2008 French Open

[kingsfan]

Where's all the tennis fans at? I know the POs going on but it's a Grand Slam. Can anyone beat Nadal at Roland Garros? Probably not. I don't even think Roger is his biggest threat right now on clay. Novak and Davydenko are both in his half of the draw and they will be tough. 2 Americans have made it to the 2nd round :elephant and with Ginepri playing Young there will be at least 3 and that's great considering how poorly they've played in Paris the last few years. No Roddick but there's always Blake, #7 seed. Nice job by Odesnik beating Canas.
The women's is wide open now Henin has retired. Williams' sisters are always dangerous as well as Maria and the Serbians. Any of them could easily win it.

[dbreiden83080]

Roger has been way off this season, he needs to get it together. Nadal should take it again, the man is just unbeatable in that Slam. I don't expect a whole lot of surprises at the French this year.

[Purple & Gold]

Can't believe Canas lost. Never expected that one. Venus had to work a bit for her victory.


And lets go Ana :clap :clap :clap

http://www.anaivanovic.com/image.php?file=pictures/news/1179/7X8U9279.jpg&width=350&scale=aspect_ratio

[Purple & Gold]

Ohhh and Querrey is a Clippers fan :lol :lol :lol

[kingsfan]

Bye bye Blake :depressed and the American suckage in Paris continues. At least they did better than last year. I haven't seen that much but none of the top seeds looked great so far. Maria had problems with Rodina whoever the fuck that is, came within 2 points of losing. Even Nadal had a tough 1st set. I've got a feeling this is going to be an upset filled tournament.
Nice to see the love for Gustavo on his retirement, Mathieu was classy to get of the court and let him enjoy his moment. He has to be the most popular non French player who played there. He just never could come back from all his hip problems.

[kingsfan]

Can't believe Canas lost. Never expected that one. Venus had to work a bit for her victory.


And lets go Ana :clap :clap :clap

http://www.anaivanovic.com/image.php?file=pictures/news/1179/7X8U9279.jpg&width=350&scale=aspect_ratio
I'm impressed you do have some taste in tennis at least :lol

[Purple & Gold]

Serena and Venus both out on the same day :wow :wow


At least it's a better chance for Ana to take it this year. :toast

[Purple & Gold]

I'm impressed you do have some taste in tennis at least :lol

She's slowly replacing Hingis as my all-time favorite. :lol

[Emanuel20]

I just hope that Federer regains some of his touch and at least goes to the final to face Nadal, probably.

I can't see Roger winning b/c Nadal has played great in the last two matches. But, I have felt sorry for the guy so I am cheering for him.

[kingsfan]

Serena and Venus both out on the same day :wow :wow


At least it's a better chance for Ana to take it this year. :toast
I told you there were going to be upsets :toast now au revoir Maria, that was a great match. She got booed at the end. The ladies is more interesting this year.
Nadal is kicking butt in between eating sandwiches :lol I don't see anyone beating him if he keeps this up. Roger had a struggle against Benneteau today. If he plans on winning this he'll have to play better than that. Nice little run by Ginepri but he's fallen by the wayside with the rest of the Americans. :depressed

[kingsfan]

She's slowly replacing Hingis as my all-time favorite. :lol
Hingis? :vomit: I never liked her for some reason. She should have stayed retired IMO.

[Emanuel20]

Nadal is playing great...backhand, forehand, drop shot, first/second serve percentages up from previous matches, everything is going great for him.

I see Roger vs. Nadal final!

[TampaDude]

Nadal owns the clay.

[dbreiden83080]

Nadal is all that stands between Fed and the all time records. It is amazing that Roger is dominating every other major, in a way nobody really ever has and at the same time, Nadal is doing the same at the French. Weird that would happen in the same era.

[Emanuel20]

Nadal is all that stands between Fed and the all time records. It is amazing that Roger is dominating every other major, in a way nobody really ever has and at the same time, Nadal is doing the same at the French. Weird that would happen in the same era.

I bet Roger regrets that it has happened to him...:bang

[kingsfan]

I bet Roger regrets that it has happened to him...:bang
Just like every other player on the tour regrets that Roger has happened to them, especially Roddick.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gonzalez beat Roger or at least gives him a very tough battle.

[Emanuel20]

Just like every other player on the tour regrets that Roger has happened to them, especially Roddick.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gonzalez beat Roger or at least gives him a very tough battle.

Fernando won the first set but Roger regrouped and won the match but still Nadal is in a way better condition to even be challenged by Federer. I think Nadal is going to win over Djokovic.

