French Open 2018

Sousa vs. Pella Fognini vs. Andujar

Puig!

the pressure will be firmly on Zverev to reach at least the QF here. He's the #2 seed and had a great clay season so far. If he loses early again he'll get destroyed in the press

Nadal Dolgopolov could be interesting for a couple of games. H2H is 7-2 and Dolgo has never beaten Nadal on Clay. There has to be a surprise. Although the Slams since the Fedal thing started have not had many. It is amazing what the top 3 have accomplished in the last decade--15 years.

Top 4, R3!

No Federer again this year? Why?

R6, he has to protect his seed.

Cop out.

Is OP's photo of Dominic Thiem?

^ yes. Fed is skipping RG because he knows he's a long shot and wants to save himself for Wimby and #20.

[quote]Puig!

poor Puig has to skip RG, she's still recovering from a hip injury

Tomic, Denis Kudla and Norwegian starlet Casper Ruud all qualified for the main draw

I think it's time for Stan Wawrinka to back his perfect ass onto the court and close this competition!

Qualifiers

Pavlasek

Ivashka

Bellucci

Gulbis or Giannessi who are still playing

Ruud

Dutra Silva

Kudla

Giraldo

Andreozzi

Klizan

Munar

Tomic

Ymer

Kovalik

Hurzack

Taberner

r10 you mean #21

Frank Schiavone also made it into the main draw, just like busty American Caroline Dolehide

Gulbis gets the last qualifier slot in the man draw

Can’t wait to see some games there.

I'm surprised Tomic was motivated enough to qualify. Clay has always been his worst surface. Maybe his millions have started running out?

the tricky veteran Dulgheru also qualified. When she's playing well she's fun to watch.

Thiem is SO dumb! Today because of rain delays he had to play 2 matches. Both went 3 long sets so he was on court for about 5 hours. Final tomorrow. He is fit but this is so dumb to risk being tired and injured ahead of his best major.

I think Polansky gets a LL slot in main draw.

In crazy retired player news, Stepanek remarried Nicole Vaidisova.

omfg what is it with Stepanek and the Czech ladies? Hingis(ova), Kvitova and now 2nd time around with Vaidisova. He's so damn ugly.

wow just checked her instagram...she's also pregnant and due in the summer. I hope it's a boy. Imagine a girl with Radek's face.

The Dutch lesbian qualified too

[quote]I'm surprised Tomic was motivated enough to qualify.

He seemed pretty eager to do well, didn't lose a set...he's playing Kyrgios in R1!

[quote]The Dutch lesbian qualified too

Richel Hogenkamp, she's up against Sharapova in the 1st round...and another Dutch girl (Arantxa Rus) got in as a lucky loser because Niculescu (Roger's sister ;) withdrew

Stepanek must be hung like a donkey.

[R26] you know it.....

But those women are attractive. Wouldn't they be happier with a slightly less hung guy who is more attractive?

I simply couldn't face a life waking up every morning with Stepanek's mug and morning breath.

I am enjoying the Zverev/Djokovic friendship a lot. Hugs whenever they meet it seems and this, haha

Dolgopolov retired. Bolelli first round match tomorrow for Nadal.

Other lucky losers are

Bemelmans

Polansky

Zopp

Stakhovsky

Otte

Chung, Krajinovic, Rublev, Kicker and Lu have withdrawn

They have a new rule this year. The first round prize money is split between the lucky loser than the player who withdrew before the start of the tournament.

Kicker is actually suspended for match fixing

Jesus. Pretty soon Michael Chang will get in as a lucky loser.

Next in line as LL is Mohamed Safwat from Egypt

Speaking of former French Open champions who I never thought were hot, Roddick looks REAL good in that new commercial. Like he's grown into his face or something.

^ Roddick never won the French but he won my heart years ago. Do you have a link to his commercial?

Roddick won the French?

Roddick won the French?

[quote]Roddick won the French?

Oh, Jesus, I guess he didn’t. Nerds.

Sorry but I haven't really been following the ATP since the Aussie Open. What kind of form is Wawrinka in?

Wawrinka is a mess. I doubt he'll win a round.

wow the RG site just gets worse every year. I HATE the layout. The schedule of play link doesn't work either-it just brings you to live matches and obviously there are none today. I can't believe I have to go elsewhere to look for Sunday's schedule

I don't get why the slams changed. The sites were really good and practical until about 3-4 years ago

Yeah, there's been discussion of this. ^ The GS sites were great when IBM ran them, but I guess IBM didn't renew its contract with the Slams, so they run their own sites now. Just awful.

ah ok here it is but it's not where it shows the link on the front page:

wtf

so Philippe Chatrier could be fun tomorrow...will diva Dimitrov come out? He's facing Troicki who is capable of playing well and beating top players but he's a flake. Dimitrov really seems to lose his shit (and matches) on clay. The French would boo the hell out of him if he had a tantrum.

Following that is a real cuntfest-RG it-girl Cornet vs. Errani. That handshake would be hilarious if the match goes 3 sets.

DL fave Pouille and defending champ Ostapenko are also on that court.

