Day 5: When Sunny Gets Blue

by Craig Hickman

Another day in Paris, another spring shower.

The day started well. The sun hung high in the sky-blue sky, but by afternoon, the clouds blew in, broke water, and delayed play for the fifth straight day. Pushed three second-round matches into Friday.

Gaston Gaudio performed like the weather. He started brilliantly against Lleyton Hewitt, hitting his tour-best one-handed backhand into the corners and took a two set to love lead. Played like the man who snuck through the draw and snatched victory right up from under the pre-coronated king on this very court in 2004. But then the foot-faults betrayed this imposter on that throne. Backhand winners disappeared like sunlight. Double faults splattered like rain from his racquet. Dropping his opening service games in the final three sets and never recovering, El Gato was sent home to ponder whether or not he'll continue to prowl dusty baselines around the world.

Say hello to Guillermo Coria when you get there. Let him touch that trophy one more time. Dance, together, round your illusory thrones.

No upsets today. Though Meghann Shaughnessy seemed poised to inspire new songs by ousting No. 3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova when the American raced to a 5-0 lead. But when sunny gets blue, her eyes get gray and cloudy.... Meghann lost 5 straight games and the match in straight sets. Simply amazing how she refused to hold serve again till the pressure of actually winning a damn set disappeared from her right arm. And did I mention she had two set points on the Russian's serve at 5-0? Well, she did.

Could you imagine if more players, American and otherwise, on both tours had even just a touch of Serena's Will? Downright indignant in her victory over Venezuela's Milagros Sequera today.



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Day 4: I've Got a Crush On You

by Craig Hickman

Today, France had something to cheer. Despite the fact that their Anointed One, the absolutely obvious Richie Red Shoes Gasquet himself, bowed out early once again (check his Roland Garros record; it rivals that of any American male in its, well... lack), the fans were treated to some great victories, a few unexpected.

Amelie Mauresmo, Nathalie Dechy, and Marion Bartoli advanced to no one's surprise on the women's side. But it was the men who raised eyebrows.



Gael Monfils continued to impress by dispatching an in-form Juan Ignacio Chela in a tight four-set match the day after grinding out a grueling five-setter. Seems his new partnership with Tarik Benhabiles, the first (and only) coach that got the top American male as a teenager to the third round in Paris, is working just fine. Coming into Paris after a surprise run the finals in Portschach where he ran out of steam against red-hot Juan Monaco, who won easily today, Gael lit up the crowd with his big serve, big forehand and big heart. (Sound familiar? Those were the days.... sigh)

But in the upset special of the day, doubles specialist and serve-and-volleyer Michael Llodra humbled claycourt specialist and rising(?) star, No. 32 seed Nicolas Almagro, in a dramatic fifth set. The Frenchman didn't let the Spaniard breathe. He smothered the net 78 times and came away the winner on 48 visits. If not for the Spaniard's huge kicking serve which kept him in sets with 23 aces (Llodra had 19 of his own), Almagro might have taken a two set to one lead in the first place. As it was, he squeaked out the third set tiebreak 9-7 after being down 3-5, with Llodra serving.



Venus Williams, in a match against Ashley Harkleroad that turned dramatic late in the second set, Jilly Craybas, and a resurgent(?) Meghann Shaughnessy gave American tennis fans something to be proud of in the wake of seeing the last man set sail for London early.

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Idle Chit Chat – Roland Garros Version

It was known for some time that the weather for this week at Roland Garros was going to be, shall we say iffy? Naw. They knew it was going to suck and that getting early rounds in was going to be a problem. There was some tennis yesterday of course. Those who rely on television and/or live feeds via the internet know that Serena played Pironkova in a match that spanned, oh, eight hours with a six and a half hour rain delay thrown in for shits and giggles. Marat Safin got his hitting practice in with an easy straight set win over his opponent. Justine Henin won over a scrappy Elena Vesnina.

But Janko Tipsarevic also won his match over fellow Serb Dusan Vemic and Ivo Minar lost to Potito Starace. That news may come as a surprise to some since when you log onto the Roland Garros Official site you see the scores for Serena, Justine and Marat. Yes we know they’re stars but on a day when tennisheads were suffering withdrawal symptoms it would have been nice to actually see what Potito Starace not only looks like but how he plays. The Serbians are threatening to become a power in tennis due to it’s up and coming stars like Jelena Jankovic and it would’ve been nice to see that men’s match as well since from the score it seems to have been entertaining.
But what do I know? I’m just a tennis fan.

Oh, and about retractable roofs? Allo Paris? We know your famed terre battue drains well and that players can play in a light drizzle far longer without risk of major injury. This is not the case with grass or concrete, we know that and you are right to be proud of your surface, but if today is a wash out I think it’s time to think about covering Chatrier and Lenglen non?
Aussi, is something going to be done about the mens matches? No one can play best of five twice a day. With the weather report looking grim it might be a good idea to schedule some matches indoors non? I know, I’m a lousy American and don’t understand everything that goes into this most Gallic of Slams but I am a tennis fan and of course have an opinion. And while I’m on this mini rant have you ever thought of installing, oh I don’t know, LIGHTS? They actually play tennis after dark in some places you know. Just a thought.



So what is a tennishead to do? There’s always gossip. I bet you didn’t know Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova are now divorced. Yep. Splitsville. Didn’t know they were married? What planet have you been on? I think when a man goes public about his privates it puts pressure on his wife. Women love nothing more than a good snark. Come on girls, you know if you found out your girl’s man was, well, in need of specially made condoms and not in a large way you’d have a field day behind her back. Admit it. Poor Anna. Two marriages and she’s not thirty yet. She did marry that hockey dude right?

Fansites are great sources of entertainment as well. Seriously. For some good laughs head over
HERE and read the Locker Room Confrontations Roland Garros edition. Some of them are laugh out loud funny. Let’s just say with MV busy coaching Miss Serena and Queen Masha and their servants will keep you entertained.
Don't believe MV is coaching? Okay so she's holding the balls here. She is on court. She does look official. Okay so she's just holding his balls. The balls he's going to hit with silly. This can be read by children of all ages. The sun is out so you know this had to be last week.



