For sometime in the near future, those staggering at the top light, topless WTA chart for the last year and a half would have a tough time confining their beleaguered minds to sweet repose. For lo, not one but two, who ruled in the near past are back. While one wasted no time engraving the impact of her return for posterity, the other’s imminent reappearance evokes gurgles of exhilaration. The lady, who left the tour in a flurry, is back to resume unfinished business.
Justine Henin first drew the public attention as a serious candidate for the top slot, when she reached the women’s singles semifinals of the French Open in 2001. All of 19 then, this girl barely 5 ft 5 inches tall, exuded an arcane aura that left many guessing what nestled deep in the niches of her heart. And it was this inability to invade the seemingly apathetic façade she had erected that left many bewildered when at 25; she decided to throw in the towel citing no specific reason. Henin felt her life goals had taken a diversion, and tennis had no place in the scheme of things and that was all she would proffer.
Henin was the first woman to call it quits, while still entrenched on topmost rung of the WTA. At the press conference she convened, Henin had announced stoically, “I’m at the end of the road. This is the end of a child’s dream. I started thinking about (retirement) late last year. I leave with my head held high.”
But a year down the line and the petite lady from Belgium seems to have herded her thought processes to those very goals that first propelled her to fame.
Another impelling factor could be fellow Belgian and rival Kim Clijsters successful comeback to the tour. But unlike Clijsters whose career has been manoeuvred with the support of her family, Henin’s professional swings could be ascribed to her turbulent personal life that spilled on to important decisions. Henin’s life has been as much about battling adversaries on court as about contending with adversity off the court. But post the post-retirement phase the lady seems to have made peace and focussed her contemplative energies productively. Sixteen months away from the glare should have given the former star time to expurgate the mental garbage and come back rejuvenated with renewed goals.
A challenge would be to consolidate on court ability with off court affability. And there is none more aware than Henin herself, that complementary to professional success comes personal equanimity. And this time Henin would be keen to get the right mix. “There’s going to be a serenity, a new calmness, about me,” she says.
In a career that spanned nine years, Henin gathered a total of 41 WTA Tour titles and held the world No1 spot for 117 non-consecutive weeks, and it was in this position that she retired on May 14, 2008. Of her major achievements four were executed on the red clay of Roland Garros, with two from the USA and one from Australia. But missing was the one from Wimbledon, which should give Henin the drive and the motivation to make her second coming worthwhile. And it would be precisely this elusive title, the hunger towards which could make her return bear fruition. As she says, ‘“It is a dream of mine. I want to work to get it. I make it a priority.”
Being one of the most accomplished tennis players, in terms of talent and artistry conquering the grass lawns in her second stint wouldn’t be too mean a task
The seven-time Grand Slam winner had a fluid single-handed backhand that earned her the awe of many. Agile and athletic, she had the resolute power to take her all the way and her diminutive self was no failing. The most to gain would be the WTA tour, whose apparent falling standards and erratic performances have earned an equivocal disregard for the No 1 status.
If Henin’s return could be as productive as Clijsters, it could cause interesting upheavals in the power structure. The tour that was jolted when the highest seat of power was left vacant, even after more than a year fails to find a permanent conqueror. Though the Williams sisters have lend a semblance of dominance on the tour, it remains restricted to the Grand Slams. There again the signs of decline are gradually surfacing. The return of the two former No 1s could set the field for more solid clashes. Already Clijsters has sashayed into the top 20 with her incredible Slam-winning performance. There is no doubt Henin too could pick up from where she left off, which could happen in the next major itself and if so, could set the cat among the pigeons.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Major league
Manju Subhash Chandran
Change is the eternal law of universe. Never has it been more pronounced than in the fortunes of the world’s two best tennis players of the decade.
Flashback year 2008, January and another tennis milestone was in the making. 2008 would be the year when Roger Federer, a 12-time Grand Slam winner then, would not only equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 but also go one better.
But seldom does sport play by the rules of anticipation. The world had forgotten that another man from Spain, who went by the name of Rafael Nadal had much more defying designs on the world tennis chart. And belying all expectations, year 2008 saw Nadal ascend to the apogee of tennis excellence, and depose Federer off the throne that had been his demesne for 237 weeks.
Nadal's aggrandising prowess and the evident waning of Federer’s class was a pointer that a change of guard was imminent.