We'll se tomorrow.

[SAtown]

Hell of a match between Safina and Dementieva! I still think women's tennis is much more entertaining than men's, but I enjoy both a lot. Maybe we should tell that douche cajunspur to check out these ladies play; they're a lot better at tennis than he is at breathing.

[Emanuel20]

Hell of a match between Safina and Dementieva! I still think women's tennis is much more entertaining than men's, but I enjoy both a lot. Maybe we should tell that douche cajunspur to check out these ladies play; they're a lot better at tennis than he is at breathing.

I still can't believe Sharapova lost to Dementieva.
LOL...

[kingsfan]

Hell of a match between Safina and Dementieva! I still think women's tennis is much more entertaining than men's, but I enjoy both a lot. Maybe we should tell that douche cajunspur to check out these ladies play; they're a lot better at tennis than he is at breathing.
:lol I agree. Mens has become so predictable, for the most part it's Rog and rafa. Gonzalez did well in the 1st set but Rog is #1 for a reason and stepped up his game. I'd love to see another hot French player make a final though. Monfils looked good out there today. I can't wait for Novak/Nadal,that should be a great match. GO RAFA!!! :toast

[Purple & Gold]

Hingis? :vomit: I never liked her for some reason. She should have stayed retired IMO.

I've always liked Hingis, she's consistent and makes you earn your points. She may not be the strongest or the fastest or most athletic, but she's one of the smartest. Can't stand players that make a ton of unforced errors, but still win. I don't consider it good tennis to just try to overpower your opponent on every shot. Plus it doesn't hurt I always thought she was HOT!! :hungry: :hungry:

[BradLohaus]

Clay :td

Grass :tu

[kingsfan]

I've always liked Hingis, she's consistent and makes you earn your points. She may not be the strongest or the fastest or most athletic, but she's one of the smartest. Can't stand players that make a ton of unforced errors, but still win. I don't consider it good tennis to just try to overpower your opponent on every shot. Plus it doesn't hurt I always thought she was HOT!! :hungry: :hungry:
I take back what I said about you having taste. :lol I do agree she was a smart player but that's it. I don't really have a favorite female player, maybe Navratilova. I've always preferred serve + volleyers.

[dbreiden83080]

I bet Roger regrets that it has happened to him...:bang

Maybe but he is likely going down as the best ever even if he never gets the French. He is the 2nd best clay court player in the world. Last 3 years, lost to Nadal in the Semi-final, final and final. He is just losing to the all time great clay courter everyone else is losing too. He'd have 3 French opens by now if not for Nadal. It is not like Sampras who was 100% bad on the clay. Lost to journeyman after journeyman on the stuff.

[dbreiden83080]

I take back what I said about you having taste. :lol I do agree she was a smart player but that's it. I don't really have a favorite female player, maybe Navratilova. I've always preferred serve + volleyers.

Steffi Graf is my fav female player of all time.

[Purple & Gold]

I take back what I said about you having taste. :lol I do agree she was a smart player but that's it. I don't really have a favorite female player, maybe Navratilova. I've always preferred serve + volleyers.

I remember when Navratilova was dominant, I always liked her game and she's a great analyst. Her and Steffi had some great matches back in the day. It's funny to hear her gush over Ivanovic though. She has a huge crush :lol :lol

[kingsfan]

I remember when Navratilova was dominant, I always liked her game and she's a great analyst. Her and Steffi had some great matches back in the day. It's funny to hear her gush over Ivanovic though. She has a huge crush :lol :lol
yea she does :lol She had some great matches with Evert too. I loved tennis way more back in that time,mens and womens. I used to go to WImbledon every year and had a blast.

[Purple & Gold]

yea she does :lol She had some great matches with Evert too. I loved tennis way more back in that time,mens and womens. I used to go to WImbledon every year and had a blast.

