Roland Garros / French Open 2023 [Men] - Grand Slam

[don_fabio]

He actually did take out Novak in Bercy on a fast indoor court!

This seems like ages ago.

 

[Kieran]

I didn't get a good look, but it sorta looks like a double-s specialist by the name of Radek Štěpánek! He took Murray to 5 sets in the '16 FO!

Stepanek - AKA Rad The Impaler because of his record against WTA starlets? The Black Hole of women’s tennis is drawing air diagrams telling Novak what to do next? What do all these signals actually say? “Treat ‘em mean, bro, keep ‘em keen. If she’s holding out, stroll on, my friend, she’ll follow!”

 

[Kieran]

KK is really poor now. His resistance was really based on Novak having even less resistance than him, because once Novak got off the hook, KK dropped dead. Novak worked hard to get back in this match, he never stopped believing, and he knew his opponent wasn’t going to resist him once he’d gotten his act together. Good for him to turn it around, but KK is just another notch on his bed post, another bloke who became a pushover in the end…

 

[Moxie]

Stepanek - AKA Rad The Impaler because of his record against WTA starlets? The Black Hole of women’s tennis is drawing air diagrams telling Novak what to do next? What do all these signals actually say? “Treat ‘em mean, bro, keep ‘em keen. If she’s holding out, stroll on, my friend, she’ll follow!”

My TV said it was the hitting coach giving him all kinds of instruction. I'd didn't see ol' Rad, though. (That has alway been the funniest nickname of all time, IMO. Your coinage.) EDITED: I meant to write that I DIDN'T see Stepanek, but I wasn't watching much between points.

 

[Kieran]

My TV said it was the hitting coach giving him all kinds of instruction. I'd did see ol' Rad, though. (That has alway been the funniest nickname of all time, IMO. Your coinage.)

McEnroe didn’t know him either in the commentary but he wondered who’s this guy telling a 22 slam champ what to do? It’s absurd, and the stupidity of this new coaching rule is playing out before us. It’s a mime act in the audience. Players figure all this stuff out themselves, if they’re good enough.

And if they’re not good enough, they lose..

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Speaking of Radek Stepanek, here is a headline in men's tennis from 2004, the last time Rafa missed the French Open:

Nikolay Davydenko was the defending champion but lost in the first round to Radek Stepanek.

 

[the AntiPusher]

As much might be one of the few fans of the young Greek on this board . I need him to get blasted off the court today by Carlitos to be fresh for Novak

 

[the AntiPusher]

McEnroe didn’t know him either in the commentary but he wondered who’s this guy telling a 22 slam champ what to do? It’s absurd, and the stupidity of this new coaching rule is playing out before us. It’s a mime act in the audience. Players figure all this stuff out themselves, if they’re good enough.

And if they’re not good enough, they lose..

Preach my friend I absolutely hate that coaching has been allowed..it undermine the "mono on mono " gladiator theme out of the game.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I went to have a nap why is Novak still playing this match should have been over in straight sets?
Well just like that when I appear Novak breaks lol!

 

[Jelenafan]

Speaking of Radek Stepanek, here is a headline in men's tennis from 2004, the last time Rafa missed the French Open:

Nikolay Davydenko was the defending champion but lost in the first round to Radek Stepanek.

Actually Carlitos coach Juan Carlos Ferrero won the 2003 French Open, so if Alcaraz won this year it would fall on the 20th anniversery of his coach’s triumph at Roland Garros.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novaks fhand has gone to another level
Jesus Brain Fail with that attempt of a drop shot from the baseline Novak?
OMG what a point at the net , Novak made a complete stuff up of the volley

 

[Kieran]

I’m outta this match, I’m gonna watch a chop socky, life’s too short..

 

[Moxie]

Can't believe KK won that point with the tweener. That hardly ever works.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Actually Carlitos coach Juan Carlos Ferrero won the 2003 French Open, so if Alcaraz won this year it would fall on the 20th anniversery of his coach’s triumph at Roland Garros.

That headline was from the 2004 Estoril Open. How it ended:

Juan Ignacio Chela won in the final 6–7(2–7), 6–3, 6–3 against Marat Safin.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Missed volley didnt matter, Novak finally backs up the break lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I dont like KK's position of his 2nd serve against Novak he should be up on the base line

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Hurry up Novak with 2 BPs lets get this done
Hmm 1 saved
Another good serve from KK
Escaped from KK with good serving

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

BP for KK

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Crap a DF from Novak and KK has been given a life line

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Novak with 3 BPs chances surely he can break back now