Yeah I know the rest of the Solar System already knows but it is wonderful news that we will have both of the sisters back on grass this year - playing tennis on it I mean.
What's more it will be the Eastbourne tournament where we have the chance to see the ladies strut their stuff and for Serena it has been almost 12 months since any strutting - last year at Wimbledon in fact. I will be there live to report on the comeback for you.
Venus has played some tennis, but neither has been assisted by health issues, and their rankings have slid as a result. Serena, if fit for Wimbledon, will not likely be given a discretionary seeding higher than her current 25 in the world, which scarily could place her in a third round clash against a top ten ranked player. There will be more than a few shaking in their boots wondering how the champion's practice form is.
The problem ranking wise is that Serena must win Wimbledon to retain her number of points (add any she may gain at Eastbourne which she did not play last year).
The good thing is that if she can be available for the rest of the tournaments that matter this year, she will have zero points to defend and will just rack them up week after week.
On top of that we know how good Venus is on this surface having won five titles at the All England Club.
Womens' tennis has received a shot in the arm with the sisters returning - indeed a double shot.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Just Keep Walking
One of the first things I learnt about Marseille, apart from how glorious the weather is, and how appealing the water looks (the grapevine suggested that Melbourne may be providing somewhere in the region of 11 degrees max) is that the budget does not extend to provision of public seating to any level one would expect. Especially so, if that expectant were of the tourist species.
Whilst in the second or third stage of being local map reading-challenged, yours truly managed to walk in the direction that I stubbornly believed would be what the compass would advise (should I have one of those things), for around 2 kilometres before something resembling a seat was used to park me while I confirmed that indeed my status of not being where I should was now compounded by some 2 kilometres.
One place where there are some seats is at the underground Metro stations, and from where I now found myself a train was the most useful tool. The other tool present was me and not so useful. Using my IPad Maps App - wow what a great idea. Planning and thinking. Hope I have those two sorted out or I won't make it out of France and into England for the next tennis stage of my trip.
Then again I could stay here - it's raining on and off in London - I could always do the tennis by remote control. Nah - where's the joy in not being able to say you have experienced Wimbledon rain and a little tennis in between?
Last night was a change in pace though from Paris - sitting by the water, drink in hand, nothing on my mind except - no I was right nothing - watching 10-12 locals with a fishing line dropped in the water (one each) determined to catch something, fish preferably, accompanied I believe by someone else's choice, by a lone dog whose determination in seeing that no fish were caught was more successful.
Today I was ready to hit the water, and with so many boats in port I took it upon myself to ensure that one would take me as ordered, for a price. With control of this vessel, my demands were simple - take me and the rest of these people here on a 3 hour tour (then I quickly checked that the SS Minnow was not painted on the side) so I may finally see the Calanques between Marseille and Cassis, of which I'd been aware for at least a few months now.
Well they certainly were impressive in their rockiness but among the million shots that I took between nearly losing my camera overboard a few times the most impressive thing that I noticed, and we were navigated pretty darn close to these things, was the variation in trees and shrubs associated with rock formations that may be only short distances apart. Then of course there were the caves formed in a number of the Calanques - another time it would be tremendous to take a land tour and gain a different perspective.
For an afternoon thrill I decided to deny my feet the opportunity of resting and walked all the way to Notre-Dame de la Garde, which is so my Catholic sources tell me a minor basilica, which leads me to wonder what something major would look like, cause this is impressive. Although not traditionally "old" in the sense that it is a nineteenth century replacement for a church originally constructed centuries earlier, it is something to take in, maybe two visits worth. The standout feature, is a bell tower which is sat atop by an 11 metre plus copper statue of Madonna and Child (guilded with gold leaf)
The walk to the basilica was mostly up because at something like 150 metres it sits on the highest natural point in Marseille. It can be truthfully said then that I was high in Southern France because of the Catholic Church.
Whilst in the second or third stage of being local map reading-challenged, yours truly managed to walk in the direction that I stubbornly believed would be what the compass would advise (should I have one of those things), for around 2 kilometres before something resembling a seat was used to park me while I confirmed that indeed my status of not being where I should was now compounded by some 2 kilometres.
One place where there are some seats is at the underground Metro stations, and from where I now found myself a train was the most useful tool. The other tool present was me and not so useful. Using my IPad Maps App - wow what a great idea. Planning and thinking. Hope I have those two sorted out or I won't make it out of France and into England for the next tennis stage of my trip.
Then again I could stay here - it's raining on and off in London - I could always do the tennis by remote control. Nah - where's the joy in not being able to say you have experienced Wimbledon rain and a little tennis in between?
Last night was a change in pace though from Paris - sitting by the water, drink in hand, nothing on my mind except - no I was right nothing - watching 10-12 locals with a fishing line dropped in the water (one each) determined to catch something, fish preferably, accompanied I believe by someone else's choice, by a lone dog whose determination in seeing that no fish were caught was more successful.