I would have loved to go to Wimbledon. My friend is going this year. I tried to tag along, but she wasn't having it :lol

And I always liked Agassi more than Samprass, but that's another topic :lol

[kingsfan]

I would have loved to go to Wimbledon. My friend is going this year. I tried to tag along, but she wasn't having it :lol

And I always liked Agassi more than Samprass, but that's another topic :lol
I thought I was the only 1. To me Sampras was kinda boring, I feel the same bout Roger (although I can't deny their greatness). I like personality out there (hence Johnny Mac being my fave all time). Agassi had emotion as well as talent and probably more heart than just about anybody, not to mention arguably the best return of serve of all time.
I wouldn't take a faker fan to Wimby either :lol
Kori's on a roll maybe we'll get a tennis forum :wakeup

[1Parker1]

Can't wait for tommorow's semi-finals matchup between Nadal and Djokovic. :elephant

[kingsfan]

Nice job by Ana today, that was a good match and she's now #1 in the world :clap I know purple and gold is excited. Safina didn't play that great but Kuznetsova made her life easier. The passing of the of the torch to the young women, nice to see. I hope Ana doesn't choke but she isn't playing Henin and now has the experience.
Now bring on Rafa :cheer

[1Parker1]

Damn, that was utter domination by Nadal. Federer has about 1% chance to win this. It's over. Nadal is just amazing on Clay.

[dbreiden83080]

Damn, that was utter domination by Nadal. Federer has about 1% chance to win this. It's over. Nadal is just amazing on Clay.

While Nadal is clearly the favorite i expect a great match here. Fed is so big time in big matches and he knows his window is closing, to win the French. That if he wants to be remembered as the best ever, he has to get this done. I am pulling for Fed but i'll say Nadal in 5 sets.

[kingsfan]

Nice job Ana winning her 1st major :toast Safina was nervous but played well, she just lost to the better player.
Rafa totally dominated Novak in the semis, I just don't see him losing. Roger will be lucky to get a set from him.
Vamos Rafa

[dbreiden83080]

Nice job Ana winning her 1st major :toast Safina was nervous but played well, she just lost to the better player.
Rafa totally dominated Novak in the semis, I just don't see him losing. Roger will be lucky to get a set from him.
Vamos Rafa


I don't know something tells me Roger may finally break through, as great as Nadal is, i think he might do it. Roger must dominate on his serve and attack the net against Nadal. The longer the ponts go on Clay, the more it favors Nadal. It is tougher to end pts fast on Clay because it is a slow surface but if Roger is going to win he must speed the pace up. If Nadal dictates play, it's game over.

[Emanuel20]

I don't know something tells me Roger may finally break through, as great as Nadal is, i think he might do it. Roger must dominate on his serve and attack the net against Nadal. The longer the ponts go on Clay, the more it favors Nadal. It is tougher to end pts fast on Clay because it is a slow surface but if Roger is going to win he must speed the pace up. If Nadal dictates play, it's game over.


No way...after watching Nadal beat Novak at bad conditions..Nadal is just unbeatable on clay and especially during a French open final.
I think that Roger does not even have 1% chance of getting a set off Nadal on Sunday.

[dbreiden83080]

I think that Roger does not even have 1% chance of getting a set off Nadal on Sunday.

That is way too much disrespect for Roger.

[Kobulingam]

Fed's top gear is better than Nadal's (even on clay).

The problem is, he has these dips in matches while Nadal doesn't. The way tennis scoring works favours Nadal.

[Emanuel20]

That is way too much disrespect for Roger.

Maybe but after watching Nadal play....I really feel that Roger will have to work extremely hard.
Don't get me wrong, Roger is my favorite player since 1999s and I am pulling for him but...there is reality!

[kingsfan]

Incredible 1st set by Rafa, Roger looked lost out there, he's getting it together in the 2nd but put Nadal on the clay and he's almost unbeatable. 2 sets down 1 to go for the king of clay :clap

[dbreiden83080]

Incredible 1st set by Rafa, Roger looked lost out there, he's getting it together in the 2nd but put Nadal on the clay and he's almost unbeatable. 2 sets down 1 to go for the king of clay :clap

It is all but over, i was pulling hard for him but he can't get bye this guy on the clay. Shame, this will likely be the only slam he can't get because of Nadal.

[carina_gino20]

Damn. Nadal was in the zone. :lol That was just total domination. Roger was pretty confident coming into this match. But that first set broke him, I think. Tried to rally back in the 2nd, but Nadal was just relentless.

I'd thought it would take longer than this, but the way Rafa was playing...

If his game against Djokovic was almost perfect, then this match was pretty damn close to perfection.

[Emanuel20]

Roger looked confused and he just looked like he did not want to try and do something. Horrible performance....I really expected more from him but as I said earlier he did not have even 1% chance of winning...

[dbreiden83080]

I'm not a fan of the clay because it is so damn slow. It is not really winners that beat you it is unforced errors. That is why Pete always sucked on the stuff. His game was about power and, quick pts, not long rallies and his serve was much slower on the clay. You see Nadal play Roger so far back, on the service return. He could not get away with that anywhere but the Clay. Roger is indeed a great clay court player, if people just lump him with Pete for not winning this thing, that is incorrect. Roger would destroy Sampras on the clay.

