Monfils and potentially Cali's favorite fh, Ernie Gulbis..

I dont think Rafa will be facing Lucas R the clown but if so, I would truly welcome that challenge

Why is Lukas Rosol a clown? 'cos he played amazing and beat Nadal he's now a clown? Seems like an alright guy to me. Doesn't bump into people like a street thug to play mind games when he's losing for a start.

---

Gotta say, I would keel over with laughter if Rosol took Rafa out again.

I keeled over with laughter the first time :laydownlaughing

Me too!

Me three :laydownlaughing

 

[crystalfire]

so draw looks pretty decent for fed. im happy. that said i am hoping it doesnt come down to a fed vs rafa final because honestly im tired of seeing fed get mauled by him. fed will have to play benneteau and tsonga like some of you mentioned and its not going to be easy. berdych is another obstacle but berdych might have a potential match with gulbis. im hoping gulbis pulls the upset. hes capable. if that happens then fed has a pretty straight road to finals as long as he plays a B+ or above game. not really too worried about ferrer. hes never troubled fed

---

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.

i wouldnt say 99.99%. if hes facing ferrer then yes. but either berd or fed.both have chance since berd recently beat djoker on clay and fed can always put in a brilliance performance

 

[SF Nadalite]

I think the drama is in Novak's quarter - between Dimitrov, Isner, Tomic, Haas...it could be interesting - i think he will have at least one serious test along the way (which is probably a good thing for him).

I wouldn't write off Ferrer - he has been playing a bit charged since Monte Carlo.

I think Rafa's biggest threat is the weather - RG behaves rather miserably for his game when the weather is this drizzly/cold.

 

[huntingyou]

I think the drama is in Novak's quarter - between Dimitrov, Isner, Tomic, Haas...it could be interesting - i think he will have at least one serious test along the way (which is probably a good thing for him).

I wouldn't write off Ferrer - he has been playing a bit charged since Monte Carlo.

I think Rafa's biggest threat is the weather - RG behaves rather miserably for his game when the weather is this drizzly/cold.

The weather is the equalizer; if we get a sunny and warm day for the SF.........forget about it.

 

[tented]

Rogers problems with Berd have a lot to do with his inability to get him on the run and out of position. That figures to be worse on clay than fast surfaces.

But as Britbox said Tomas could very well lose and if he does it absolutely is about the best draw for Roger. But Fed himself has showed next to nothing so far this year so nothings a given

Berdych will trouble Roger anywhere from now on. Some of these guys hit so big and take such huge cuts at the ball that they would relish a clay court (Soderling, Del Potro, and Berdych himself, who made the semis and played a 5 setter against Sod in 2010).

I feel eventually Roger would start moving him around, use some variety, drop shot a lot and win the match, but I think he wouldn't be off to a good start and could easily see him going down a set and a break (or something like that) before starting to withstand Berdych's barrage.

I get what you guys are saying. I won't be shocked if he loses to Berdych (anyone remember Roger's match against Del Potro last year?), but I suspect he would win.

 

[DarthFed]

Rogers problems with Berd have a lot to do with his inability to get him on the run and out of position. That figures to be worse on clay than fast surfaces.

But as Britbox said Tomas could very well lose and if he does it absolutely is about the best draw for Roger. But Fed himself has showed next to nothing so far this year so nothings a given

Berdych will trouble Roger anywhere from now on. Some of these guys hit so big and take such huge cuts at the ball that they would relish a clay court (Soderling, Del Potro, and Berdych himself, who made the semis and played a 5 setter against Sod in 2010).

I feel eventually Roger would start moving him around, use some variety, drop shot a lot and win the match, but I think he wouldn't be off to a good start and could easily see him going down a set and a break (or something like that) before starting to withstand Berdych's barrage.

I get what you guys are saying. I won't be shocked if he loses to Berdych (anyone remember Roger's match against Del Potro last year?), but I suspect he would win.

I'd bet more than a pretty penny on Berdych if that match takes place. I've had my eyes on this matchup for a few years now and things have only gotten worse and worse for Roger. Berd has routed Fed at his 2 best slams and the matchup problems are going to be worse on the slowest of courts.

Tomas though is not even a favorite to get to the semi seeing as he has made a total of 3 GS semis in his career. Fed vs. Berd is 30% but against Ferrer he would have to play like a total schmuck to give David a chance.

 

[nehmeth]

And Novak would rip his shirt and everyone else's too...

Team UniGlo made this shirt for Novak:

Berdych has a difficult draw and I doubt Roger will face him.

 

[crystalfire]

Rogers problems with Berd have a lot to do with his inability to get him on the run and out of position. That figures to be worse on clay than fast surfaces.