Today I was ready to hit the water, and with so many boats in port I took it upon myself to ensure that one would take me as ordered, for a price. With control of this vessel, my demands were simple - take me and the rest of these people here on a 3 hour tour (then I quickly checked that the SS Minnow was not painted on the side) so I may finally see the Calanques between Marseille and Cassis, of which I'd been aware for at least a few months now.
Well they certainly were impressive in their rockiness but among the million shots that I took between nearly losing my camera overboard a few times the most impressive thing that I noticed, and we were navigated pretty darn close to these things, was the variation in trees and shrubs associated with rock formations that may be only short distances apart. Then of course there were the caves formed in a number of the Calanques - another time it would be tremendous to take a land tour and gain a different perspective.
For an afternoon thrill I decided to deny my feet the opportunity of resting and walked all the way to Notre-Dame de la Garde, which is so my Catholic sources tell me a minor basilica, which leads me to wonder what something major would look like, cause this is impressive. Although not traditionally "old" in the sense that it is a nineteenth century replacement for a church originally constructed centuries earlier, it is something to take in, maybe two visits worth. The standout feature, is a bell tower which is sat atop by an 11 metre plus copper statue of Madonna and Child (guilded with gold leaf)
The walk to the basilica was mostly up because at something like 150 metres it sits on the highest natural point in Marseille. It can be truthfully said then that I was high in Southern France because of the Catholic Church.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Rainstorm in Paris after the Open
Before leaving my home of a fortnight, I had planned to reacquaint myself with some of the city that I met up with previously. However, the Men's Final affected not only the atmosphere within the crowd at Rolamd Garros, but the atmosphere over the entire populace that night. Paris was subjected to a spectacular rainstorm complete with lightning as special effects. Was it tears of joy from the Almighty, after backing Nadal or an angry outburst at his favourite son being defeated?
However it is sunny in Marseille where I am heading today, and from where I will deliver more riveting tennis dispatches as we lead into Wimbledon. Of course these will not be from first hand viewing, but will rely on sitting back on water's edge, drinking and eating and calmly tapping into the reports on my cool live scores IPad app or watching the live coverage on screens where available.
Life in the south of France will be hard to stomach so spare a thought for me while I grit my teeth and bear it!
However it is sunny in Marseille where I am heading today, and from where I will deliver more riveting tennis dispatches as we lead into Wimbledon. Of course these will not be from first hand viewing, but will rely on sitting back on water's edge, drinking and eating and calmly tapping into the reports on my cool live scores IPad app or watching the live coverage on screens where available.
Life in the south of France will be hard to stomach so spare a thought for me while I grit my teeth and bear it!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Rafa Reigns again on Roger's parade
For two weeks, things had happened in Paris, on an off the tennis court, but when it all washed up we once more had the stubbornness of possibly the greatest male player of all time to have yet another crack at the modern day owner of Court Philippe Chatrier.
Before the tournament, the widely held expectation was that the French Open 2011 vintage would be a wine produced by either Rafael Nadal or his nemesis this year Novak Djokovic. Not many expected that the grapes from one of Roger Federer's vineyards would be the season's surprise packet.
Already established as one of the two form players of the tournament before the semis, along with Nadal, Roger is now being talked seriously in terms of cover of Time for what he dished up against Djokovic on Friday. However it was defending champion Nadal who entered the match as bookies favourite, although the crowd may have been leaning just a little Roger's way.
The semi final form was fresh for the Swiss player as he took little time in racking up a 2-0 lead over the surprised yet unperturbed Spaniard. With Roger serving well Rafa needed to remain patient and where he could keep the points long - on clay this would ultimately occur.
Each player was thrilling their fans as the match began to take shape, and Roger, with a break and serving first found himself at 5-2, and even better for him with set point. Rafa could only watch helplessly and then breathe a huge sigh as Roger's drop shot slipped wide.
Rafa held for 3-5, and we all believed that Roger would continue his good serving and take the set - enter some serving problems to spoil that theory. Add to that the Spanish resolve and the break point presented was gladly accepted and we had 4-5 with Nadal to serve next. With all the running, Rafa lifted his game and made Federer play longer points which tested Roger's patience. His inability to put away winners, mainly a product of Rafa's extraordinary desperation to chase everything and be prepared at the end of the chase with racquet in perfect position to return a potential point winning stroke, made it nigh on impossible to break the Nadal serve. The causal effect was to pressure the Federer serve which had been so solid until 5-5.
Rafa exploded in this game, pouncing on every opening that appeared and taking the break opportunity to lead 6-5 and be serving inexplicably for the first set, with the final 5 games to do so. This he did with consummate ease, and the body language from the other end, which to be honest, had been anything but pumped up while doing the front running, was now downright depressing to us who had our support behind the champion.