Nadal came into the 2008 US Open on a high note. Never a doubt was expressed on his ability to defend the French Open title. But his conquest at Wimbledon beating the Swiss glider on the greens, and then adding the Olympic gold in Beijing secured his status as a champion, who could wallow on grass and hard courts as well.
On the other hand, Federer began his title defence on a wavering note. His self-assured finesse was no longer daunting. The “aura of invincibility” had been breached. Even the not so fancied had become intrepid. At these times of low morale, Federer won the US Open 2008, his 13th Grand Slam, a reminder to his critics, that he still had the Slam lust in him.
Year 2009, the US Open and once again the outcome could heave the balance of power.
The year began on an ominous note for Federer. Having lost the Australian Open final to Nadal, and Andy Murray snapping at his heels, the chafing tongues were quick to flap. Was the Federer era over?
But the dynamics changed again. Not only did he reclaim his lost "one", but also he did it in style, winning the one trophy that had tantalisingly evaded his grasp for the last three years. The French Open was a retributive tribute to the champion.
He also reclaimed his Wimbledon crown and surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams.
Sweet 16 for Federer?
If winning 15 Grand slams could make you a tad complacent, it could also put right all that had gone wrong. The World No 1 is a much-relieved man bereft of all scrutinizing pressures. The signs of resignation have given way to those of unassuming superiority.
A win would mean a 16th Grand Slam and a sixth consecutive US Open title. If a month ago, his poor record of 2-6 against Murray then, may have rankled him, now after beating the Brit in Cincinnati he has allayed those seeds of queasiness. Last week Federer won the Cincinnati Masters beating Novak Djokovic another player to whom he had lost their last two meetings.
Federer emerges favourite nonpareil. One of the best volleyers around, the fast DecoTurf surface at the US Open conducive to serve-and-volley play should favour him as seen in the last five years.
If the 2008 US Open was all about Federer salvaging his “substandard” year, then 2009 could have the same purport for Nadal.
An injury-stricken Nadal gave Wimbledon a miss and had a 10-week lay off. While last year, Nadal came in to the US Open as the top seed, this year he will begin his campaign as the World No 3.
Nadal’s quarterfinal and semifinal showing at Montreal and Cincinnati Masters respectively has been encouraging, though not without streaks of vulnerability.
If Nadal were to win the US Open, he would complete his career slam and establish himself creditably as a player to be feared on all courts. Same year two people completing a career slam would be eventful!
Last year Nadal reached the semifinal and a final call could be in the cards unless he meets an unusually inspired Juan Martin del Potro or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who have the necessary weapons to naught him.
World No 2 Murray has inched his way – first replacing Djokovic as the World No 3 – where no other has ventured in the last four years. The last time a player was ranked No 2 was Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.
For Murray, a win would mean he would get his first Grand Slam. Last year Murray was the finalist and he could go one better this year, as endorsed by his incontrovertible record on the North American hard courts. He has won titles at Miami and Montreal.
Djokovic may have been relegated to World No 4 after two years, but his capability to challenge the best cannot be discounted as he can beat both Nadal and Federer.
Of the last 18 slams, 17 were exchanged between Nadal and Federer. Australian Open 2008 saw Djokovic breaking the dichotomous monotony of the two taking it all.
Djokovic was the runner-up at the US Open in 2007 and a semifinalist in 2008.
The US Open will not only be about the Big three or the Fab four, but as much about Potro, Tsonga, Roddick, who have sneaked in many a hair-raising, heart-thumping moments this year.
The gap between those huddled at the top and the rest has narrowed and rather than the technique and skill, reaching a Grand Slam final after two weeks of rigorous strenuous tennis has become more a test of fortitude and stamina.
Andy Roddick though no neophyte to the slam summit, had a revealing, reinventing year and proved he still has the pluck to go all the way.
Others, who could upset the apple cart, and elicit a few disappointed groans, are Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, Nikolay Davydenko, Gael Monfils and Robin Soderling.
The grind of the summer Slam, but the most easygoing in terms of atmosphere could outline a clear-cut ATP map.
Time to take charge
When Justin Henin retired in May 2008, little did she realize, that it would spark a salvo of successors none to stay put for long. More than a year after having passing hands between Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and finally Dinara Safina, the World No 1 baton stands unsteady at the top. A new winner at the US Open could ripple the waters further.
