French Open '12: Point by Point Coverage

[GrandSlamGuru]

I now think of the FO as the place where the unexpected often happens on the women's side. So if ghosts of the past appear, Errani might have a chance...however slim.

[oopssorry]

Well, there's that.

So interesting to contrast the on-court/off-court personalities. Just when I was going to be happy for Djok (such great playing), rather than his 'rents, I was put off by his self-congratulatory roaring. What is that? After the handshakes??

Oh, well. I have no idea about Sunday. ;/

[apocalipstick]

Just when you might start to like him, he asses it up on court again. *sigh*

[mooncreek]

If there's any shot for a competitive final, Nole had to beat Roger and beat him in straight sets. If Rafa still delivers a beatdown, well, then there's no doubt and it cannot be called a fitness issue.

Roger was fortunate to be the semis, tbh. The draw couldn't have been weaker for him the first four rounds - and he still struggled. del Potro would have likely beaten him if it weren't for the knee. I do agree with JMac's assessment that Federer is beginning to fall to the second tier - just think about what Federer and Murray have done in the last year and a half - it's close to identical if you eliminate WTF. The main point is that neither one can consistently hang with Rafa and Nole in best-of-five.

Funny Fact: So Rafa has faced Novak in the last four GS finals. If Novak wins Sunday, he will have done it the exact same way Serena did her "Serena Slam" - by beating the same opponent (Venus) in all four finals!

Errani and Vinci won the doubles so at least Sara will have something to celebrate this weekend, no matter what.

[chestylarue]

I am already nervous as all get out for Sunday 's final. Rafa is playing some fabu stuff on the clay and if loses a fourth grand slam final in a row to Nole on his best surface after playing so well in the tourney I will be gutted. Gutted in that way that only sports can do. And I am really worried Rafa will lose.

I think I am rooting for Maria on Saturday to my surprise since I am an Errani fan. This is Maria's third grand slam final out of the past four so maybe third time will be a charm. And she really has fought her way back to the top - I can't help but admire that.

[francienolan]

Errani had never been to GS semi before and comported herself quite nicely so I hope for more of the same today. Though I think Maria will win easily.
Is it supposed to be clear today? My broadcast window is brief so I hope the weather cooperates.

[falafaclese]

According to the RG website, there's a chance of rain, but something tells me that this match will have no problem fitting into any broadcast window.

[lt]

francie, I just checked and it looks like a nice day today--clouds but no rain. I checked for tomorrow and as the day progresses the chance of rain increases starting at noon and chance of thunderstorms by about 5pm.

I hadn't noticed all tournament but under her black/ombre dress Maria has bright pink spankies. Hee.

[acre]

I wont' be able to watch the men live, I don't think. The ne-ves a-en't as intense as if it was Fed, but as always Nadal has been,is, and will be my 2nd fave. And absolutely Nadal should win, he IS King of Clay, but oiiiee it hasn't been looking so good against Djok of late. Thankfully he had that -ecent clay win to -emind himself "Hey, wait I'M the best, ME!"

And I'll be blunt: I don't WANT Djok to have a reco-d Fed and Nadal don't! CGS? Fine. If Fed and Nadal had each got the 4 in a row al-eady, fine. Not now. Cause now you have it, I'm a petty bitch and too bad. Sh-ugs, I'll live it will only upset me like a day and then I'll move on. But still, do not want.

lt that's noon and 5pm in Pa-is, no? So smack in tennis playing time, uh-oh.

Today I can be content eithe- way, like to see Masha do it, but be just fine with S.E.(too many '-'s)

[lt]

Sorry, acre, that is Paris time so yup, right in the middle of the tennis tomorrow. Who does the heavy conditions favor more? Pretty even? Something I realized watching the semis highlights from yesterday, Djoker pumps his chest like a gorilla when his parents are in the box--not when it's just Jelena. I think I'm putting too much pressure on Jelena to make a palatable man out of Novak, but she's been doing such a great job the past year. . . .

Sara's starting to get her feel, just too late for the first set.

[mooncreek]

Prior to 2011, I felt that Novak was the second best clay courter in the world - but really screwed things up at the big event (see: Kohlschreiber, Melzer). Of course last year he could do no wrong but at least this year he's playing to that ability and finally has the FO final to go with it. He will have beaten both the GOAT (who's still third or fourth best in the world on clay) and the King of Clay back to back so I wouldn't have an issue with him having that calendar GS.

It's a bit one-sided but Errani is gaining fans with each game because she's facing a barrage of shots.

[lizm]

Jun 9, 2012 13:45:21 GMT acre said:

And I'll be blunt: I don't WANT Djok to have a reco-d Fed and Nadal don't!

EXACTLY THIS.

I do grudgingly enjoy Djok's tennis when he's playing like Fed used to (sigh). But I've been rooting against him this entire tournament and it's been such a tease.

[lt]

Wow, all the usual Maria yips are just not showing up this match. Errani is getting closer and closer to being more effective but Maria keeps shutting her down. Very impressive. (Now I just jinxed Maria. . . )

eta: awww, I was looking at Maria's stringy ponytail and remembered that short haircut that I (thought) she had recently and was wondering how she had grown it out so quickly--turns out it was just a joke she had put on her Facebook page. Darn. It was so cute short.

[falafaclese]

Sara has nothing to be ashamed of here. She's fighting well.

[lizm]

Yeah she did well - overpowered a bit, but fought hard and with impressive accuracy.

I have to say, I love the super-structured construction of Maria's dress. It really makes the most of her sometimes-odd looking physique.