Svitolina, Monfils, Venus and Zverev all open their RG campaigns on Lenglen

Nishikori and Goffin are on Court 1. Watch out for Konta vs. Putintseva that could definitely be an upset. Konta sucks on clay and Putintseva loves it

Sloane Stephens thrown on court 18 and also Verdasco vs. Nishioka could be interesting

A few days ago, Thiem announced he dating a chick, a fellow tennis player. I had so much hope for him because he has such a corny musical taste (Backstreet Boys and all).

But now -- he's DEAD to me now!!

"Kiss me you fool."

What year was that picture taken, R48?

They may as well just give the winning trophy to Nada, no?

[quote] wow the RG site just gets worse every year. I HATE the layout.

Completely agree. Click on the players on the draw and you get both players in a match. One then has to click on the player’s picture again to get to the individual bios. The pics themselves are awful.

[quote] They may as well just give the winning trophy to Nada, no?

Si.

I've been a tennis fan for years and years, probably longer than many of you have been alive. But I'm finding it hard to get interested this year. It seems like another coronation for Nadal, and the women are the exact opposite, with no clear favorite. And yet neither scenario energizes me.

I find myself wondering if the continued success of the top players is what's causing my ho-hum reaction. The sport used to have a revolving door of great players. You don't like McEnroe or Connors? Well here's Wilander, Lendl, Becker, and Edberg to take their place. Then Sampras, Agassi, and Courier take over. With the women, Evert and Navratilova had a 10-15 year stranglehold on the majors (with some Austin and Mandlikova tossed in), then Graf and Seles took over. Hingis, Davenport, Serena, and Venus took over followed by Henin, Clijsters and Sharapova. But now I find myself just waiting for the next eras to take over, and they never seems to arrive.

I know the ATP and WTA are happy to see Nadal and Federer still at the top, and Serena and Sharapova making another push, but I'm ready for some new champions to announce themselves on both sides.

As long as Novack’s not winning, I’m happy. Disappointed in Federer not playing.

Young Dimitry is currently playing Safwat, yet another LL, this time replacing the awful Troicki (“lower back pain”). And after about 20 minutes, young Dimitry has just served out the first set for 6-1.

He won’t need as thorough a postmatch massage session at this rate, but I also know how to keep them short and to the point.

It's the first Grand Slam match for 27 year old Mohamed Safwat

He only played Challengers this year. I am not sure when is the last time he played an ATP main draw

This RG is the 70th slam played by Schiavone. She can reach Amy Frazier (who plated 71 slams) but Venus is at 78 and will increase her tally

Venus 78

Frazier 71

Schiavone 70

Serena 67

Navratilova 67

Martinez 64

Sugyiama 63

Hantuchova 61

Kuznetsova 61

Tanasugarn 59

Schnyder 59

Razzano 59

Schiavone played 61 consecutive slams.

Sugiyama is leading with 62 consecutive slams played.

Is the French on ESPN or TC this year?

It's getting ridicolous

Kyrgios withdraw

The 8th lucky loser is Prajnesh Gunneswaran who is scheduled to play Vincenza challenger tomorrow. It's not clear where he is now

Marco Trungelliti is the next in line

Gunneswaran has already left Paris.

so now the question is...where is Trungelliti ? Can they find him?

Frank Schiavone

The lucky loser list this morning.

Only Safwat signed in.

"Marco Trungelliti is driving from Barcelona so he will sign tomorrow early in the morning. He play against Tomic 11AM"

LOL!

Venus lost to Qiang Wang in straight sets. I never expect much from Venus on clay, but losing to another non-clay courter who's never been ranked above the mid 40s (currently around 80) is a bad loss.

After getting a jolt of youthfulness last year (3 finals at grand slams), its back to Granny Venus this year.

Konta out. But that was hardly a surprise.

That kunt.

From Chris Clarey on Twitter

[quote]It's 2 p.m., the lunch hour, and I'm watching Alize Cornet, a seeded French player, in a Chatrier stadium that is, to be generous, 20 percent full in its lower reaches. Meanwhile, people are elbowing their way through the alleyways outside to get a baguette

Baguettes - 1, Cornet - 0.

"Problem? There are no problems! The *depth* on our tour is outrageous!" - Random WTA executive

[quote] "Problem? There are no problems! The *depth* on our tour is outrageous!" - Random WTA executive

Echoed by Ben and Courtney.

[quote]Frank Schiavone

Frank didn't make it...lost to Kuzmova

A. Zverev

B. Zverev

Zverev is really tall and cute

Looking at doubles draws....some random couples

Carballes Baena/Garcia Lopez

Fritz/Tiafoe

Lorenzi/Misha Zverev

Bob Bryan is out...Mike plays with Querrey

Pella/Little Diego

Mirnyi is still playing. He was already oldish when I was in middle school

Delbonis/Paire

Harrison/Pospisil

....

Azarenka/Sabalenka

Kutsnetsova/Safarova

Ostapenko/Vesnina

Townsend/Voracova

Barty/Coco

Chan/Mattek

[quote] Bob Bryan is out...Mike plays with Querrey

Is Querrey’s last name Bryan?

Trungelliti on hiw way to Paris...

Bob Bryan withdrew due to injury. They had played, according to wikipedia, 76 consecutive grand slams together.

[quote] Mirnyi is still playing. He was already oldish when I was in middle school

He was already playing in 1992?

[quote] Harrison/Pospisil

I don’t like the idea of gorgeous, nice Popsicle playing with Trumpster and simply horrible human being Harrison.

