Archive for: roland garros
Mens Singles:
There were some very interesting results today. Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray easily won through into the fourth, although Murray did twist his ankle mid way through the match but was able to close it out. Gilles Simon continued his impressive run with a strong win over Mardy Fish. I tipped Simon to be a very strong contender this year and he is living up to the hype.
Novak Djokovic continued his winning streak with a four set win over Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro is heading back from injury so expect better results from him later in the year.
The upset of the day belonged to Ivan Ljubicic who defeated Fernando Verdasco (16) 6-3 7-6 6-4.
Womens Singles:
In the womens side of the draw it was a bit boring today. All the top seeds pushed through, except Kaia Kanepi (16) who lost to Ekaterina Marakova in straight sets 6-4 7-5.
Mens Singles:
What a day in the mens singles. David Ferrer and Roger Federer were both in action and they didnt disappoint, both advanced very easily in straight sets. Additionally, we mentioned at the start of the tournament to watch Fabio Fognini and he has played some amazing tennis so far to progress to the fourth round.
The match of the day was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Stanislas Wawrinka. Both players have amazing clay court records and it was going to be a very tough match. In the end Wawrinka was a little too strong with a victory, 4-6 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-3.
Womens Singles:
There were a lot of strong performances with Zvonareva, Kuznetsova and Schiavone all winning. Casualties were Samantha Stosur who lost to Gisela Dulko 6-4 1-6 6-3. Plus top seed Caroline Wozniacki was thumped on center court by Daniela Hantuchova 6-1 6-3.
Roland Garros seems to be behind the other Grand Slams in terms of the stadium and facilities. Thus, Paris has decided to invest $390 million into upgrading Roland Garros with a refurbished center court and retractable roof.
Today the Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe made a point Saturday of dismissing fears from environmental groups and local residents claim that the construction of a new 5,000-seat court at the Serres d’Auteuil botanical garden will harm the vegetation and flowers.
“I can tell you we will not destroy one single plant or one single flower,” Delanoe said at a news conference Saturday, a day before this year’s second Grand Slam tournament begins. “This botanical garden will be totally preserved.”
The Tennis Channel has announced that they will be streaming the French Open in the USA live and on-demand. If you are after more information check out their website.
If your a customer with AT&T U-Verse, Comcast or DirectTV you will be able to get VIP access to Philippe Chatrier Court for free on May 28-30.
Im really looking forward to the French Open!
Venus Williams, a former world number one and Grand Slam Champion, has withdrawn from the French Open, after her abdominal injury proved to not be sufficiently recovered.
30-year-old Williams joined her sister Serena on the sidelines after announcing her withdrawal from the only Grand Slam on clay. Williams played her last match at the 2011 Australian Open, which triggered an abdominal injury that has not recovered well enough.
The French Open, which will be held from May 22 to June 5, will be the first Grand Slam to not have a Williams sister in the draw since the 2003 U.S. Open.
Venus has never won the French Open, only getting to the final in 2002, where she eventually lost to sister Serena.
Best of luck to you Venus, and get well soon!
Here is a quick round up of the Finals scores of the French Open. So many players had the tournaments of their lives, but the real standout performance has to be Rafael Nadal yet again!
Mens Singles Final: Rafael Nadal (ESP) bt. Robin Soderling (SWE) = 6-4 6-2 6-4
Womens Singles Final: Francesca Schiavone (ITA) bt. Samantha Stosur (AUS) = 6-4 7-6
Mens Doubles Final: Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) bt. Lukas Dlouhy (CZE) and Leander Paes (IND) = 7-5 6-2
Womens Doubles Final: Serena Williams (USA) and Venus Williams (USA) bt. Kveta Peschke (CZE) and Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) = 6-2 6-3
Mixed Doubles Final: Katarina Srebotnik (SLO) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB) bt. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) and Julian Knowle (AUT) = 4-6 7-6 1-0
Boys Singles Final: Agustin Velotti (ARG) bt. Andrea Collarini (USA) = 6-4 7-5
Girls Singles Final: Elina Svitolina (UKR) bt. Ons Jabeur (TUN) = 6-2 7-5
Boys Doubles Final: Duilio Beretta (PER) and Roberto Quiroz (ECU) bt. Facundo Arguello (ARG) and Agustin Velotti (ARG) = 6-3 6-2
Girls Doubles Final: Timea Babos (HUN) and Sloane Stephens (USA) bt. Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) and Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor (ESP) = 6-2 6-3
The Tennis Channel will be offering free live and on-demand broadband streams, with over 125 matches and 200 hours of play during the first 10 days for the French Open.
Visitors to the network’s site, www.tennischannel.com, will be able to view any one of five courts for the first eight days of the event, followed by a single court on days nine and ten.
ESPN3.com – will deliver more than 270 hours live from the three primary courts at Roland Garros on the days ESPN2 is televising — Sunday, May 23, plus Tuesday, May 25 – Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31 – Thursday, June 3.