Things became bleaker in set two with Roger simply being outplayed from the back of the court - Nadal broke straight away, led 3-1 and could almost have had a second and fatal break but for some great fight and champion qualities from Federer. Still when more serves were held and the games reached 4-3 with Rafa to come to the line again, a change was needed to the direction of a final which was steadily slipping out of the grasp of the 16 time grand slam tournament winner.
As if his brain registered that moving forward to take net position and volley occasionally may break the game apart somewhat, the body obeyed, and Roger thwarted Nadal's hitherto successful crosscourt and down the line slashing winners and error forcing blasts. Back on serve and we had ourselves a final once more.
Roger was still calm - his demeanor unchanged since the start of the match. One would not have thought that he had just brought him himself back from maybe the brink. The facial expression more befitted the result of his next service game which was anything but memorable. After asserting himself so well to come back, the ease with which Roger surrendered the break back immediately suggested that this set was all but gone the same way as the first.
Rafa had set point but at 40-30 rain began to become an issue, so much so that the players were forced to leave the court, but not before Nadal had granted one parting gesture to his opponent by committing an error and leaving the score tantalizingly at deuce.
Back from the rain break - only a short one - and it was the Swiss player who adjusted better quicker and managed to break yet again for 5-5. Roger had the ominous look for the first time since early in the final as he races to 6-5, but Nadal wanted the tie breaker and so the umpire granted his wish. This umpire by the way was an embarrassment - I will not give him too much space here, but he was impotent when the crowd needed controlling, never once requesting silence at appropriate times, out of respect for the players. All chair umpires are trained to be alert to close line calls and any disputes arising. He just announced the score and demonstrated the most inept display at a Grand Slam tournament that I have witnessed, let alone in a Men's Final which demands the best officials. There enough said.
Roger's tie break efforts against Djokovic were superb and match winning - in the second set breaker in the final Nadal was leading 4-0 in a flash. Too much to respond to, and that gap was maintained to the end which saw Nadal holding a 7-5 7-6 lead and a firm grip on French Open title number six.
Nothing early in the third changed the universal view that Roger was in deep trouble, this trouble compounded when Nadal broke service to lead 4-2. More fight in the Federer tank as he hit his straps in the very next game to break back for 3-4. On serve until as in set one we had 5-5. This time Nadal was serving, and the scoreboard pressure was all on Federer. As long as Nadal held, a slip by Roger would be the match over. So the master played his best returning game of the match to easily break the Spanish serve and have the chance to serve for his first set of the final.
To his supporters' rapture, Federer won the third set 7-5 and at last some reward for his efforts in the match had come his way. Only, the glory for him in set 4 was limited indeed. With Rafa serving first, again Roger could ill afford a slip, especially in the later stages of the set. So Roger attacked Rafa with everything at his disposal including a kitchen sink if my eyes didn't deceive me. 0-40, and surely this was the break needed to progress to a two sets all position.
The 2011 French Open was decided in the next game and a half. Rafa saved all of the break points in a stretch of 5 straight to hold serve and mentally destabilise Federer. It arose through Nadal lifting his game to another level, attacking in a Federer-like fashion where Federer had been reticent to do, and giving us an entree to the best set of shot retrieval one would ever hope to see.
Federer from this point was in a different match to Nadal who was playing in his own special universe. Nadal serving first with a break stretched the lead to 4-1, and Roger needed to hold serve to stay alive. As much as Roger tried, Rafa had already had the engravers begin their work on the silverware as he cruised through, breaking for a second time, and serving the final set out with comfort.
So number six at Roland Garros for Rafa, and yet another success over Roger in a Grand Slam tournament final. Roger will be pleased with the tournament but be regretting missed early chances in the final. Wimbledon could be the scene of another title for the Swiss star.
Rafa stays number one for a little while longer and must rate himself a fair chance of defending his Wimbledon title
Congratulations to all the players in all the matches - especially Li Na with her breakthrough and of course Rafa for equalling Bjorn Borg's record of six titles here.
Special thanks to Steve, Kathy and the gang for taking great care of us while we were in Paris - making sure we made it to matches on time and did not become lost and for generally providing wonderful hospitality.
Before the tournament, the widely held expectation was that the French Open 2011 vintage would be a wine produced by either Rafael Nadal or his nemesis this year Novak Djokovic. Not many expected that the grapes from one of Roger Federer's vineyards would be the season's surprise packet.
Already established as one of the two form players of the tournament before the semis, along with Nadal, Roger is now being talked seriously in terms of cover of Time for what he dished up against Djokovic on Friday. However it was defending champion Nadal who entered the match as bookies favourite, although the crowd may have been leaning just a little Roger's way.
The semi final form was fresh for the Swiss player as he took little time in racking up a 2-0 lead over the surprised yet unperturbed Spaniard. With Roger serving well Rafa needed to remain patient and where he could keep the points long - on clay this would ultimately occur.
Each player was thrilling their fans as the match began to take shape, and Roger, with a break and serving first found himself at 5-2, and even better for him with set point. Rafa could only watch helplessly and then breathe a huge sigh as Roger's drop shot slipped wide.