Again all eyes would be on the Williams - especially the younger version - who playing in their home country will have that extra intent. If Serena were to win it would be her fourth US Open title and third Grand Slam of the year. At the same time, her win would also assuage concerns of lack of dominance in the WTA circuit.
By current form, Jankovic, who won in Cincinnati and Elena Dementieva, who lifted the Rogers Cup are clear contenders. But the duo has been found wanting at crucial junctures in big events.
To go strictly by rankings and consistent display, Safina should have lifted a couple of Grand Slams by now. If the World No 1 could muster enough reserves of resolve to fight her 11the hour disintegration a slam title would be a redeeming reality.
Besides the Williams, Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sharapova, Belgian Kim Clijsters and Serbian Ana Ivanovic are the other Grand Slam winners.
Kuznetsova has won the US Open in 2004, and was runner-up in 2007. This year she was the French Open champion. Kuznetsova could be a potent challenger on a bright sunny day.
Sharapova’s full-fledged return to the tour has shaped up well. Though her double faults that often lurk into two digits is a cause of concern, her results have improved with every tournament.
Another player who has made an impactful comeback is Kim Clijsters. She beat some top 20 players - Kuznetsova, Marion Bartoli, Victoria Azarenka - in Cincinnati and Toronto.
Those who could inflict an upset or two are Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, Bartoli and Azarenka.
India factor
Sania Mirza, who will be the only competition in the singles, will lead the Indian brigade at the US Open. Ranked World No 71, Sania’s game is suited to the hard courts and her best results have always come from this part of the season. Once ranked a career best 27, Sania’s line of thought will be to gain some important ranking points and launch herself into the top 50.
Sania’s best showing in 2009 was in the Pattaya Open, where she was runner-up to Zvonareva. She also won an ATP Challenger event in July, only her second career title.
However, it wouldn’t be audacious to expect a Slam title in the doubles. Leander Paes along with his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy were runner-ups to the Bryans in the US Open last year. But, Paes won the mixed doubles title with his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black. Together Paes has garnered five major titles in men’s doubles and another four in mixed doubles. In 2009, he won the French Open doubles and was the runner-up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian mate Mark Knowles had a good run in the hard court season having won the doubles at Montreal Masters.
Bhupathi reached the 2009 Australian Open final but lost to the Bryan brothers. Bhupathi has won the US Open doubles title in 2002 and in mixed doubles he showed his worth twice. However, the highlight of this year’s showing would be the Australian Open mixed doubles that he won pairing up with compatriot Sania Mirza.
In men’s singles, India’s No1 Somdev Devvarman affinity to the hard courts could get him through the qualifiers. Another to labour through the qualifiers would be Prakash Amritraj.
Australian Open junior champion Yuki Bhambri will be an able contender in the boys’ draw. A US Open title would definitely enhance his career graph.
Change is the eternal law of universe. Never has it been more pronounced than in the fortunes of the world’s two best tennis players of the decade.
Flashback year 2008, January and another tennis milestone was in the making. 2008 would be the year when Roger Federer, a 12-time Grand Slam winner then, would not only equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 but also go one better.
But seldom does sport play by the rules of anticipation. The world had forgotten that another man from Spain, who went by the name of Rafael Nadal had much more defying designs on the world tennis chart. And belying all expectations, year 2008 saw Nadal ascend to the apogee of tennis excellence, and depose Federer off the throne that had been his demesne for 237 weeks.
Nadal's aggrandising prowess and the evident waning of Federer’s class was a pointer that a change of guard was imminent.
Nadal came into the 2008 US Open on a high note. Never a doubt was expressed on his ability to defend the French Open title. But his conquest at Wimbledon beating the Swiss glider on the greens, and then adding the Olympic gold in Beijing secured his status as a champion, who could wallow on grass and hard courts as well.
On the other hand, Federer began his title defence on a wavering note. His self-assured finesse was no longer daunting. The “aura of invincibility” had been breached. Even the not so fancied had become intrepid. At these times of low morale, Federer won the US Open 2008, his 13th Grand Slam, a reminder to his critics, that he still had the Slam lust in him.
Year 2009, the US Open and once again the outcome could heave the balance of power.
The year began on an ominous note for Federer. Having lost the Australian Open final to Nadal, and Andy Murray snapping at his heels, the chafing tongues were quick to flap. Was the Federer era over?
