The Early French Open Thread

[nehmeth]

Following today, the top 4 seed for RG will be:
Nole, Roger, Andy and Tomas

Tomas at #4. :clap

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Following today, the top 4 seed for RG will be:
Nole, Roger, Andy and Tomas

Will this be the first time Berdych has been seeded in the top 4 at a slam? I'm thinking yes, but I could be forgetting something based on a withdrawal, for example.

This is definitely the first time, he is ranked 4. As far as seeding, I don't know.

 

[herios]

Following today, the top 4 seed for RG will be:
Nole, Roger, Andy and Tomas

Will this be the first time Berdych has been seeded in the top 4 at a slam? I'm thinking yes, but I could be forgetting something based on a withdrawal, for example.

This is definitely the first time, he is ranked 4. As far as seeding, I don't know.

He has never been seeded in the top 4 in Slam, I am sure after checking a few things.

 

[Fiero425]

Will this be the first time Berdych has been seeded in the top 4 at a slam? I'm thinking yes, but I could be forgetting something based on a withdrawal, for example.

This is definitely the first time, he is ranked 4. As far as seeding, I don't know.

He has never been seeded in the top 4 in Slam, I am sure after checking a few things.

It's such a rarity even one of the "Big 4" has missed a major, but even if one did, Tomas has only been a solid #6 and could only move up one spot to #5; if it happened at all since he modulates up and down all the time between #8 and a career high now of #4! :clap :angel: :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

A friend of mine who is a Rafa fan speculated that after today's performance in the Rome quarters (and in light of the clay season to date), Rafa might claim injury and pull out of the French because an early loss there would devastate him. At first I totally dismissed the idea, but I think there could be a slight chance---"damage control".

This is outrageous. Rafa will not do such a thing. These people are professionals. They don't
think like silly newbies.

Sure, if he takes an early loss it could be devastating. But, what is the alternative?
Stay at home? :nono

 

[nehmeth]

These people are professionals. They don't
think like silly newbies.

Yep professionals go out and play to win. And if they lose, they float a story of some niggling injury. That's just the way it's done.

 

[DarthFed]

Following today, the top 4 seed for RG will be:
Nole, Roger, Andy and Tomas

Tomas at #4. :clap

Didn't realize he passed Nishikori. Good for Berd. Is it true that this is his first stint at #4?

 

[nehmeth]

Following today, the top 4 seed for RG will be:
Nole, Roger, Andy and Tomas

Tomas at #4. :clap

Didn't realize he passed Nishikori. Good for Berd. Is it true that this is his first stint at #4?

Yes...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Tomas-Berdych.aspx?t=rh

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

I am one of those guys that believe until someone beats Rafa in a best of 5 in RG, he is still the favorite there, no matter what happens leading up to it, BUT, where he is ranked right now, the draw will be important for him.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Too much is being made out of Rafa being out of top 8. It is not really such a big deal as
it seems at first glance. There is only a 25% chance of he facing Novak in QF. If he escapes
that it is not really a problem. If he ends up in say Berdych's quarter or Roger's quarter or
Andy's quarter it does not really matter that he is ranked outside top 4 and these people
are inside top 4.

Of course, the real issue is his form and fitness. No escaping from that.

 

[nehmeth]

Too much is being made out of Rafa being out of top 8. It is not really such a big deal as
it seems at first glance. There is only a 25% chance of he facing Novak in QF. If he escapes
that it is not really a problem. If he ends up in say Berdych's quarter or Roger's quarter or
Andy's quarter it does not really matter that he is ranked outside top 4 and these people
are inside top 4.

Of course, the real issue is his form and fitness. No escaping from that.

Of course if he faces F3 in the round of 32, Stan in the round of 16, Murray in the quarters, and Novak in the semis... that would really suck for him.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Too much is being made out of Rafa being out of top 8. It is not really such a big deal as
it seems at first glance. There is only a 25% chance of he facing Novak in QF. If he escapes
that it is not really a problem. If he ends up in say Berdych's quarter or Roger's quarter or
Andy's quarter it does not really matter that he is ranked outside top 4 and these people
are inside top 4.

Of course, the real issue is his form and fitness. No escaping from that.

Of course if he faces F3 in the round of 32, Stan in the round of 16, Murray in the quarters, and Novak in the semis... that would really suck for him.

Well, at least he will have an easy final then. :snicker

 

[herios]

Tomas at #4. :clap

Didn't realize he passed Nishikori. Good for Berd. Is it true that this is his first stint at #4?

Yes...

http://www.atpworldtour.com/Tennis/Players/Top-Players/Tomas-Berdych.aspx?t=rh

And he passed Nishikori for that spot by...10 points.

 

[tented]

Will this be the first time Berdych has been seeded in the top 4 at a slam? I'm thinking yes, but I could be forgetting something based on a withdrawal, for example.

This is definitely the first time, he is ranked 4. As far as seeding, I don't know.

He has never been seeded in the top 4 in Slam, I am sure after checking a few things.

Thanks GSM & Herios.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I wonder how many folks would want to put an asterisk over Novak's impendig RG win under the guise that Rafa's level has dropped considerably.

 

[Fiero425]

I wonder how many folks would want to put an asterisk over Novak's impendig RG win under the guise that Rafa's level has dropped considerably.

Absolutely not! How many titles has Nadal acquired with his opponent in a bad way? It didn't stop him from running the person around like a chicken with its head caught off! :nono :laydownlaughing :snicker :lolz: - Roger's already living with an invisible asterisk right by his title since Soderling gave an assist! I hope Roger got him something nice! :dodgy:

 

[shawnbm]

Novak is looking mighty good and with sky high confidence. He's the man to beat once again.

 

[Great Hands]

Interesting quote from Novak after the Rome win:

“I don’t think that I need to gear up or do anything special in order to be successful at Roland Garros ... I just need to continue preparing myself for that event as I prepare for any other, try to keep the routine going and hope it will take me where I want to be.”

This is exactly what Novak needs to do for the next 3 weeks. I don't think he's always done this too well in the past. He's put too much pressure on himself at RG. Block out all thoughts of career slam and calendar slams and just keep his routine, keep doing what he's doing...Easier said than done of course. His team around him will be important with helping with this too.

There's this feeling that this RG title, that Novak has wanted for so long, is so close to him right now. He's just been so dominant this year. And yet, at the same time, it's a long way away... 7 best-of-5 matches away. It must be a strange feeling for Novak right now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I wonder how many folks would want to put an asterisk over Novak's impendig RG win under the guise that Rafa's level has dropped considerably.

Is it your new gimmick preemptively assume how Nadal fans might react to a potential scenario? Just wondering.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I wonder how many folks would want to put an asterisk over Novak's impendig RG win under the guise that Rafa's level has dropped considerably.

Absolutely not! How many titles has Nadal acquired with his opponent in a bad way?

How many?