Rafa held for 3-5, and we all believed that Roger would continue his good serving and take the set - enter some serving problems to spoil that theory. Add to that the Spanish resolve and the break point presented was gladly accepted and we had 4-5 with Nadal to serve next. With all the running, Rafa lifted his game and made Federer play longer points which tested Roger's patience. His inability to put away winners, mainly a product of Rafa's extraordinary desperation to chase everything and be prepared at the end of the chase with racquet in perfect position to return a potential point winning stroke, made it nigh on impossible to break the Nadal serve. The causal effect was to pressure the Federer serve which had been so solid until 5-5.
Rafa exploded in this game, pouncing on every opening that appeared and taking the break opportunity to lead 6-5 and be serving inexplicably for the first set, with the final 5 games to do so. This he did with consummate ease, and the body language from the other end, which to be honest, had been anything but pumped up while doing the front running, was now downright depressing to us who had our support behind the champion.
Things became bleaker in set two with Roger simply being outplayed from the back of the court - Nadal broke straight away, led 3-1 and could almost have had a second and fatal break but for some great fight and champion qualities from Federer. Still when more serves were held and the games reached 4-3 with Rafa to come to the line again, a change was needed to the direction of a final which was steadily slipping out of the grasp of the 16 time grand slam tournament winner.
As if his brain registered that moving forward to take net position and volley occasionally may break the game apart somewhat, the body obeyed, and Roger thwarted Nadal's hitherto successful crosscourt and down the line slashing winners and error forcing blasts. Back on serve and we had ourselves a final once more.
Roger was still calm - his demeanor unchanged since the start of the match. One would not have thought that he had just brought him himself back from maybe the brink. The facial expression more befitted the result of his next service game which was anything but memorable. After asserting himself so well to come back, the ease with which Roger surrendered the break back immediately suggested that this set was all but gone the same way as the first.
Rafa had set point but at 40-30 rain began to become an issue, so much so that the players were forced to leave the court, but not before Nadal had granted one parting gesture to his opponent by committing an error and leaving the score tantalizingly at deuce.
Back from the rain break - only a short one - and it was the Swiss player who adjusted better quicker and managed to break yet again for 5-5. Roger had the ominous look for the first time since early in the final as he races to 6-5, but Nadal wanted the tie breaker and so the umpire granted his wish. This umpire by the way was an embarrassment - I will not give him too much space here, but he was impotent when the crowd needed controlling, never once requesting silence at appropriate times, out of respect for the players. All chair umpires are trained to be alert to close line calls and any disputes arising. He just announced the score and demonstrated the most inept display at a Grand Slam tournament that I have witnessed, let alone in a Men's Final which demands the best officials. There enough said.
Roger's tie break efforts against Djokovic were superb and match winning - in the second set breaker in the final Nadal was leading 4-0 in a flash. Too much to respond to, and that gap was maintained to the end which saw Nadal holding a 7-5 7-6 lead and a firm grip on French Open title number six.
Nothing early in the third changed the universal view that Roger was in deep trouble, this trouble compounded when Nadal broke service to lead 4-2. More fight in the Federer tank as he hit his straps in the very next game to break back for 3-4. On serve until as in set one we had 5-5. This time Nadal was serving, and the scoreboard pressure was all on Federer. As long as Nadal held, a slip by Roger would be the match over. So the master played his best returning game of the match to easily break the Spanish serve and have the chance to serve for his first set of the final.
To his supporters' rapture, Federer won the third set 7-5 and at last some reward for his efforts in the match had come his way. Only, the glory for him in set 4 was limited indeed. With Rafa serving first, again Roger could ill afford a slip, especially in the later stages of the set. So Roger attacked Rafa with everything at his disposal including a kitchen sink if my eyes didn't deceive me. 0-40, and surely this was the break needed to progress to a two sets all position.
The 2011 French Open was decided in the next game and a half. Rafa saved all of the break points in a stretch of 5 straight to hold serve and mentally destabilise Federer. It arose through Nadal lifting his game to another level, attacking in a Federer-like fashion where Federer had been reticent to do, and giving us an entree to the best set of shot retrieval one would ever hope to see.
Federer from this point was in a different match to Nadal who was playing in his own special universe. Nadal serving first with a break stretched the lead to 4-1, and Roger needed to hold serve to stay alive. As much as Roger tried, Rafa had already had the engravers begin their work on the silverware as he cruised through, breaking for a second time, and serving the final set out with comfort.
So number six at Roland Garros for Rafa, and yet another success over Roger in a Grand Slam tournament final. Roger will be pleased with the tournament but be regretting missed early chances in the final. Wimbledon could be the scene of another title for the Swiss star.
Rafa stays number one for a little while longer and must rate himself a fair chance of defending his Wimbledon title
Congratulations to all the players in all the matches - especially Li Na with her breakthrough and of course Rafa for equalling Bjorn Borg's record of six titles here.