But the dynamics changed again. Not only did he reclaim his lost "one", but also he did it in style, winning the one trophy that had tantalisingly evaded his grasp for the last three years. The French Open was a retributive tribute to the champion.
He also reclaimed his Wimbledon crown and surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams.
Sweet 16 for Federer?
If winning 15 Grand slams could make you a tad complacent, it could also put right all that had gone wrong. The World No 1 is a much-relieved man bereft of all scrutinizing pressures. The signs of resignation have given way to those of unassuming superiority.
A win would mean a 16th Grand Slam and a sixth consecutive US Open title. If a month ago, his poor record of 2-6 against Murray then, may have rankled him, now after beating the Brit in Cincinnati he has allayed those seeds of queasiness. Last week Federer won the Cincinnati Masters beating Novak Djokovic another player to whom he had lost their last two meetings.
Federer emerges favourite nonpareil. One of the best volleyers around, the fast DecoTurf surface at the US Open conducive to serve-and-volley play should favour him as seen in the last five years.
If the 2008 US Open was all about Federer salvaging his “substandard” year, then 2009 could have the same purport for Nadal.
An injury-stricken Nadal gave Wimbledon a miss and had a 10-week lay off. While last year, Nadal came in to the US Open as the top seed, this year he will begin his campaign as the World No 3.
Nadal’s quarterfinal and semifinal showing at Montreal and Cincinnati Masters respectively has been encouraging, though not without streaks of vulnerability.
If Nadal were to win the US Open, he would complete his career slam and establish himself creditably as a player to be feared on all courts. Same year two people completing a career slam would be eventful!
Last year Nadal reached the semifinal and a final call could be in the cards unless he meets an unusually inspired Juan Martin del Potro or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who have the necessary weapons to naught him.
World No 2 Murray has inched his way – first replacing Djokovic as the World No 3 – where no other has ventured in the last four years. The last time a player was ranked No 2 was Lleyton Hewitt in 2005.
For Murray, a win would mean he would get his first Grand Slam. Last year Murray was the finalist and he could go one better this year, as endorsed by his incontrovertible record on the North American hard courts. He has won titles at Miami and Montreal.
Djokovic may have been relegated to World No 4 after two years, but his capability to challenge the best cannot be discounted as he can beat both Nadal and Federer.
Of the last 18 slams, 17 were exchanged between Nadal and Federer. Australian Open 2008 saw Djokovic breaking the dichotomous monotony of the two taking it all.
Djokovic was the runner-up at the US Open in 2007 and a semifinalist in 2008.
The US Open will not only be about the Big three or the Fab four, but as much about Potro, Tsonga, Roddick, who have sneaked in many a hair-raising, heart-thumping moments this year.
The gap between those huddled at the top and the rest has narrowed and rather than the technique and skill, reaching a Grand Slam final after two weeks of rigorous strenuous tennis has become more a test of fortitude and stamina.
Andy Roddick though no neophyte to the slam summit, had a revealing, reinventing year and proved he still has the pluck to go all the way.
Others, who could upset the apple cart, and elicit a few disappointed groans, are Gilles Simon, Fernando Verdasco, Nikolay Davydenko, Gael Monfils and Robin Soderling.
The grind of the summer Slam, but the most easygoing in terms of atmosphere could outline a clear-cut ATP map.
Time to take charge
When Justin Henin retired in May 2008, little did she realize, that it would spark a salvo of successors none to stay put for long. More than a year after having passing hands between Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and finally Dinara Safina, the World No 1 baton stands unsteady at the top. A new winner at the US Open could ripple the waters further.
Again all eyes would be on the Williams - especially the younger version - who playing in their home country will have that extra intent. If Serena were to win it would be her fourth US Open title and third Grand Slam of the year. At the same time, her win would also assuage concerns of lack of dominance in the WTA circuit.
By current form, Jankovic, who won in Cincinnati and Elena Dementieva, who lifted the Rogers Cup are clear contenders. But the duo has been found wanting at crucial junctures in big events.
To go strictly by rankings and consistent display, Safina should have lifted a couple of Grand Slams by now. If the World No 1 could muster enough reserves of resolve to fight her 11the hour disintegration a slam title would be a redeeming reality.
Besides the Williams, Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sharapova, Belgian Kim Clijsters and Serbian Ana Ivanovic are the other Grand Slam winners.
