Sports Zone: French Open

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Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Greatest: Nadal downs Djokovic to enter seventh heaven

Rafael Nadal won his seventh Roland Garros title on Monday, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 and in the process becoming the most-crowned man in Open Era history at the French Open.

Picking up where they left off on Sunday night, the two best players in the world served up an incredible spectacle during which Nadal fought back from his break down overnight, 2-1 down in the fourth set, to win the title in the most unexpected of circumstances. A double fault from Djokovic handed him his record-breaking win in 3 hours and 50 minutes of play, over two days.

Nadal thus becomes the undisputed King of Clay, overtaking the great Bjorn Borg who won the French Open six times. Just 26, Nadal will now dream of adding more titles on the beloved red earth of Roland Garros, the ‘Casa de Rafa’ as his fans like to call it. The Spanish second seed was hugely impressive all fortnight, and though he was pushed all the way by the world No.1, dug deep into his reserves of energy, experience and tactical acumen to fully deserve his triumph.

Breathtaking tennis
Djokovic had already shown what an incredible champion he is by saving four match points against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the fourth round. That sheer bloody-mindedness, allied to the best all-round technique in the game right now, brought him back from the brink on Sunday night when he was two sets and a break down. Had 'the Djoker' taken this match to five sets, who knows how it may have turned out, but Nadal was not to be denied.

The neutrals were left wanting more today, simply because the standard of tennis was so breathtaking. Even though play only lasted 50 minutes and nine games in all, Act 2 of this final will be remembered for its intensity and for the unique Monday atmosphere in the stands, which were packed with excited fans.

This final will go down in history then, not just for Rafa’s achievement, but also because Djokovic just failed in his bid to become the first player since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slams simultaneously. But that is not the half of it. There was the dramatic weather over two days, the swirling rain that had the last word on Sunday night and returned on Monday to halt play for a handful of minutes, and then the sun that broke through the clouds as if to welcome Nadal into the pantheon of tennis legends.

And, lest we forget, there was the tennis, simply stunning in its power, precision and athleticism. The margins were so close, the stakes so high and yet both champions hit the ball with such talent and freedom of expression we were left shaking our heads time and again, both yesterday and today.

50 minutes of pure pleasure
The turning point of Monday’s play came at the outset, when Rafa crucially broke back to immediately get himself back on level terms. At 30-all Djokovic netted after a long exchange that he had dominated, and promptly bashed himself on the forehead with the strings of his racquet. Break point went Rafa’s way in the most dramatic fashion, a net cord bringing ‘Nole’ into the net and opening the court for a pass that Nadal needed no second invitation to bury, cross-court.

Nadal’s service was straight in the groove and he held to lead 3-2 to put the pressure straight on Djokovic. With balls flying to all corners, Nole clipped the line and Nadal just missed in the next game and the Serb held for 3-3. The sky was darkening and Nadal held for 4-3 with an astonishing get that became a winner as the stunned Djokovic watched it come improbably back over the net.

The rain was coming down now and thunder even rumbling overhead but still we went on, with Djokovic showing incredible self-belief to serve-and-volley at 30-30 and force an error from the Spaniard. Back at 4-4 a point later, we were entering crunch time and now it was Nadal’s moment to show his courage, serving big and dominating the next game to lead 5-4.

The rain was getting heavier and for a moment it looked as though the actors would leave the stage, but after a five-minute break, during which Nadal had ample time to dwell on being four points from glory and Novak to stare defeat in the face, they were back. Djokovic showed no signs of nerves, hitting down-the-line and cross-court rockets to level at 5-5.

The penultimate game was typically thrilling, Nadal slamming a 201 km/h ace for 30-0 but then watching a disputed line-call and an out-of-this-world cross-court backhand bring the Serb level at 30-30. An unforced error long and a lob that drifted long were enough for the Majorcan second seed to lead 6-5.