Special thanks to Steve, Kathy and the gang for taking great care of us while we were in Paris - making sure we made it to matches on time and did not become lost and for generally providing wonderful hospitality.
Li Na breaks through
For years, Li Na has threatened to succeed at the highest level in tennis, but mainly due to the era, her contemporaries have won the spoils and knocked her out at quarter or semi final stages. In Melbourne this year she achieved her first final appearance at a Grand Slam tournament losing a close three setter to Kim Clijsters.
The French Open had given her another chance at the jackpot, due to a range of factors - an underprepared Clijsters who was defeated early, surprise exits in the first week by top seed Wozniacki, last year's runner-up Stosur and in-form German player Goerges. Li Na still had Azarenka to beat in the quarter finals but the Belarussian had never been past that stage of a major so Li Na had that in her favour.
As things transpired, Francesca Schiavone ended up as the highest seed left on her side of the draw after the carnage of the top seeds extended to Zvonareva. So the final was between the youngsters on tour 30 year old defending champion Schiavone and 29 year old Li. Judging from their semi finals, Li would need to be more inventive in order to break up the many facets that exist in the Italian's game.
Considering that 12 months previous Schiavone had raised the trophy in triumph, her start was anything but assured, whereas it was the Chinese girl who took the game up to Francesca, surprising her with her willingness to move forward at times rather than play the baseline role which had proved entirely sufficient against the limited Sharapova in the semis.
The big forehand remained the cornerstone of Li's attack, though, and she held serve early without any signs of trouble. Being one of the few players able to consistently handle Schiavone's wicked slice and spin, Li managed to pressure enough of the Italian ground strokes into unforced error, achieving the initial break of the match early in set one. The remainder of the set went with serve, an unusual occurrence in women's singles finals these days, but one which brought a half smile to the Chinese face as another Italian error presented her the set. Half a smile was all that Li would allow herself, because she knew that the job to this point had been half completed. The wounded champion must be all the more respected.
Francesca found herself in even deeper trouble at the beginning of set two, seriously wounded when broken in the first game. Li saved a break point with an ace and held serve which she would continue to do solidly. At 3-1, she had a golden opportunity to secure the match with a simple put away and a double break. However she netted the shot, and Schiavone took heart from the near death experience.
At 4-3, still in command but receiving much more of a contest from a Schiavone showing her more recognisable skills, Li served to be one game away from glory. However she faulted and the crafty Italian could sense a third set coming up as she equalled at 4-4. Both girls traded a full range of top notch tennis shots, Schiavone with her spin and devilish backhand, Li with the regulation brutal forehand. The trend was moving ever so slightly towards the Italian in general play and the shots from the Chinese racquet were a little more conservative. Li served to stay in the set at 4-5, and again at 5-6, both times with success, but without the assuredness of what we witnessed earlier.
In fact in the 12th game a controversial line call at deuce went in favour of the Chinese girl, and rather than have to face a break point she instead proceeded to win the game and dominate the tie breaker, not relinquishing a single further point to Schiavone for the match. Partly explained by Francesca's devastation at the chair umpire's decision, but more so by her opponent's capacity to step it up when it mattered most. Lobbing and volleying superbly and serving as expected in a match deciding position, Li Na triumphed in the 2011 French Open 6-4 7-6.
Francesca could be well proud of her title defense, and although she slips a spot in the rankings, that is simply a statistic belying the position she holds in world tennis. Li Na now moves ahead of Azarenka to her highest ever ranking of 4 and is China's first Grand Slam singles champion. She deserves all that comes with that.
As an Australian, living in a country that has a wonderful trading relationship with China, I put it to the powers that be that for some extra exports of valuable minerals, we gain Li Na as our latest import because our tennis stocks are in serious need of a boost!
The French Open had given her another chance at the jackpot, due to a range of factors - an underprepared Clijsters who was defeated early, surprise exits in the first week by top seed Wozniacki, last year's runner-up Stosur and in-form German player Goerges. Li Na still had Azarenka to beat in the quarter finals but the Belarussian had never been past that stage of a major so Li Na had that in her favour.
As things transpired, Francesca Schiavone ended up as the highest seed left on her side of the draw after the carnage of the top seeds extended to Zvonareva. So the final was between the youngsters on tour 30 year old defending champion Schiavone and 29 year old Li. Judging from their semi finals, Li would need to be more inventive in order to break up the many facets that exist in the Italian's game.
Considering that 12 months previous Schiavone had raised the trophy in triumph, her start was anything but assured, whereas it was the Chinese girl who took the game up to Francesca, surprising her with her willingness to move forward at times rather than play the baseline role which had proved entirely sufficient against the limited Sharapova in the semis.