[Purple & Gold]

Wow I've never seen Federer look that bad. Nadal played some of the best tennis I've ever seen against such a great opponent. Maybe this is the year Nadal finally takes his game to another surface other than clay.

[dbreiden83080]

Wow I've never seen Federer look that bad. Nadal played some of the best tennis I've ever seen against such a great opponent. Maybe this is the year Nadal finally takes his game to another surface other than clay.

He is good on grass, not very good on the hard stuff, his game does not translate well to the type of play at the US open and Aussie open. Nadal i doubt will ever win at those events, but he may get a Wimbledon or 2 and likely 2 or 3 more French Opens if he stays healthy.

[Purple & Gold]

:clap :clap :clap :clap GREAT JOB ANA!!! First Grand Slam Championship!!!

http://www.womenstennisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ivanovic-roland-garros-1.jpghttp://www.womenstennisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ivanovic-roland-garros-7.jpghttp://www.womenstennisblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/ivanovic-roland-garros-8.jpg

[carina_gino20]

He is good on grass, not very good on the hard stuff, his game does not translate well to the type of play at the US open and Aussie open. Nadal i doubt will ever win at those events, but he may get a Wimbledon or 2 and likely 2 or 3 more French Opens if he stays healthy.

I hope Nadal manages to get a Wimbledon title and break Borg's record in the French Open. He's just 22 so he's got a lot of chances.

Part of me wants Roger to finally get the only Grand Slam he still doesn't have, but a larger part wants to see Nadal win it every year. :lol

[Purple & Gold]

He is good on grass, not very good on the hard stuff, his game does not translate well to the type of play at the US open and Aussie open. Nadal i doubt will ever win at those events, but he may get a Wimbledon or 2 and likely 2 or 3 more French Opens if he stays healthy.

Nadal will get more than 2 or 3 French Opens unless he just falls off or some new wonderkid shows up. I would have liked to see Tsonga on this surface as well. Probably a little to big for the clay, but he moves extraordinarily well for his size. I do agree with you that the U.S. and Australian Open will be very difficult for Nadal to win. Wimbledon will be his best bet. I was also impressed with Monfils, he seems like he could do some major damage on the clay.

Now on to Wimbledon. I know Federer will be pissed and ready to avenge this horrible Final showing. There will be some great matches in this one as well.

[1Parker1]

Wow, complete domination by Nadal and complete meltdown for Federer. He looked visibly upset after the first set starting going bad for him and his body language did not appear good. He looked like he kind of gave up after 3 games in the 2nd set. I mean to end it 0-6? :wow Ouch.

And I didn't really see anything new his "clay coach" brought him. What new techniques was he looking to exploit? If his strategy was to play the net more, I'm not so sure that's a great strategy to play against someone like Nadal on clay. Other than that, I didn't really see any difference from previous 4 French Open matches.

:pctoss First my Spurs, and now Federer. I really thought this was going to be his year.

[Emanuel20]

:pctoss First my Spurs, and now Federer. I really thought this was going to be his year.

That was my thought. I remember Roger saying he wants to win the grand slam in 2008 and he was feeling pretty good about it. Lol...now we just hope he can win Wimbledon. :wow

[Don Quixote]

I guess I'm in the minority here -- I prefer the game played slower. I like the longer volleys and less emphasis on hitting the ball 140 mph. It showcases the quickness and athleticism of the players, and nothing's more boring than seeing ace after ace after ace.

[mavsfan1000]

I guess I'm in the minority here -- I prefer the game played slower. I like the longer volleys and less emphasis on hitting the ball 140 mph. It showcases the quickness and athleticism of the players, and nothing's more boring than seeing ace after ace after ace.
Agreed. I'm a big Nadal fan btw. I disagree with the idea that winners can't be done on clay. Nadal hit a ton of winners against Federer in that Finals. You gotta play high percentage shots though as it is hard to end points quickly. Using topspin to make your opponents uncomfortable and finish off the point.

[kingsfan]

I've seen some great clay court players-Borg,Vilas etc. but I think Rafa is the best I've ever seen. He made Roger look awful out there. So many unforced errors and how many people have bageled him in the last few years? Not many. I can't wait for Wimbledon, his grass game has improved greatly, last year was an excellent final and Rafa just won his 1st grass tourney at a Wimby warm up. I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa takes it, I'd love to see it. Dethrone the champ on his fave surface. :toast