For a player who has been labelled ever since winning her maiden Grand Slam tournament here at Roland Garros last year as a first time/last time success due to her stage of tennis life and other unfathomable parameters (and I count myself as one of the labellers) Francesca Schiavone sure is doing a lot of "I told you so's" one year on from her red letter day on the red clay in Paris in 2010.
It is not just the calibre of opponent but the methodology employed to eventually take control of proceedings, even if with Jelena Jankvic it was at the very last breath. Schiavone had to play a French player in the semis, and so could expect a crowd heavily in favor of Marion Bartoli. The local girl was hyped as one may expect but I mean really over the top. Between points she looked as if she was practicing fencing with her tennis racquet and by the expressions on her face her preferred prey was the Italian facing her over the net.
Anxious for first blood - not to stretch the sabre/epee analogy too far - Bartoli always seemed to be needing to try too hard to find the necessary repertoire of shots to worry Schiavone. As for a plan of action, tactics were missing from the French preparation, or they were not instituted.
The advantage for Schiavone, amongst many, lay in her willingness to structure a point whether it be from a position of advantage or otherwise and more times than not we saw the result being a frantic French athlete running all over the court attempting to connect a portion of racquet on ball.
Francesca is not all textbook, but she has a single handed backhand that may be copyrighted from a leading tennis manual. Her serve is also damaging and she loves serving slice to her opponents, not just vanilla and strawberry. The single tactic employed by Bartoli was to hit the ball as hard as she could and hope that it would be enough to burst through the defence of the Italian. For a few games it could be shown to have effect but that was all. In the 8th game the break of serve arrived and the cleverly played consolidation game to follow sealed the set for Schiavone and the fate for Marion Bartoli.
Only the scoreline was the same in set number two. What the crowd witnessed was a defending champion becoming an increasingly ominous threat to winning back to back titles here, the first female since Justine Henin, another great player with a single handed backhand.
Friday, 3 June 2011
Na Li into another major final as Maria finds fault (plenty)
A perfect sunny day for what should have been a showcase of women's tennis, and to all intents and purposes we received that. However, the form that Sharapova had displayed a mere 48 hours prior to today was spoiled by her abundance and poor timing of double faults. It left the Chinese Na Li with less work to have to do, but do it she did with maximum efficiency and skill to burn. Pity that Maria left her form in the locker because she looked immaculate and photographers remained interested long after tennis followers had left her fan club and were rooting for the efforts of Na Li.
Mitigating circumstances for the lower than normal standard for a semi final at a Grand Slam tournament included the wind which intervened whenever it felt and with whatever speed and annoyance that could guarantee discomfort for playing personnel. Feeling the pain in a scoring sense most was the taller blonder one who slipped behind straight away 1-4, representing only one service break but still not the drag off the line for one searching for a career Grand Slam.
Of course Maria has weapons and footwork aside managed to break back for 3-4. Service being held in this stage of the match definitely did not rate a priority and just for good measure the girls exchanged one more break each for Na Li to lead 5-4 and have the Russian serve to stay alive in the set. OK that is over dramatic - no one had threatened Maria's life should she fail to hold her serve, though that sentence of death would have had to be carried out because as sure as she served double faults and committed unforced errors, Sharapova donated the tenth game to the Chinese girl who led by a set 6-4.
The real Sharapova, or something close to a facsimile, emerged from her racquet bag for the start of set two, and this confused Na Li who dropped serve and couldn't even break the real Maria's serve - the first time in the match this had failed to happen. For the next little while, the girls played solid tennis, with Na Li's forehand still causing major concern for Sharapova but not as threatening to the Russian serve. Meanwhile, Sharapova had worked out ways that she could use her thundering groundstrokes to pass the Chinese number one, again not creating too many break chances.
Finally, in the eight game, a service break was achieved, Na Li doing the damage to level at 4-4. Sharapova had chances to break in the ninth game but failed, and this in hindsight signalled the end. Na Li raced to 6-5 and Maria crumbled in the 12th game, the low point the final point - yet another double fault to hand the game set and match to Na Li who becomes the first player since Kim Clijsters (2010 US Open, 2011 Australian Open) to play in successive Grand Slam tournament finals. Kim won her finals. Can Na Li go one better than Melbourne and become China's first major champion? After thrashing Azarenka and handling the wind and Maria you would have to rate her a good show.
Mitigating circumstances for the lower than normal standard for a semi final at a Grand Slam tournament included the wind which intervened whenever it felt and with whatever speed and annoyance that could guarantee discomfort for playing personnel. Feeling the pain in a scoring sense most was the taller blonder one who slipped behind straight away 1-4, representing only one service break but still not the drag off the line for one searching for a career Grand Slam.
