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

[britbox]

Results from the French Open Men's Singles Round 3 matches on Saturday
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Aljaz Bedene (Britain) 6-2 6-3 6-3
12-David Goffin (Belgium) beat Nicolas Almagro (Spain) 6-2 4-6 6-3 4-6 6-2
7-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat 25-Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5
14-Roberto Bautista (Spain) beat Borna Coric (Croatia) 6-2 6-3 6-3
Ernests Gulbis (Latvia) beat 6-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 2-5 (Tsonga retired)
11-David Ferrer (Spain) beat 21-Feliciano Lopez (Spain) 6-4 7-6(6) 6-1
13-Dominic Thiem (Austria) beat Alexander Zverev (Germany) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3 6-3

 

[britbox]

I see Jo-Willie has retired from the French Open too.

 

[Billie]

I see Jo-Willie has retired from the French Open too.

http://www.gettyimages.com.au/pictu...a-press-conference-after-news-photo-534926496

It was unexpected to me. They showed first few games of Tsonga's match on NBC, announced that Nole vs Bedene was moved after Venus on SL stadium, stayed with Venus for a while and then suddenly the announcement that Tsonga retired and the men's match was on PH court at 7:15 local time. Too bad for JWT as it happened at home.

 

[Moxie]

It's British media. I read one article on the Bedene match where they painted it to be something of an epic battle. Lol. They will embellish things just like the American press does. Were there talks? Probably. Did they go the way the Guardian says? Not necessarily. Does it even matter? No.

Good for Bedene to take advantage of an opportunity. Good for Djoker having made the most of his opportunities.

In fairness, the Guardian doesn't say they went any particular way. But, yes, it seems that Bedene and Djokovic made choices that have served them.

 

[Moxie]

It was unexpected to me. They showed first few games of Tsonga's match on NBC, announced that Nole vs Bedene was moved after Venus on SL stadium, stayed with Venus for a while and then suddenly the announcement that Tsonga retired and the men's match was on PH court at 7:15 local time. Too bad for JWT as it happened at home.

He had a bad slip and it seems to have been a groin injury. That's really sad. He was in tears. I was hoping he had another opportunity this year. Rather heart-breaking. The tennis gods keep opening up the path for Novak.

 

[Billie]

4 matches tomorrow, 4th round:

Philippe-Chatrier Court

2. Viktor Troicki (SRB) [22] vs.Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3]
3. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5] vs.Richard Gasquet (FRA) [9]

Suzanne-Lenglen Court

1. Milos Raonic (CAN) [8] vs.Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
3. John Isner (USA) [15] vs.Andy Murray (GBR) [2]

 

[Moxie]

@Billie...how do you like Viktor's chances? He's been playing very well, but so has Stan.

 

[Billie]

The higher seeds should win their matches and the only uncertain outcome for me is Nishikori vs Gasquet. Nishi had a 5-setter in the previous round and Richie seems to be playing well.

 

[Moxie]

The higher seeds should win their matches and the only uncertain outcome for me is Nishikori vs Gasquet. Nishi had a 5-setter in the previous round and Richie seems to be playing well.

Plus, he'll have the crowd.

 

[Billie]

@Billie...how do you like Viktor's chances? He's been playing very well, but so has Stan.

Ha...I just kind of said it in my previous post.

Vik seems to be playing well, he talked about staying calm on court in the Simon match, but perhaps Simon was too tired. I think clay is Viktor's best surface but it is hard for me to see him win this match, perhaps win a set. Unless Stan comes out and starts spraying balls all over the place.

 

[Moxie]

Ha...I just kind of said it in my previous post.

Vik seems to be playing well, he talked about staying calm on court in the Simon match, but perhaps Simon was too tired. I think clay is Viktor's best surface but it is hard for me to see him win this match, perhaps win a set. Unless Stan comes out and starts spraying balls all over the place.

Funny...I thought that was your reply. You really never know, with Stan. And Viktor has been looking solid of late. Could be a good match. In a way, all of the action is in the bottom half of the draw, now. Not much but Thiem to threaten Novak in the top half.

 

[britbox]

Nishikori's stature in Japan.

 

[britbox]

1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) beat Aljaz Bedene (Britain) 6-2 6-3 6-3

 

[britbox]

13-Dominic Thiem (Austria) beat Alexander Zverev (Germany) 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3 6-3

 

[britbox]

Tsonga Roland Garros Retirement

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

2. Viktor Troicki (SRB) [22] vs.Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3]
Pick: Stan

3. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5] vs.Richard Gasquet (FRA) [9]
Pick: Kei

1. Milos Raonic (CAN) [8] vs.Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
Pick: Milos

3. John Isner (USA) [15] vs.Andy Murray (GBR) [2]
Pick: Andy

 

[Carol]

2. Viktor Troicki (SRB) [22] vs.Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [3]
Pick: Stan

3. Kei Nishikori (JPN) [5] vs.Richard Gasquet (FRA) [9]
Pick: Kei

1. Milos Raonic (CAN) [8] vs.Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
Pick: Milos

3. John Isner (USA) [15] vs.Andy Murray (GBR) [2]
Pick: Andy

I agree with those picks though my bracket predictions are already a mess.....

 

[britbox]

I agree with those picks though my bracket predictions are already a mess.....

Rafa's demise has messed up a lot of brackets!

 

[britbox]

The No. 1s, injuries and zebra-wear: French Open 2016 midterm grades



PARIS – We’ve had rain; we've had (mild) upsets. We’ve had cramp-gate; we’ve had lots of zebras. But it’s the absences at the 2016 that loom larger. No Roger Federer, who is convalescing his bad back, resting up for the grass. No Maria Sharapova, who awaits the disposition in her anti-doping hearing. And most shockingly: no Rafael Nadal who—after two dazzling matches—withdrew Friday with a left wrist injury.

Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated grades the campaign and the campaigners. Read more...