C. Zverev

quick win for Sloane

Mirny debuted in Davis Cup in 1995. In the eventful Algeria-Belaurs held at Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoir

His first Slam was in 1997

Ostapenko out.

lol that's a really bad loss for Ostapenko

Ostapenko was just featured in the NY Times as a huge star in Latvia. That is a bummer for her.

R53, I've been watching tennis since BJK won The Battle of the Sexes. At least now there's so much more to watch than back in the days when matches were rarely live and we were limited to the semis and finals of the majors, sometimes getting commercial interruptions right in the middle of play. The domination of the Big Four has already subsided with Murray out and Djokovic dwindling. I give Fedal maybe another year at most before their decline sets in. The women's game has been far more varied with ten different players in the finals of the last six GS.

Looking forward to Tiafoe, Coric, Sousa, Osaka, and Vickery's matches tomorrow...

D. Zverev

Nishioka choke! He was close to victory in the 5th but Verdasco pulls it out 7-5

awkward hug.

Verdasco would be annoying to play against-he goes overboard in being seemingly friendly when he wins but he is 1 of the sorest losers on tour with quick handshakes and usually finds something to complain about

[quote]I've been watching tennis since BJK won The Battle of the Sexes. At least now there's so much more to watch than back in the days when matches were rarely live and we were limited to the semis and finals of the majors,

Yeah, more coverage, but less that interests me. I'm waiting for someone - anyone! - to knock the top players from their perch. The sport always had a sense of ongoing change, it was rare for the advanced aged players to succeed. Now they just won't go away, and I think part of my boredom/frustration is that I'm just sick of them.

for the older posters here, did you guys like the 90s and early 00s in the men's game when there were many 1 slam wonders and you almost never knew who would win? I think once Nadal and Federer decline that could happen again

*late 90s

Korda, Moya, Ivanisevic, Johannson, Costa, Ferrero, Roddick and Gaudio all won a slam during that time

I prefer this era.

For example, I remember when Albert Costa (remember him?) won the French Open back in 2001 and he didn't even bother to play Wimbledon that year because he was so bad on grass. That'd be considered totally ridiculous nowadays.

Jack Sock

Sock hasn't come anywhere near winning a major in this era only a random masters when most of the top players were out.

R99, I just posted his name. It was not a response to a prior post.

Oh sorry, R100

I'm only used to Puig! I guess.

young daddy Fritz out in 5 sets

[quote] I'm only used to Puig! I guess.

Nole

I’m glad Fritz is out. He’s one of the free-range rude.

R104 how so? I thought he was nice?

Venus sure cunted it up at her press conference.

R104 is just jealous.

Did anyone see Haase going for his Oscar moment between sets?

Haase wants the match to be suspended. Now he calls the trainer to waste some time. Boos from the audience. Now some cheers from the Haase's fans.

Haase is basically talking with the girl sitting behind him. So much for the no coaching.

Verdasco is still so fucking hot. I'll give him his diva moments.

Haase's last coach was arrested for murdering someone. I'm sure he's super classy.

Is Fritz actually rude or unsportsmanlike?

Meanwhile Paquet goes for the toilet break after losing second set

Copycat!!!

I said this awhile back but I saw Fritz after practice at Indian Wells. It was after he beat Verdasco and he was mobbed by people. Signed every autograph, took every picture and talked with a bunch of people. I didn't see anything rude about him.

Verdasco on the other hand is a DIVA and is totally over any fan interaction at this point like a lot of other players who have been around for a long time.

R115 unless Verdasco's fan is a celebrity, even a minor one like Colton Haynes. Then he's all for becoming friends

Much as the men's game feels "lesser than" what it was a few years ago, it's still better than the transitional period in the late 90s/early 2000s. There are kids right now with talent who might emerge as champions in the next epoch. I don't think anyone truly thought Carlos Moya or Andy Roddick were going to be great champions.

I won't even comment about the ladies' situation.

Back then there were some tired hangers-on over 30 or 35 who were still winning Slams, too, R53/R93: Agassi, Sampras, and farther back, Ashe, Newcombe, Rosewall, Laver, Emerson. The most obnoxiously tiresome and old shtick, though, was Connors. I couldn't wait for him to go away....and it was a long wait.

I'm really hoping we have a first time male slam winner this year. I highly doubt it will happen at RG though

It's my turn, tio!

In the latest update Trungelliti is around 80km away from Paris

It's funny but it's sad, R121.

He couldn't afford a plane ticket? Poor dude. I hope he wins some dolla' bills at this thing.

When is Del Potro supposed to play? If he withdraws, they need to find someone else...the French guy who is last in the list of these who lost in the third round of the quali will likely be brought to sign in tomorrow morning.

20,000 euros on the line. worth the drive

[quote] . I hope he wins some dolla' bills at this thing.

Euro.

R81, that is unfortunate. Is Ryan Harrison still a Trumpette?

I remember Ryan Harrison was accused by Donald Young of racism.

It's surprising for these white American male tennis players to support Trump especially they travel all over the world and are exposed to different cultures. Sad....

Ryan Harrison is a deplorable! WOW!

Who are the other Trumpettes?