The big forehand remained the cornerstone of Li's attack, though, and she held serve early without any signs of trouble. Being one of the few players able to consistently handle Schiavone's wicked slice and spin, Li managed to pressure enough of the Italian ground strokes into unforced error, achieving the initial break of the match early in set one. The remainder of the set went with serve, an unusual occurrence in women's singles finals these days, but one which brought a half smile to the Chinese face as another Italian error presented her the set. Half a smile was all that Li would allow herself, because she knew that the job to this point had been half completed. The wounded champion must be all the more respected.
Francesca found herself in even deeper trouble at the beginning of set two, seriously wounded when broken in the first game. Li saved a break point with an ace and held serve which she would continue to do solidly. At 3-1, she had a golden opportunity to secure the match with a simple put away and a double break. However she netted the shot, and Schiavone took heart from the near death experience.
At 4-3, still in command but receiving much more of a contest from a Schiavone showing her more recognisable skills, Li served to be one game away from glory. However she faulted and the crafty Italian could sense a third set coming up as she equalled at 4-4. Both girls traded a full range of top notch tennis shots, Schiavone with her spin and devilish backhand, Li with the regulation brutal forehand. The trend was moving ever so slightly towards the Italian in general play and the shots from the Chinese racquet were a little more conservative. Li served to stay in the set at 4-5, and again at 5-6, both times with success, but without the assuredness of what we witnessed earlier.
In fact in the 12th game a controversial line call at deuce went in favour of the Chinese girl, and rather than have to face a break point she instead proceeded to win the game and dominate the tie breaker, not relinquishing a single further point to Schiavone for the match. Partly explained by Francesca's devastation at the chair umpire's decision, but more so by her opponent's capacity to step it up when it mattered most. Lobbing and volleying superbly and serving as expected in a match deciding position, Li Na triumphed in the 2011 French Open 6-4 7-6.
Francesca could be well proud of her title defense, and although she slips a spot in the rankings, that is simply a statistic belying the position she holds in world tennis. Li Na now moves ahead of Azarenka to her highest ever ranking of 4 and is China's first Grand Slam singles champion. She deserves all that comes with that.
As an Australian, living in a country that has a wonderful trading relationship with China, I put it to the powers that be that for some extra exports of valuable minerals, we gain Li Na as our latest import because our tennis stocks are in serious need of a boost!
Saturday, 4 June 2011
"The Match"
Some had said that Federer may find it difficult to win a major title again, a habit that he had developed to the annoyance of all the other players for most of his career. Last rites had been performed, obituaries written, statues started to be built in memory of the once great master of the game.
However there is something romantic about Paris not only in Spring but in the Summer of 2011. The romantic tale generated here to out sell all others is the rebirth of Roger. Rated a chance by most experts of reaching the semi finals but losing to the impregnable Djokovic, Federer defied all and sundry by playing the best tennis of the tournament to reach the semi final match up, and failing to drop a set on the journey there.
What we witnessed on Friday evening and into the night was every positive adjective one could find in a thesaurus and some more that have yet to be invented. Facing an opponent who had not lost to anyone since last November, Roger Federer played imperiously from the outset, forcing the Serbian star to come and join him on the ride to donate to the paying audience possibly the greatest semi final in mens Grand Slam tournament play since Federer's loss to Marat Safin at the 2005 Australian Open.
The surface was clay, but it may as well have been a kitchen floor because the shots that the players created made nonsense of any environmental determinants that may have existed. Despite exchanging service breaks, it was Novak who had to draw from the well more times to stay with the Swiss maestro, and yet all of a sudden the Serb stood at set point 4-5 on Roger's serve. But as Sampras used to do so immaculately, and Roger has continued in his footsteps to do, big points were played with the best tennis and Roger saved himself. A tiebreak was appropriate and Federer proved his capacity to control these better than the rest as he won through to take the set 7-6.
The Swiss are neutral but the crowd was anything but as they erupted when Roger grasped the significant early advantage. Of course early being the operative word. Still plenty with which to be concerned on the other side of the net. Federer had been dictating with his serve and the return of Djokovic, expected to expose Roger, had not reeked as much havoc as predicted.
A subdued Serb suffered at the hands of a rampant Roger early in the second set. Down a break, Roger did not want to let Novak back - a two set break would be a huge mountain to climb. At 2-5, Djokovic summoned all his willpower to struggle out of a service game of trouble and even then to have a chance to break Federer, but once more the Swiss superstar blocked the opportunity, and clinched a 6-3 second set to add to the earlier first set that he had collected.
Now there was a doubt whether the match could conclude should Novak make a comeback. No way could 5 sets be completed before darkness so we could have been back to watch more of this cracker of a match. As expected of a top player, Djokovic did make the comeback, and through exhilarating tennis that has been his trademark all season, he troubled Federer, reading his slice and handling his serve much better. Against all the crowd support, the Serb took the set 6-3, and the match was closer to back in the balance but still with Federer the favorite.
The fourth set couldn't be any better. Oh yes it could! We saw some of the best rallies of the tournament in this part of the match, including the single best rally I personally witnessed ended with an astonishing winner from Roger at a key stage of the set. Djokovic achieved the break in the ninth game due to the worst service game from Roger for the match, but when serving for two sets all, the pressure showed, and experienced Roger went for the kill and the break back for 5-5.