Kuznetsova has won the US Open in 2004, and was runner-up in 2007. This year she was the French Open champion. Kuznetsova could be a potent challenger on a bright sunny day.
Sharapova’s full-fledged return to the tour has shaped up well. Though her double faults that often lurk into two digits is a cause of concern, her results have improved with every tournament.
Another player who has made an impactful comeback is Kim Clijsters. She beat some top 20 players - Kuznetsova, Marion Bartoli, Victoria Azarenka - in Cincinnati and Toronto.
Those who could inflict an upset or two are Vera Zvonareva, Caroline Wozniacki, Bartoli and Azarenka.
India factor
Sania Mirza, who will be the only competition in the singles, will lead the Indian brigade at the US Open. Ranked World No 71, Sania’s game is suited to the hard courts and her best results have always come from this part of the season. Once ranked a career best 27, Sania’s line of thought will be to gain some important ranking points and launch herself into the top 50.
Sania’s best showing in 2009 was in the Pattaya Open, where she was runner-up to Zvonareva. She also won an ATP Challenger event in July, only her second career title.
However, it wouldn’t be audacious to expect a Slam title in the doubles. Leander Paes along with his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy were runner-ups to the Bryans in the US Open last year. But, Paes won the mixed doubles title with his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black. Together Paes has garnered five major titles in men’s doubles and another four in mixed doubles. In 2009, he won the French Open doubles and was the runner-up in the mixed doubles at Wimbledon.
Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian mate Mark Knowles had a good run in the hard court season having won the doubles at Montreal Masters.
Bhupathi reached the 2009 Australian Open final but lost to the Bryan brothers. Bhupathi has won the US Open doubles title in 2002 and in mixed doubles he showed his worth twice. However, the highlight of this year’s showing would be the Australian Open mixed doubles that he won pairing up with compatriot Sania Mirza.
In men’s singles, India’s No1 Somdev Devvarman affinity to the hard courts could get him through the qualifiers. Another to labour through the qualifiers would be Prakash Amritraj.
Australian Open junior champion Yuki Bhambri will be an able contender in the boys’ draw. A US Open title would definitely enhance his career graph.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Key moments
This year Roger Federer cried twice in a final of Grand Slam. First time they were tears of self-pity, but the next time he ensured they were tears of joy. The tears were enough retribution for the champion, who lost his Wimbledon crown and the Australian Open final to his greatest nemesis, Rafael Nadal.
The French Open 2009 will go down in history as the one of the best ever, with the greatest tennis player claiming what was seriously wanting in his career graph.
This year like 2008 seemed to belong to the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.
But true to its reputation the French Open produced plenty of surprises and disappointments. Looking back at the key moments, what is striking is that only Roger Federer of the Big Four survived the rigours of the red dirt.
Biggest Upset: No doubt the exit of King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. The inexorable World No 1 and four-time champion here had never lost a match here since his debut in 2005. But thanks to a certain Swede Robin Soderling, Nadal received a rude jolt to his bid for a record fifth title at the terre battue. While this year Nadal will have to do without his usual birthday present at the French Open, Roger Federer had the most unlikely of opponent in the final - Robin Soderling.
Second big upset: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian World No 4 had a creditable season on clay and was touted to be the most likely of candidates to (maybe, possibly) topple Nadal. In the finals at Monte Carlo, Djokovic took a set off Nadal and in Madrid he engaged the Mallorcan in a four-hour semifinal duel and almost made it. But the Serbian, who had the second best season on clay after Nadal, came up short in his French Open expectations losing to unfancied opponent Philip Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round.
Man of the moment: None other than the fluid Swiss maestro, Roger Federer. The World No 2 had a shaky start to his Open bid, with unconvincing victories over Paul Henri-Matheiu and Tommy Haas. Gael Monfils looked a tough quarterfinal opponent as the Frenchman had shown some stiff resistance in the 2008 semifinal here against Federer. Once through the starting jitters, it was sheer finesse from the Swiss. In the semifinals, Federer survived a Del Potro scare to make it to his 19th Grand Slam final and his fourth French Open final. But this time his opponent was not his nemesis Nadal, but the Swede Soderling against whom he has a convincing record. No doubt the Swiss was the outright favourite to win the championship and the unflagging support he commanded showed his popularity with the French crowd. With the whole world rallying for Federer, the Swiss ensured he did not cave in to the pressure. He once again beat Soderling in straight sets to clinch the only missing silverware from his arsenal, and in the process complete his career slam.
