Most of the British media seem to think a Murray-Federer final is practically a nailed-on certainty. However, the guys left in the draw are no gimmes. Fed is seeded to meet Djokovic in the semis, & the Djoker has beaten him the last two times they've played. I reckon Roger in four sets though. Fed faces Soderling next up in the 4th round. I was courtside for the Swede's match on Monday, & he played well, but there's nothing to suggest that Roger wont take care of him again comfortably, as he did in the French final. Karlovic is a possible QF opponent, who with his huge serve always a big threat on grass-he hit 46 aces in beating Tsonga on Friday.
Murray plays Stan Wawrinka next, who will be no pushover, although Murray seems to have gone up a level since he was last beaten by the Swiss no. 2. Thomas Berdych was very impressive yesterday beating Davydenko, & next plays Roddick, which looks like a 50-50 match.
On the womens side, the smart money has to be on another all-Williams final. Ivanovic might give Venus a tough match in the 4th round, but the Serb has been struggling with the ball toss on her serve. Sharapova's 2nd round exit wasn't a huge surprise, watching her match on Monday she was struggling with her movement. Having only recently returned from a long layoff with he shoulder injury, her match fitness should improve with increased activity.
Ronster's tips for the championship: Fed & Venus.
Sunday 28 June 2009
Monday 1 June 2009
King of Clay Hits the Dirt
Yesterday saw perhaps the biggest upset of the sporting year with Rafael Nadal's first loss at Roland Garros. The 23rd seed, Robin Soderling, won after 3 hr 30 mins, 6-2, 6-7(2-7), 6-4, 7-6(7-2) . I was in the stands for the concluding sets when they played a five-setter (over 5(!) days due to rain delays & the schedule) at Wimbledon 2007. Then, every time it seemed Nadal had nailed the lid on the Swede's coffin, he would come back from the dead & break back.
That encounter had clearly given him the confidence that he could compete with Rafa. Incredibly, only four weeks ago, Rafa had beaten him in Rome for the loss of only one game.
Rafa made a uncharacteristic number of unforced errors, but all credit to the Swede, he was hitting his groundstrokes with great depth & power, especially the forehand, & hit an incredible 61 winners.
Obviously Nadal's exit removed a huge obstacle for the other favourites, Federer & Murray (2nd & third seeds respectively).Both still have some tough matches to reach the final: probably Del Potro in the semi for Fed (though he has a 5-0 record against him) , while Murray has Gonzalez who can be brilliant or erratic, & Davydenko a possible semi-final opponent.
The ladies' defending champion also lost yesterday, but that was not such a massive shock. Ivanovic was seeded 8th & has lost form & confidence since she took the no. 1 ranking after wining here last year. The no. 1 seed, Safina has been in awesome form, & a final between her & Serena seems likely.
That encounter had clearly given him the confidence that he could compete with Rafa. Incredibly, only four weeks ago, Rafa had beaten him in Rome for the loss of only one game.
Rafa made a uncharacteristic number of unforced errors, but all credit to the Swede, he was hitting his groundstrokes with great depth & power, especially the forehand, & hit an incredible 61 winners.
Obviously Nadal's exit removed a huge obstacle for the other favourites, Federer & Murray (2nd & third seeds respectively).Both still have some tough matches to reach the final: probably Del Potro in the semi for Fed (though he has a 5-0 record against him) , while Murray has Gonzalez who can be brilliant or erratic, & Davydenko a possible semi-final opponent.
The ladies' defending champion also lost yesterday, but that was not such a massive shock. Ivanovic was seeded 8th & has lost form & confidence since she took the no. 1 ranking after wining here last year. The no. 1 seed, Safina has been in awesome form, & a final between her & Serena seems likely.
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