Does everyone feel so sorry for Andy Murray that they're willing to lose so he can have a shot at a Slam? This story seems familiar. In 2009, Rafa did the unthinkable at the French Open. He lost. Federer had long wanted to complete the career Slam. In 2008, he got demolished by Rafa. And
The beauty of a tennis draw is how little certain players are protected. Somehow, especially in sports like basketball, the top seed must be protected. You're the top seed! You deserve every advantage you can get! Is it not enough that you don't have to play the second seed until the finals? Must you play
Everyone was pointing to how many matches Federer has won at Wimbledon and how few matches (like 0) that his opponent, Albert Ramos, had won. Given the effort Federer took to win matches at Roland Garros, he must have been thrilled giving up only 3 games. Defending champ, Novak Djokovic, fell an early break
The two week period between the French Open and Wimbledon is among the shortest in sports that feature major events like the Grand Slams in tennis. The contrast of the dirt, which requires patience and topspin, and high-kicking balls, to the fast, low-bouncing surface of grass was so extreme that it was considered a rarity
Ah, time zone differences. The continuation of the men's final was scheduled at 1 PM in Paris. This would be 7 AM in the east coast, but somehow I forgot I was in Central time (being at an ET clinic) which pushed the time to 6 AM. By the time I start searching for the
The last time Nadal was this dominant heading into a French Open final was 2008. He beat Thomaz Bellucci, then a qualifier, in the first round, then Nicolas Devilder, also a qualifier, then Jarkko Nieminen the 26th seed, then 22md seed and fellow Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco. Nadal only dropped 3 games against 19th seed and
If Novak Djokovic wins his fourth consecutive Slam, not only will he achieve a career Slam, but also have won four consecutive Slams, he'll have beaten the same opponent in all four finals. The last time a male player won four consecutive Slams was the last time someone won a calendar Slam, and that was
It was nearly a once in a lifetime event. Venus crossed the path of the sun in front of the Earth. And Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were nearly both upset on the same day at roughly the same time. French Open organizers were criticized for scheduling two big matches at the same time, though
With overnight rains slowing down the court, Djokovic found himself playing his style and possibly better. Andreas Seppi has been on the tour a long time floating around 50 in the rankings, but this year, he lifted his game. In particular, Seppi did it in Djokovic's own tournament. Djokovic decided not to play Belgrade because
Since I haven't reported in the last few days, let's start with John Isner. With Mardy Fish's heart problems causing him to leave the tour since March and Andy Roddick's quick exit and Ryan Harrison not quite ready to make the leap, John Isner has become the beacon of men's tennis. Brian Baker might become