Man, who created the moment: Robin Soderling: The Nadal-slayer, conqueror, not only played the tennis of his life-time to outclass the World No 1 and send him packing in the fourth round but also booked a place for himself in the final. The top seed looked lost and out of ideas against the booming big serves and accurate groundstrokes of the World No 25. In the process, the Swede also ensured that Nadal did not surpass his countryman Bjorn Borg’s record of four consecutive titles at Roland Garros. With the exit of Nadal, the biggest benefitter was Federer, who lost three consecutive finals to Nadal here. All eyes were on Federer to lift the title.
First timers: It was for the first time Robin Soderling had reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam in his career. Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova made her first appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Australia's Samantha Stosur beat Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea to qualify for her first ever Grand Slam semifinal.
Romania's Sorana Cirstea stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic to reach her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. She was the first Romanian woman in a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Irina Spirlea at the 1997 US Open.
Last timers: Fabrice Santoro and Marat Safin:
Russia’s former World No 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin survived the first hurdle but lost to France’s Josselin Ouanna in a tightly fought match in the second round. Safin insists it will be his last year on the tour.
The 36-year-old Santoro, a Frenchman playing for the 20th time here, has never won any majors. His best result was a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open in 2006. But even Federer and Nadal paid due tributes to the Frenchman, appreciating his unique technique and tactician’s mind-set that brought many a delightful moments to the fans.
Andys rock: Both Andy Roddick and Andy Murray surprised themselves by breezing into the second week at Roland Garros. Clay has not been a favourite with the Brit. However, having reached the semifinals in Monte Carlo and quarterfinals in Madrid and Paris it has been the best season on clay for the new World No 3. For American Andy Roddick it was the first fourth round match of his career at Roland Garros. The former World No.1 went out in the first round here in 2006 and 2007 and missed last year's tournament with a shoulder injury.
Comeback queen: Maria Sharapova: Having shown no favourable proclivity to the red dirt in her career and sidelined by a shoulder injury for almost 10 months, it was her first major on comeback. Coming in ranked No 102, the Russian played without fear and expectations, battling tenaciously through four three-set matches to reach the last eight. Though, she was thrashed by Cibulkova 6-0, 6-2 in the semis, the Russian girl is optimistic and believes it was a good start.
Comeback King: Roger Federer: The Swiss master rallied from a two-set deficit in his fourth-round match against Germany’s Tommy Haas only to toy with him in the latter three sets.
Rising star: Michelle Larcher de Brito
Portugal’s 16-year-old teenager de Brito, ranked 132, came through qualifying and on made it to the last 32 ousting China's 15th seed Zheng Jie.
Mellowdrama: Again Michelle Larcher de Brito.
Brito and France's Aravane Rezai were involved in a bad-tempered third-round clash where the latter complained the ear-splitting screams of the teenager were disconcerting.
The French Open 2009 will go down in history as the one of the best ever, with the greatest tennis player claiming what was seriously wanting in his career graph.
This year like 2008 seemed to belong to the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray.
But true to its reputation the French Open produced plenty of surprises and disappointments. Looking back at the key moments, what is striking is that only Roger Federer of the Big Four survived the rigours of the red dirt.
Biggest Upset: No doubt the exit of King of Clay, Rafael Nadal. The inexorable World No 1 and four-time champion here had never lost a match here since his debut in 2005. But thanks to a certain Swede Robin Soderling, Nadal received a rude jolt to his bid for a record fifth title at the terre battue. While this year Nadal will have to do without his usual birthday present at the French Open, Roger Federer had the most unlikely of opponent in the final - Robin Soderling.
Second big upset: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian World No 4 had a creditable season on clay and was touted to be the most likely of candidates to (maybe, possibly) topple Nadal. In the finals at Monte Carlo, Djokovic took a set off Nadal and in Madrid he engaged the Mallorcan in a four-hour semifinal duel and almost made it. But the Serbian, who had the second best season on clay after Nadal, came up short in his French Open expectations losing to unfancied opponent Philip Kohlschreiber of Germany in the third round.