Tennys Sandgren

Sam Querrey

John Isner

R81, you should be surprised about Pospisil. He's good friends with arch-deplorable Sandgren and he liked a tweet mocking Abanda for saying she doesn't get support because she's black.

Do you people never read these threads? Isner, Querrey, Harrison etc being deplorables have been discussed ad nauseam here. Over and over and over again like a broken record.

Taylor Fritz and Noah Rubin so far are the only white American males who don't seem to be deplorables. I think someone in an earlier thread said they read Rubin's twitter and he's a confirmed Democrat while another said Fritz at least hasn't posted anything deplorable.

I think Johnson might be a deplorable but not sure

R129, no.

R128, thanks for the info. Very disappointing. No longer a Pospisil fan. :(

That's one thing I really admire about Andy Murray. He could be a curmudgeon on court. But, off court, he's a great humanitarian.

Is it reasonable to speculate that the majority of professional tennis players have "some" or no college education at all?

R133, yes. But, a college education does not make one "educated".

Most professional tennis players (except for English speakers like the Americans, Brits, Aussies, etc.) are multilingual.

Most of the Canadian tennis players are at least bilingual.

R128 no! Not popsicle!

quite the wipeout

Sandgren looks 46, not 26.

Look at the RG mugshots of Querrey, Donaldson, Johnson, Sock and Sandgren. Has there ever been an uglier FO assemblage of Americans?

Johnson looks good with the beard. No comment on the others.

They ain't doing Diego any favors with this mug shot either.

Former grand slam finalist.

Hairy guy Baghdatis.

Trungelliti has arrived last night at 11.50 pm

For a moment I feared he would have slept in the car.

R127, bye gurl.

Kozlova

Siniakova

Makarova

#26 Strycova

Putintseva

Brady

Martic

Wang Q.

One will reach the RG18 quarterfinals.

winning 24 of the last 27 points, Naomi Osaka came back from 1-5 0-15 in the second set to claim a 6-2 7-5 win over Kenin.

Is some intern responsible for Nike's tennis clothes design? AO were atrotious, RG are plain and boring. Adidas, on the other hand, has a really nice line fir both men and women.

Ostapenko and Venus Williams out in the first round already.

Azarenka out too.

Tomic lost to the player who had the 10 hours drive.

Marco T from Argentina who drive whole day yesterday[his mother, grand mother and his brother was in car] defeated multiple home owner Bernard Tomic in four tough set . So happy for him

Marco Trungelliti arriving at roland garros holding his Gran’s hand & helping her up the steps. Lets hope they have nice time tonight

Bernie never fails to disappoint.

Garcia Lopez ousts Wawrinka in 5 sets

Just for shits and giggles, a prediction: Serena will never win another major

Aight R154. Ima say she wins one more, either Wimby or the Open.

[quote] Tomic lost to the player who had the 10 hours drive.

Not a surprise.

Coric in four sets over 22nd seeded Kohlschreiber. Painful to watch Tiafoe lose the first set 1-6 and now down a break in the second to always-painful-to-watch Querrey.

That’s a good win for Borna. Kohli is a tough out on clay.

Salut Kiki

Nice win for Petkovic over the Beard. Speaking of which, not a good look on either Paire or Johnson.

It's like Paire goes out of his way to make himself disagreeable.

Why would anyone do that, R161?

poor RBA lost his mother last week . so sad for him . Sending lot of love and prayer to him and his family . Glad that he won his match today

R157, Well he looks quite fun guy in this GIF

Trungelliti looks like a redneck truck driver. I didn't know Argentina had that aesthetic.

Tomic got dragged for his 5 word answers at his press conference after he lost. He says he's going home to Monaco.

The unluckiest loser's woes continue:

Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who missed out on a spot in a French Open main draw by entering a challenger in Italy, loses 6-1, 6-4 in R1 of that challenger to Salvatore Caruso (who he beat in QR1 in Paris last week).

R164, you're not allowed to offer any dissenting opinion on certain players here. They are considered the spawn of Satan and that's the end, final

I'm surprised Tomic has enough money to live in Monaco.

The ATP should ban Douchebro Bernie for a year or two. Give him some time to count his millions and get a better attitude.

Gojowczyk and Seppi want the full 40000 cheque rather than splitting it with the Lucky loser.

R169, Tomic supposedly comes from money. His father is a nasty asshole who is said to be responsible for Tomic’s spoiled, lazy, entitled attitude.

ugh the RG site is intolerable. They even took away the part of the player's profile showing all his/her slam results. Pathetic

Tomic does not come from money at all, but his father is indeed probably responsible for his attitude and issues because he (father) is an abusive asshole. As much as I dislike the type of douchiness that Tomic displays, I can't help but also to feel a little sorry for him.

Ferrer loses to qualifier Munar and Youzhny loses to Jaziri, both five-set matches.

I always love the rain dramas. Is it time to call a delay? Or is it not? If one player wants it and the other doesn't, how very dramatic.

Same with late matches where the sun is setting around or after 9 pm local time...

I wonder if Wawrinka, Ferrer and Youzhny will retire this year

Stan said he is now healthy. He just needs match play. But I think his days of contending are long gone.

Youzhny losing to Al Jazira is not particularly surprising nowadays

Murray has already retired...he is just not telling anyone us.