Of course Maria has weapons and footwork aside managed to break back for 3-4. Service being held in this stage of the match definitely did not rate a priority and just for good measure the girls exchanged one more break each for Na Li to lead 5-4 and have the Russian serve to stay alive in the set. OK that is over dramatic - no one had threatened Maria's life should she fail to hold her serve, though that sentence of death would have had to be carried out because as sure as she served double faults and committed unforced errors, Sharapova donated the tenth game to the Chinese girl who led by a set 6-4.
The real Sharapova, or something close to a facsimile, emerged from her racquet bag for the start of set two, and this confused Na Li who dropped serve and couldn't even break the real Maria's serve - the first time in the match this had failed to happen. For the next little while, the girls played solid tennis, with Na Li's forehand still causing major concern for Sharapova but not as threatening to the Russian serve. Meanwhile, Sharapova had worked out ways that she could use her thundering groundstrokes to pass the Chinese number one, again not creating too many break chances.
Finally, in the eight game, a service break was achieved, Na Li doing the damage to level at 4-4. Sharapova had chances to break in the ninth game but failed, and this in hindsight signalled the end. Na Li raced to 6-5 and Maria crumbled in the 12th game, the low point the final point - yet another double fault to hand the game set and match to Na Li who becomes the first player since Kim Clijsters (2010 US Open, 2011 Australian Open) to play in successive Grand Slam tournament finals. Kim won her finals. Can Na Li go one better than Melbourne and become China's first major champion? After thrashing Azarenka and handling the wind and Maria you would have to rate her a good show.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Final Quarters - Rafa's favorite veg is a Swede
2009 was a dark year for young Rafael. He not only did not win the French Open which is his birth right; he had the opportunity denied him before the final by an upstart called Soderling, and so saw a career Grand Slam completed by that ace from outer space who calls Switzerland home.
Since then, sanity has resumed, aside from Novak Djokovic going a little crazy in the winning department of late. Rafa is number one, he is once again the reigning Roland Garros champ, and he won the final last year against the same Robin Soderling, who was recently voted the most atypical Swedish tennis player since Mikael Pernfors. I confess that was me.
Soderling has been a little hit or miss this year but has won titles, and form coming into a Grand Slam he likes was significant. No surprise then that the 5th seed should meet Nadal in the quarters. Pity about the contest because Nadal ensured that there would not be one. Scoreboards can relate something different to what occurs on court, and the match that Soderling played, while not from his top shelf, didn't totally suck. It just could not compete with the intensity of a champion, who as Na Li had done earlier, just took all the power of shot making from his opponent, and turned it magically into something special.
Much of this came on the back of some remarkable (for humans) top spin forehands which crushed the tennis balls and Soderling's spirit. After losing a reasonably tight first set - though Nadal always looked to have in the bag - the Swede was overwhelmed 1-6 in a match defining and maybe tournament defining stanza of tennis.
Showing plenty of Scandinavian courage - which is different from other bravery I know not how - Soderling broke Rafa as he served for the match in set 3, and at 5-5 had multiple break points on Nadal's serve. The champ kept saving them, and with a game point of his own won possibly the point of the match with shots from both players world standard and the final clincher from Nadal a down the line winner etched in the memory.
At 30-30 Soderling again showed pluck as he produced on serve to guarantee a tie break, but unfortunately that only ensured a tie break for Rafa to enjoy.
Nadal in three 6-4 6-1 7-6 - playing even better tennis than Federer had in his quarter final and needing to at times because Soderling presented OK.
Next for Nadal is Murray so we have all top 4 men's seeds through to the semis and none of the 4 top women's seeds to that point.
Since then, sanity has resumed, aside from Novak Djokovic going a little crazy in the winning department of late. Rafa is number one, he is once again the reigning Roland Garros champ, and he won the final last year against the same Robin Soderling, who was recently voted the most atypical Swedish tennis player since Mikael Pernfors. I confess that was me.
Soderling has been a little hit or miss this year but has won titles, and form coming into a Grand Slam he likes was significant. No surprise then that the 5th seed should meet Nadal in the quarters. Pity about the contest because Nadal ensured that there would not be one. Scoreboards can relate something different to what occurs on court, and the match that Soderling played, while not from his top shelf, didn't totally suck. It just could not compete with the intensity of a champion, who as Na Li had done earlier, just took all the power of shot making from his opponent, and turned it magically into something special.
Much of this came on the back of some remarkable (for humans) top spin forehands which crushed the tennis balls and Soderling's spirit. After losing a reasonably tight first set - though Nadal always looked to have in the bag - the Swede was overwhelmed 1-6 in a match defining and maybe tournament defining stanza of tennis.
