The 2020 French Open

[javero]

Nadal & Thiem are in the same half of the men's draw. Nadal aims to match Federer at 20 major titles. Djokovic's going for #18. Competition in the women's top half is "brutal". For once, I have no picks.

[yankeefan7]

Halep and Azarenka have already easily moved into the 2nd round, Venus Williams lost in straight sets. It is cold and breezy in Paris and bunch of women are wearing tights/leggings.

Women's Picks

Halep defeats Azarenka

Muguruza defeats Pliskova

Halep wins final in three sets.

Men's Picks

Djokovic defeats Rublev

Schwartzman defeats Nadal.

Djokovic wins final in three sets.

 

[javero]

Interesting that France's Benoit Paire is playing.  He's dealt with several positive covid-19 disqualifications lately.  And this year's French Open has not escaped controversy in that regard.  Spain's Fernando Verdasco has to sit this one out after a positive test after which he griped that his compatriot Nadal would have been given a follow up exam.  He's not the first player on the men's tour to insinuate that exceptions have been made wrt the covid-19 protocols to accommodate the top-ranked players.  I really wish he hadn't gone there because we're all in this together.

I watched all the Italian Open singles semis & finals.  If I remember correctly, Schwartzman finally beat Rafa for the first time in a million tries in a best 2 of 3 set match.  He's a typical grinder on clay, not meant to be pejorative in any way.  I'm anxious to see if he'll have enough in the tank to topple Rafa in 5 sets should the matches live up to the seedings.  Rafa's only lost 2 times there & similarly has only been taken to 5 sets 2 times before.  However, Rafa can't dominate on clay forever.  

I like your picks overall.  Halep's got momentum on the women's side.  Muguruza seems less of a head case now that Stan Wawrinka is allegedly, well, how shall I put it.  Let's just say that her acne has cleared up.

[uncageg]

I started watching a bit late. Even knowing the outcome I am watching the repeat of the Goffin v Sinner match. First I am seeing Sinner play. Hopefully they will show his Australian Open match. Would love to see that.

A number of players aren't liking these weather conditions. Did they re-open the roof and then close it again? It appears to be closed for this Sinner match but was open for the Novak/Zvrev match and they closed it near the end of the match.

[yankeefan7]

Serena Williams withdraws due to injury and Azarenka loses in straight sets. Azarenka was complaining about the cold weather so I have a feeling she just wanted to get on out of Paris. American young men are doing pretty good with Sebastian Korda and Taylor Fritz winning today and moving into the 3rd round.

[javero]

The woman's draw has been littered with upsets. It's good to see a resurgent Carolina Garcia rise to the occasion in front of her home crowd. Maybe this will be the breakthrough major for Danielle Collins of Team USA...who knows.

On the men's side, Sacha Zverev is down 2 sets to none against a 19-year old Italian player named Jannik Sinner in the 4th round at 8:43 am New York time.

I've been so consumed by politics all week that I haven't watched a single televised match.

[yankeefan7]

"The woman's draw has been littered with upsets. It's good to see a resurgent Carolina Garcia rise to the occasion in front of her home crowd. Maybe this will be the breakthrough major for Danielle Collins of Team USA...who knows."

Honestly, I was quite shocked Halep got beat down 6-1,6-2. Glad to see Danielle Collins do well but let's face it, Muguruza chocked big time. Up two breaks (4-1) in third set and loses the next 5 games. Her serve became very shaky and I knew when Collins held easily at 5-4, it was over.

"On the men's side, Sacha Zverev is down 2 sets to none against a 19-year old Italian player named Jannik Sinner in the 4th round at 8:43 am New York time."

Nice that Zverev came back to win third set but he was broken early in the 4th and the match was basically over. After his heartbreaking loss in US Open final, I was glad to see he did not completely collapse and at least made it to the 4th round.

"I've been so consumed by politics all week that I haven't watched a single televised match."

I am so sick of politics and enjoy watching/playing tennis to get away from it, plus my NY Yankees (lol) advanced to ALDS. I told my wife it is time for me to shut up about politics and just quietly vote.

[javero]

Crickets...

Wassup???

I haven't watched a single match all tourney.

[yankeefan7]

"Crickets... Wassup??? I haven't watched a single match all tourney."