Man of the moment: None other than the fluid Swiss maestro, Roger Federer. The World No 2 had a shaky start to his Open bid, with unconvincing victories over Paul Henri-Matheiu and Tommy Haas. Gael Monfils looked a tough quarterfinal opponent as the Frenchman had shown some stiff resistance in the 2008 semifinal here against Federer. Once through the starting jitters, it was sheer finesse from the Swiss. In the semifinals, Federer survived a Del Potro scare to make it to his 19th Grand Slam final and his fourth French Open final. But this time his opponent was not his nemesis Nadal, but the Swede Soderling against whom he has a convincing record. No doubt the Swiss was the outright favourite to win the championship and the unflagging support he commanded showed his popularity with the French crowd. With the whole world rallying for Federer, the Swiss ensured he did not cave in to the pressure. He once again beat Soderling in straight sets to clinch the only missing silverware from his arsenal, and in the process complete his career slam.
Man, who created the moment: Robin Soderling: The Nadal-slayer, conqueror, not only played the tennis of his life-time to outclass the World No 1 and send him packing in the fourth round but also booked a place for himself in the final. The top seed looked lost and out of ideas against the booming big serves and accurate groundstrokes of the World No 25. In the process, the Swede also ensured that Nadal did not surpass his countryman Bjorn Borg’s record of four consecutive titles at Roland Garros. With the exit of Nadal, the biggest benefitter was Federer, who lost three consecutive finals to Nadal here. All eyes were on Federer to lift the title.
First timers: It was for the first time Robin Soderling had reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam in his career. Slovakia’s Dominika Cibulkova made her first appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal. Australia's Samantha Stosur beat Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea to qualify for her first ever Grand Slam semifinal.
Romania's Sorana Cirstea stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic to reach her first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. She was the first Romanian woman in a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Irina Spirlea at the 1997 US Open.
Last timers: Fabrice Santoro and Marat Safin:
Russia’s former World No 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner Marat Safin survived the first hurdle but lost to France’s Josselin Ouanna in a tightly fought match in the second round. Safin insists it will be his last year on the tour.
The 36-year-old Santoro, a Frenchman playing for the 20th time here, has never won any majors. His best result was a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open in 2006. But even Federer and Nadal paid due tributes to the Frenchman, appreciating his unique technique and tactician’s mind-set that brought many a delightful moments to the fans.
Andys rock: Both Andy Roddick and Andy Murray surprised themselves by breezing into the second week at Roland Garros. Clay has not been a favourite with the Brit. However, having reached the semifinals in Monte Carlo and quarterfinals in Madrid and Paris it has been the best season on clay for the new World No 3. For American Andy Roddick it was the first fourth round match of his career at Roland Garros. The former World No.1 went out in the first round here in 2006 and 2007 and missed last year's tournament with a shoulder injury.
Comeback queen: Maria Sharapova: Having shown no favourable proclivity to the red dirt in her career and sidelined by a shoulder injury for almost 10 months, it was her first major on comeback. Coming in ranked No 102, the Russian played without fear and expectations, battling tenaciously through four three-set matches to reach the last eight. Though, she was thrashed by Cibulkova 6-0, 6-2 in the semis, the Russian girl is optimistic and believes it was a good start.
Comeback King: Roger Federer: The Swiss master rallied from a two-set deficit in his fourth-round match against Germany’s Tommy Haas only to toy with him in the latter three sets.
Rising star: Michelle Larcher de Brito
Portugal’s 16-year-old teenager de Brito, ranked 132, came through qualifying and on made it to the last 32 ousting China's 15th seed Zheng Jie.
Mellowdrama: Again Michelle Larcher de Brito.
Brito and France's Aravane Rezai were involved in a bad-tempered third-round clash where the latter complained the ear-splitting screams of the teenager were disconcerting.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Opportunity wide Open!
Guess it was a watershed day in history! Little known Swede Robin Soderling did what none of the big guys could do! He beat the King of Clay in four sets on his favourite surface, on the red dirt of his favourite tournament. It was definitely a rude jolt for World No 1 Nadal vying for his fifth straight title at Roland Garros.
For the last four years Nadal domination at the tournament was nonpareil. Such was his mastery on clay that even taking a set off Nadal would itself be an achievement. Since the 2007 final, where he lost a set to Federer, Nadal had not even lost a set in the tournament. So, little did anybody contemplate or even comprehend the World No 25 Swede beating Nadal.