Just going to leave this here:

play suspended for the day

R181 Thanks, interesting stuff there! (Sandgren bit starts around 23 min mark if anyone is interested in only that and not the Navratilova doc stuff that comes before.)

Maybe I heard wrong but Greenwald is defending Sandgren? Okay...

[quote]Salut Kiki

She had a lot of points to defend and will drop out of the top 50

Glenn Greenwald is obviously an intelligent person, but it seems he pretty much lives to be a contrarian. I've about had it. His husband must be a very patient man.

I'm so happy for Trungelliti! I hope he wins another round!

Trungelliti's only option was by car. The train workers were on strike and for some reason (another strike?) all the flights between Barcelona and Paris were canceled that day.

Or...Greenwald has actually met and spoke at length with Sandgren and understands a man is more than his tweets. At least that's what I took away from the piece.

I maintain that 99% of Americans want the best for their fellow citizens, but there are valid disagreements on what the path is to build the best country. I don't know Sandgren, so it's possible that he falls into the 1%, but there are some people who do know him (like Greenwald) and claim otherwise. So I can give him the benefit of the doubt.

The world is so much more complex than saying anyone who agrees with Trump on a given issue is a "deplorable". There's this need today for people to find an issue that they disagree with you on, and immediately insult you, call you names, and dismiss you as a person instead of engaging in conversation and try to teach each other and learn from each other. I hate what's become of society and how people treat each other.

Please, please, please don't turn this thread into another Trump argument.

[quote]There's this need today for people to find an issue that they disagree with you on, and immediately insult you, call you names, and dismiss you as a person instead of engaging in conversation and try to teach each other and learn from each other. I hate what's become of society and how people treat each other.

That's what Greenwald does.

R189, I might be able to see your point if my eyes weren't bleeding.

Enough, queens. Back to tennis.

Back to tennis. Or I'll scream at you like I do with the ballboys who don't follow my demands!

This is tennis, dick.

Hands and hearts out.

No, it's politics, cunt.

Espoused by tennis players, shit for brains.

So leave it.

So what time will Rafa play tomorrow?

Mountain time zone, s'il vous plaît.

😬😬

wow Djokovic is aging like shit.

Stop policing posts, people. If someone wants to discuss a tennis player's political views, it's his/her right to do so. If you don't want to discuss it that's your right too

After the Cilic-Duckworth match, which starts at 3 AM MST, and no earlier than 4 AM MST if something goes awry with Cilic-Duckworth.

Dunno yet R200. But you gotta feel for Bolelli. Among other reasons because he's HAF.

Oh, thanks R202

[quote]Back then there were some tired hangers-on over 30 or 35 who were still winning Slams, too, [R53]/[R93]: Agassi, Sampras, and farther back, Ashe, Newcombe, Rosewall, Laver, Emerson. The most obnoxiously tiresome and old shtick, though, was Connors. I couldn't wait for him to go away....and it was a long wait.

No doubt, but they were clearly exceptions. And their success post-30 was limited. (Sampras, for instance, won only one major after turning 29.) But looki at the ATP now and nearly half of the Top 20 are 30 or older.

I think it could be the result of better conditioning and advances in technology or nutrition, health, etc. (Or if you want to be a cynic, advances in PEDs). But all of those advances are available to the younger generations too, yet none of them seem to be catching on. I just can't remember having to wait this long for the next generation to arrive, and while we can attribute some of that to the greatness of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, some of the cause has to be assigned to the failures of these generations.

I'm not really a Zverev, Chung, or Shapavalov fan (yet), but I'd love to see one of them break through and start to take it to the Big 3/Big 4.

R201 We also have the right to politely ask people to keep to the topic at hand. There are a million other threads on here about politics and too many non-political threads get derailed by people making them political.

If anyone wants to start a thread about the politics of tennis players, please go ahead. But this thread is about the French Open 2018. The clue's in the name.

Let's look at the mixed double draw

Dabrowski/Pavic was first seeded....

I see Hlavackova got married an Italian and she's now called Sestini Hlavackova. She plays with Eduard Roger-Vasselin because we love all these surnames

Kiki plays with a certain Alexis Musialek

Jamie Murray is paird with Siniakova

We have Collins-Harrison

Ostapenko-Mirnyi

Rojer with Klepac

and Gronefeld with Farah

Coco is with Rajeev Ram

Kontinen plays with Buzarnescu

good old Peschke with Matkowski. I've not seen him in a while...has he got even fatter?

Bopanna is with Babos

and Qureshi with Yang

Dodid got one of the Chan sisters. The other Chan plays with Venus

Some double specialists are not doing the mixed (Kubot, Melo, Bryan)

Agreed, R206, though "enough, queens" fits nobody's definition of politesse and R181 threw down the gauntlet with a post that had nothing to do directly with this thread topic and baited those of us who'd rather Sandgren went away.

This is worth seeing just for the pictures of Rafa.

I hate how Nadal bites the trophy when he wins. It's so tacky

Gracias, R202 and R203.

Muy agradecida.

Vamos, Rafa!!

No hay de que, guapa.

☺️☺️

first time ever so far...the same court will have Shapovalov and Sharapova in back-to-back matches

what channel is this on? besides the tennis channel?

Eurosport in case you're located in Europe

ITV4 in the UK.