There are also the karaoke bits players have recorded. Rafa was caught trying to sing La Bamba. Why they’d have a Catalonian singing an old Mexican song is beyond me but whatever. Novak Djokovic weighed in with “I Will Survive”. Svetlana Kuznetsova did her version of this classic last year. Novak’s version was cut off rather abruptly which makes you wonder what he got up to after his shirt came off. There are rumors that Roger has one ready to debut but I wonder if that will ever see the light of day. We do see Roger during Rafa’s gig but in a non singing role.

Rafa's Vid

Novak

Best of 2006

Jessie181 and aedra1119 over at TAT have provided lists of FREE internet live feeds. Thanks guys!
TalkAboutTennis

That’s it for today. Let’s hope the next time I’m writing more about tennis. Meanwhile I’m waiting to find out what Queen Masha and Miss Serena are up to.

Day 1: A Soggy Day in Paris Town

by Craig Hickman



What a difference six-and-a-half hours make
That's how long crying skies delayed Serena's first-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova. After a movement-hindered, erratic start, Serena found herself down set game for the third time in 52 minutes. The hard-hitting Bulgarian teen, most known for dispatching Big Sis in the first round of Melbourne last year, frustrated Lil Sis with her backhand lasers down the line.

After the rain, Serena came back and lost just three of 15 games, reeling off nine straight after losing the last game of the first set. Her 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 turnaround was due largely to her improved footwork, her short-angled backhands, and her relaxed demeanor.

Thanks, Richard.

Oh, and those jubilant waves of the white flag over your head as your daughter executed your strategy perfectly were lovely to see.

Especially since the tight-as-a-drum lady in pink and purple who began the first set was anything but lovely. As dryrunguy said, Serena was moving like Estelle Getty. Then she woke up.

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I Love Paris In the Springtime…

What is it about a Grand Slam? Was it so long ago that tennisheads lived and died with Serena Williams in Hobart only to see her rise phoenix-like from what appeared to be the ashes of her career in Melbourne? Who can forget Oracene Price yelling at her daughter to “Get out of Melbourne!” or the disbelief even from Serena's fans as Maria Sharapova was reduced to being nothing more than a spectator at her own match.

And who can forget Fernando Gonzalez' miraculous run to the final losing to the man some want to call the Greatest of All Time?

But Melbourne is a distant memory and the warm up events, the Road to Roland Garros, are just about over. Jelena Jankovic gave her opponent a walkover today and is probably already in Paris. Lleyton Hewitt put up a fight but lost to Gael Monfils who is looking like Lazarus right about now. He was playing on the challenger circuit with moderate success a mere few weeks ago. Now he, as a European sportscaster put it, has added the scalps of world No. 3 Andy Roddick and the favorite of many fans, Lleyton Hewitt, to his belt as he heads for The City of Lights. Monfils plays Juan Monaco tomorrow for a championship many have already forgotten. But what they haven’t forgotten is that he suddenly looks able to fulfill the potential so many saw in him. Is Tarik Benhabiles, Gael’s new coach, on a mission? We’re watching.

We’ve had Monte-Carlo, Rome and Hamburg come and go. Monte-Carlo, hands down the most beautiful venue on the ATP tour, came down to a battle of the champions. Rome saw an Italian no one outside of tennis circles has ever even heard of take down the world No. 1. Just when it looked as if things were going to be dire indeed No. 1 and No. 2 played to their rankings on the slow dirt of Hamburg. Fatigue? Superstition? Who knows? No. 1 ran into the stands to embrace his long time girlfriend, a sight never before seen in public.

The women have not been quiet. Justine Henin managed to actually lose a clay match. Jankovic seems to be running on rechargeable batteries. Venus Williams has had a miserable clay season while Serena is being whispered about as the woman who will stand across the net from Henin. Can Jelena hold it together long enough, six matches to the final or will it indeed be Terror Fabulous hoisting the trophy?

The sisters Bondarenko, Alona and Kateryna, have made new fans. The Radwanska sisters from Poland have also got people looking their way.

You can’t talk women’s tennis without mentioning Maria. No longer the spindly girl, she now seems to have filled out. Will her serving woes right themselves in Paree? Aravane Rezai took her down today in straight sets. But a Slam is not Grand for no reason and I’m sure Maria wants to have some say in just who will be declared Queen of Clay for one year.

But all that is so much black and white film now. The eyes of the tennis world are on Paris. The men and women, the kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, the courtiers and courtisans, the wide-eyed and the ones looking ahead to the next event even as they unpack are all poised to wage war on the famed terre battue.

Let the battle begin!

Roland Garros WTA Main Draw

by Savannah



Justine Hénin BEL [1] vs. Elena Vesnina RUS
Tamira Paszek AUT vs. Aiko Nakamura JP
Tamarine Tanasugarn THA vs. Casey Dellacqua AUS [WC]
Agnieszka Radwanska POL vs. Mara Santangelo ITA [28]

The wild card in this section is Agnieszka Radwanska. She’s had a pretty decent clay season and a lot of people will be watching her to see how she handles losing to Justine.

Sybille Bammer AUT [20] vs. Roberta Vinci ITA
Yaroslava Shvedova RUS vs. Qualifier
Pauline Parmentier FRA [WC] vs. Qualifier
Sandra Klösel GER vs. Na Li CHN [16]

Can Bammer pull another surprise out of her hat and meet Justine? Everyone likes the tours favorite Mom but Sybille has not handled the post AO pressure all that well. She’s had some good showings but Justine is here to take names. Unless something drastic happens I see Justine coming out of this section with no problem. Too bad Li Na got stuck here.
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Dinara Safina RUS [10] vs. Yuliana Fedak UKR
Melinda Czink HUN vs. Tzipora Obziler ISR
Qualifier vs. Jie Zheng CHN
Yvonne Meusburger AUT vs. Francesca Schiavone ITA [23]

Séverine Bremond FRA [31] vs. Michaëlla Krajicek NED
Olivia Sanchez FRA [WC] vs. Shenay Perry USA
Milagros Sequera VEN vs. Virginie Razzano FRA
Tszvetana Pironkova BUL vs. Serena Williams USA [8]

The other women must feel like sacrificial lambs in this section. Unless Serena has a major brain fart there is no one in the way of her meeting Dinara Safina. I’ve seen Razzano at her best. I've never seen Sequera play but she has a surprisingly dedicated fan base. I see her as a wild card here. Of course Dinara is capable of uninspired play but this is Roland Garros. Unless Safina remembers how she came from behind to take out Sharapova ( I mention that a lot don’t I? I keep thinking that Dinara is going to show up again.) Serena takes this section.


