On the day I visited Versailles I took my eye off the ball somewhat and wasn't there for my favorite female tennis player as she bravely fought but lost her fourth round match against defending champ Schiavone. Yes Serbian Jelena Jankovic had been in the kind of form that had brought her solid results here in the past, but the crunch shots belonged to a deserved Italian who is fighting harder with each day closer to her being pensioned off.
Novak destroyed a French hope, Richard Gasquet in 3 ruthless sets to win something for the Serbs but I needed a day to reflect, so out of Paris again, this time to pay homage to Claude Monet and his wonderful garden. He also did some painting in his spare time and I had a gander at a few of those efforts too. The guy had some talent with the brush no doubt. Could use someone like him at home - the house is in need of a makeover.
The setting which is regularly invaded by tourists such as yours truly is the quaint village of Giverny, about 70km north west of Paris, loosely following variations of the River Seine. The weather suited the experience - slightly overcast, a little fall of rain to sparkle the roses and other impressive flora, and sunny enough for the cameras to adequately reflect the mood. (for those that have that control over camera work)
The estate agents allowed us an extensive tour through the house - it has been on the market since the artist's passing but still no sale - I likened it in a way to Wagner's house in Lucerne apart from the fact that Monet's works have never been performed by the Australian Opera Company, and Wagner has yet to claim an exhibition in the Louvre. The similarity was the flagrant disregard for the "No camera or video" signs in every room. Guess some tourists are not willing to purchase a postcard or booklet.
Enjoying my day out of town contrasted with Petra Kvitova at Roland Garros, who after taking a set lead, crumbled to China's Na Li in three, the latter now a quarter finalist against Victoria Azarenka who bullied Ekaterina Makarova off the court rather quickly.
Sharapova played in the womens match of the day winning 7-6 7-5 against Agnieszka Radwanska, and for that takes home the daily prize of a ticket to the quarter finals where she will have the chance to meet personally Germany's Andrea Petkovic, which should be a thrill for Maria.
Gael Monfils fought his guts out against one of the favorites coming into the tournament, Spain's David Ferrer, the 5 setter, across 2 days, satisfying locals just a tad. Gael now would have a much easier task in the quarters against a Swiss prospect named Federer who struggled through his fourth round match against compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, who will never ever get close to troubling Roger, even with Fed Ex blind folded, playing left handed, serving under arm and allowed no faults each service point. Stan is a good player but is mentally scarred against Federer who he has been hypnotized into believing is the creator of all things.
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