Showing plenty of Scandinavian courage - which is different from other bravery I know not how - Soderling broke Rafa as he served for the match in set 3, and at 5-5 had multiple break points on Nadal's serve. The champ kept saving them, and with a game point of his own won possibly the point of the match with shots from both players world standard and the final clincher from Nadal a down the line winner etched in the memory.
At 30-30 Soderling again showed pluck as he produced on serve to guarantee a tie break, but unfortunately that only ensured a tie break for Rafa to enjoy.
Nadal in three 6-4 6-1 7-6 - playing even better tennis than Federer had in his quarter final and needing to at times because Soderling presented OK.
Next for Nadal is Murray so we have all top 4 men's seeds through to the semis and none of the 4 top women's seeds to that point.
Final Quarters - Vika can go shopping now
We could talk for days about Nadal and his obsession with Court Philippe Chatrier. However, it should be left for a while as we devote long overdue praise to the efforts in Grand Slam tournaments of China's Na Li. Yes we know that she has made a number of quarter finals, but in the midst of a most inconsistent year, she has been the only female to successfully reach consecutive semi finals in 2011 majors.
Almost defeating Kim Clijsters in the Oz Open final, Na Li could not buy a win for some time - however today she would outclass Victoria Azarenka, and in doing so stamp her claims for the French title. Vika had been the clay court queen this season, and was powerless to stop the Chinese deft placement, uncanny retrieval ability and frustrating (for Azarenka) habit of clearing the net by mere millimeters.
When Vika could not find a way to push past Na Li's defences, the effect on her own game became apparent, with service consistency no longer a strength. At 5-6 in the first set the serve went to pieces and without having to do much at all, Na Li gracefully accepted the gifted game and set 7-5. Although Azarenka seemed to have rallied early in set 2, it was a mirage in the beaming sun. Down a break, the Chinese star lost no more games and faces off against Sharapova in the semis, the Russian having obliterated Germany's Andrea Petkovic who from latest reports may be able to be rebuilt.
Almost defeating Kim Clijsters in the Oz Open final, Na Li could not buy a win for some time - however today she would outclass Victoria Azarenka, and in doing so stamp her claims for the French title. Vika had been the clay court queen this season, and was powerless to stop the Chinese deft placement, uncanny retrieval ability and frustrating (for Azarenka) habit of clearing the net by mere millimeters.
When Vika could not find a way to push past Na Li's defences, the effect on her own game became apparent, with service consistency no longer a strength. At 5-6 in the first set the serve went to pieces and without having to do much at all, Na Li gracefully accepted the gifted game and set 7-5. Although Azarenka seemed to have rallied early in set 2, it was a mirage in the beaming sun. Down a break, the Chinese star lost no more games and faces off against Sharapova in the semis, the Russian having obliterated Germany's Andrea Petkovic who from latest reports may be able to be rebuilt.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Roger coasts - Djokovic awaits
Roger Federer loves creating history - most of tennis records have either been set or broken by him. So nothing would give him greater pleasure at this year's French Open than to spoil Novak Djokovic's record sequence of victories and also deny the Serb his second leg of a Grand Slam. Nothing greater except winning the whole event and defeating nemesis Nadal in the decider.
He is well on his way to achieving those goals following yesterday's masterly display against Gael Monfils. Apart from very early when shots were paying dividends for the local lad, his necessary risk taking won Monfils fewer and fewer points, and coincided with a progressively dropped head and belief in his ability to compete with the top three. For Roger it was a case of working that backhand into trim for the one hopefully two challenges ahead. It certainly created headaches aplenty for Monfils. Straight sets appeared a formality until some resistance in the third set from Gael. A tie breaker became necessary but Federer is pretty good with these, and so the fine French resistance ended up with the garbage and that's where the final French male singles hopes also lay rotting after Federer's flurry.
The women's singles quarter final on Centre Court gave us much more intrigue - last year's winner Francesca Schiavone had displayed champion qualities when playing all the right shots at the right time to hold out Jankovic in a tight three set fourth round match. So to see her display the total antithesis when battling the longest name in top 20 women's tennis shocked most of us. Yes, the normally crafty Italian missed every line conceivable against young Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and the first set lasted a mere 24 minutes and won't rate highly in Roland Garros folklore.
Ana Pav didn't mind, and was even more chuffed as she conservatively moved her way through the beginnings of set 2, noticing that whatever she did right, Francesca had the opposite to deliver just as reliably. Down a set and a service break and with spots of rain falling and dark clouds above (not just figuratively for Schiavone) the tide turned, as if it could possibly be noticed this far inland on the clay surface.