But as Britbox said Tomas could very well lose and if he does it absolutely is about the best draw for Roger. But Fed himself has showed next to nothing so far this year so nothings a given

Berdych will trouble Roger anywhere from now on. Some of these guys hit so big and take such huge cuts at the ball that they would relish a clay court (Soderling, Del Potro, and Berdych himself, who made the semis and played a 5 setter against Sod in 2010).

I feel eventually Roger would start moving him around, use some variety, drop shot a lot and win the match, but I think he wouldn't be off to a good start and could easily see him going down a set and a break (or something like that) before starting to withstand Berdych's barrage.

I get what you guys are saying. I won't be shocked if he loses to Berdych (anyone remember Roger's match against Del Potro last year?), but I suspect he would win.

I'd bet more than a pretty penny on Berdych if that match takes place. I've had my eyes on this matchup for a few years now and things have only gotten worse and worse for Roger. Berd has routed Fed at his 2 best slams and the matchup problems are going to be worse on the slowest of courts.

Tomas though is not even a favorite to get to the semi seeing as he has made a total of 3 GS semis in his career. Fed vs. Berd is 30% but against Ferrer he would have to play like a total schmuck to give David a chance.

i agree with darth. if fed faces berd i wouldnt be surprised to see berd win..depending on how fed plays until that round i might even expect berd to win. however with ferrer i would say even if fed plays terribly he can probably still pull out a win

 

[Front242]

Fed needs to watch out for dirty tricks like this from Tommy Haas They're great friends so Fed just laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyS_8Z7BKs

 

[Mastoor]

Fed needs to watch out for dirty tricks like this from Tommy Haas They're great friends so Fed just laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyS_8Z7BKs

He doesn't have to because Haas is in Djoker's quarter. Fed got "sponsored by Nike" quarter in which there is nothing to watch out.

 

[Moxie]

Fed needs to watch out for dirty tricks like this from Tommy Haas They're great friends so Fed just laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyS_8Z7BKs

He doesn't have to because Haas is in Djoker's quarter. Fed got "sponsored by Nike" quarter in which there is nothing to watch out.

Why does Nike bother you so much? Anyway, I liked nehmeth's Uniqlo "please do not rip this shirt" tribute to Nole.

 

[Mastoor]

Fed needs to watch out for dirty tricks like this from Tommy Haas They're great friends so Fed just laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyS_8Z7BKs

He doesn't have to because Haas is in Djoker's quarter. Fed got "sponsored by Nike" quarter in which there is nothing to watch out.

Why does Nike bother you so much? Anyway, I liked nehmeth's Uniqlo "please do not rip this shirt" tribute to Nole.

Because of frequent imbalance in draws and schedules of play. They often look as if chosen by the company to suit their players.

---

Gotta say, I would keel over with laughter if Rosol took Rafa out again.

I keeled over with laughter the first time :laydownlaughing

I would do it every time but it won't happen ever again. Especially not on clay.

 

[Moxie]

Fed needs to watch out for dirty tricks like this from Tommy Haas They're great friends so Fed just laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsyS_8Z7BKs

He doesn't have to because Haas is in Djoker's quarter. Fed got "sponsored by Nike" quarter in which there is nothing to watch out.

Why does Nike bother you so much? Anyway, I liked nehmeth's Uniqlo "please do not rip this shirt" tribute to Nole.

Because of frequent imbalance in draws and schedules of play. They often look as if chosen by the company to suit their players.

---

I didn't take you for one of the conspiracy theorists, Mastoor. How would that even work?

Gotta say, I would keel over with laughter if Rosol took Rafa out again.

I keeled over with laughter the first time :laydownlaughing

I would do it every time but it won't happen ever again. Especially not on clay.

---

I don't think it will, either, and I hope Rafa gets the chance to even the h2h. That would make the only player with a favorable h2h against Rafa is Davydenko.

 

[tenisplayrla08]

A quick thought I just had. Should Fed make the final, which I think is the most likely scenario, he needs to go into it playing like he's got nothing to lose. Because at this point, he doesn't. Nadal has him 20-10, most of those wins coming on clay and 5 (or is it 6?) of them coming at this tournament. He just needs to go for stuff. Otherwise he'll get demolished again. Because while it's difficult to call Federer predictable, Nadal knows his tactics pretty well and at the end of the day, it comes down to how well Fed diffuses Nadal's forehand to his backhand. So he just needs to go for it. Go for it one shot earlier, rather than setting it up. Yeah, Nadal will probably get there. So you take it from there and continue to be unpredictable. Go for different angles. Come in more, no matter how many times he passes you. But there are certain things that playing like he's got nothing to lose won't help him with. If he's going to beat Nadal on clay he has to serve well. That we know.

Just a thought. And I say just a thought because part of his problem this year may simply be his back. I think it hurts. And it may simply keep him from being as quick and agile and able to contend with the top guys like Nadal and Djokovic. Maybe. Maybe not.