Mladenovic in 2017: "For a lot of girls, there’s a quick rise, than a drop. Eugenie Bouchard is the most prominent example ... But I haven’t had any lows"

Mladenovic in 2018: goes from #10 to outside Top-50 in four months

Wawrinka's drop to outside 250 is a bit of a bombshell. He's surely going to retire.

He is ranked well below both Donna Vekic and her ex Thansi . I am sure Miss Vekic is already thinking about Thansi's KoKK

John Millman is weak. Flopped hard while serving for set

Tennis Sandgren is weak. Getting his ass handed by rank 188 unheard guy from Poland

Mladenovic in 2017: "For a lot of girls, there’s a quick rise, than a drop. Eugenie Bouchard is the most prominent example ... But I haven’t had any lows"

Mladenovic in 2018: goes from #10 to outside Top-50 in four month

Genie is the new poster-girl for catastrophic flame-outs. Thank Christ!

Mladenovic is such a cunt. So glad Andrea Petkovic beat her in the first round. Petko is a cool chick, hope she goes to at least the 3rd round.

Really shows how much more loaded and deep women's tennis is now when you have former champs Muguruza-Kuznetsova quasi-understandably relegated to Court 1...

...while the men send two men who have never won a match at Roland Garros, Shapovalov and Millman, onto Lenglen.

Maria has a developed problem in closing the match ever since since she has come back. Just take this example she was 6/1,4/2 up and then lost four straight games WTF?

she doesn't have her special juice that's why lol.

Maria collapse is almost complete

Match fixing??

I wish Sharapova would just go away.

NO-ONE LIKES YOU, MARIA

God damn it, that Hobocamp girl needs to learn how close a match.

they are showing serena williams match here in the us. i can't believe she is still with that coach. she broke up his marriage that fucking whore! and the new husband is there too. how awkward!

Yeah I was thinking about that the other day. I thought I'd imagined that she and Patrick were an item.

Must be so weird to go back to work with your ex.

They were definitely at least a fling. Wouldn't that make things awkward? Though he's french so maybe it's no big deal to him.

oh my, what is serena wearing? terrible!

That Serena outfit is horrible. And it would look horrible on anyone but, on her, it is appalling. They really have no gay friends. One for the books. OMG.

It is fine . It is showing all her contours very well

[quote] Genie is the new poster-girl for catastrophic flame-outs. Thank Christ!

Thanks Chrissie!

she looks so out of shape and I can see her ass cheeks outline from space. there is a reason why they don't put camera behind her lol. and it is sooo hot! she must be dying in that outfit.

I wonder what's going through Pliskbot's head? "Rotate racket 7.3 degrees clockwise. Strike ball 88.3 mile per hour. Place serve 10 millimeters from center of service line. Go to trainer for mainframe charge and circuit reboot"

Your funny r240.

Shucky darn, fiddlesticks! How can my heroes Sandgren and Harrison both be out in the first round? Fake news!

You’re

Did Jan Michael propose to Malek in the front of the Eiffel Tower?

fat bitch won.

Not yet

Is anyone watching the Serena doc series on HBO? It is a snooze. I almost gagged when Cheryl Sandberg called her. Gross.

Lean in!

Oh. Sorry. I am in the wrong thread!

Think Serena will win it all?

I think Grand Ole Opry would be more JM's speed, R244.

I don't think she's fit enough to win the whole thing, as much as I'd like to see her do it.

Despite the win today her movement looked suspect so she'd be vulnerable against someone who could make her move a lot. Though I suppose with Serena one shouldn't write her off.

[quote] Not yet

Not yet to what, Mr. Sock?

I have not won yet

I don’t mind Jack’s fat ass.

Mind? I love Jack Sock fat ass . would love to plow it someday

Whiny Jack Sock lost.

I thought the arrangement was that Patrick M. paid Serena to say he coached her.

Note that Sock was 4/2 up in fourth set also . He was also 3/1 up in fourth set tiebreker . But he still lost in five set.

If you have seen last two sets it was evident his concentration is not in the game .

How is Help! the world No. 1 after having never won a major? Does she only choke at the grand slams but win everything else throughout the year? Ditto for Pliskova.

The only title Halep currently holds is some shitty Chinese tournaments from January. Dinara Safina was a more dignified number 1.

Help

serena is fat. she hasn't lost the baby weight. but she can barely run...she's not gonna win. and her husband is fat too! sitting next to the slim coach...

No I have not seen serena documentary on hbo. i can think of better ways to waste my time lol.

As we are talking about fat, Townsend won today

Does anyone know why Mattek Sands and Safarova aren't teaming up for doubs?

Townhouse

Bird-itch in trouble after dropping two sets

No not Bird-itch!

fat fuck Sock sucked again and is out in 5 sets to Zopp who previously won ONLY TWO GS MAIN DRAW MATCHES. What a joke. He needs to lay off the Kansas City bbq and train if he wants to be a top player. I think last year was a fluke. He does have a nice forehand and serve but the rest of his game is just average to me.

Berdych down 2 sets against joke Chardy should be embarrassed. I think he might retire this year or next year. Berdych has been awful for the last 3 years

What’s fat about Sock? He may not be a bodybuilder but he doesn’t appear fat.

Sock Zopp

We bought a Zopp!

Can anyone beat Nadal or will he and his wedgie butt run away with it?

