French Open '12: Point by Point Coverage

[apocalipstick]

Those really are some INCREDIBLE photos. The one of Nadal shaking out his hair post match just shows how far photography technology has come. But seriously, I love this shot of Ferrer.


www.rolandgarros.com/images/pics/misc/f_06-02-ferrer01.jpg
(Took out the image since it caused scrolling issues.)


And is that Christina McHale in the shot where you can practically see the hair growing in her armpit?

If you haven't looked at the site, do it. The French really choose the most amazing photos.

ETA: I've been trying to figure out what it is I love so much about the RG photos. I think I have it. Every single shot makes me want to BE there. It makes me want to work out a schedule and arrange my spending money to go to RG next year. I always feel that way looking at the Monte Carlo photos as well. I don't think all of the sites realize that the photos are supposed to sell people on the tournament. Not just be photos people want to purchase.

[mooncreek]

I'm happy for Cibulkova because she should have been the one to end Vika's winning streak. Just wanted to wait for the bigger stage.

Usually when a lower ranked player does what's going on now against Novak, you'd still have hopes just due to nerves. Maybe because I've seen Seppi play a lot lately but I don't feel that will be the issue. A bad game, yes, but not actually choking. Novak has to step it up.

[apocalipstick]

Or Novak can totally NOT step up. Except he's up a break in the third.

I feel bad for Vika. I'm not a big fan, but I kind of feel like the ladies need a REAL number one. For years we have had these women who get to No. 1 without winning a Slam. Then they are unable to close the deal and win one after they become No. 1. (I'm looking at YOU, Jankovic and Wozniacki.) I know Serena is part of the problem in that she was really only playing and winning the Slams, but come on. Some woman needs to distinguish herself as being a proven winner and NOT a total headcase.

[chestylarue]

Vika very glum and defiantin her presser. Asked what she was going to do to recover from the loss and she said "I'm going to kill myself.". Don't know if she was being a smartass or melo dramatic. But shows regardless that she is prickly about the loss.

[lt]

but I kind of feel like the ladies need a REAL number one.

I agree. I'm not unhappy or anything that Vika lost but I did like that she was someone who put her foot on the gas and kept it there. Does anyone even care that Woz lost yesterday?

These Roger/Goffin, Djoker/Seppi matches are making me so nervous. I want Roger to win the whole thing and then I'd pick Djoker over Rafa so if both Rog and Nole go out today it's going to be a hard second week for me.

apocalipstick, the photographers are treating their subjects as art instead of looking for the ball-gets-hit shots that we're used to in all sports. I wish I could find the photo credits (if anyone sees them, please let me know) because I'd love to get the names to my art director.

[chestylarue]

My first preference in the men to win the French Open is someone who is not Nole, Roger or even one of my faves, Rafa because I would love to see some new blood. Ferrer or Del Potro would thrill me. I love Monaco (and he was so freaking charming when I saw him in person at Houston) but I don't think he could really do it but it would be a gas. I think Nico has the talent to win- but not sure if he has the mentality. Berdych is not my fave but he could win it. I don't think Murray could win it but I would be very happy for him to win his first slam,

Of the big three- I would most want Rafa, then Roger. But I would really like for it to be someone else outside of the big three and am even willing to sacrifice one of my faves in Rafa for it.

I have always liked a lot of players in tennis and frankly, even though one of my faves is one of those who as dominated over the past few years- I would like for some of the wealth to be spread in men's tennis and some of the other players who are not Federer, Nole or even Rafa to FINALLY have a chance to shine.

[lt]

Ha, ha: NBC is going to have to show Tsonga/Stan and Delpo/Berdych if they want to show live tennis (watch them air a tape delayed Djoker/Seppi or Fed/Goffin instead). I wonder why they thought going on the air at 7pm French time for a tournament without lights was a good idea? But I'm not crying about having to watch on my computer because I've got a nice EuroSport feed and I'm sitting out back on my brand-new (fake) Adirondack chair that I put together yesterday. Beautiful day, life is good.

If I could pick any winner from anywhere in the ATP draw I'd go: Roger, Murray, Ferrer/Tsonga, Gasquet (because he's the other Frenchman left) and. . . that's pretty much it. I guess I'd put Delpo in there but I prefer his game on other surfaces.