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Jelena Jankovic SRB [4] vs. Stéphanie Foretz FRA [WC]
Catalina Castaño COL vs. Qualifier
Aleksandra Wozniak CAN vs. Ashley Harkleroad USA
Alizé Cornet FRA [WC] vs. Venus Williams USA [26]

Marion Bartoli FRA [18] vs. Aravane Rezai FRA
Jarmila Gajdosova SVK vs. Qualifier
Mathilde Johansson FRA [WC] vs. Anna-Lena Grönefeld GER
Angelique Kerber GER vs. Elena Dementieva RUS [13]

Unfortunately for this Venus Williams fan I see Jelena winning that quarter. Aravane Rezai is playing a final on Saturday. Marion Bartoli just played very hard in Strasbourg. With her fitness issues I don’t see her going far here even if she beats Rezai. Anna-Lena Gronefeld also has fitness issues. Even if Elena wins her quarter I think Jelena takes her out.
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Nadia Petrova RUS [11] vs. Qualifier
Anastasiya Yakimova BLR vs. Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro FRA [WC]
Nuria Llagostera Vives ESP vs. Anna Smashnova ISR
Akiko Morigami JPN vs. Tathiana Garbin ITA [19]

Samantha Stosur AUS [27] vs. Jamea Jackson USA
Maria Kirilenko RUS vs. Maria Elena Camerin ITA
Qualifier vs. Vania King USA
Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI vs. Nicole Vaidisova CZE [6]

Petrova is in free fall and Nicole has been nursing an injury. Nadia should still be able to beat Garbin though. If Nicole is fit she will meet Nadia. For some reason I’m picking Nadia.
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Ana Ivanovic SRB [7] vs. Qualifier
Alberta Brianti ITA vs. Sania Mirza IND
Tatiana Poutchek BLR vs. Youlia Fedossova FRA [WC]
Qualifier vs. Julia Vakulenko UKR [32]

Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP [24] vs. Varvara Lepchenko UZB
Elena Likhovtseva RUS vs. Yung-Jan Chan TPE
Olga Poutchkova RUS vs. Eleni Daniilidou GRE
Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO vs. Daniela Hantuchova SVK [12]

I’d love to see Sania Mirza rise up and take this quarter but I saw the pictures of that wrap on her right leg. I’ve never seen Vakulenko play. I have seen Ana play and think she’s going to end up part of the new Royal Court in women’s tennis.
I’m still not convinced about Daniela. I saw her win and was still asking myself how she did it. She probably will be able to assert her will over her quarter although Anabel Medina Garrigues has had a great clay season. This will be a lot of pressure for AMG. Daniela has been here before. But it will be Ana moving on.
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Shahar Peer ISR [15] vs. Kaia Kanepi EST
Edina Gallovits ROM vs. Vasilisa Bardina RUS
Vera Dushevina RUS vs. Camille Pin FRA
Anastassia Rodionov RUS vs. Katarina Srebotnik SLO [17]

Martina Müller GER [32] vs. Qualifier
Qualifier vs. Tian Tian Sun CHN
Anastasia Myskina RUS vs. Meghann Shaughnessy USA
Ekaterina Bychkova RUS vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS [3]

It’s one thing wanting to be a star. It’s quite another thing dealing with the reality of it. A lot of fans liked what they saw of Camille Pin in Melbourne. There hasn’t been much to see since. Like Haruka said the AO is the freaky Grand Slam. There’s a long list of people who have done well there and then slowly faded into the background. Shahar Pe’er should be rested and ready to go. If Sveta is healthy she should have no problem in her section. If she’s not healthy Meghann Shaughnessy could end up playing Martina Muller. And that would give this section to Shahar Pe’er.
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Amélie Mauresmo FRA [5] vs. Laura Granville USA
Caroline Wozniacki DEN vs. Nathalie Dechy FRA
Flavia Pennetta ITA vs. Nicole Pratt AUS
Yulia Beygelzimer UKR vs. Lucie Safarova CZE [25]

Ai Sugiyama JPN [21] vs. Eva Birnerova CZE
Romina Oprandi ITA vs. Meilen Tu USA
Anne Kremer LUX vs. Qualifier
Alicia Molik AUS vs. Anna Chakvetadze RUS [9]

Amelie is playing a final Saturday in Strasbourg against Aravane Rezai. She has Caroline Wozniacki and more importantly Lucie Safarova in her section. Lucie will be a very difficult opponent.
I’m waiting for Anna Chakevetadze to impress me. Wild card here would be Oprandi although Meilen Tu surprised a lot of people earlier this year. Not sure how she performs on clay. This section could really see some upsets with Anna Chakvetadze playing Lucie Safarova. I see a well rested Lucie taking this section although I wouldn’t be upset if Amelie holds it together and gets through.
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Patty Schnyder SUI [14] vs.Martina Sucha SVK
Kateryna Bondarenko UKR vs. Zuzana Ondraskova CZE
Karin Knapp ITA vs. Victoria Azarenka BLR
Iveta Benesova CZE vs. Alona Bondarenko UKR [22]

Gisela Dulko ARG [29] vs. Qualifier
Julia Schruff GER vs. Qualifier
Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP vs. Jill Craybas USA
Emilie Loit FRA vs. Maria Sharapova RUS [2]




In one of my online incarnations I am known for saying that Maria Sharapova always has cupcake draws in order to guarantee her an easy road to the quarterfinals. I don’t see anything different here.
Gisela Dulko is a good player. She should beat the qualifier in the first round and whoever wins between Schruff and another qualifier. I see Lourdes Dominguez Lino beating Jill Craybas and Maria Sharapova beating Emilie Loit. If it comes down to Dulko vs Sharapova I’ll pick Sharapova, serving woes and all.
Patty Schnyder says she has a leg injury. Alona Bondarenko pulled out of her last match with an injury. If they end up playing each other I like Bondarenko to ignore Patty’s machinations and beat her for the chance to play Maria. We’ll know then if what happened against Rezai today was a result of rusty play or not. Unless Bondarenko plays with no fear, this is a Grand Slam after all and makes sure to do to Sharapova what Rezai did to her today this part of the draw is as predictable as sunrise.