Nadal needed to attack now, with a tie-break looming and he did just that in the last game, returning beautifully to set up the points and then stepping into the court to force destiny his way. At 30-40, suddenly Rafael was one point away from glory, and when Djokovic improbably double-faulted the title was Rafa’s, again.

It was a cruel end to a match which had thrilled fans around the world for two days, but while the shock and disappointment of that final point will fade, the images of an epic contest between two giants of the game will live long in the memory.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic was quick to look back to the Tsonga match, and give credit to Nadal: "I could easily have lost the match in fourth round or even more against Tsonga, but I managed to come to the finals for the first time in my career. I should be happy about that, of course. I will be and I am, but in this moment I am disappointed about this loss because I thought I started to play better in the third set and felt like I could take this match to a fifth set, and then, you know, everything could be possible, but, yeah, unfortunately there has been a rain delay yesterday when I started to feel really good on the court. But look, you know, I don't want to find an excuse in that, because the first rain delay maybe helped me a little bit; the second helped him. So that's the way it goes, and the better player won today. So congratulations for that."

Nadal spoke of the psychological battle that was waged out on Philippe Chatrier Court over two days. "I had already lost three Grand Slam finals against him so it was important to win mentally," he explained. "The mental part is also more important on clay and my game naturally adapts very well to this surface... Novak plays fantastic and is having a great season. But you can't be perfect all the time," Nadal concluded. And that was doubtless Djokovic's only shortcoming throughout the final - he simply wasn't perfect all the time...

This news brought to you by "Sports Zone" from http://www.rolandgarros.com

Sharapova downs Errani to secure career Grand Slam

Maria Sharapova took her place among the greats of the game by becoming the tenth woman in history to win a career Grand Slam, and the sixth in the Open era. The soon-to-be world no.1 played excellent attacking tennis to down her valiant challenger, Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2.

After a nerveless and virtually faultless performance, full of clean hitting and daring attack, Sharapova fell to her knees as Errani netted on match point. The Russian held her head in her hands for a moment, before jumping to her feet and twirling with joy. After Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008, she has now won all four majors - a career Grand Slam - and was so happy that she even spoke French (as well as Russian, Spanish and English!) in her post-match speech, to the delight of the fans who gave her the rousing reception she so richly deserves.

Big-match experience
Playing her first Grand Slam final, Errani looked understandably nervous as she stepped out onto Philippe Chatrier Court. Her big challenge was to forget the occasion as early as possible, but unfortunately for her it took four games for that to happen. By that time Sharapova had made all her big-match experience tell, stepping into the court to ram huge winners, in particular on the forehand side and whenever Errani was on second service, racing into a 4-0 lead.

Martina Navratilova had identified Errani’s second service as a real weakness which Sharapova could exploit at every opportunity, and she certainly did, but to her credit the Italian made sure she kept these opportunities down to a minimum with a first-service percentage of 78% throughout the match. The Russian’s delivery is also the main chink in her armour though, and a pair of double faults in the fifth game gave the Italian her first break, enabling her to shed her nerves in the process.

Showing all the qualities that had brought her this far, Errani chased well behind the baseline, defending with all her might, keeping the ball in play and forcing Maria into one more shot on every rally. 4-1 became 4-2 and the No.21 seed was becoming a wholly different proposition. Chastened and clearly annoyed, Maria gathered herself. The new world no.1 has her own way of composing herself between points, returning to her mark like a scolded student, fists clenched, head down, buried in her own world. The result in the all-important seventh game was greater application on her service, longer and harder hitting and a crucial 5-2 lead.

Errani rallied brilliantly in the next game to save two set points and get to 3-5 but another pair of fabulous winners from 30-30 by Maria handed her the set, 6-3 in 36 minutes.

Sharapova too strong
Maria maintained this impetus and broke Errani to love at the start of the second set. Although the Italian was playing to her potential, fighting to deuce in the next game only to lose it and holding for 2-1, Sharapova was hitting too cleanly and finding the corners too often. Another hold and break took the Russian to within touching distance at 4-1.

