Roland Garros, Paris, France, ATP GRAND SLAM (Paris Sidewalk Cafe Discussions II)

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5-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat Andrey Kuznetsov (Russia) 6-3 6-3 6-3

 

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9-Richard Gasquet (France) beat Bjorn Fratangelo (U.S.) 6-1 7-6(3) 6-3

 

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2-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Mathias Bourgue (France) 6-2 2-6 4-6 6-2 6-3

 

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I really thought he stood a good chance to compete in this slam, but looking at him now, he'll be a physical and emotional wreck if he's even able to get to the final. The likes of Nishikori and Wawrinka on his side look to be better prospects in my view. Possibly even Kyrgios for goodness sakes

Yep, All three looming large. All winnable though. The flipside is that these tough early matches might be a blessing in disguise.

 

[britbox]

Karlovic becomes the oldest man (37) to reach Round 3 at Roland Garros.

 

[Moxie]

Karlovic becomes the oldest man (37) to reach Round 3 at Roland Garros.

I guess proving that the French Open is no country for old men. Any idea who is the oldest to win it?

 

[Moxie]

Yep, All three looming large. All winnable though. The flipside is that these tough early matches might be a blessing in disguise.

I think that this will focus Murray, too. And neither 5-setter is a disaster. Stepanek was always going to be tricky, and who knew about this kid Bourgue. He's got a really nice game. Likely we'll be seeing more of him. I have more faith in Andy than either Kei or Stan for the mental and/or physical sturdiness to get to the final.

 

[britbox]

Showcourts - Order of Play Thursday

Court Philippe Chatrier (play starts at 0900)

Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) v 8-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland)

4-Rafael Nadal (Spain) v Facundo Bagnis (Argentina)

Marcos Baghdatis (Cyprus) v 6-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France)

Timea Babos (Hungary) v 26-Kristina Mladenovic (France)

Suzanne Lenglen Court (0900)

Malek Jaziri (Tunisia) v 7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic)

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Steve Darcis (Belgium)

1-Serena Williams (U.S) v Teliana Pereira (Brazil)

9-Venus Williams v Louisa Chirico (U.S)

 

[britbox]

I think that this will focus Murray, too. And neither 5-setter is a disaster. Stepanek was always going to be tricky, and who knew about this kid Bourgue. He's got a really nice game. Likely we'll be seeing more of him. I have more faith in Andy than either Kei or Stan for the mental and/or physical sturdiness to get to the final.

Same here. I think Andy takes Kei. Stan is always an enigma - never sure what's going to turn up, but on the law of averages, I'd take Andy over Stan too.

 

[Moxie]

Same here. I think Andy takes Kei. Stan is always an enigma - never sure what's going to turn up, but on the law of averages, I'd take Andy over Stan too.

That's the thing with Stan...you never know. The only way he was going to win the final last year was to red-line his game for 3 sets...and he did! Surely the match of his career. But do I see him defending his title this year? In a word, no. Here's a trivia question I've never looked up: Stan lost at RG in round 1 in 2014, and won the title in 2015. Has it been done before? Any ideas? Another bit of trivia I heard today: the last player to go 5 sets in his first two rounds at RG and then go on to win the title was Gaston Gaudio.

 

[Carol]

Watching the Simon-Pella replay match, it looks that I'm watching the DC, the French crowd became crazy cheering for Simon
And Pella was in my bracket grrrrrrr

 

[Tennis Fan]

Once he's got his game-face on, he rarely smiles during a match, though. Which I admire. His focus is one of his strengths, and he rarely lets it drop. No diss to Groth, but it was a huge over-match today, given surface and Groth's recent injury issues. That probably gave Rafa the space to play a bit, and to have a momentary laugh. I don't think we'll see that for the rest of the tournament. (Hopefully 6 more matches.)

Oh no, his smile on court is rare, but off the court all he does is smile.

 

[Tennis Fan]

Watching the Simon-Pella replay match, it looks that I'm watching the DC, the French crowd became crazy cheering for Simon
And Pella was in my bracket grrrrrrr

I like Simon. He plays smart, is a fighter and a cutie.

 

[Moxie]

Oh no, his smile on court is rare, but off the court all he does is smile.

It has often been said that there is no player with a different on-court than off-court demeanor than Rafa. My own dad couldn't see why I liked Rafa so much, early on, because he seemed so "mean" on-court. Then he saw him give a speech after winning a tournament, and he said, "Oh, he's actually very sweet." His own mother says she doesn't recognize Rafa when he plays tennis.

So, enough of the insecurities. Game face on. Warrior mode. This is where the rubber meets the road for Rafa. And, of course, for Nole. A think a big clash could be in our near future.

 

[Tennis Fan]

It has often been said that there is no player with a different on-court than off-court demeanor than Rafa. My own dad couldn't see why I liked Rafa so much, early on, because he seemed so "mean" on-court. Then he saw him give a speech after winning a tournament, and he said, "Oh, he's actually very sweet." His own mother says she doesn't recognize Rafa when he plays tennis.

So, enough of the insecurities. Game face on. Warrior mode. This is where the rubber meets the road for Rafa. And, of course, for Nole. A think a big clash could be in our near future.

I agree, Moxie. I love Rafa's entire attitude. I find it amazing that he has achieved so much and remained honest, humble, and truthful. I get the feeling that if Rafa hung up his racket today he would go home to marry, have children, help others, and live a simple life. He has not allowed the acclaim and success to go to his head. Rafa is the best ever.

I love that warrior on court, sweetheart off court demeanor. There has never been anyone like Rafa, and there never will be. I pick my players based on their personalities, so Rafa is a no-brainer for me.

 

[Bert]

I guess proving that the French Open is no country for old men. Any idea who is the oldest to win it?

Andres Gimeno 34yo and 10months in 1972

 

[DarthFed]

That's the thing with Stan...you never know. The only way he was going to win the final last year was to red-line his game for 3 sets...and he did! Surely the match of his career. But do I see him defending his title this year? In a word, no. Here's a trivia question I've never looked up: Stan lost at RG in round 1 in 2014, and won the title in 2015. Has it been done before? Any ideas? Another bit of trivia I heard today: the last player to go 5 sets in his first two rounds at RG and then go on to win the title was Gaston Gaudio.

It's been done at least once. Federer lost to Ancic in round 1 of Wimbledon in 2002 and then won it in 2003.

 

[britbox]

Tomic has grabbed the first set against Borna Coric. Maybe has something to prove after a horrendous clay court campaign this year.