Don’t count defending champion Roger Federer and four-time winner Justine Henin among fans of a proposal to hold the French Open outside Paris beginning in 2016.
Gilbert Ysern, general director of the French tennis federation, told a news conference Saturday relocating the clay-court Grand Slam from Roland Garros is being considered because it needs more space to remain competitive with the three other major tournaments.
Three options are being examined, including one next to Versailles castle. Another possible site is near Disneyland Paris.
The French Open has been at Roland Garros since 1928 and the federation has a contract there till 2015. The French federation assembly is expected to make its decision in February.
“I think by the time I finish my career, the tournament will still be at Roland Garros,” Federer said. “I don’t know if the French Open will one day move to Disney, I doubt it. There is more space outside the city, I understand, but come on …”
Henin accepted that space is an issue at Roland Garros, but said its tradition is one of the French Open’s main assets.
“I hope they find a solution to keep the tournament here,” she said. “The tradition is here. This is my favourite tournament. Maybe (a move outside Paris) will happen.
“You need to be realistic. Compared to other Grand Slam tournaments, which are always getting bigger, it has become difficult in terms of space. Everyone knows that.”
Among the Grand Slam tournaments, only the French Open and Wimbledon have never been moved. While Wimbledon has been updated, facilities at Roland Garros have become outdated. The lack of space for 450,000 annual spectators, players, journalists and sponsors is a problem, while the absence of covered courts leaves the tournament vulnerable to the weather.
“We have to create the Roland Garros of 2040,” French federation vice-president Bernard Giudicelli said. “We will do everything to make sure that Roland Garros 2016 will be played in a bigger and modernized stadium.”
The French Open’s facilities are spread over 21 acres (8.5 hectares), while Melbourne Park — the site of the Australian Open — and Wimbledon each have 49 acres (20 hectares). Flushing Meadows, site of the U.S. Open, has 34.5 acres (14 hectares).
“Some players told us they cannot imagine leaving Paris,” Ysern said. “But if we stay, we have to modernize the facilities to aim for excellency. We need more space and a retractable roof over the centre court.”
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga said there is only one Roland Garros.
“I would prefer to stay here and make the tournament bigger here because this site is wonderful,” Tsonga said.
If the tournament stays in Paris, three adjoining areas will be added to Roland Garros at a cost of about US$251 million. Building a new stadium outside Paris would cost an estimated $754 million.
Versailles castle is 20 kilometres from downtown Paris. Disneyland Paris in Marne-La-Vallee is 48 kilometres from the French capital.
Should the tournament be relocated, preliminary designs envision a 74-acre (30 hectares) site with 55 tennis courts — two with a retractable roof — that would be able to receive up to 60,000 people a day.
via Associated Press
Ernests Gulbis was a player everyone was talking about at this years French Open. The young latvian was an outsider to do really well, but in a first day shock he has been elimintated. Gulbis was 2 sets to love down and retired injured. Ernests hurt his right leg in the match against Julien Benneteau of France. Cheer up Ernests there is always next year and Im sure you will have a lot more chances to compete at the Roland Garros.
This has to be one of the best photoshoots Rafael Nadal has ever done. This shoot took place at the Molitor, which is an abandoned swimming pool near Roland Garros.
Im a big fan of the graffiti on the walls, very cool!
More shots over at the Roland Garros site.
Oh the life of a professional tennis player must be fun. Novak Djokovic has to be a player who is enjoying his time as a professional tennis player the most. Djokovic always seems to be making jokes and doing funny ads and more. I would love to hang out with him on tour and just cause mayhem.
During Roland Garros Djokovic appeared at Ana Ivanovic’s press conference and pretended to be a journalist. At teh end of the new conference a “journalist” raised his hand and asked “Tell us something about your love or private life”.
Everybody then turned around to see Novak Djokovic asking the question. Novak was in the room because he had the press conference straight after Ana. Ana obviously didnt respond to the question but simply game him a hand shake on her way out.
“Well everybody asked only professional questions,why didn’t someone asked her something personal” – Nole continued joking when when he sat down ready to answer questions for his press conference.
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.
As we mentioned in the French Open preview here on The Tennis Times there is always a big upset at Roland Garros. This year at the French Open was no different with Philipp Kohlschreiber the number 29 seed defeating World No. 4 Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros on Saturday.
“I think I played really one of the best matches ever in a big tournament,” said Kohlschreiber. “In the past I’ve played well in small tournaments, but this one was for sure, every set really on the biggest high level from my side. Maybe Novak didn’t play his best today but from my point of view, I played a good match. I was controlling or dictating many, many points. I did a really good job today.”
Ana Ivanovic is optimistic about defending her French Open title, saying on Thursday that a niggling knee injury had died down.
“Thankfully the pain and inflammation in my knee has gone away so I have been able to practice this week,” the Serbian said. “My timing is pretty good at the moment and I’m optimistic about my chances of success in Paris.”
The world number eight has suffered a sharp loss of form since last year and pulled out of the Madrid Open earlier this month with the recurring injury, which worsened after her country’s Fed Cup win over Spain in April.