With nothing to lose, the Italian showed heart and talent, taking the game to the second seed to get one break back to make it 4-2, but Maria held her nerve to break up again, finding the lines once more to lead 5-2. Serving for the match, the title and a career Grand Slam, Sharapova needed three match points as Errani refused to go quietly, but when the Italian netted the title was Maria’s.

“I was nervous, of course," said Errani afterwards. "I started very bad, with tension, and she played very well. It was very difficult for me to play her in the way I wanted to. It was better in the second set but still very hard. I couldn’t play long points in the way I wanted. I was surprised the way the crowd supported me and it was so nice hearing so many Italian voices. I just have to remember that it’s not normal for me to make a Grand Slam final. I don’t expect to make the final now in other tournaments.”

For her turn, Sharapova spoke as much of the future as of the day she completed her career Slam.

“It’s surreal, the most unique moment of my career," she said. "I never would have thought that. I thought winning Wimbledon at 17 would be the most treasured moment of my career. But when I fell on my knees today, I realised that this was even more special. It’s not over yet. I’m not sitting here and saying I’m done because I’m far from it. I have a lot more in me to achieve. I always strive to be better. No matter how many people told me I couldn’t get to this point, I always listened to my own voice telling me I’m meant to succeed again. And I did.”

This news brought to you by "Sports Zone" from http://www.rolandgarros.com

Boys singles: Coppejans wins the French to make Belgium proud Sunday, June 10, 2012

After David Goffin, the lucky loser who made it through to the fourth round of the men’s singles, it was the turn of Kimmer Coppejans to make Belgium proud on Sunday when he crushed Canadian Filip Peliwo 6-1, 6-3 to win the boys' singles title.

Coppejans kept his cool in the first set, hitting a series of double-handed backhands down-the-line and crosscourt forehand winners to clinch it 6-1 in just 25 minutes. The second set was a little trickier for the 18-year-old, who had to save three break points before seeing out the win.

"I'll move on to Wimbledon as a champion! That will give me confidence," said Coppejans. "People are going to start to recognise me I guess, but this win doesn't change anything for me. I’m just going to keep on working."

Coppejans

Admirable sentiments indeed, and these, allied to the undeniable talent of the new French Open champion should make Coppejans a force to be reckoned with in years to come.

This news brought to you by "Sports Zone" from http://www.rolandgarros.com

Rafael Nadal's Stolen Richard Mille Watch Found

Rafael Nadal‘s big win at the French Open was overshadowed by a big loss, when his $376,000 Richard Mille RM027 tourbillon watch went missing on Tuesday from his suite at a five-star Parisian luxury hotel. The watch, which was recovered yesterday, was found to be in the possession of the hotel’s barman. The alleged thief was tracked down when police traced his hotel access badge, which was used to gain entry to Nadal’s suite where the tennis champion was sleeping during the act. When questioned the barman led the police to the train tracks near his home in Essonne, France where he had hidden the watch.

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning against compatriot Nicolas Almagro during their men's quarter-final in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2010, in Paris. Second seed Rafael Nadal of Spain reached the semi-finals of the French Open with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 win over compatriot Nicolas Almagro.

This isn’t the first time Nadal has lost a Mille. In 2008, his even pricier, custom built $525,000 Richard Mille went missing from the locker room during a match at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Unfortunately, that one was never recovered.

This news brought to you by "Sports Zone" from www.forbes.com

Friday, June 8, 2012

Nadal demolishes Ferrer to stay on course for seventh title

David Ferrer’s attempt to beat Rafael Nadal in a French Open semi-final was always going to be a thankless task, but it soon became an exercise in bleak futility this afternoon, as the six-time champion blasted him off court, winning their French Open semi-final 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and 46 minutes. This was the widest margin of victory in a men's semi since 1986, and fully deserved, such was the total dominance of the second seed.