Roland Garros: Men's Singles Draw

by Craig Hickman

Roger Federer SUI (1) vs. Michael Russell USA
Qualifier vs. Thierry Ascione FRA
Qualifier vs. Potito Starace ITA
Carlos Berlocq ARG vs. Julien Benneteau FRA (30)

Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP (17) vs. Amer Delic USA
Stefan Koubek AUT vs. Qualifier
Nicolas Lapentti ECU vs. Alexander Peya AUT
Jan Hernych CZE vs. Mikhail Youzhny RUS (13)

Tommy Robredo ESP (9) vs. Sergio Roitman ARG
Chris Guccione AUS vs. Qualifier
Janko Tipsarevic SRB vs. Qualifier
Qualifier vs. Marat Safin RUS (22)

Filippo Volandri ITA (29) vs. Qualifier
Martin Vassallo Arguello ARG vs. Alejandro Falla COL
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo ESP vs. Stanislas Wawrinka SUI
Arnaud Clement FRA vs. Ivan Ljubicic CRO (7)

Roger shouldn't fret too much with this draw. Unless, of course, some Gustavo Kuerten-esque clay-courter comes through qualifying and steals the show. (How often does Roger get the most qualifiers in his section of the draw? One could almost think this quarter was guaranteed to the man, but only a fool thinks draws are rigged, no?) After his win in Hamburg, the top seed says his confidence is back, but early round matches in Slams for him are either blowouts or unexpectedly tough. As much as I adore Potito Starace's game on clay (and his name), I can't imagine he'll trouble the Messiah unless he's firing on all cylinders out of the gate. Filippo Volandri, the not-so-surprising upset specialist in Rome, won't post in Paris, so forget about him. Really. Defending semifinalist Ivan Ljubicic will be lucky to get out of the first round and the seeded Spaniards in this quarter just don't cut it. Marat Safin needs to do everything he can to get to Roger so we can finally get a Slam rematch of Melbourne 2005 when he upended the defending champ in five brilliant sets. But even if that happens, Raja takes his quarter.
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Nikolay Davydenko RUS (4) vs. Stefano Galvani ITA
Alexandre Sidorenko FRA vs. Werner Eschauer AUT
Michael Llodra FRA vs. Nicolas Devilder FRA
Justin Gimelstob USA vs. Nicolas Almagro ESP (32)

Juan Ignacio Chela ARG (18) vs. Fabrice Santoro FRA
Olivier Rochus BEL vs. Gael Monfils FRA
Qualifier vs. Qalifier
Hyung-Taik Lee KOR vs. David Nalbandian ARG (15)

Richard Gasquet FRA (11) vs. Nicolas Mahut FRA
Kristof Vliegen BEL vs. Danai Udomchoke THA
Martin Verkerk NED vs. Simone Bolelli ITA
Victor Hanescu ROU vs. Guillermo Canas ARG (19)

Jurgen Melzer AUT (27) vs. Jose Acasuso ARG
Qualifier vs. Juan Monaco ARG
Edouard Rogervs.Vasselin FRA vs. Qualifier
Radek Stepanek CZE vs. Fernando Gonzalez CHI (5)

This quarter could prove most interesting. David Nalbandian was last seen playing golf in Cordoba, and Jurgen Melzer doesn't post at Slams, but any of the other seeds could win this quarter if the stars are aligned. But watch out for Gael Monfils. Recently transplanted Stateside with a new and passionate coach in Tarik Benhabiles, the three-time junior Slam champ knows how to win in Paris. I know, I know. The ITF isn't the ATP. But it's something. And he's having quite a run in Austria this week. Win or lose in the final, he'll arrive in Paris with a lot of momentum. And he'll devour the raucous crowd's love like creme fraiche. Nicolas Almagro, 2007 Valencia champion, might finally have his Slam breakthrough. Afterall, no players in this section will intimidate him with their presence. Verteran Guillermo Canas, who recently lost his doping appeal, plays well on clay, but outside of Slams, he's had his best results on hardcourts. And his claycourt season hasn't exactly been stellar. And look for Fabrice Santoro to play another 5-hour match. If it comes down to the new generation, I'll go with the homeboy (not the one with the red shoes), but it's hard to pick against Nikolay Davydenko at a Slam.

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Novak Djokovic SRB (6) vs. Qualifier
Sam Querrey USA vs. Qualifier
Jonathan Eysseric FRA vs. Olivier Patience FRA
Qualifier vs. Agustin Calleri ARG (26)

Dmitry Tursunov RUS (21) vs. Alessio Di Mauro ITA
Fernando Verdasco ESP vs.Qualifier
Robby Ginepri USA vs. Diego Hartfield ARG
Daniele Bracciali ITA vs. David Ferrer ESP (12)

Marcos Baghdatis CYP (16) vs. Sebastien Grosjean FRA
Kristian Pless DEN vs. Yen-Hsun Lu TPE
Thomas Johansson SWE vs. Jan Hajek CZE
Qualifier vs. Dominik Hrbaty SVK (24)

Florian Mayer GER (31) vs. Paul-Henri Mathieu FRA
Vincent Spadea USA vs. Gilles Simon FRA
Luis Horna PER vs. Nicolas Massu CHI
Igor Andreev RUS vs. Andy Roddick USA (3)

This quarter is wide open. The top seed won't get out of the first round, and if he does, he's getting booted in the second. Having failed to take advantage of soft draws two of the last three years, it's only right he get it tough on paper this time around. All seven players in his section can defeat him on clay. (Wouldn't it be ironic if this becomes the first time he advances past the third round? Well, I can wish...) Good luck at Wimbledon, Andy. That leaves the Djoke as the next highest seed, and since I have nothing good to say about him, I'll say nothing at all. David Ferrer could take this quarter if he brings his A-game, which includes the oft-missing mental tenacity he possesses if he's not playing someone whose aura overshadows him. Watch out for all the Frenchman in this section, along with Nicolas Massu, Florian Mayer, and unheralded Jan Hajek who won matches in Dusseldorf this week. I'll go with David Ferrer just because.
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James Blake USA (8) vs. Ivo Karlovic CRO
Peter Luczak AUS vs. Jonas Bjorkman SWE
Qualifier vs. Oscar Hernandez ESP
Qualifier vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber GER (28)

