Roland Garros Update

[stroke]

I have been out of town and and not connected. Novak is now the favorite, followed by Nadal and Alcaraz. No one else is close.

[jimlosaltos]

Here's a little tennis prodigy trivia for you.

The Spanish player that took Carlos Alcaraz to 5, tough, sets and held match point in the second, Albert Ramos-Vinolas, was the first pro that Alcaraz played on tour, back in 2020 in Rio, when Carlos was 16 yo, I believe. Carlos beat Ramos-Vinolas that day 76² 46 76²
https://www.atptour.com/en/players/c...vity?year=2020

Carlos is 3-0 against Ramos-Vinolas, but their three matches have all included tiebreaks -- 5 in total.

[jimlosaltos]

Matches of note today:

Leylah Fernandez beat Bencic and next meets Amanda Anisimova. A slight back pat for myself, I believe I posted here that Leylah was likely to be more successful than Emma on tour, at least in the near-medium term. Just a better all around game = at this stage. Meanwhile, after her father's death and injuries is Amanda righting her ship? She's only 20 years old, though it seems like she's been on tour forever.

FAA just beat Krjainovic in 3 straight 7s. Next up Felix with Uncle Toni in his box, meets Rafa. Wonder what tips Uncle Toni has on playing his nephew? <g>

Surprise! (Not) Isner is in a fifth set after a tiebreak

Zverev? The good news he is, .... hmm, searching I get all sorts of results. One article has him 9-1 in five setters, the ATP site has him 16-10. The bad news is he always seems to go to five sets in early rounds against people he should be cruising against.

[jimlosaltos]

I think the expections for Charley are too high. He will probably win it eventually but just because he has done so well doesn't mean he will now.

Agreed. It's possible this time but long odds.

Meanwhile, Dominic Thiem, long in line to be "the next French Open winner", hasn't won a single match this year. So much can happen.


I have not seen more than highlights of Thiem's matches, but he seems healthy again. Andy Murray said after they played that after his wrist injury (people forget that he missing, I think it was nearly a year, with his own wrist) that it took him a long time to get his confidence back, particularly on his forehand. Amazing the thin differences between players that seek markedly superior and the field.

[John Yandell]

I think the expections for Charley are too high. He will probably win it eventually but just because he has done so well doesn't mean he will now.

[jimlosaltos]

stroke and myself have acquired the tournament thread duty since don_budge's recent (hopefully temporary) departure from the forum. Sorry to say we have let folk down in this regard and hope to do better going forward...

Iga Swiatek seems in unstoppable form of late. I don't watch the WTA much and need to get more up to speed.

The mens' draw is a terrible letdown due to the top half of the draw being so lopsided. More balance would have been appropriate. Nadal and Novak seem to have settled into their usual grand slam rhythm...swatting other ATP players away like pesky flies disturbing their sleep. Alcaraz had a wobble. He'a allowed one wobble, but two is usually fatal even for a young, super fit dude like him.

Medvedev seems to doing quite well but may face a stiffer challenge in Kecmanovic.

Looking at the draw, Alacaraz has some stern challenges. No easy matches ahead for him in my book.

I didn't know. Never meant to step on any toes!

Feel free to delete this thread and start an official sanctioned one ! <g>.

Meanwhile, an unofficial tabulation by Bill Gross summarizes the French so far:

• Nadal: 4 hrs 11 min
• Djokovic: 4 hrs 14 min
• Alcaraz: 6 hrs 24 min T
• Tsitsipas: 7 hrs 40 min

I'd add:

Swiatek 9 minutes.

Her play might be better measured in breadsticks, bagels and half-pretzels (at least I'm told 6-2 is a half-pretzel. There must be a better name).
Short version: Total calories she's handed out <g>.

#

[stotty]

stroke and myself have acquired the tournament thread duty since don_budge's recent (hopefully temporary) departure from the forum. Sorry to say we have let folk down in this regard and hope to do better going forward...

Iga Swiatek seems in unstoppable form of late. I don't watch the WTA much and need to get more up to speed.

The mens' draw is a terrible letdown due to the top half of the draw being so lopsided. More balance would have been appropriate. Nadal and Novak seem to have settled into their usual grand slam rhythm...swatting other ATP players away like pesky flies disturbing their sleep. Alcaraz had a wobble. He'a allowed one wobble, but two is usually fatal even for a young, super fit dude like him.

Medvedev seems to doing quite well but may face a stiffer challenge in Kecmanovic.

Looking at the draw, Alacaraz has some stern challenges. No easy matches ahead for him in my book.

[jimlosaltos]

Am I missing it, or is there no thread for the French Open? If this is redundant, my apologies.

But I had to post this somewhere! "Iga Swiatek has broken in her first return game in 12 of her last 13 matches."