The Early French Open Thread

[brokenshoelace]

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.

I think it would suck for Fabio, Stan and Murray a little more.

 

[Kieran]

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.

I think it would suck for Fabio, Stan and Murray a little more.

And by the time he gets there, for Novak too...

 

[brokenshoelace]

This is true...but there are but a few who can out grind Nadal for THREE sets on clay...I think he'll still go deep at the French.

I do, too. He doesn't feel as much pressure when it's best-of-five. He knows he can turn things around, whereas there's more of a sense of panic in these best-of-three tournaments if he drops a set.

This is basically based on nothing. How does he know this. He has never had to do it, except for the Isner match where he looked awfully displaced.

Actually, this post is based on nothing (unless we count ridiculous logic as a thing).

If a guy is so good that he never had to turn things around at a tournament in 10 tries with the exception of a couple of matches, then he's actually good enough to turn a match around. Think about it.

And newsflash, the French Open is not the only tournament that is played in a best of five format. Nadal has had to "turn things around" in other tournaments where the best of five format surely helped. So if he can do it in majors in which he's not as good as he is at the FO, how on earth would he not "know that he can do it" on clay?

Jesus. It's like any time a Nadal fan says anything other than "Nadal is done" we get some of the stupidest posts as a response.

 

[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.

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

My post did not mention anything about Nadal fans and is a general question. So, why is it bothering you specifically?

 

[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.

My post did not mention anything about Nadal fans and is a general question. So, why is it bothering you specifically?

Yeah that's cute. I'm sure you meant Novak and Federer fans will be the ones putting asterisks.

 

[nehmeth]

Andy Murray has brought Jonas Bjorkman on board. He was there for the first clay court win at the Munich Open.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/32582143

Bjorkman was also there for Murray's excellent run in Madrid and his second clay court tournament victory. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3070801/Andy-Murray-joined-new-coach-Jonas-Bjorkman-prepares-Madrid-Open-match-against-Philipp-Kohlschreiber.html

Jonas was a scrappy player that carved out some impressive wins during his tennis career. Murray has yet to lose on clay with him on board. Makes me wonder how much the Scot's stock has gone up as a contender in Paris.

Thoughts?

 

[Kirijax]

Andy Murray has brought Jonas Bjorkman on board. He was there for the first clay court win at the Munich Open.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/tennis/32582143

Bjorkman was also there for Murray's excellent run in Madrid and his second clay court tournament victory. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-3070801/Andy-Murray-joined-new-coach-Jonas-Bjorkman-prepares-Madrid-Open-match-against-Philipp-Kohlschreiber.html

Jonas was a scrappy player that carved out some impressive wins during his tennis career. Murray has yet to lose on clay with him on board. Makes me wonder how much the Scot's stock has gone up as a contender in Paris.

Thoughts?

I'm really excited about this Murray-Bjorkman matchup. Has potential. I had Murray the second favorite to win the FO, but Federer looked good in Rome. FO is three out of five, so I'd probably still give Murray the nod over Federer if they meet in the SF. After that, it's Wimbledon so watch out! Murray just might surprise again.

 

[Carol]

I agree with what Muzz and Roger say: "Rafa is still the man to beat in RG"

And also agree with this article:
http://www.si.com/tennis/2015/05/13/wertheim-mailbag-rafael-nadal-maria-sharapova-french-open

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

kokkinakis, hyeon chung, borna coric, alex zverev first round draw french open.

zverev, kokkinakis joining others in top100 this week, is this weeks rank charts 18.05.2015 deciding one for french open draw ?.

 

[Carol]

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

Rafa never has claimed an injury and pull out of any tournament unless he really has had an injury so I don't think he will. He has played many times with a knee pain and back too (AO 2013) and even he knew that he went to lose due to his conditions he was playing until the end of the match
Now he is healthy so he just has to 'switch on' his mind, then his legs, arms and ideas will work much better for sure

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
4. Pablo Andujar (a dirt devil)
5. Jeremy Chardy (has clay chops)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Belluci and Dog.

