Roland Garros Day 4: Wednesday, May 28 - Order of Play

[tented]

He was decent to watch but I could never understand the big deal made about his grand slam appearances. I mean... so what!? Celebrating mediocrity when it comes down to it...

It was more like celebrating personality for me. I never expected him to do great. I just liked watching him.

Exactly. His matches inevitably had an exhibition quality to them. Very entertaining. And he loved it, too. He always looked like he was having a great time.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Ok, Roger is going to have tendinitis from all that signing. It's been half an hour!

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Klizan wins the only competitive set of the match, the 5th. one , 7-5. Good for him.

 

[Moxie]

He was decent to watch but I could never understand the big deal made about his grand slam appearances. I mean... so what!? Celebrating mediocrity when it comes down to it...

It was more like celebrating personality for me. I never expected him to do great. I just liked watching him.

Exactly. His matches inevitably had an exhibition quality to them. Very entertaining. And he loved it, too. He always looked like he was having a great time.

I have to put this up. A little intermission. Federer v. Santoro at the USO 2005. I was at this match. It is the most fun I've ever had watching a tennis match, including exhibitions. There's a tweener in one of the first shots, and then go to minute 8'17" for another Magician shot. (Though the whole thing is fun to watch.)

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp05kCONoi4[/video]

 

[TennisFanatic7]

Got to love it when Tsonga throws in the one-handed backhand.

 

[shawnbm]

He was decent to watch but I could never understand the big deal made about his grand slam appearances. I mean... so what!? Celebrating mediocrity when it comes down to it...

It was more like celebrating personality for me. I never expected him to do great. I just liked watching him.

Exactly. His matches inevitably had an exhibition quality to them. Very entertaining. And he loved it, too. He always looked like he was having a great time.

I have to put this up. A little intermission. Federer v. Santoro at the USO 2005. I was at this match. It is the most fun I've ever had watching a tennis match, including exhibitions. There's a tweener in one of the first shots, and then go to minute 8'17" for another Magician shot. (Though the whole thing is fun to watch.)

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp05kCONoi4[/video]

Very enjoyable to watch indeed!!!! I recall that match and Santoro could bedevil top players like nobody's business. Wow does Roger look young and fresh! He is moving extremely well and hits so well on the run--lots of good passing shots off both wings. It occurred to me that his victory in the US Open that year (2005) was his sixth--which is the number of majors Novak has now. Federer had that many slams nine years ago--just to add some perspective. Wow!

 

[Riotbeard]

Jerzy wins in 3! Good on him maybe he can build on this going into grass.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Isner gets the third set. Lots of drizzle though. Let's see if they can get it done today.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

He'll be playing Stepanek, whose just knocked Youhzny.

That was a surprising result.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Next up for Milos is Simon. It will be tricky.

I gotta feeling about Simon Says.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Berdych-Agut in the third round is a tricky one. My money is on Agut.

You may be right....that is a tough one to call...depends on which Berdych show up. A match up of flat power hitters.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

The Dog was a disappointing loser. After some big wins and a somewhat decent clay season....meh.

 

[Moxie]

He'll be playing Stepanek, whose just knocked Youhzny.

That was a surprising result.

Personally, I'm never shocked when Stepanek pulls off a win, especially against any player with a weak-ish head. He's super-crafty, and all the doubles play has helped.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

He'll be playing Stepanek, whose just knocked Youhzny.

That was a surprising result.

Personally, I'm never shocked when Stepanek pulls off a win, especially against any player with a weak-ish head. He's super-crafty, and all the doubles play has helped.

True enough...he is always difficult to play...but Youz has had a decent season.

 

[Moxie]

I won't bother going back and quoting, but I don`t think Simon will make it another round. Raonic seems pretty confident and on-form, and Simon is nursing an injury. As to Berdy v. RBA…Berdych isn't a shoe-in. I hope RBA pulls off the upset.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

I won't bother going back and quoting, but I don`t think Simon will make it another round. Raonic seems pretty confident and on-form, and Simon is nursing an injury. As to Berdy v. RBA…Berdych isn't a shoe-in. I hope RBA pulls off the upset.