Felicioso out to stick-figure 'phobe Stakhovsky. Estoril winner Sousa's out, too. Eye candy's getting scarcer way too soon.

Losing to Stakhovsky on clay is just embarrassing

[quote] Eye candy's getting scarcer way too soon.

Yes. No more Popsicle!

Hey, but hunks and world super stars Rubin Bemmelemans, Kevin Anderson and Elias Ymer won!

Sam Querrey: I loved Serena's outfit.

Dominic Thiem and his hot ass is playing tomorrow morning.

Querry teamed up with Mike Bryan for doubles (Bob Bryan is injured) but they lost in the first round

Kevin Anderson a hunk? lol

[quote]Kevin Anderson a hunk?

R278 was being sarcastic ;)

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

She's obviously realised she's going to earn more money commentating than she ever will again playing matches.

Thiem's opponent Wednesday...

Bouchard is the backbone of the women’s tour. An indispensable player.

R287 lol good one

Tstipas beat Thiem in Barcelona I think. Thiem is losing tomorrow.

J'adore Monsieur Shapo!

Bolelli served at 5-2 in the tiebreak then he had 6-3 and somehow lost it. He is a flashy player and I get that he's not the most consistent but the ATP is just filled with mental weaklings. He really should have pushed the match to at least a 4th set.

Tsitsy!

Woke to find Halep down 0-5 to Riske. She did roar back but God she could lose to Taylor Townsend.

Can Banua Pair hold his shit together and out hit kei

Help! It’s Townhouse!

An all-American showdown coming up between Madison Gums and the extremely busty Caroline Dolomite, who recalls a pre-op Halep. Should be a complete bore!

Help used to be fat?

Simona's body used to be 50% boobs

Jesus that doesn't even look real^^

Bitch stole my look!

Tomas Berdych collapse is complete

Tennis Sandgren collapse is complete . Lost to 2/6,2/6 in doubles to some unknown french pair even when his partner was Scott Lipsky

Oh no! Sasha lost first set 2/6 to Dusan ! I can't take one more early round exit of Sasha in Grand slams. Someone please ask Melo to go to court no 1 and cheer for Sasha

Get ESL her smelling salts!

They are showing chesty Dohlide and Maddie but not Jared beating Dmitrov?

Berdych’s clay season: zero wins

R305. Don't worry Jared is going to choke . No upset will happen in that match

Apparently this year in Roland Garros during medical time out they are providing free blow job services by physical trainers.

Here is one in which Gillies Simon is receiving one from the fluffer /Trainer.

Just look at his orgasmic face

Props to Dmitrov. He was serving in the 5th set, down 5-6 and love-30, and I really thought he was going to fold but he saved that game with some clutch serving.

Nishikori finally puts an end to odious Paire

Sascha did really well to get through that! I am happy he managed.

Now I know why Melo was not in Sasha 's match because he himself was playing a doubles match

bye Donaldson!

I told you guys during second set. Jared doesn’t have in him

Anyone who follows him on ATP tour for past one year knows this .

Anyway Gregior next opponent in unpredictable Nando . Grigor should be very careful against him

Helen Keller could've seen Donaldson wasn't going to pull out that fifth set.

You could see it from space

I'm surprised Thiem is still wearing white shorts with dark underwear....he must have seen his infamous pictures;)

Thiem has 1 of the weirdest grunts

Chuck Suarez-Navarro once again finds herself needing to dig her way out of a hole.

1 thing I give RG credit for that none of the other slams do is giving a lot of players the chance to play on the biggest court. The other 3 will only put the superstars and some home players in the opening rounds. Tomorrow greatest clay courter Nadal is on Lenglen, not Chatrier and formerly highest paid female athlete Sharapova is tossed on Court 1

maybe it's his lucky underwear.

Haha, cute

Jim C is excited during this Thiem/Tsitsipas match

Why, R323?

R324, I'm guessing because Thiem's shorts are SEE THROUGH!

Audio of the exchange and Sascha mentioned Marcelo

I’m a fan of Thiem’s white shorts.

R324 he said that Tsitsipas along with Shapovalov "will be selling a lot of tickets in the future". He said they have all that's needed to be stars. He's enjoying the rallies with Thiem too even though plenty of them end in errors.

Is R327 Jim Courier?

Thiem is displaying thick end of dick in his blue undies.

E. Zverev

Why do some of you think Thiem is hot? He's got a boyish face and body, and lots of acne??

he's not good-looking to me either. He has a solid build but he's not ripped. Not my type but he has a nice ass

The huge ass and his tendency to wear tight, see through shorts makes some people overlook the huge chin, acne and eurotrash haircuts.

Who you find attractive on ATP tour R334

Nadal is easily the hottest of the top players.

OMG, Nadal is nothing next to F Lopez, Bolelli who he just beat- lots of players.

Federer and Djokovic are the most humble, genuine players on the tour. None of their gestures are forced or designed to curry favor or sympathy.

I think Thiem is cute. But he's behind Lopez, Fognini, Tsonga, Coric.

Khachanov, Chardy too

Benneteau qualifies for second around

Actually, it should read "Benneteau is still playing"!

He says he will retire after US Open.

Not sure what's the point. Why not use the RG as the last tournament with home crowd, etc?