 

[herios]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Pablo Cuevas (a dirt devil)
4. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
5. Pablo Andujar (another dirt devil)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Chardy, Belluci and Dog.

Cuevas is also seeded

 

[Fiero425]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Pablo Cuevas (a dirt devil)
4. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
5. Pablo Andujar (another dirt devil)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Chardy, Belluci and Dog.

I've been ranting enough for these gutless wonders of the ATP to do something; time to upset some top 10'rs! It would be nice if Nole's journey to the final could be paved with an easier path! Friday, the draw comes out! :cover :nono :eyepop :angel: :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Pablo Cuevas (a dirt devil)
4. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
5. Pablo Andujar (another dirt devil)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Chardy, Belluci and Dog.

Cuevas is also seeded

Yes, he is. I will replace him by Chardy. Belluci has dismal record from the beginning of this year to qualify as dangerous floater. updating the OP.

 

[Fiero425]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Pablo Cuevas (a dirt devil)
4. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
5. Pablo Andujar (another dirt devil)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Chardy, Belluci and Dog.

Cuevas is also seeded

Yes, he is. I will replace him by Chardy. Belluci has dismal record from the beginning of this year to qualify as dangerous floater. updating the OP.

Belucci has the game; problem's between the ears like a lot of the tour players who allow The Big 4" free reign to take most majors and all Masters! :cover uzzled :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

All wild cards announced. Predictably six French dudes and an American and an Australian by reciprocal agreement.

French Dudes: HALYS, Quentin, HAMOU, Maximer, MAHUT, Nicolas, MATHIEU, Paul-Henri, POUILLE, Lucas, ROGER-VASSELIN, Edouard

USA: TIAFOE, Frances
Australia: KOKKINAKIS, Thanasi

 

[Moxie]

Here are top 5 dangerous floaters, IMO.

I am defining dangerous floater to be someone who is dangerous and unseeded. So,
Kyrgios, Isner, Fog and their likes do not qualify.

1. Verdasco (just missed the cut for seeding)
2. Nicolas Almagro (barely getting into RG)
3. Pablo Cuevas (a dirt devil)
4. Martin Klizan (has won clay titles this year)
5. Pablo Andujar (another dirt devil)

Also rans for the dangerous contenders list are: Chardy, Belluci and Dog.

Cuevas is also seeded

Yes, he is. I will replace him by Chardy. Belluci has dismal record from the beginning of this year to qualify as dangerous floater. updating the OP.

Verdasco seems to be feeling his oats again, and he will surely be dangerous early, and, depending on the draw, might even sneak into the QFs. Almagro is still iffy from his foot injury, but more dangerous than the others, if he's fit. Any of those other guys you wouldn't want to see first round, but I don't see a long run, even for the Dog. I'm starting to give up on him. (#couldeatmywordslater.)

 

[Moxie]

All wild cards announced. Predictably six French dudes and an American and an Australian by reciprocal agreement.

French Dudes: HALYS, Quentin, HAMOU, Maximer, MAHUT, Nicolas, MATHIEU, Paul-Henri, POUILLE, Lucas, ROGER-VASSELIN, Edouard

USA: TIAFOE, Frances
Australia: KOKKINAKIS, Thanasi

The first 2 French dudes just look like fodder for the other guy in the draw, but the Tiafoe and Kokkinakis ones are a good call. Otherwise the French players are the usual suspects.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

why does kokkinakis need a wildcard ?..last week he was 97 rank, this week in the 80s or so.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Madrid (as usual) and Rome played really fast this year so the slowness of the RG at the beginning is going to hurt some players and help others. I always feel a guy like Isner likes the RG clay where he has time to line up his forehand. Or Gulbis.Or Bird... I also think it is not the best speed for guys like Fabio or Kei or Stan. Or Roger, especially with his forehand already struggling to penetrate even on faster courts these days.

Now Nadal is a different story this year because his balls are falling short. Maybe as soon as his feet hit the RG dirt, he will find his depth but if he does not, big hitters will have the time to kill those softies.

I guess we'll find out soon enough.