19 year old Swiatek (Poland) crushed Kenin in final 6-4,6-1 this morning. Nadal vs Djokovic are in the final tomorrow. Nadal beat my pick Schwartzman routinely in three sets. IMO Schwartzman looked gassed after his 5 set and over 5 hour match with Thiem.  Djokovic was cruising winning the first two sets against Tsitsipas but then Tsitsipas came back to win the next two sets. Sadly, Tsitsipas ran out of steam and lost 5th set 6-1.  Hope this helps -lol.

[javero]

Thanks for that update.  I caught the last 2 sets of the Djokovic-Tsitsipas match.  Nole can't afford to take his foot off the throttle against an in-form Rafa tomorrow.  I'll always give Rafa the edge on clay but will be pulling for Nole.  The tennis gods have to allow him to claim one win in a FO final over the King of Clay.  It's amazing that arguably the 3 best players who've ever lifted a tennis racket have been active at the same time. What the big 3 have accomplished is extraordinary.  They've split 56 major single titles!!!

ETA: congrats Iga...tough luck Sofia

[uncageg]

Congrats to Rafa. I was rooting for him. 

Did those last 2 games fly by? I went into the kitchen to make coffee and when I got back about 10 minutes later it was over! I have to watch the replay.

[yankeefan7]

I was absolutely stunned with the beat down Nadal gave Djokovic (6-0,6-2,7-5). What was up with all those drop shops by Novak? I mean he was successful a bit but it looked to me that he did not want to get into long rallies early in the match. Rafa has tied Federer with 20 grand Slam title so let the GOAT debate begin.

[uncageg]

I agree with Mary Carrilo's comments. Both Rafa and Novak will probably surpass Federer if they stay healthy. And they are younger. 

I have never been a big Federer fan (More so now than before though) but the man is a beast on the court. Even if he is surpassed, I would have to say that, for me, he will remain the greatest for a long time especially for his style. He just makes it look effortless. JMO

[javero]

Not stunned one bit taking into account Nadal's supremen confidence on clay which neutralizes all of Djokovic's weapons.
What Nadal does on that surface is a work of art. On other surfaces, I don't find his game that elegant. Regarding the GOAT debate, my vote goes to Nadal based on his record at all 4 majors. Federer & Djokovic each have won a single FO title despite their stellar records at the other majors. I'm left wondering whether Djokovic has the time, drive, and willingness to develop another weapon in order to catch Nadal & Federer in the major title count. He's down by 3 now. It would appear that a healthy Nadal could win 2 more FOs even if he comes up short at the other majors.


Nearly forgot...Djokovic relied on the drop shot far too much throughout the entire tournament. Nadal has a very quick first step and excellent anticipation. His footwork has always been impeccable & efficient.

[yankeefan7]

"Not stunned one bit taking into account Nadal's supremen confidence on clay which neutralizes all of Djokovic's weapons. What Nadal does on that surface is a work of art. On other surfaces, I don't find his game that elegant. Regarding the GOAT debate, my vote goes to Nadal based on his record at all 4 majors. Federer & Djokovic each have won a single FO title despite their stellar records at the other majors. I'm left wondering whether Djokovic has the time, drive, and willingness to develop another weapon in order to catch Nadal & Federer in the major title count. He's down by 3 now. It would appear that a healthy Nadal could win 2 more FOs even if he comes up short at the other majors. Nearly forgot...Djokovic relied on the drop shot far too much throughout the entire tournament. Nadal has a very quick first step and excellent anticipation. His footwork has always been impeccable & efficient."

I was not stunned Nadal beat Djokovic but I was quite surprised he only won 7 games in total. As for the GOAT debate, let me throw in that Nadal has winning record against Federer and Djokovic has winning record against Nadal and Federer.

[javero]

During the men's final one of the talking heads pointed out that Djokovic holds the second most clay court tournament titles among active players surpassed only by Nadal. At the start of his career it didn't appear that Nadal's game would translate well to either grass or hard courts. But he's arguably the most improved among the big three which brings me to Djokovic who needs nearly perfect on court conditions and a packed house to overcome Nadal when both are playing at their absolute best.


