Roland Garros 2018, Paris, France, ATP GRAND SLAM

[Moxie]

That brings up a question..Who has been the greatest Frenchman of this Era.. My vote is a slight edge for JoWillieTs over Monfils.. who ya got

I'd go Jo-Wil.

Apparently, this also happened to the previous opponent of JMDP viz., Nicolas Mahut.

I didn't realize. Thanks. Gotta love Mahut...played with a lot of heart.

 

[herios]

Both Nicholas Msbut and Julien Benneteau are 36. They had both a long career and have other similarities:
Both peaked at 32y and both won GS doubles titles, Mahut twice, Benneteau once.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Both Nicholas Msbut and Julien Benneteau are 36. They had both a long career and have other similarities:
Both peaked at 32y and both won GS doubles titles, Mahut twice, Benneteau once.

Agreed.. very good careers

 

[monfed]

Another one out of the way. Next stop Gasquet. LOL this draw could be more hilarious than USO 17 if that was even possible.

 

[DarthFed]

Hey Darth.. Did you see Bobby Axe playing against Sharapova last week.. He looks like he could give Rafa a. Run for his money on clay

Yep I saw that! Bobby had an ugly one hander. I don't think he'd stand up to the clay monster. Sharapova was fine as ever on the show, almost makes me forgive the fact she's a cheating bitch...almost

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yep I saw that! Bobby had an ugly one hander. I don't think he'd stand up to the clay monster. Sharapova was fine as ever on the show, almost makes me forgive the fact she's a cheating bitch...almost

Pova did look FINE.. I would forgive her for one night..lol

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Richard's got this...nobody beats Gasquet 16 times in a row !

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Richard's got this...nobody beats Gasquet 16 times in a row !

In the 15 matches that they have played so far, Gasquet managed to win a total of 4 sets. Two of those 4 sets went to TBs and one of those TBs were won by Richard with a score line of 14-12. Finally, the last time Gasquet won a set against Rafa was in 2008.

 

[Carol]

I was able to watch the match of Nadal-Pella and I liked a lot how Rafa played though he still has improve his serve but I had enough to be more confident after the match against Bolelli who played the match of his life and even that......we know the result.
Gasquet is playing well, but.......

 

[Moxie]

In the 15 matches that they have played so far, Gasquet managed to win a total of 4 sets. Two of those 4 sets went to TBs and one of those TBs were won by Richard with a score line of 14-12. Finally, the last time Gasquet won a set against Rafa was in 2008.

When they first played at RG in 2005, it was billed as the "Battle of the 18-Year-Olds." They've always been an interesting study in the difference between some talent and big talent, plus big commitment.

 

[Moxie]

I was able to watch the match of Nadal-Pella and I liked a lot how Rafa played though he still has improve his serve but I had enough to be more confident after the match against Bolelli who played the match of his life and even that......we know the result.
Gasquet is playing well, but.......

I think Rafa improved a lot today. Could be the opponent, but he'll be feeling better and taking confidence forward.

 

[Moxie]

Juan Martín seems to be fit and playing well.

 

[Carol]

Tomorrow the Novak´s fans can´t be too worry about his opponent, Bautista´s mother died a few days ego and he is playing to be a little more distracted but like he says he is going through a very tough time so I don´t think he can do so well, I would be very surprised if he plays a good match

 

[Mastoor]

I saw the entire match, even if I had my lap top on my lap and was trying to work at the same time. You got it completely right. Lajovic was by far the better player on the first three sets and lost the second by making wrong decisions and getting tight at the wrong time in the end (part of the game, I know). But he was outplaying Zverev and it was fun to see the surprise of the commentators (I was seeing it on FoxSportsAsia, american commentators, don't know who) with his play. They came up with a barrage of "backhand from the gods", "a painting of a backhand", "his backhand sings", so on and so forth. It seems they never saw the guy play and were really suprised. Actually they "explained" the fact that Zverev was being outplayed by saying that he too should be surprised with Lajovic's level.

Then came sets 4 and 5. By set 5 Lajovic was completely spent, at one time he felt a cramp while running to a ball (when the guy grabs his muscle during the point still trying to reach for the ball you know that he is not "Andy Murraying" it). Beginning of the fourth I guess it was both, he felt that he could win it and let it slip from there. In Madrid he lost to Anderson in similar conditions, so he needs to step up on this. But if you look at his last tournaments, he is only being stopped by top players (and has beaten a few) in very competitive matches, so he is surely playing above his ranking.

Thank you for the detailed description. I've read recent Lajovic interview in Serbian in which he said he played tennis on top 20 level recently. I guess he will improve his fitness to be able to advance on the ranking list.

As for Zverev, funny thing is that after Lajovic, he will play against another Belgradian, Damir Dzumhur, while he seems practicing every second day with Nole with whom he may even play next week.

Nole's son prefers Belgrade to Monte Carlo, so Jelena is there with children often and I guess it is just matter of time when Nole will announce they moved there.

 

[Mastoor]

Tomorrow the Novak´s fans can´t be too worry about his opponent, Bautista´s mother died a few days ego and he is playing to be a little more distracted but like he says he is going through a very tough time so I don´t think he can do so well, I would be very surprised if he plays a good match

Actually, I am worried about this, because Nole may feel sorry for his opponent while playing.

 

[Moxie]

Actually, I am worried about this, because Nole may feel sorry for his opponent while playing.

Seriously? I know that Novak is a bit of a softy, but if RBA is tough enough to get out and play with conviction, then Djokovic should honor that and play him like a real opponent.

 

[Carol]

Seriously? I know that Novak is a bit of a softy, but if RBA is tough enough to get out and play with conviction, then Djokovic should honor that and play him like a real opponent.

RBA is tougher opponent in HC

 

[Moxie]

Thank you for the detailed description. I've read recent Lajovic interview in Serbian in which he said he played tennis on top 20 level recently. I guess he will improve his fitness to be able to advance on the ranking list.

As for Zverev, funny thing is that after Lajovic, he will play against another Belgradian, Damir Dzumhur, while he seems practicing every second day with Nole with whom he may even play next week.

Nole's son prefers Belgrade to Monte Carlo, so Jelena is there with children often and I guess it is just matter of time when Nole will announce they moved there.

Dzhumur has had some good success of late. I expect that to be a match, especially after Zverev's recent performance.

I'd be surprised, though, if Novak and his wife decide to change their life and tax-haven based on the preferences of their 3 1/2 year old son. It might be too early for him to be making the family financial decisions, no?

 

[Moxie]

RBA is tougher opponent in HC

He's a not as good as Novak, on clay or hard. Weren't you just preemptively excusing him for the death of his mother? Mastoor was saying that he was worried that would affect Nole's play. I argue that it shouldn't.

 

[Mastoor]

Dzhumur has had some good success of late. I expect that to be a match, especially after Zverev's recent performance.

I'd be surprised, though, if Novak and his wife decide to change their life and tax-haven based on the preferences of their 3 1/2 year old son. It might be too early for him to be making the family financial decisions, no?

Well, the boy has already decided for three of them because they (Jelena and children) are in Belgrade most of the time, so I think sooner or later Nole will have to say he moved there too. On the other hand, what does he need the tax-haven for anymore? He is already richer than God and everyone in his family seem modest.