No-one gave the no.6 seed much chance of inflicting Nadal’s second defeat in 52 career outings at Roland Garrros, but some thought he might manage a set, or at least take the score somewhere near the tiebreak. It was not to be.

Nadal demolishes Ferrer to stay on course for seventh title

Competitive start

For a short while, Ferrer flattered to deceive – or maybe the flattery was Nadal’s, as he took a few games to settle. Ferrer held to love and forced Rafa to deuce on his own opening serve as he pushed him around the court. Seven points passed on the Ferrer serve before any counted against him, and that was only because he netted. At 2-1 Ferrer sent a forehand down the line, and while Nadal reached it, Ferrer had a simple job of delivering a winner for break point.

Patient, tactical play by Nadal saw him save it. Ferrer, still aggressive, carved another break point. This time he had the chance to put the ball away, but chose the wrong shot and the opportunity had gone. The no.2 seed had surrendered his serve just once so far this tournament (in the first round against Simone Bolelli), and Ferrer did not threaten him again.

On the blustery Philippe Chatrier court, Nadal suddenly switched up several gears and in no time was at 0-30 on Ferrer’s serve. A long rally saw Ferrer dump a forehand in the net, which he followed by sending a backhand long. If that wasn’t bad enough, Nadal not only held to love but also broke to love again, creating a blaze of 16 successive points won. The set flashed by, and from all those good

beginnings Ferrer was left with a scant two games to his name.

No stopping Rafa

Nadal was hitting the lines relentlessly. At 1-1 came an extraordinary rally where Nadal ran into the net and skidded on the clay to end up on his behind – yet played a stroke while sitting down, then scrambled to his feet to deliver a lob which Ferrer could only net. All this for break point. Ferrer sent the ball long and the damage was done. There is little doubt he must have been relieved by the sight of rain at 1-4, and the pair went off court for a 55-minute delay.

But when they came back it was to more of the same. Ferrer gamely saved one set point, but Nadal slammed the other away to complete a set in which he had not lost a single point on his first serve. The third set was even more of a one-man show, Nadal running round his forehand to hit winner after winner, serving long and hard, and finding angles that sent poor Ferrer scurrying. Wrapped up in just 31 minutes, it ended with Nadal hitting a cross-court forehand that sealed the most impressive of victories.

"I did almost everything right," said Nadal. "But I don’t believe in perfection. It does not exist. You can always play better. I am not thinking I am in the final without losing a set; I am just thinking I am in the final. Experience has taught me you can lose when you are playing fantastic; you can win when you are not playing that well. Last year I had the impression I didn’t really play that well, whereas this year I am playing really well."

Asked about the moment when he fell in mid-point, he said: “I felt confidence, because I was playing well. Seriously, my eyes were constantly on the ball. So even though I am on the floor, I had the time to hit the ball in reasonable good position."

Ferrer seemed almost too stunned to comment after so heavy a defeat. "I was not aggressive enough," he said. "There was nothing I could do to fight back. He put pressure on me when he needed to. I tried to do my best but he was calmer than I was and took control of the match. I didn’t have any chance. I’m a bit sad because I didn’t really play well today. Maybe this wasn’t my best match of these two weeks but I’m very happy."

Sunday, June 3, 2012

French Open 2012, day seven: in pictures

Italy's Francesca Schiavone hits a retur...Italy's Francesca Schiavone hits a return to US Varvara Lepchenko during their women's Singles third Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova serves to...Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova serves to Russia's Nina Bratchikova during their Women's Singles 3rd Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

Russia's Mikhail Youzhny hits a return t...Russia's Mikhail Youzhny hits a return to Spain's David Ferrer during their Men's Singles third Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

Bratchikova of Russia returns the ball to Kvitova of the Czech Republic during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris...Nina Bratchikova of Russia returns the ball to Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 2, 2012.

Spain's David Ferrer hits a return to Ru...Spain's David Ferrer hits a return to Russia's Mikhail Youzhny during their Men's Singles third Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

China's Li Na hits a return to US Christ...China's Li Na hits a return to US Christina McHale during their Women's Singles 3rd Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

Serbia's Janko Tsiparevic returns the ball to France's Julien Benneteau during their third round match in the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 2, 2012.