The 21-year-old from Belgrade will need a steep improvement in recent form to retain her crown at Roland Garros, which starts on Sunday, after plummeting down the WTA rankings from the number one spot she grabbed after taking last year’s title.
John Isner has pulled out of the French Open starting tomorrow cause of illness. Isner accepted a wildcard into the event by winning a qualifying tournament held by the U.S. Tennis association. The USTA has now returned the wildcard slot to the French tennis federation, which has since handed the wildcard to world number 310 Romain Jouan of France.
Other players to have pulled out of the French Open include Dmitry Tursunov of Russia and Mario Ancic of Croatia. Tursunov has a heel injury and Ancic pulled out because of lack of fitness.
The French Open 2009 will be starting in less than one day at Roland Garros, but who actually stands a chance of winning and who might as well of stayed home!
Raphael Nadal is of course the king of the clay and he will be very hard to beat this year. Rafael lost last week to Roger Federer in Madrid, but now that he has had a few days off to recover I can see him being back on full form.
Roger Federer has a lot more confidence coming into Roland Garros after his win over Nadal in Madrid. Roger has been playing some of the best clay court tennis of his life and he seems very focused. Roger has a few tough matches against clay court specialists in the first few rounds, so if he gets through the first couple rounds then I expect him to be in the final again.
Dinara Safina comes into Roland Garros as the number one player in the world and also the number one seed. Dinara has never won a Grand Slam and this is where she is expected to be at the top. Dinara has Ivanovic in her quarter so it will be interesting to see if Ivanovic can bring to the table a good performance or if she will leave the draw early.
Maria Sharapova is heading to Rome with not a chance of winning the tournament. Maria returned to the tour only last week in Warsaw and lost in the quarterfinals. Im quite surprised that Maria has returned to play the French Open, but then again she has a few points to defend.
Upsets are going to come quick and fast, as they always do at the French Open. Ivo Karlovic (26) is playing Lleyton Hewitt in the first round of the Mens singles and I think that we could see Hewitt beat Karlovic the seeded player in the first round. I can also see Jo-Wilfied Tsonga (9) having a few issues in the first round when he plays fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau. Additionally it is going to be interesting to see Radek Stepanek (18) play Gaston Gaudio (wildcard) in the first round, Gaston has already won the tournament here so will be interesting to see if he can find some form. Jelena Jankovic (5) could have a tough first round match with Petra Cetkovska. Plus I would be very surprised if Sybille Bammer (28) can get passed Nathalie Dechy in the opening round. Dechy is a local faourite and has always performed very well at Roland Garros.
If you have any thoughts on some upsets or who is going to win the tournament then please let us know in the comments.
Remember the official French Open website is RolandGarros.com
Fabrice Santoro, nicknamed the Magician for his habit of mystifying bigger and stronger opponents, is proudly preparing to open his bag of tricks for his 20th and final French Open show. The Frenchman, who will retire at the end of the year, will extend his record of appearances at grand-slam events to 67 in the May 24-June 7 claycourt tournament.
“Last Roland Garros, last year on the circuit, there is that feeling that a page is being turned and an immense satisfaction to have done 20 of them,” the 36-year-old Santoro told Reuters in an interview.
“I never dreamed I would get that far.” One of the few major players on the men’s circuit to hit both shots double-handed, Santoro has won many admirers over the years for his finesse and sense of strategy. “I keep bumping into people who tell me to carry on but in my head it’s clear, I’m stopping,” he said.
One of the best players I have seen on clay back in the day was Guillermo Canas. Today Guillermo played the French Open qualifying tournament at Roland Garros, but he has been bundled out in the first round by Paolo Lorenzi 6-4 7-6. It is a real shame to see this great player unable to really match it with the big boys any more.
Canas has really struggled in 2009 with only a few top tier tournament wins to his name. However, this loss in the French Open qualies has to be the worst loss for a long time. Im wondering if he will consider retirement after this?
Kei Nishikori of Japan is withdrawing from the French Open because of an injured right elbow.
Nishikori has not played since losing in the first round at Indian Wells, Calif., in March.
He was honored as the ATP’s newcomer of the year for 2008, in part because of his run to the fourth round of the U.S. Open. He was the first Japanese man since 1937 to make it that far at that tournament.
Once ranked as high as No. 56, Nishikori is currently 117th. He has played only 10 tour matches this year.
The French Open begins Sunday.
After a great Wimbledon exhibition match Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are schedule to now compete in another exhibition match on Saturday the 6th of June at Roland Garros. The famous couple will be playing on Court 7 at 11am. If you are heading to Roland Garros make sure you dont miss this match!
The match is being sponsored by Longines, and is in honour of the tenth anniversary of the couple’s 1999 singles championship wins. That year would prove to be Agassi’s one and only Roland Garros success, while it was Graf’s sixth and final triumph.
Agassi and Graf will also play with ten young players from around the world, followed by a special gala and auction benefiting the Andre Agassi Foundation and Children for Tomorrow.