There has always been something wooden about Dkojovic's technique akin to Ivan Lendl's back in the day. Early in his career he lacked touch, was a subpar volleyer, and was prone to double faults on big points. I still give Boris Becker credit for adding another dimension to Dkojvic's game. Nevertheless, Federer & Nadal seem better at improvising out there especially on surfaces like grass & clay where regular bounces are less certain and last minute adjustments to footwork are required. On grass and clay Djokovic has always appeared somewhat gangly often losing his footing which rarely happens to Federer or Nadal. On hard courts with consistent bounces, Djokovic rules. If you break down their major titles by surface in order of hard court, grass, and clay, you get Djokovic (11-5-1), Nadal (5,-2-13), and Federer (11-8-1). What's truly remarkable about Nadal's record is that he's NEVER lost in the FO final amassing an incredible 13-0 record.


I take back my earlier doubts about Djokovic catching Nadal & Federer in the grand slam title count. Djokovic got into Federer's head years ago and basically has his number on all surfaces now. The challenge going forward for him will be to win as many Aussie, Wimbledon, and US Opens as possible while ceding the French Open to King Rafa. That is of course unless Thiem or Wawrinka have another slam or two in them before Djokovic & Nadal call it a day. Despite being the least gifted of the big three, Djokovic's pride will never allow him to retire without eclipsing Federer & Nadal's grand slam title count provided he stays healthy. I've always regarded him as the Chris Evert of modern day men's tennis. Chrissie's 18 major titles were diluted slightly by the 16 losses. Compare that with the major win-loss records of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer which are 17-10, 20-8, and 20-11, respectively.

Anyone else have any thoughts on Djokovic's chances of catching Nadal & Federer or Nadal overtaking Federer???

[yankeefan7]

"Anyone else have any thoughts on Djokovic's chances of catching Nadal & Federer or Nadal overtaking Federer???"

I think Federer is done with winning Grand Slam titles and Nadal could pass him next May in Paris. Djokovic could pass both of them but it will take 4 more titles if each of them never win another major.  That is not as easy as it may appear, I think Tsitsipas is on the verge of breaking through and winning one especially on hard court. Thiem will also be a threat and now knows he can win one. Zverev is a bit of a head case but he has the physical ability to win a major. Don't count out Medvedev on hard courts either, he gave Nadal one hell of a battle at 2019 US Open final. All it takes is one huge server to have a good day and Djokovic can lose at Wimbledon so that is not a lock for him to win. My prediction is Rafa gets one more before he has injury issues again with his knees and career is cut short. I think the key to see if Djokovic beats both of them is how many he wins in 2021. If he can win two next year, I think will will do it.

[yankeefan7]

"If you break down their major titles by surface in order of hard court, grass, and clay, you get Djokovic (11-5-1), Nadal (5,-2-13), and Federer (11-8-1). What's truly remarkable about Nadal's record is that he's NEVER lost in the FO final amassing an incredible 13-0 record."

What is truly remarkable is Nadal has a 100-2 record at the French Open, that is borderline crazy -lol

[javero]

Please check out the video at the link below. They breakdown the evolution of the forehand including Jack Sock, Nick Kyrios, and Dominic Thiem's which I'm just now starting to appreciate. I haven't played in nearly decade and wonder how my classic eastern forehand with a nearly closed stance would hold up today.

Tennis Forehand - Next Gen vs Modern vs Classic

[yankeefan7]

Javero - Thanks for the video clip showing the different forehands. I am the "classic" type also and hit very flat shots, I play 90% of the time on hard court. The few lessons from professionals I have had is they have all worked with me trying to get a little topspin on my strokes. Like they all said, my margin of error is a lot slimmer hitting flat shots. They said in video that classic forehand people may have issues with higher shots, I don't have that problem. Maybe because I am 6ft 2 in and not many people I have played against kick their shots up very high. I was never able to really hit a good one handed backhand so I use two hands. Most people think my backhand is more dangerous than my forehand especially on return of serve. 

I stopped playing in tennis ladders (4.0) a few years ago. My opponents were mostly 25-30 years younger than me and it was getting harder to have decent chance of winning a match. I play mostly doubles now but when I can find a singles match with somebody fairly close to my age than I am up for it. How come you quit playing? You are never too old to try again -lol. BTW - nice to chat tennis with somebody that really knows the game !!