Carlos Moya ESP (23) vs. Andreas Seppi ITA
Florent Serra FRA vs. Igor Kunitsyn RUS
Robert Kendrick USA vs. Qualifier
Guillermo Garciavs.Lopez ESP vs. Tomas Berdych CZE (10)

Lleyton Hewitt AUS (14) vs. Max Mirnyi BLR
Marc Gicquel FRA vs. Gaston Gaudio ARG
Benjamin Becker GER vs. Mathieu Montcourt FRA
Feliciano Lopez ESP vs. Jarkko Nieminen FIN (20)

Robin Soderling SWE (25) vs. Albert Montanes ESP
Ernests Gulbis LAT vs. Tim Henman GBR
Qualifier vs. Teimuraz Gabashvili RUS
Juan Martin Del Potro ARG vs. Rafael Nadal ESP (2)

According to the picture above, Rafael Nadal drew his own quarter. Let's just say he shot himself in his painful foot. Paris plays relatively fast, and there are some big hitters in this quarter - Robing Soderling, Rafa's potential third round opponent; Tomas Berdych, who's had a suprisingly noteworthy claycourt swing; James Blake, who upset Nicolas Almagro, the third hottest player this time last year; and, of course, Dr. Ivo himself, who no one expects to do anything on clay and then he goes and wins his first ATP title on the stuff. (Green, yes, but many have said, including Serena, and she ought to know, that the fake stuff can be slower than the terre battue.) And then there's that Lleyton Hewitt, who pushed Rafa mightily in Hamburg, and Jarkko Nieminen, who, up a set and a break, came mighty close to ending Rafa's streak in Barcelona last year.. Still, how can anyone in their right mind pick against the two-time defending champion? As much as I go against the grain, I won't this time: no matter how tough the battle, Rafa win his quarter.

Roland Garros: Women's Singles Draw

by Craig Hickman

Justine Hénin BEL [1] vs. Elena Vesnina RUS
Tamira Paszek AUT vs. Aiko Nakamura JP
Tamarine Tanasugarn THA vs. Casey Dellacqua AUS [WC]
Agnieszka Radwanska POL vs. Mara Santangelo ITA [28]

Sybille Bammer AUT [20] vs. Roberta Vinci ITA
Yaroslava Shvedova RUS vs. Qualifier
Pauline Parmentier FRA [WC] vs. Qualifier
Sandra Klösel GER vs. Na Li CHN [16]

Dinara Safina RUS [10] vs. Yuliana Fedak UKR
Melinda Czink HUN vs. Tzipora Obziler ISR
Qualifier vs. Jie Zheng CHN
Yvonne Meusburger AUT vs. Francesca Schiavone ITA [23]

Séverine Bremond FRA [31] vs. Michaëlla Krajicek NED
Olivia Sanchez FRA [WC] vs. Shenay Perry USA
Milagros Sequera VEN vs. Virginie Razzano FRA
Tszvetana Pironkova BUL vs. Serena Williams USA [8]

Let's cut right to the chase: Two-time defending champion Justine Henin will face Serena Williams in the quarterfinal. Serena claims her lone Paris trophy is, well...lonely, so she's made Roland Garros her No. 1 priority this spring. Too bad a groin strain hampered her preparations, but dismissing Serena is an exercise in self-delusion. All eyes will be on this quarterfinal since their last meeting in Paris was tarnished by Justine's now-infamous hand incident. I don't care how much they claim to have moved on, when they take Court Philippe Chartrier, that incident will be on both of their minds, as well as every single viewer, live and in color. It's hard to bet against Justine on clay. It's even harder to bet against Serena. If this quarterfinal happens, and save a miracle or injury, it will, Serena exacts revenge in Paris.

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Jelena Jankovic SRB [4] vs. Stéphanie Foretz FRA [WC]
Catalina Castaño COL vs. Qualifier
Aleksandra Wozniak CAN vs. Ashley Harkleroad USA
Alizé Cornet FRA [WC] vs. Venus Williams USA [26]

Marion Bartoli FRA [18] vs. Aravane Rezai FRA
Jarmila Gajdosova SVK vs. Qualifier
Mathilde Johansson FRA [WC] vs. Anna-Lena Grönefeld GER
Angelique Kerber GER vs. Elena Dementieva RUS [13]

Nadia Petrova RUS [11] vs. Qualifier
Anastasiya Yakimova BLR vs. Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro FRA [WC]
Nuria Llagostera Vives ESP vs. Anna Smashnova ISR
Akiko Morigami JPN vs. Tathiana Garbin ITA [19]

Samantha Stosur AUS [27] vs. Jamea Jackson USA
Maria Kirilenko RUS vs. Maria Elena Camerin ITA
Qualifier vs. Vania King USA
Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI vs. Nicole Vaidisova CZE [6]

If losses inspired Big Sis the way they did Lil Sis, then the straight-set drubbing Venus took at the hands of red-hot Aravane Rezai would propel Miss Vee past all comers, even the Serbian Diva, and into the semfinals. But I don't think they do. And Rezai lurks in the same section, provided she can get past her always-dangerous (if unpredictable) compatriot Marion Bartoli in the first round. Never understimate Elena Dementieva in Paris. I'm inclined to say that this is the Serbian Diva's quarter to lose, but she's played an awful lot of tennis of late, and she will be tired. As it is, she claims gastroenteritis forced her to withdraw for her semifnal match in Strasbourg. Former semifinalist Nadia Petrova isn't injured and, despite her recent woes, she loves Paris. This feels like one of the toughest sections to call quite frankly because I don't trust any of the favorites. Eenie, meenie, minie, moe.... The Drama Queen on current form alone.