Playing too conservatively, and not prepared for an improved effort from Schiavone, Pavlyuchenkova at 4-1 fell into the Italian trap - Schiavone showed why she could win this thing again with classy sliced back and forehands, occasional brave drop shots, and that amazingly deceptive serve. All these attributes that were missing features of the first set and a half. The match was squared off at a set all 1-6 7-5, but the money was all for Francesca now.
The final set proved one way traffic and Schiavone with experience, guile and skill to win the key points yet again, raced to 5-1. She showed us that she is human after all because she required 3 attempts to serve for the match - some credit to Anastasia in that regard too.
But serve it out she did and it will be French favorite Marion Bartoli in the semis next. Bartoli happened to defeat the other former winner of this title in the draw this year - Svetlana Kuznetsova - in another quarter final.
He is well on his way to achieving those goals following yesterday's masterly display against Gael Monfils. Apart from very early when shots were paying dividends for the local lad, his necessary risk taking won Monfils fewer and fewer points, and coincided with a progressively dropped head and belief in his ability to compete with the top three. For Roger it was a case of working that backhand into trim for the one hopefully two challenges ahead. It certainly created headaches aplenty for Monfils. Straight sets appeared a formality until some resistance in the third set from Gael. A tie breaker became necessary but Federer is pretty good with these, and so the fine French resistance ended up with the garbage and that's where the final French male singles hopes also lay rotting after Federer's flurry.
The women's singles quarter final on Centre Court gave us much more intrigue - last year's winner Francesca Schiavone had displayed champion qualities when playing all the right shots at the right time to hold out Jankovic in a tight three set fourth round match. So to see her display the total antithesis when battling the longest name in top 20 women's tennis shocked most of us. Yes, the normally crafty Italian missed every line conceivable against young Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and the first set lasted a mere 24 minutes and won't rate highly in Roland Garros folklore.
Ana Pav didn't mind, and was even more chuffed as she conservatively moved her way through the beginnings of set 2, noticing that whatever she did right, Francesca had the opposite to deliver just as reliably. Down a set and a service break and with spots of rain falling and dark clouds above (not just figuratively for Schiavone) the tide turned, as if it could possibly be noticed this far inland on the clay surface.
Playing too conservatively, and not prepared for an improved effort from Schiavone, Pavlyuchenkova at 4-1 fell into the Italian trap - Schiavone showed why she could win this thing again with classy sliced back and forehands, occasional brave drop shots, and that amazingly deceptive serve. All these attributes that were missing features of the first set and a half. The match was squared off at a set all 1-6 7-5, but the money was all for Francesca now.
The final set proved one way traffic and Schiavone with experience, guile and skill to win the key points yet again, raced to 5-1. She showed us that she is human after all because she required 3 attempts to serve for the match - some credit to Anastasia in that regard too.
But serve it out she did and it will be French favorite Marion Bartoli in the semis next. Bartoli happened to defeat the other former winner of this title in the draw this year - Svetlana Kuznetsova - in another quarter final.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
An Impression of Monet
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.
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.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Rest Day In Paree
Well what did I get up to yesterday? Basically it was a day of maintenance. Seven years ago two of us from the Heart of Europe tour visited the Château de Versailles and its gardens and were beyond impressed. So much so that we employed contract gardening staff to maintain the grounds, and security to care for the ancient works within the walls.
The contracts were up for renewal. and I visited the site to judge for myself whether things had been kept up to scratch. I perused the vast expanses that the gardens covered, pleased with the choice of ground staff. Meanwhile I was assured from my fellow inspectors on this tour that the buildings were ship shape and Bristol fashion.
While there we were celebrated with a "Musical Fountain" spectacular which ignored all water restrictions that may have been entertained at the time but what the hell it sure looked and sounded OK. Alright, not exactly Puccini for me, but not classic Beiber either, so appealing to the middle ground.
If ever you wish to visit Versailles I highly recommend - in fact an encore to inspect bits you missed the first time.
The contracts were up for renewal. and I visited the site to judge for myself whether things had been kept up to scratch. I perused the vast expanses that the gardens covered, pleased with the choice of ground staff. Meanwhile I was assured from my fellow inspectors on this tour that the buildings were ship shape and Bristol fashion.
While there we were celebrated with a "Musical Fountain" spectacular which ignored all water restrictions that may have been entertained at the time but what the hell it sure looked and sounded OK. Alright, not exactly Puccini for me, but not classic Beiber either, so appealing to the middle ground.
If ever you wish to visit Versailles I highly recommend - in fact an encore to inspect bits you missed the first time.
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