Three time Roland Garros finalist Roger Federer has captured his first French Open title. Roger defeated Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 6-4 in todays final. Federer has now equaled Pete Sampras with the most Grand Slam titles. Federer has won his 14th Grand Slam title in his 40th career Slam tournament. Pete Sampras, at 31, captured his record 14th Slam title in his 52nd career tournament.
Federer has become the sixth man to win all four Grand Slam titles in his career, the first since Andre Agassi in 1999. Here are the members of the Grand Slam Club (with year of tournament) — Fred Perry (1935 Roland Garros), Don Budge (1938 Roland Garros), Rod Laver (1962 US Open), Roy Emerson (1964 Wimbledon) and Agassi (1999 Roland Garros). Budge won a calendar Grand Slam in 1938 and Laver in 1962 and ‘69.
Robin Soderling (23) vs Nikolay Davydenko (10) = This is going to be a great match. Robin Soderling beat four time reigning champion Rafael Nadal in four sets in the previous round and Davydenko defeated Fernando Verdasco in straight sets. I think Robin will be still on a high from his last victory, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep it going. This could be a five set match with Soderling taking the first few sets then Davydenko coming back.
Andy Murray (3) vs Fernando Gonzalez (12) = Andy and Fernando have been in great for in this tournament so far and they both didnt lose a set in their fourth round matches. Murray has had quite an easy draw so far and I think Gonzalez might actually cause a big upset in this match.
Juan Martin Del Potro (5) vs Tommy Robredo (16) = Juan Martin Del Potro has been playing some great tennis and beating good opponents so far in the tournament. However, in this match he will coming up against Tommy Robredo who has a huge amount of experience on the clay courts of Roland Garros. I can see Robredo winning this match in a long five set match.
Gael Monfils (11) vs Roger Federer (2) = This is another exciting match with Roger on the back of coming from two sets to love down to win in five, while Monfils played one of his greatest matches at the French Open defeating Andy Roddick in straight sets. I think this will be Rogers match to lose.
Dinara Safina (1) vs Victoria Azarenka (9) = Azarenka had a great previous match disposing of the defending champion Ana Ivanovic in straight sets. While Safina hasn’t put a foot wrong and has been demolishing her opponents. I think the first set is going to be very tight and Azarenka really needs to win it, cause I cant see her coming back in three sets.
Dominika Cibulkova (20) vs Maria Sharapova = This is going to be a very interesting match, Maria hasnt been in the greatest of form but she has been grinding out wins. Cibulkova has been playing some good tennis, but hasnt really played a major name at this years French Open. I can see Maria winning in another three set match.
Sorana Cirstea vs Samantha Stosur (30) = Cirstea has had a great tournament so far, especially with her win in the last match at 9-7 in the third set over Jelena Jankovic. Stosur has been going through the draw very quietly. Clay is not Stosurs best surface but she has a great kick serve for a female player and I can see her demolishing Cirstea in straight sets.
Svetlana Kuznetsova (7) vs Serena Williams (2) = The girls have a great rivalry and have played some great matches over the years. I think Serena is in great form and the quick clay surface this year is suiting her game and I cant really see Kuznetsova getting into the match from the beginning.
After yesterday when I mentioned that there was a big upset at the French Open and it was the loss of Novak Djokovic, well today has got even better. Today both defending champions have been beaten, Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic.
Rafael Nadal lost in four sets to Robin Soderling of Sweden 6-2 6-7 6-4 7-6. Nadal’s hopes of becoming the first player, man or woman, to win the French Open five times in a row are gone, dashed as the scintillating Swede played the game of his life.
After 31 consecutive match wins dating back to 2005, the King of Clay lost his first-ever match at the French Open and can have no complaints after playing on the back foot virtually throughout, while the inspired No23 seed blitzed him from every corner of the court.
Ana Ivanovic had a really tough day on court today after getting a little bit of a lesson from Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. The defending womens champion was never really in the match beaten 6-2 6-3. Azarenka will now face Dinara Safina who seems to be in amazing form. Safina defeated Aravane Rezai 6-0 6-1 in less than an hour.