Nadal’s defeat came at a time when the champion had proved that clay courts were not his only demesnes and he could wallow on the grass of Wimbledon and hard court of Australia as well. The aura of invincibility that had enveloped Federer for so long, had suddenly entwined another. The tennis world was out of ideas on how to play Nadal. The question was who could crack the Nadal clay code?
Djokovic? The World No 3 took a set off Nadal at the Monte Carlo finals. Close. Closer still? Djokovic played a four hour, forty minutes semifinal against Nadal in the Madrid finals. The match could have gone either way. In the end Nadal’s tenacity was the winner. Yet there was hope. Another match, another final and maybe Djokovic would do it. But Djokovic’s loss in Madrid was Federer’s gain. The Serbian No 4 tired the World No 1 to such an extent that next day in the finals it was a jaded Nadal that took on Federer only to lose in straight sets. But not to discount Federer’s efforts, even a five set thriller would not have sapped the energy levels of the Swiss. That’s the kind of game the Swiss plays. Facile backhands, lethal service games tossed with sheer finesse and grace. If the physicality of Nadal’s game propelled him to the highest echelons, it was also his pitfall. After all fitness is what determines a champion. How many times does Federer complain of injury? How many tournaments has Federer missed? Few. On the other hand, burn out at the end of the season is a common feature for Nadal. In 2008, Nadal missed the Masters Cup. Everytime he has played an exceptionally demanding semifinal, Nadal has been found wanting in the finals. (Chennai Open 2008, Madrid Masters 2009).
In the match against Soderling, Nadal looked patchy and out of sorts as he had no answer to some of the Swede’s thundering shots. It was always thought the only way to beat Nadal on clay would be to keep the points shot. And Soderling had done his homework. He did exactly that and came out with flying colours. Soderling did everything that tennis lovers wanted Federer to do. Now that Nadal is out, the expectancy to lift the only silverware missing from his arsenal rests onerous on Federer. Nothing could further the drama than the Swiss maestro winning the French Open and completing his career Grand Slam. That would be his one unfailing dream and so of die-hard Fedex fans’ like me!
For the last four years Nadal domination at the tournament was nonpareil. Such was his mastery on clay that even taking a set off Nadal would itself be an achievement. Since the 2007 final, where he lost a set to Federer, Nadal had not even lost a set in the tournament. So, little did anybody contemplate or even comprehend the World No 25 Swede beating Nadal.
Nadal’s defeat came at a time when the champion had proved that clay courts were not his only demesnes and he could wallow on the grass of Wimbledon and hard court of Australia as well. The aura of invincibility that had enveloped Federer for so long, had suddenly entwined another. The tennis world was out of ideas on how to play Nadal. The question was who could crack the Nadal clay code?
Djokovic? The World No 3 took a set off Nadal at the Monte Carlo finals. Close. Closer still? Djokovic played a four hour, forty minutes semifinal against Nadal in the Madrid finals. The match could have gone either way. In the end Nadal’s tenacity was the winner. Yet there was hope. Another match, another final and maybe Djokovic would do it. But Djokovic’s loss in Madrid was Federer’s gain. The Serbian No 4 tired the World No 1 to such an extent that next day in the finals it was a jaded Nadal that took on Federer only to lose in straight sets. But not to discount Federer’s efforts, even a five set thriller would not have sapped the energy levels of the Swiss. That’s the kind of game the Swiss plays. Facile backhands, lethal service games tossed with sheer finesse and grace. If the physicality of Nadal’s game propelled him to the highest echelons, it was also his pitfall. After all fitness is what determines a champion. How many times does Federer complain of injury? How many tournaments has Federer missed? Few. On the other hand, burn out at the end of the season is a common feature for Nadal. In 2008, Nadal missed the Masters Cup. Everytime he has played an exceptionally demanding semifinal, Nadal has been found wanting in the finals. (Chennai Open 2008, Madrid Masters 2009).
In the match against Soderling, Nadal looked patchy and out of sorts as he had no answer to some of the Swede’s thundering shots. It was always thought the only way to beat Nadal on clay would be to keep the points shot. And Soderling had done his homework. He did exactly that and came out with flying colours. Soderling did everything that tennis lovers wanted Federer to do. Now that Nadal is out, the expectancy to lift the only silverware missing from his arsenal rests onerous on Federer. Nothing could further the drama than the Swiss maestro winning the French Open and completing his career Grand Slam. That would be his one unfailing dream and so of die-hard Fedex fans’ like me!
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