Zakopalova of the Czech Republic serves to Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris...Klara Zakopalova of the Czech Republic serves to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris June 2, 2012.

Spain's David Ferrer celebrates after wi...Spain's David Ferrer celebrates after winning against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny their Men's Singles third Round tennis match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium, on June 2, 2012 in Paris.

2012 French Open - Day Seven...PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Kim Sears (C) watches the men's singles third round match between Andy Murray of Great Britain and Santiago Giraldo of Colombia during day seven of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2012 in Paris, France.

French Open 2012: women's top seed Victoria Azarenka crashes out 6-2, 7-6 to Dominika Cibulkova

Dominika Cibulkova has beaten top seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to pull off a major upset in the fourth round of the French Open.

The 15th seed won 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) to set up a quarter-final match with either Samantha Stosur of Australia or Sloane Stephens of the United States.

Azarenka won the Australian Open in January and had been expected to coast past Cibulkova, having beaten her seven times out of eight previously.

But the little Slovakian, who reached the semi-finals in 2009, handled the cold, windy conditions on the Suzanne Lenglen court far better than the tall Belarusian.

After losing the first set, Azarenka appeared to be getting back on track as she broke to lead 2-0 in the second, but 23-year-old Cibulkova dug deep to run off four games in a row.

Azarenka levelled at 4-4, with the set then going to a tie-break which a pumped-up Cibulkova led from the start to pull off a stunning win.

French Open 2012: women's top seed Victoria Azarenka crashes out 6-2, 7-6 to Dominika Cibulkova in fourth round

Giant killing: Victoria Azarenka comes up short against Dominika Cibulkova

Earlier, Sara Errani of Italy and Angelique Kerber of Germany both reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time with straight sets wins.

Errani, seeded 21, defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6-0, 7-5, while 10th seed Kerber ousted Petra Martic of Croatia 6-3, 7-5.

The pair will meet in the last eight in a top half of the draw which had also contained Azarenka.

Errani has been the form player on clay this year, winning tournaments in Acapulco, Barcelona and Budapest. She also reached the Australian Open quarter-finals in January on hardcourts.

After a tough opening game, Errani took total control as 2009 champion Kuznetsova struggled to put her game together.

The first set was completed in just 30 minutes and it was more of the same at the start of the second as Errani, one of the smaller players on the circuit at just 1.64m, used her mobility and claycourt expertise to good effect.

Errani moved 2-0 up before Kuznetsova finally found some form, breaking the Italian to love to open her account.

The Russian levelled at 2-2 and had a break point in the next game to move ahead, but Errani saved that with a blistering forehand winner at the end of a long rally.

Two more break points followed two games later and Kuznetsova converted the first of these to move 4-3 up. She then served for the set at 5-4 up but was broken to love.

Errani took the next two games to reach her first French Open quarter-finals.

Kerber, a semi-finalist at the US Open last year, easily won the first set against Martic and she immediately got a break in the second when the Croatian, ranked 50th in the world, miscalculated a drop shot and hit the ball into the net.

Martic broke back in the eighth game to level the set and held her serve to take the lead but in the following game, Kerber fired off an ace to level the score at 5-5.

In the next game, Kerber prevailed in a 28-shot rally to go to break point and then sliced in a deft drop shot to move ahead 6-5.

The left-handed Kerber finally secured her quarter-final place on her third match point with a forehand winner on a poor return by the Croatian, who suffered nine double faults on her way to elimination.

Asked what was the reason behind her sudden charge up the world rankings in the last 12 months, Kerber replied: "After the US Open I started to believe in myself more and I started to do more practice and fitness things.

"I know that I can beat the top players and now I am one of them. I think that nobody wants to play against me right now."

this news bring to by "sports zone" from www.telegraph.co.uk