For the women I'm Maria all the way but then Cibulkova would be nice or Kvitova (to show she can really do this) or Errani. Of course Sloane would be spectacular but that might be too much of a long shot right now.

[chestylarue]

I'd be happy for Tsonga too. I prefer Nico 's one handed backhand which is often ignored in comparison to the frequent drooling over Gasquet. I also like how self aware Nico is about his faults so he wins in my battle of first time one handed backhand winners. But Gasquet would be a neat story.

I'd be pleased w any of the ladies left. I like Errani and Li a lot but really any of the gals left have a near story and will make me happy.

I know Sloane won't win but it has been fun watching her progress over the past two years. I hope the media lets her grow into her career and is not unfairly hyped in a way that brings unrealistic and unfair expectations.

Really hope Goffin can build from this. He is adorable is showing heart and has skills

[lt]

He is adorable is showing heart and has skills

So true. Since I was watching online EuroSport aired the on-court interview and they had both players up (and the commentators translated for me!) and he was such a sweetie--he told Roger that he had his pictures up on his wall when he was growing up. Roger gave him a nice hug after the interview and rubbed his head (that just cracked me up for some reason).

Well, he's only 21 and will now have the ranking to make it into the main draw for Wimbledon so I'm going to keep an eye out. I agree with the commentators--it would be great to have Belgium players up there again.

[mooncreek]

Really impressed with how Goffin handled this match. A sign that he might make a mark on the tour beyond this one event.

To me, Azarenka has never been a top threat on clay. Never thought she'd win here. When I did the bracket, I had her losing in the quarters but the truth is I could have seen this match coming. To say that's related to being #1 is not fair - and I thought the same when Caroline was #1. Both are threats on hard court - and Vika on grass - but clay is their weakest surface for a reason.

Doesn't Wimbledon use the rankings prior to the French, not after, for direct entry? Goffin and Haas would still need qualifying/wild card to get in even though their ranks will now be in the Top 100. Add Brian Baker and Lleyton Hewitt as likely WCs as well.

[apocalipstick]

Stan and Jo are going to be out there for eternity. Ugh.

Come on Sloane. Stop phoning it in.

[harry24]

Have to give reluctant props to NBC for showing actual live tennis, when there surely could have been a temptation to show Fed/Gof or Djokl/Sep on tape.

[lt]

Jo, you're killing me out there. . .

Doesn't Wimbledon use the rankings prior to the French, not after, for direct entry?

I have no idea, I can only go with what the commentators were saying and they said Goffin was going to make it into the main draw.

[roseha]

I wish I could find the photo credits (if anyone sees them, please let me know) because I'd love to get the names to my art director.

lt, I'm afraid the only credit I can find on the slideshows is (c)FFT which I'm pretty sure stands for French Tennis Federation (I googled and it comes up as their logo). So it doesn't tell you who took, them which is really unfortunate since they are indeed magnificent. I'm wondering if they are all taken by the same photographer, there is such a distinct style. All the more reason there should be a credit!

I could only see the slide shows properly now, I have been away on a great vacation for about 12 days but had no Tennis Channel, no DVR and very iffy wifi. But I am back now and looking forward to the rest of the event.

So how did Roger and Djoker look out there? I bet they are both happy their next opponents will have to play another day though it looks to me that Jo should be able to wrap it up quickly.

Too bad about Sloane but I hope good things are coming for her.

Goffin does look ridiculously young.

[lt]

I have been away on a great vacation for about 12 days

Lucky you, I wanna go on vacation.

I heard the Radio Roland Garros quiz question (and answer) this morning: early today we saw an all-Spanish match up between Ferrer and Granollers. When was the last time there was not at least one all-Spanish match up in the French Open?

They had a fascinating interview with one of the guys from Babolat. Two Rafa things: I had no idea that his string is octagonal instead of round (the edge helps give more bite into the ball for more spin) and they signed him up when he was 13 years old. Technology news: they're about to introduce a racquet that will have a chip in it that will connect to your smartphone/tablet/etc. to tell you what you are doing and how you could improve so you can turn your game around during a match. I think that's great for us normal folk but the ITF has to look at it because if the players used that racquet during a match it could be considered on-court coaching.

eta: I had a feeling this would happen, no more TTC live streaming. Oh well.