I give Simon a significant chance of making things very difficult for Milos. He will keep him out there in long neutral rallies forcing Milos to pull the trigger. He had a very easy 2nd round match and will be fit.

In the end Raonic is the favorite, but if he is impatient, it won't be easy. Of course if he is blasting serves in at a high percentage and really feeling the forehand, then it may be one sided.

 

[Moxie]

I won't bother going back and quoting, but I don`t think Simon will make it another round. Raonic seems pretty confident and on-form, and Simon is nursing an injury. As to Berdy v. RBA…Berdych isn't a shoe-in. I hope RBA pulls off the upset.

I give Simon a significant chance of making things very difficult for Milos. He will keep him out there in long neutral rallies forcing Milos to pull the trigger. He had a very easy 2nd round match and will be fit.

In the end Raonic is the favorite, but if he is impatient, it won't be easy. Of course if he is blasting serves in at a high percentage and really feeling the forehand, then it may be one sided.

All good points, but I am seeing a more mature Raonic of late. He seems unlikely to blow it, if you ask me, and I'm no fan. Of the younger guys, I find him one of the sturdier and more committed. I thought he played an impressive match against Djokovic in Rome, and he didn't even serve particularly well in that match. Simon relies on the pace of others. Raonic would really have to blow it strategically to let Gilles get him.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

I won't bother going back and quoting, but I don`t think Simon will make it another round. Raonic seems pretty confident and on-form, and Simon is nursing an injury. As to Berdy v. RBA…Berdych isn't a shoe-in. I hope RBA pulls off the upset.

I give Simon a significant chance of making things very difficult for Milos. He will keep him out there in long neutral rallies forcing Milos to pull the trigger. He had a very easy 2nd round match and will be fit.

In the end Raonic is the favorite, but if he is impatient, it won't be easy. Of course if he is blasting serves in at a high percentage and really feeling the forehand, then it may be one sided.

All good points, but I am seeing a more mature Raonic of late. He seems unlikely to blow it, if you ask me, and I'm no fan. Of the younger guys, I find him one of the sturdier and more committed. I thought he played an impressive match against Djokovic in Rome, and he didn't even serve particularly well in that match. Simon relies on the pace of others. Raonic would really have to blow it strategically to let Gilles get him.

Totally agree. Raonic would have to blow it. Simon, however, can force players to red line. Simon will also have the French crowd with him.

I'm also no big fan either. Djokovic pulled a rabbit out of a hat in Rome...he looked miserable playing the big man.

 

[zalvar]

Oh man. My favorite Rafa vs my favorite up-n-commer, Thiem.

I caaant

 

[nehmeth]

I won't bother going back and quoting, but I don`t think Simon will make it another round. Raonic seems pretty confident and on-form, and Simon is nursing an injury. As to Berdy v. RBA…Berdych isn't a shoe-in. I hope RBA pulls off the upset.

I give Simon a significant chance of making things very difficult for Milos. He will keep him out there in long neutral rallies forcing Milos to pull the trigger. He had a very easy 2nd round match and will be fit.

In the end Raonic is the favorite, but if he is impatient, it won't be easy. Of course if he is blasting serves in at a high percentage and really feeling the forehand, then it may be one sided.

All good points, but I am seeing a more mature Raonic of late. He seems unlikely to blow it, if you ask me, and I'm no fan. Of the younger guys, I find him one of the sturdier and more committed. I thought he played an impressive match against Djokovic in Rome, and he didn't even serve particularly well in that match. Simon relies on the pace of others. Raonic would really have to blow it strategically to let Gilles get him.

Gilles played a very solid match previously. If he can weather Raonic's serving, make the big guy hit the extra shots in each point - I can see him winning this one.