One last bug up my ass I should dislodge. The Nadal win over Federer in the RG SF was pretty predictable, but poor on-top of that given the shitty conditions. I still liked Federer's court position and ability to get into Nadal's serve, etc., which may have been enhanced in more neutral conditions. We hadn't …
2019 Roland Garros Aftermath
Aftermath: 1) the consequences or aftereffects of a significant unpleasant event. 2) new grass growing after mowing or harvest. Ha ha. The second definition there is perfect reference to where this bumbling tour is going next, no? In other words, the two definitions provided by my source both perfectly address where the tour just was, …
Nadal vs Thiem for FO 2019
We will discuss the tournament after tomorrow's final, including the two SFs, some other observations, etc. Two things seem quite apparent right now. This year's French Open has solidified my own impression of this tournament, built through a 40+ year appreciation of the sport. I have heard this sentiment echoed throughout much of the tennis …
Semi-final Friday
Rain rain -- the red clay The winds of change, leaves falling A glass of champagne ___________________________________________ There's rain in the forecast. Conditions could be tricky for all four. Rafa and Djoker have already reserved their spot in the final, in the popular tennis imagination. They are heavily favored to win their respective matches. The …
Pre-SF Preview Banter
Well, folks, we got good today as these delayed QFs went very well, as well as we could have hoped (the tournament organizers should be quite grateful). Some easy threes: Djoker 75 62 62 and Domi 62 64 62. SF Friday goes #2 vs #3 first-up, followed by #1 vs #4. This is how seedings …
Roland Garros tRain-wreck
I understand the relatively high (I'm being pretty generous here) tennis IQ of the clay court fans (probably fairly European, South American -- wherever clay courts find the most usage and popularity); I acknowledge that the passion for this kind of tennis can certainly provide the basis for an extended knowledge and appreciation for the …
PSA: We Beliem in Thiem
Fuck Serena. Even some of the scheduling, the Tennis Channel programming, the laughable "quality" of the WTA. This "agenda" -- whatever "they" think is "right" and "fair" -- is bad. I have said this here and there on this blog: women's tennis used to be a legitimate competition with legitimate champions and leaders and a …
Fedal XXXIX: RG SF #1
Nadal leads this over-hyped sand-castle of a head-to-head 23-16. The last time they were sequenced to sustain each other's racquet translations was back in March, in Indian Wells, CA. Nadal pulled-out. He had enough to beat Khachanov in the IW QF, but decided he'd gift everyone a healthier Rafa for clay by skipping-out on his …
Roland Garros at the QF
Djokovic v Zverev Perhaps the only player(s) who can challenge the Serb's historical run at his second La Coupe des Mousquetaires, his second Novak Slam, his sixteenth major and his Double career Grand Slam are an absolutely rampant Thiem and/or Nadal. However, this is sport; and what complicates my first point above is that there …
Roland Garros at the R16
Djokovic v Struff We've been writing about Struff's stuff since clay began. In Barcelona, for instance, he sent-away Goffin in 3R and Tsitsipas in the R16 before losing to Nadal in the QF 57 57. The big German just beat Coric in a thriller and gets a shot at world #1 Djokovic next. The German's …
