2011 French Open (unofficial) Thread

[kidbourbon]

The draw is out: The Men's Singles Draw - Roland Garros 2011

Overall Thoughts:
I don't think this tournament is wide open. In fact, I can't remember a less wide open tournament. What I am saying, of course, is that I would be absolutely shocked if someone other than Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal wins this tournament.

Delpo could threaten if he was fully healthy, but he's clearly not.

Andy Murray will make noise, and may make a serious fight out of a match between Nadal or Djokovic (I need to look at the draw). But you know he's just gonna fold in the 5th set. We've seen it a hundred times.

I'm completely over the hype machine that once upon a time was licking all up and down the schlongs of Soderling and Berdych. Soderling's hot streak two years ago was a fluke, imo. These two guys don't move well enough. And this is as far as the analysis needs to go. History shows us that the optimum height for a tennis player is 6-1. The reason being is that once guys start getting taller than that, they usually don't move as well. Djokovic could represent an evolution in the game in that he is a bit taller* (either 6-2 or 6-3) and yet moves as well as anybody. So maybe it isn't about optimum height but about optimum athleticism. Either way, Berdych and Soderling come up short. I'm done considering these guys to be contenders.

And there is a reason I haven't mentioned Federer. That reason is simply that I didn't think of him until now. Yes, he has become that much of an afterthought in this tournament. This shouldn't shock anybody. He's 30. 30 year old tennis players have to start picking their spots. This isn't Fed's spot.

That's all I got for now. I'm looking forward to this tournament getting started. Dear god, how I hate baseball.

________________
*And of course Del Potro is waaaay taller and still moves well. Not as well as a Djokovic or a Nadal, of course. But in the 'power vs. speed inversely proportional continuum'**, Del Potro is still an overall winner in that he is the best mover of the bigger and harder hitting groundstoke players. In other words, Del Potro should have had to sacrifice more quickness to get that kind of power. Perhaps he made a deal with the devil.

**I just made this up.

P.S. -- Tough break for John Isner to draw Rafa in the first round. It doesn't matter much in the whole scheme of things because he wasn't a threat to win this tournament in any way, shape, or form...but he seems like a decent dude, and it sucks to see him ousted in the first round.

[DyronNix]

I think some weird things could happen this year. By weird I mean major upsets. But I am usually wrong.

As stated somewhere else, until Nadal is beaten it is his title. Wouldn't be shocked if Djoker stumbled here along the way. Wouldn't be shocked if Djoker blew everyone's doors off and took home the hardware.

I can also see Federer leaving early. If he plays well, he is rewarded with a tough, tough matchup with Djoker in the semis. Murray is worthless until he proves he is not.

I know I'm going out on a limb there with this post, but I will say I love the red clay in high definition. Fabulous.

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by DyronNix

I know I'm going out on a limb there with this post, but I will say I love the red clay in high definition. Fabulous.

It does look sharp.

[MphsBlues]

Mannarino out. Dangit, I like that kid. He's 145 lbs. soaking wet but he is crafty.

[kidbourbon]

One potential upset that I would love to see happen is Baghdatis over Djokovic to end the streak.

[MphsBlues]

Originally Posted by kidbourbon

One potential upset that I would love to see happen is Baghdatis over Djokovic to end the streak.

I would, too. Djoke would likely have DelPo if he got past Baghdatis. If they do meet, watch how many times Djoke hits drop shots against him.
Surprising to see Berdych out so quickly. Raonic, as well.

[DyronNix]

Bagdahtis breaking the Djokovic streak would be a monumental upset in the annals of tennis history. Bagdahtis hasn't played well as of late, as I remember. Not happening.

Berdych losing is about right. Head case. I thought he had turned the corner after his Wimbledon performance a year ago. He has gotten progressively worse.

I guess back in 2001 when many in the U.S. banned "French" fries, american television must've also decided to boycott early round coverage of the French Open.

I can't get tennis channel in my area, so maybe that's where the coverage was today. Got up to watch the Federer opener and couldn't find it anywhere. Not even espn3. Afterwards, can't even find a replay or decent highlight clip of match. Frustrating to be a tennis fan this time of year.

Don't get me started about NBC tape-delayed coverage of the semis. Grrrrrr.

[MphsBlues]

Originally Posted by DyronNix

Bagdahtis breaking the Djokovic streak would be a monumental upset in the annals of tennis history. Bagdahtis hasn't played well as of late, as I remember. Not happening.

Berdych losing is about right. Head case. I thought he had turned the corner after his Wimbledon performance a year ago. He has gotten progressively worse.

I guess back in 2001 when many in the U.S. banned "French" fries, american television must've also decided to boycott early round coverage of the French Open.

I can't get tennis channel in my area, so maybe that's where the coverage was today. Got up to watch the Federer opener and couldn't find it anywhere. Not even espn3. Afterwards, can't even find a replay or decent highlight clip of match. Frustrating to be a tennis fan this time of year.

Don't get me started about NBC tape-delayed coverage of the semis. Grrrrrr.

That stinks! I'd have to look into directv or dish or something.
(Dyron Nix, incidentally, registered at the same time I did when I first entered UT) I didn't know who he was but I knew he was a big ole boy He's one of my favorite all-time ballers at UT.

[kidbourbon]

Originally Posted by DyronNix

Bagdahtis breaking the Djokovic streak would be a monumental upset in the annals of tennis history. Bagdahtis hasn't played well as of late, as I remember. Not happening.

Baghdatis is one of those guys that I would never completely count out in a single match setting. I would need to check to confirm this, but I believe he beat all three of Fed, Rafa, and Djoke last year at various points in the season. I saw him at legg-mason and was more impressed with his game than various of several notable players. In fact I think he has top 5 level game from a shotmaking perspective, but just has never fully committed to his fitness and also just might not have it mentally.

Originally Posted by DyronNix

I can't get tennis channel in my area, so maybe that's where the coverage was today. Got up to watch the Federer opener and couldn't find it anywhere. Not even espn3. Afterwards, can't even find a replay or decent highlight clip of match. Frustrating to be a tennis fan this time of year.

.

No ESPN3, I assume?

[kidbourbon]

Props to Isner. 2011 French Open: Rafael Nadal needs five sets to beat John Isner - ESPN

[MphsBlues]

Originally Posted by kidbourbon

Props to Isner. 2011 French Open: Rafael Nadal needs five sets to beat John Isner - ESPN

I was following that one online. When I read the caaption "Nadal on The Ropes?" I was surprised. Didn't think Isner could hang w/ him on the dirt...

[GAVol]

Just heard on Sportscenter . . . "Is Wayne Brady gonna have to Djokavich?"

[MphsBlues]

This little Garcia chick is giving Sharapova all she wants and more.

[TooLegit2Quit]

Impressive turnaround for Sharapova, especially after the Clijsters match earlier. Garcia definitely looks pretty good though. I want Andujar to get this 3rd set, 5 all after Rafa was down 5-1
Posted via VolNation Mobile

[MphsBlues]

Hopalong Bartoli has to be one of the most annoying tennis players to watch that has ever taken to the court. It looks like Wozniacki is about to make her way to the exit. Hantuchova is playing well.
Can't wait for the Djoke/Delpo match. You could probably have a drinking game for each time Djoke hits a drop shot against him. Hopefully, Del Potro will be up to the task.