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Ana Ivanovic SRB [7] vs. Qualifier
Alberta Brianti ITA vs. Sania Mirza IND
Tatiana Poutchek BLR vs. Youlia Fedossova FRA [WC]
Qualifier vs. Julia Vakulenko UKR [32]

Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP [24] vs. Varvara Lepchenko UZB
Elena Likhovtseva RUS vs. Yung-Jan Chan TPE
Olga Poutchkova RUS vs. Eleni Daniilidou GRE
Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO vs. Daniela Hantuchova SVK [12]

Shahar Peer ISR [15] vs. Kaia Kanepi EST
Edina Gallovits ROM vs. Vasilisa Bardina RUS
Vera Dushevina RUS vs. Camille Pin FRA
Anastassia Rodionov RUS vs. Katarina Srebotnik SLO [17]

Martina Müller GER [32] vs. Qualifier
Qualifier vs. Tian Tian Sun CHN
Anastasia Myskina RUS vs. Meghann Shaughnessy USA
Ekaterina Bychkova RUS vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS [3]

Defending finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova loves Paris. If she keeps her head on straight, there really aren't a hole lot of challengers on clay for her in this quarter. Medina Garrigues might make some noise, loud enough to derail Ana Ivanovic's hopes to match her best Roland Garros showing to date, but everyone else is a tweety bird. Two first round matches I'd love to see are Jelena Kostanic Tosic against Daniela Hantuchova (this could go 10-8 in the third) and Anastasia Myskina against Meghann Shaughnessy. Elena Likhovtseva, who was supposed to retire last year, is always tough to beat, but I expect age is catching up with her at this point. At the end of the day, this quarter is Sveta's to lose.
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Amélie Mauresmo FRA [5] vs. Laura Granville USA
Caroline Wozniacki DEN vs. Nathalie Dechy FRA
Flavia Pennetta ITA vs. Nicole Pratt AUS
Yulia Beygelzimer UKR vs. Lucie Safarova CZE [25]

Ai Sugiyama JPN [21] vs. Eva Birnerova CZE
Romina Oprandi ITA vs. Meilen Tu USA
Anne Kremer LUX vs. Qualifier
Alicia Molik AUS vs. Anna Chakvetadze RUS [9]

Patty Schnyder SUI [14] vs.Martina Sucha SVK
Kateryna Bondarenko UKR vs. Zuzana Ondraskova CZE
Karin Knapp ITA vs. Victoria Azarenka BLR
Iveta Benesova CZE vs. Alona Bondarenko UKR [22]

Gisela Dulko ARG [29] vs. Qualifier
Julia Schruff GER vs. Qualifier
Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP vs. Jill Craybas USA
Emilie Loit FRA vs. Maria Sharapova RUS [2]

In short, Maria Sharapova, who can lose quite realistically in the first round, ain't taking her quarter. But who is? Patty Schnyder is injured and bug-ridden, Amélie Mauresmo doesn't have the mind to achieve in Paris, and all the other seeds in this quarter are lightweights. And that's putting it nicely. If Schnyder isn't up to it, the only thing interesting about this quarter is that the Bondarenko sisters, both of whom have notched some decent wins this spring, might actually face each other in the third round. If the eldest can get past Victoria Azarenka. Only because I like her, only because I want someone from France to make the final weekend, I'll pick Amélie to finally breakthrough on home soil.

Heard Around

The Hamburg TMS is over for the men. Rome and Fes are over for the women. Looking ahead the two WTA Tier III events next week in Istanbul and Strasbourg have better fields than many WTA Tier I events. The big boys of mens tennis are taking a well deserved week off on the ATP side while everyone else, well maybe except David Nalbandian, seen here in Cordoba, are playing either the ARAG event or Poertschach.


Jelena Jankovic’s fans are begging her to take a week off. Someone even posted a sarcastic jibe saying she would be playing both 's-Hertogenbosch and Eastbourne during the same week to make sure she gets enough grass court prep. And many fans didn’t get the joke. We love you Jelena but we want you around a lot longer. Relax. Your talent isn’t going anywhere. By the way Jelena is playing Strasbourg.



But there are other posts floating around the fan boards that are a little more serious and deserve some reflection. One thread, found HERE asks the question “Honestly Is Safin Done?”
A few of us tennisheads from Talk About Tennis got together recently and this subject came up all on its own. Has it really been seven years since Marat dismantled Pete Sampras at the US Open? At the time I saw championship trophies piling up in Marat’s home. Most people, even fans, dismiss him as a head case ignoring the injuries he’s had. But what about his Davis Cup triumphs? A valid question since Marat seems to do well in those pressure cooker situations. Shamil Tarpishev seems to know how to motivate Mr. Safin but he has his commitments and it doesn't look like he'll become Marat's full time coach. What should be done? I have no idea. But if the question is being asked maybe it’s time for Marat to take a serious look at where he wants to be this time next year.

Ironically there was a similar thread about Fran Schiavone's tennis status HERE. She is not winning the matches this year that she was winning last year. I haven’t heard about any injuries so maybe there is something going on between her ears.



The most interesting news from the women’s side other than Anastasia Myskina coming back in the French is that Jennifer Capriati is considering a comeback. An article posted in WTAWORLD from a local Palm Beach tennis magazine reports that Jennifer is working with Harold Solomon to get in shape and then see what can be done. At 31 and after having been away from the game for awhile I hope Jennifer gives any thought of return a clear eyed appraisal. She should also look at what is happening to Martina Hingis who came back at a younger age and after having remained fit during her time away. After her initial success Martina is struggling a bit. Jennifer was not very fit when she left due to injury. With Justine Henin, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and others in top shape half stepping will not get her back into the women’s tennis elite.



And, very quietly, Serena Williams has reentered the top 10.

Roland Garros




The debate now centers on how the draws will look on both the mens and womens side at Roland Garros. The debate on the mens side centers on Guillermo Canas. He has not had a great clay season so far but will he put it together in Paris? Some would add Filippo Volandri who had a fantastic run at Rome. I would wait to see how he does away from the home crowd before making him into a giant killer. Lleyton Hewitt has shown that he does deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as some of the other potential giant killers with his great showing at Hamburg. Will the French men get their act together and make a serious run on the terre battue? Will Gasquet step up? Will Clement, Grosjean and others make life difficult for their opponents? And where will they be placed in the draw? What about Juan Martin del Potro? Jose Acasuso? Juan Ignacio Chela? Carlos Moya? Will Fernando Gonzalez break out of his post AO blues?