The two exchanged serves, but not before at 30-30 and 5-6 Novak played the bravest and best of drop shot winners to reach game point which could have set up a match point for Roger.
A tie break followed, and Roger led early again before the Serb fightback. An ace from Djokovic made it 5-6 giving Roger centre stage to serve for the match, having had 2 match points saved by Novak. What better way to place an exclamation mark on a famous victory in a tremendous match than to serve yet another ace.
Vintage Roger outplayed a player who may one day be classed in the upper echelons of the games, but only marginally. A year or so ago, these matches would have been over for Novak in a lot shorter time than the three and a half hours it took Federer to subdue him. Fight and talent are both key to the Serbian game now.
For Roger he has yet another date with Rafa in a Grand Slam tournament final - the first time they have met at such a stage since the 2009 Australian Open. If Sunday is anywhere near as great as that five setter, then we can expect another treat, and I love being spoilt here in Paris!
However there is something romantic about Paris not only in Spring but in the Summer of 2011. The romantic tale generated here to out sell all others is the rebirth of Roger. Rated a chance by most experts of reaching the semi finals but losing to the impregnable Djokovic, Federer defied all and sundry by playing the best tennis of the tournament to reach the semi final match up, and failing to drop a set on the journey there.
What we witnessed on Friday evening and into the night was every positive adjective one could find in a thesaurus and some more that have yet to be invented. Facing an opponent who had not lost to anyone since last November, Roger Federer played imperiously from the outset, forcing the Serbian star to come and join him on the ride to donate to the paying audience possibly the greatest semi final in mens Grand Slam tournament play since Federer's loss to Marat Safin at the 2005 Australian Open.
The surface was clay, but it may as well have been a kitchen floor because the shots that the players created made nonsense of any environmental determinants that may have existed. Despite exchanging service breaks, it was Novak who had to draw from the well more times to stay with the Swiss maestro, and yet all of a sudden the Serb stood at set point 4-5 on Roger's serve. But as Sampras used to do so immaculately, and Roger has continued in his footsteps to do, big points were played with the best tennis and Roger saved himself. A tiebreak was appropriate and Federer proved his capacity to control these better than the rest as he won through to take the set 7-6.
The Swiss are neutral but the crowd was anything but as they erupted when Roger grasped the significant early advantage. Of course early being the operative word. Still plenty with which to be concerned on the other side of the net. Federer had been dictating with his serve and the return of Djokovic, expected to expose Roger, had not reeked as much havoc as predicted.
A subdued Serb suffered at the hands of a rampant Roger early in the second set. Down a break, Roger did not want to let Novak back - a two set break would be a huge mountain to climb. At 2-5, Djokovic summoned all his willpower to struggle out of a service game of trouble and even then to have a chance to break Federer, but once more the Swiss superstar blocked the opportunity, and clinched a 6-3 second set to add to the earlier first set that he had collected.
Now there was a doubt whether the match could conclude should Novak make a comeback. No way could 5 sets be completed before darkness so we could have been back to watch more of this cracker of a match. As expected of a top player, Djokovic did make the comeback, and through exhilarating tennis that has been his trademark all season, he troubled Federer, reading his slice and handling his serve much better. Against all the crowd support, the Serb took the set 6-3, and the match was closer to back in the balance but still with Federer the favorite.
The fourth set couldn't be any better. Oh yes it could! We saw some of the best rallies of the tournament in this part of the match, including the single best rally I personally witnessed ended with an astonishing winner from Roger at a key stage of the set. Djokovic achieved the break in the ninth game due to the worst service game from Roger for the match, but when serving for two sets all, the pressure showed, and experienced Roger went for the kill and the break back for 5-5.
The two exchanged serves, but not before at 30-30 and 5-6 Novak played the bravest and best of drop shot winners to reach game point which could have set up a match point for Roger.
A tie break followed, and Roger led early again before the Serb fightback. An ace from Djokovic made it 5-6 giving Roger centre stage to serve for the match, having had 2 match points saved by Novak. What better way to place an exclamation mark on a famous victory in a tremendous match than to serve yet another ace.
Vintage Roger outplayed a player who may one day be classed in the upper echelons of the games, but only marginally. A year or so ago, these matches would have been over for Novak in a lot shorter time than the three and a half hours it took Federer to subdue him. Fight and talent are both key to the Serbian game now.
For Roger he has yet another date with Rafa in a Grand Slam tournament final - the first time they have met at such a stage since the 2009 Australian Open. If Sunday is anywhere near as great as that five setter, then we can expect another treat, and I love being spoilt here in Paris!
Now girls that is a hard act to follow!
As one who purchases tickets to every Australian Open, and now a couple of US Opens and this year Roland Garros, experience suggests that quarters, semis and finals can be slightly less inspiring than the potential that they demand.
