Marion Bartoli is the top French player, but she has been left out of the France Fed Cup team due to her conflict with Nicolas Escude.
All the issues started when Bartoli fought with the France Fed Cup captain, Nicolas Escude and the French tennis federation over the autonomous coaching set-up with her father, Walter.
Jelena Dokic got a bit of a tennis lesson today from Marion Bartoli today. Bartoli won the match 6-3 6-2. The match overall was quite boring with a lot of unforced errors, Dokic hit 28 herself. I can see Bartoli doing quite well in the rest of the tournament and Im sure she will make at least the semifinals.
Jelena Dokic has had over 15 years on tour, but she has been struggling of late with her nerves. Dokic was hammered at the Sydney International yesterday with a 6-0 6-3 loss to Marion Bartoli of France.
I froze out there … It was not about tennis. It was not about her being the better player. I just really, really got nervous. Yeah, I really froze. My legs and my arms and everything just couldn’t move.
It seems like Jelena has a lot of work to do before the Australian Open 2012.
Former World No. 1 Serena Williams defeated Marion Bartoli for her first title since her comeback after a long year of injuries and illnesses. The American eased past the Frenchwoman after coming from behind in the first set, and earning the Bank of the West Classic title on Sunday with a score of 7-5 6-1.
“You can see the growth in her game, and also she’s such a nice person. Thank you for being sweet. That’s really nice.”, Serena said about Marion at the trophy presentation.
Going into the tournament, Williams was No. 169 in the world, but after beating top players such as Sharapova and Bartoli, her ranking has lifted to No. 79 in the world.
“I hated those triple digits. Now I’ve got to get to single digits.”, Serena said, chuckling, about her ranking.
ongratulations, Serena!
And welcome back to the winner’s circle!
Mens Singles:
Roger Federer played some amazing tennis yet again. Federer defeated Gael Monfils in straight sets 6-4 6-3 7-6. It is really seeming like it will be a three horse race between Federer, Djokovic and Nadal.
In a late fourth round match Andy Murray was two sets to love down and 5-2 down in the final set, to come back and win 4-6 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5 over Viktor Troicki. Murray still has the ankle injury that he sustained in the third round and it doesnt seem like it is going away.
Womens Singles:
Marion Bartoli continued her amazing run in front of her home fans with a straight sets win over Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6 6-4. The crowd were behind her and she played some of the best tennis of her life.
In the other quarterfinal Francesca Schiavone defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three though sets 1-6 7-5 7-5. Schiavone just seems to love the clay in Paris and it looks like she the favourite for the title yet again.
Mens Singles:
In the first match Roger Federer was up against Stanislas Wawrinka and it was anticipated to be a close encounter. However, Roger had other things on his mind and swept aside Wawrinka in straight sets 6-3 6-2 7-5.
Novak Djokovic extended his amazing run with a straight sets win over Richard Gasquet. It was amazing to see Djokovic make Gasquet look like an average player. Djokovic won 6-4 6-4 6-2 and keeps his amazing 2011 run going.
In the last match it was Fabio Fognini against Albert Montanes. Both players are well known clay court player and Fognini prevailed in an amazing five set match 4-6 6-4 3-6 6-3 11-9.
Womens Singles:
Marion Bartoli continued her great form with a win over Gisela Dulko. Dulko unfortunately had to retire at the start of the second set. Bartoli was leading 7-5 1-0 at the time.
In the other match Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Vera Zvonareva 7-6 2-6 6-2, Francesca Schiavone defeated Jelena Jankovic 6-3 2-6 6-4, and Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Daniela Hantuchova 6-7 6-3 6-2.
Mens Singles:
Well the French Open 2011 Day 2 had a great deal of expectations, with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in action. Federer and Djokovic didn’t disappoint.
Roger Federer had a tough first round match against Feliciano Lopez and it seemed that Federer was always up for the challenge. Roger played very solid and it seemed like Lopez couldnt really handle the pressure. Roger won in a very close straight set match 6-3 6-4 7-6.
It was a very similar story for Novak Djokovic. Djokovic is on an amazing run in 2011 and is still undefeated. Novak was up against Thiemo De Bakker a young Dutch player who seemed a little to eratic on the clay. Novak won the match 6-2 6-1 6-3.
In most of the other mens singles matches today the favoured players got through, apart from Tomas Berdych (6) who fell to Stephane Robert of France in an amazing five set match. 3-6 3-6 6-2 6-2 9-7.
Womens Singles:
On the womens side there were a lot of strong performances from the top players. Caroline Wozniacki, Marion Bartoli, Francesca Schiavone, Vera Zvonareva and Petra Kvitova all won.
The only upset of the day was Nadia Petrova (26) who lost in three tough sets, 6-7 6-3 6-4.
Overall:
It was a great day for all the main seeds as a whole they performed very well. The outstanding players of the day Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Francesca Schiavone.
Schiavone looked very strong in her match today. She didnt play amazingly well, but she played very solid on the clay and looked at home. If I was a betting man I would pop a few quid on Schiavone to get back to back titles.
Things have gone from bad to worst for Dinara Safina (ever since she became number 1 in the world). Safina was hammered by Marion Bartoli 6-0 6-1 at the Hobart International. Safina is trying to recover her form after a serious back injury.
Bartoli called Safina a “very tough opponent” in what she thought was a “really great match.”
Im a little tired of tennis players being nice to each other in press conferences. Safina just didnt turn up yet again! Why doesnt she spend longer on her recovery and less time on tour?
Aravane Rezai has criticized Marion Bartoli’s attitude after being told that her compatriot appeared jealous about the attention being given to Rezai at the French Open following her victory in Madrid.
“Marion is a difficult girl. She already attacked me two years ago when I reached the final in Istanbul,” said Rezai.
“If she has a problem with me, I don’t know, because I did nothing. That’s a bit of a shame, but that’s her education. I mean, she attacked me many times in the press. I don’t have the same education as the one she has. I think I have respect for players. I do what I have to do. I get on with many people. But with Marion, it’s very difficult. She has difficulties getting included with the other girls.”
This actually shows the tennis players have a bit of a personality. I really just wish some would show some personality on court and make it a little less boring to watch!