As for the women Maria Sharapova will be making her comeback with a tune up in Istanbul before entering the fray at Roland Garros. Will a rejuvenated Patty Schnyder wreak havoc in Paris? Will Jelena be able to hold it together through seven matches and reach the final which many of her fans think she has a chance to win? How will the Chinese women do? What about the Bondarenko sisters who have been playing well of late? Will Amelie Mauresmo conquer her jitters and win it all? Or is it all moot and Justine Henin will be the one hoisting the trophy? What about Serena?

Paris, The Emerald City, is in sight now. It should be a very interesting next three weeks.

And The Winners Are...

Roger Federer 2007 Champion Hamburg Germany





Jelena Jankovic Champion Roma 2007




Milagros Sequera Champion Fes 2007 (Maiden Title)



Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo Doubles Champions Roma 2007




Vania King and Sania Mirza Doubles Champions Fes 2007

Note: At the time this was posted I couldn't find any pictures of Milagros Sequera with her first championship trophy. The pictures of Vania nd Sania with their trophy were not of them alone. Still looking!




Bob and Mike Bryan Hamburg Doubles Champions

TMS Hamburg - Quarterfinal Preview

by Craig Hickman

[1] Roger Federer (SUI) vs. [8]David Ferrer (ESP)
The last time these two met, Roger trounced the Spaniard. After that match I wrote, "Fuck belief. David Ferrer needs to go out and buy some topspin and some length of shot. Not to mention a serve. It was a shellacking, featuring the day's second serving of bagel. And Roger is still in that mood. Even his 500th career victory couldn't bring a smile to his face." As I suspected, Roger cruised over the weaponless Juan Carlos Ferrero today. He'll do the same against another Spaniard tomorrow. Roger in straight sets.

[4]Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Carlos Moya (ESP)
Novak played virtually two matches yesterday due to rain delays. He took a few of his now infamous injury timeouts in his second-match-of-the-day "victory" over Jarkko Nieminen, also plalying his seond match of the day. They worked. The Finn couldn't hold on late in the third set to fend off the current flavor of the moment. These two have only played once with the Djoke winning in straight sets last year in Croatia. But given his double duty yesterday, I'll call the odds even. And I hope the veteran Spaniard can pull out the win.

Nicolas Almagro (ESP) vs Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)
No one saw this quarterfinal coming. Almagro had to see off compatriot and defending champ, Tommy Robredo, in the fist round and always-dangerous Jose Acasuso in the second. The Spaniard benefitted from the fat the Argentine was playing his second match of the day after finishing off Roger Beater Filippo Volandri in the first. Hewitt notched two good wins over Argentines Agustin Calleri and red-hot Juan Ignacio Chela. Playing a better, more in-form person than himself, the Aussie also benefitted from a fatigued opponent who had to finish off Gilles Simon of france earlier in the day. If Hewitt can get in the youngster's head, the match is his. If he can't, the match belongs to the Spaniard. Pick 'em.

[2]Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs [5]Fernando Gonzalez (ARG)
The undisputed King of Clay takes on the Rome finalist Fernando Gonzelez in the quarters at the German Open. Rafa waxed Gonzo last Sunday. Because this isn't a final, I'd expect the Chilean to post a bigger theat agains the freight train. But since he played two matches today because of the rain yesterday, this is Rafa's match to lose. As is every other match the Spaniard plays on clay this season. Gonzo might get a set, but that's only if he takes the first one. Otherwise, expect Rafa to advance routinely to his first TMS Hamburg semifinal.

Serena Advances to Rome Quarterfinals

by Craig Hickman

Serena seems serious. Her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Israel's Shahar Peer supports her belief that she is the person to beat at Roland Garros.

The win advances her to the quarterfinals where she'll take on Switzerland's Patty Schnyder who defeated Samantha Stosur, the woman who sent Amelie Mauresmo packing, in straight sets.

Serena has played Patty 7 times in her career, winning 6 matches. The only loss she endured was on clay in Charleston. Serena has stated that she slides better on red clay than the green stuff used in Charleston, so if she remains healthy, I feel tomorrow is her match to lose.

79 And Counting...

by Craig Hickman

In a match the commentators (over) hyped as a "Battle of the Heavyweights," Rafael Nadal avenged his 2005 loss to Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-1 without breaking a sweat. The win improved Nadal's streak on clay to 79 matches.

I suppose that since Andreev was the last man to defeat Rafa on the red stuff in Valencia, the commentators had high expectations for this encounter. Why, I have no idea. Igor is only recently back on the circuit after a few injuries, and he hasn't made a whole lot of noise in his comeback.

Halfway through the encounter, Doug Adler, the American commentator, seemed to want Rafa to lose, expressing audible disappointment at the Russian's inability to execute the game plan the announcer thought necessary to take out Nadal.

But Rafa was having none of it. He ran Igor ragged, forced him to shank countless forehands with Igor's big, loopy backswing with a hitch, and attacked the net to end the points on his terms. Rafa saved both break points he faced in the first set when he was already up a break.

Heavyweight trounces lightweight. It's about time pundits and fans alike accept that any match Rafa plays on clay against any opponent is his to lose.

The freight train that is Rafa will face Lleyton Hewitt or Nikolay Davydenko in the quarters.

James Blake blew a lead and squandered several opportunities to break Carlos Moya late in their match to crash out of Hamburg with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 loss at the hands of the Spaniard. I didn't see the match, but the way the scorline changed reminded of the match Blake lost last year to Mario Ancic in the round of 16 at this event. He served for the match in the second set and lost it in a third set breaker. It seems that Blake simply doesn't believe he ought to be in the quarterfinals of a TMS event on clay. Back to the drawing board for the American.

Third round action will be completed today with the quarterfinals set for tomorrow.

Solidarity Forever - NOT

Everyone's wet dream Marat Safin added his voice to those of James Blake and Andy Roddick, the only two players who have come out publicly and supported Etienne de Villiers vision of a new and improved ATP which he calls Brave New World.

