French Open '12: Point by Point Coverage

[lt]

The match of the day for me is the Mirnyi/Nestor vs. Starace/Bracciali semi and I don't know what to do. I can't/won't root against Max but just the idea of Potito Starace winning a Grand Slam and me getting to see my favorite Italian in London for the WTF is making me giddy. (Bracciali is a cutie too.)

You think Maria is currently climbing the walls willing someone to win on Chatrier so she can get out there before the rains start again?

[mooncreek]

For as long as I've been watching Murray, he's always complained about little niggles so him touching his back should rightfully be ignored. What happened in the Nieminen match shouldn't be thrown in the same category and if the crowd has been booing due to that, they're idiots.

I wish I could like Errani as a singles player. I like Italian players. I even like her and Vinci as a doubles team. But I cannot see the final as anything but one-sided and I'm really just sad for Stosur in a way I didn't feel when Schiavone beat her.

[francienolan]

I tend to agree moon re: Errani but if by some chance Petra wins, all bets are off and I give her a chance bc Petra is so unpredictable,

I have another hour of french open viewing but the rain might mean I don't see any of the next match.

[roseha]

So is JMac still mad at Lendl for taking the French away from him? Among other things? I wonder if Lendl would be more popular today what with social media, etc. He was funny sometimes in his comments but didn't get much credit for it.

I'm happy for Errani. While watching her I thought, the other three women have all won Slams, she has no chance, then thought of the last two women champions and thought, "Oh, wait..."

Hope Petra wins this one though I am also less anti-Maria than before.

[lt]

I have no idea if there is even a reason anymore, roseha, maybe he just doesn't like the guy even after all these years. (I can't fault him for that, I certainly hold some decades-old grudges myself. Difference is that I don't have a forum to talk about them.)

Hmmm, what to do? I have a nice stream of Lenglen and I get to watch so little doubles that I feel like I should stick with the Bryans vs. Qureshi/Rojer but I do want to see how Maria and Petra are doing. . . Nope, doubles win. And bonus is that the Lenglen stream is just of the court, no commentators so I don't have to listen to anyone telling me what I'm watching but I still get all the tennis sounds.

[mooncreek]

Fascinating interview with Justine Henin on the RG website. I... don't think it will change opinions of her but nice to hear she's more relaxed.

Is anyone even airing the doubles finals? We have the two best teams on the men's side (which reminds me: why weren't Paes and Stepanek playing together here?) and the possibility of an Errani double on the ladies side.

[lt]

Is anyone even airing the doubles finals?

I'm guessing no (unless TTC maybe for the men?). I'm planning on relying on a EuroSport feed from Live Score Hunter.

I am unabashedly rooting for Maria on Saturday. I don't know why I'm a fan but, like chesty said, how she came back from her shoulder surgery really impressed me. It's just such a career ender and she didn't let it be.

Interesting that they put the bottom half on first tomorrow and then Djoker/Fed. I'm guessing TV had something to do with that. . .

[breezybee]

...and it's raining again. I hope this isn't for forecast for the whole wekend in Paris.

I second the comments about the doubles matches. I love watching them and wish I could see them on my television. I'd really like to have seen the mixed. The only time I see mixed on TV is during Hopman Cup.

[mooncreek]

When the draw came out, I feared something like this: Ferrer having a great run to the semis but get bulldozed by Rafa. Makes me glad I slept this morning. Poor Ferru.

Forecast is nice on Saturday and like this on Sunday.

[apocalipstick]

I think Djokovic/Federer will clearly be the longer match. Both have had five setters and I suspect this one will go that long. It's also going to be the more interesting match. Clearly, this is the one network TV wants.

[lt]

When the draw came out, I feared something like this: Ferrer having a great run to the semis but get bulldozed by Rafa.

Yup, I remember you saying that. I was thinking Andy would get to the semis and now I'd like to go back in time and make that happen because this is just heartrending. In the first set when David lost his serve the first time one of the commentators (very crankily) said that the match was over, let's just get them off the court and let Roger/Djokovic start. Guess he was right.

And even with the rain delay this is going to be over way before NBC starts coverage. What will they do? Tape delay and start from the beginning or join in progress? I think I remember this issue last year and they joined in progress but I'm not sure.

eta: Dayum. . . after have lshunter all week it's been blocked again at work. ARGH!

[apocalipstick]

Poor Ferrer double faulted on a break point. I feel terrible for him.

Not that Rafa isn't amazing. He is. I also appreciate the fact that he does not let up. Even though Ferrer is his friend, even though it's painful, Rafa does not let up. That's what a competitor does. I don't know anyone else who has that unrelenting killer instinct.

I just think Ferrer is adorable. I don't think he'd have a shot in the final against either Djokovic or Federer, not because he's not good. Rather because it would be his first final.

[GrandSlamGuru]

Not that Rafa isn't amazing. He is. I also appreciate the fact that he does not let up.

Indeed. Like him or not, it's clear why he's a champion.


ETA: Per the RG twitter feed, rain is due in 20 minutes. Perhaps it will come and go in time for NBC's broadcast.

[apocalipstick]

I'm sure it's been discussed ad nauseum, but the Rafa on court is totally different from the Rafa off. It's like he has absolutely no killer instinct, or even aggressive instinct, except when competing. So compartmentalized.

[GrandSlamGuru]

Looks like I have time to grab some breakfast (finally) and watch an episode of Forbrydelsen.

Poor Roger and Nole must be anxious to get going, especially since they had just completed their warm- up.