However, we were pretty certain that Friday 3 June 2011 was not going to fall into that category. The final analysis will show that the top 4 men's players in the world gave us far more than even we could possibly have expected, the spectacular day ending as night was falling on Paris on breathtaking, pulsating tennis that the Women's Final will find difficult to follow.
First it was king of the clay - and while he is the French Open champ he remains king - Rafa Nadal to have a hit of tennis on his birthday with young mate Andy Murray who he'd invited over to one of the local courts he'd booked for a few hours. Being a good sport, Scotsman Murray granted Nadal first use of a break of serve in the match which had attracted quite a few onlookers from around the neighbourhood.
Andy seemed to be striking the tennis balls rather harshly, as if there was something personal against them, yet the Spaniard concentrated on retrieving almost all of them and sending them back to Scotland with interest, and the interest was great for us in the crowd. Murray could not make inroads into the match largely due to the arsenal which the Spaniard had brought with him, including one of the highest calibre legally available forehands, this latest model with the super top spin option included.
At 1-5, Andy needed to hold serve to at least keep Nadal honest and hold serve for the set which appeared headed his way. Not only did Andy keep his end of the bargain, but finally converted a break point in Rafa's next game. Despite having more chances as Nadal served a second time for the set, Murray could not succeed, and the big point winner took the opening set 6-4. Murray had made his statement, though - he was now playing well enough to win.
The second set was a smorgasbord of delightful tennis fare for which we went back for seconds and thirds - we could not have enough of the splendid rallies, highlighted by the power serving and deft touch of Murray and the running capacity of Nadal who reached all but a few of the Scot's ground strokes then adding some Spanish flavor of his own before returning over the other side in a usually more difficult form with which to deal.
Twice Nadal broke, only for Murray to break straight back, but at 5-5 the champ struck, and unfortunately Murray at 5-6 could not prevent Rafa serving to take a two set lead in a match that while close was feeling a million miles out of reach for Andy.
Any chance of an heroic comeback was dashed immediately in the third set when an apparent mental lapse led to a break of serve - yet again it required Andy to come from behind to win a set. More elite tennis from both players as the clock ticked over 3 hours - shots that surely are not meant to be made by mere mortals were being struck as if in practice by Rafa and Andy, but as much as the break points kept coming for Murray, so the conversion necessary to continue the match did not.
Rafa Nadal served his way into a sixth French Open final with a straight sets but anything but straightforward victory over gallant Andy Murray 6-4 7-5 6-4.
However, we were pretty certain that Friday 3 June 2011 was not going to fall into that category. The final analysis will show that the top 4 men's players in the world gave us far more than even we could possibly have expected, the spectacular day ending as night was falling on Paris on breathtaking, pulsating tennis that the Women's Final will find difficult to follow.
First it was king of the clay - and while he is the French Open champ he remains king - Rafa Nadal to have a hit of tennis on his birthday with young mate Andy Murray who he'd invited over to one of the local courts he'd booked for a few hours. Being a good sport, Scotsman Murray granted Nadal first use of a break of serve in the match which had attracted quite a few onlookers from around the neighbourhood.
Andy seemed to be striking the tennis balls rather harshly, as if there was something personal against them, yet the Spaniard concentrated on retrieving almost all of them and sending them back to Scotland with interest, and the interest was great for us in the crowd. Murray could not make inroads into the match largely due to the arsenal which the Spaniard had brought with him, including one of the highest calibre legally available forehands, this latest model with the super top spin option included.
At 1-5, Andy needed to hold serve to at least keep Nadal honest and hold serve for the set which appeared headed his way. Not only did Andy keep his end of the bargain, but finally converted a break point in Rafa's next game. Despite having more chances as Nadal served a second time for the set, Murray could not succeed, and the big point winner took the opening set 6-4. Murray had made his statement, though - he was now playing well enough to win.
The second set was a smorgasbord of delightful tennis fare for which we went back for seconds and thirds - we could not have enough of the splendid rallies, highlighted by the power serving and deft touch of Murray and the running capacity of Nadal who reached all but a few of the Scot's ground strokes then adding some Spanish flavor of his own before returning over the other side in a usually more difficult form with which to deal.
Twice Nadal broke, only for Murray to break straight back, but at 5-5 the champ struck, and unfortunately Murray at 5-6 could not prevent Rafa serving to take a two set lead in a match that while close was feeling a million miles out of reach for Andy.
Any chance of an heroic comeback was dashed immediately in the third set when an apparent mental lapse led to a break of serve - yet again it required Andy to come from behind to win a set. More elite tennis from both players as the clock ticked over 3 hours - shots that surely are not meant to be made by mere mortals were being struck as if in practice by Rafa and Andy, but as much as the break points kept coming for Murray, so the conversion necessary to continue the match did not.
Rafa Nadal served his way into a sixth French Open final with a straight sets but anything but straightforward victory over gallant Andy Murray 6-4 7-5 6-4.
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