Safin, who is reported to have played a major role in ending the DeVilliers experiment with Round Robin play has now come out in favor of giving the other proposed reforms a chance.

Echoing the statements of the American players Marat said the following:

"We have to let it be and let the people at the top make their choices," he said. "We can play tennis but we can't change and make everybody happy. I'm sure whoever is taking care of it is making everybody happy.

"Once we have him, let's give him a chance for four or five years to see how it goes," he said, referring more directly to De Villiers. "It can't be worse than it used to be.

"When Mark Miles left we had no chances," Safin alleged. "It was going bankrupt, no money. At least we have a lot of sponsors. It is getting better. It's picking up but we have to believe in our people and make sure to support them, even though they make mistakes.

For the entire article Go Here

The player's petition, said to have been signed by 60 players, calls on De Villiers to rethink his plans to downgrade both Monte Carlo and Hamburg which are presently TMS events.

Ya gotta love politics. You never know who will end up in bed with whom and for what reason. As of now the elected player reps Ivan Ljubicic and James Blake are on opposite sides of the issue. Ljubicic has sided with what is reported to be the majority of the European players. Blake, the vice president of the Players Council at the present time seems to have Andy Roddick and Marat Safin, both charismatic players in his corner in this fight which has been categorized as the USTA vs Europe.

I will keep posting about events related to this topic as circumstances warrant.

Idle Chit Chat Part Deux

by Savannah



Well, Roger Federer did what his fans thought was best and kicked Tony Roche to the curb. Some say Roche told Roger to suck it. Others say Roger should finish his house cleaning and get rid of his long time girlfriend. Yeah. Mirka has everything to do with how Roger is performing on court these days. It’s her job to make sure his shots are having the right effect. It’s her job to make sure opponents have a reason to fear him. I guess what they want is for some bimbette to be in the stands staring blankly at the court wondering what is going on instead of someone who was with Roger before he was Roger, who Roger appears to be loyal to and trusts. Sometimes I think the collective age of people posting on fansites is thirteen.

______________________________

John Newcombe has come out with a rousing defense of Lleyton Hewitt. In an interview published by The Age and available on their website Newcombe makes the following points:

¦ Hewitt sees his relationship with the media as a war.
¦ His break-up with Kim Clijsters and subsequent marriage to Bec Cartwright meant he lost focus on his tennis.
¦ Hewitt still could win any of the grand slam events except the French Open.

If you’re a die-hard Lleyton fan read the entire article. If you’re not here’s the gist of it:

He’s only 26 and when he looks at the field, he says, 'OK, the two at the top (Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) ... I've got a lot of problems with the No. 1. Fair enough. But I've got a good chance against Nadal on all the surfaces except clay. Everyone else, well, I know I can beat them.'

What is he, 7-1 over Andy Roddick? He genuinely knows he can beat everyone else when he’s at his best. I think he’s keen like he was three years ago.

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Moving on, Andy Roddick played a fabulous match against Gaston Gaudio in Rome. Gaudio, who has been threatening to throw in the towel played well but Andy played better. He was sliding, constructing points, showing patience and generally acting as if he does know a thing or two about clay. For that match there was no sign of injury. Unfortunately in his next match Andy was shown the door. I can get on my soapbox about the American male tennis stars dissing clay and how bad it looks around the world but I’ve done that already. Andy showed he can play on clay. Skip the pseudo green crap next year Andy and commit to Monte-Carlo and Rome.

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Rumor is James Blake has a new love interest and that is the reason his tennis is suffering. Funny Newcombe goes on and on about how Lleyton’s break up with Kim and subsequent marriage affected his tennis. Is this the new black? You fashionistas out there know what I mean.

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Speaking of personal woes, Richard Gasquet has had to endure rumors about him and an older, married man. Gasquet has denied the talk rather vehemently. Is there a trophy wife waiting in the wings?

Paradorn Scrichaphan is marrying a former Miss Universe who hails from the Ukraine.

______________________________

Roger is scheduled to play doubles at Hamburg. Federer/Wawrinka vs Blake/Fish is listed as a match on the ATP site

______________________________

Kim Clijsters finally said “no mas” and retired to plan for her July wedding. At least now other women have a chance at a decent seeding and possibly a quarter or semifinal berth in a major tournament. I was never a big fan of Kim but I think she has her place among the “names” of the WTA. She is throwing a party for her fans.

______________________________

Maria Sharapova is out of Roland Garros with her shoulder woes. She may accept a wildcare into Strasbourg or Istanbul if the shoulder is better. Funny how since Maria has been sidelined with injury the WTA draws have been pretty well done and fair from where I sit. I’ve had to put that particular soapbox away for now.

______________________________

Justine Henin has been wiping up the courts with her opponents this clay court season. Could someone in Jelena Jankovic’s inner circle tell her rest is not that kind of four letter word? There are athletes who need to play to stay in top form but even they’ve been known to take a week off from time to time.

______________________________

Is Pete Sampras angling for a grass-court exhibition against Rafa? A recent thread on Men's Tennis Forums seems to be calling Rafa out. Sampras is set to play two exhibitions with Roger in Asia after the the Masters Cup in November.

It seems John McEnroe is among those encouraging Sampras to play Wimbledon by the way.

______________________________

Gael Monfils has hired Roddick's former coach, Tarik Benhabiles. Third coach for Monfils this year. In other coaching news, will Mats Wilander (we're being sarcastic) become Fed's Uncle Toni? How about Darren Cahill or Roger Rasheed (we're being serious)? Will Fed pay any attention to any of them? Will hitting with a 16-year-old junior improve Roger's game? Will Hewitt hook up with Tony Roche?

Film at eleven.

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This has been quite a busy last few days. This post was a wrap until I read that Mariano Puerta is about to return to competition. I've been touting Guillermo Canas return and how the righting of the apparent wrong done to him will play out. I don't see Puerta's return in quite the same light. Until his suspension, Canas had a clean record. The suspension of Puerta was his second. As a woman, I'm sorry, I don't believe his story about taking his wife's medicine. I never did and nothing has changed.

Still, my opinion is worth nothing and obviously the powers that be felt his story was credible.

And that's the way it is.