For my money, Bolelli and Coric are the handsomest. Rafa is still hot in an animal way. Thiem's ass is a marvel. You could serve drinks off of it.

If that's your criterion, Tiafoe could open an entire restaurant on the backside.

True. La Monf's is prodigious, too.

Fed is a diva and totally phony. Nadal is prickly and nervy yet humble one on one. Novak and Andy are drama queens in different ways.

F. Zverev

Nole

[quote]Federer and Djokovic are the most humble, genuine players on the tour. None of their gestures are forced or designed to curry favor or sympathy.

I could not disagree more with respect to Djokovic.

Yeah Nole’s boob-push is nauseating.

Nole's deep desire to be loved versus indifferent or hostile crowds is the ATP's greatest rivalry.

[quote] Yeah Nole’s boob-push is nauseating.

Boob-push. Tehe.

I'd love to see Federer play AND win a Slam final while having to put up with crass crowds like Novak has had to do.

Roger will cry R352 and so will his boot licking fans in commentary box that is why he avoided Davis cup tie away from home even when he was young

Bronx, can you, um, provide me a website or phone number for that place? Thanks,

shirtless (almost) Sascha

Nole

Thiem

Shapovalov collapse is complete . Lost to low ranked but extremely beautiful German Maximilian Marterer

Sascha mentions Marcelo as his best friend (and yesterday he said them playing FIFA is basically his evening routine). I love that he points out that Marcelo is not like his big brother. Of course he probably means he is nothing like Mischa...but also that this is not how he thinks of him.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands looking like a rodeo clown as usual

Shopbottom martyred to Marterer.

G. Zverev

Tsitsy 😒

Tsitsy is looking a little...unkempt

bye bye Coco

Wow. Coco had quite the meltdown.

She's such a hothead. Never know what to expect from her. However, once she falls apart she never regains it.

Coco is an asshole. I swear most of it is performance.

Guido is so cute…

H. Zverev

Barty just broke Serena. Barty is rough looking..

I. Zverev

Goffin or Monfils?

Goffin. He just has way more fight in him.

Useless Barty

Tennis Channel is billing Roland Garros as Serena's comeback. I don't see it happening, unfortunately. She's lumbering across the court, and I don't think that her hitting power can make up for her no longer being in top shape. She had a rough time physically during/after childbirth, and she just might not be able to get back her pre-baby stamina.

Serena hasn't played very many matches this year. She had that doubles match in Fed Cup (her first match) then a couple at IW, 1 in Miami and now she's into the third round of RG. She's not at her best physically or consistency-wise.

J. Zverev

So where are my fellow Sascha/Marcelo fans? Did anyone watch the video I shared at R359 and how quickly he rejected the idea of Marcelo being like a brother? Any thoughts, ESL?

Sascha loves Marcelo in a way you cant love a brother? Ie in a romantic sort of way.

Haha, that is the implication, yes, R380!

K. Zverev

Pencil him in for me

a bunch of interesting matches on paper at least for tomrrow:

Damir DZUMHUR (BIH) [26] vs Alexander ZVEREV (GER) [2]

Lucas POUILLE (FRA) [15] vs Karen KHACHANOV (RUS)

Camila GIORGI (ITA) vs Sloane STEPHENS (USA)[10]

Madison KEYS (USA) [13] vs Naomi OSAKA (JPN) [21]

Roberto BAUTISTA AGUT (ESP) [13] vs Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) [20]

David GOFFIN (BEL) [8] vs Gael MONFILS (FRA) [32]

Petra KVITOVA (CZE) [8] vs Anett KONTAVEIT (EST) [25]

Fernando VERDASCO (ESP) [30] vs Grigor DIMITROV (BUL) [4]

Dominic THIEM (AUT) [7] vs Matteo BERRETTINI (ITA)

Daria KASATKINA (RUS) [14] vs Maria SAKKARI (GRE)

Kei NISHIKORI (JPN) [19] vs Gilles SIMON (FRA)

[quote] Lucas POUILLE (FRA) [15] vs Karen KHACHANOV (RUS)

Is Karen like Carlo and Frank?

^ that is a good looking match. Also Kei v Simon, if Simon can summon a little of the old magic.

that german kid age 21, I forget his name. he would look cuter with a different hairstyle.

yeah, serena had blood clots in her lungs...surely that must have fucked up her lungs a little bit?

[quote] surely that must have fucked up her lungs a little bit?

What’s she taking for that condition?

[quote]that german kid age 21, I forget his name.

A. Zverev

Keys v. Osaka could also be interesting if Keys resorts to playing defensive tennis, which she often does.

L. Zverev

Who are the weirdest posters on the DL tennis threads?

Don't tell me the long-distance traveler has already lost??

Darn!

Yes, Rafa, Vamos!

Roger F is not nice. he will take a pic with you but he won't sign autograph...not anymore.

And seriously, wtf is wrong with Nadal? Is he OCD or what? He must be a chore to fuck, like a million things must be laid out exactly his way before he even gets naked.

R394 yes, to Cecchinato

[quote] Don't tell me the long-distance traveler has already lost??

Who?

[quote]Who are the weirdest posters on the DL tennis threads?

The Sascha loves Marcelo fanatics are getting to be a bit much....

Who would stop Serena from winning? Pliskova? Halep? Muguruza? Sharapova? Lol jk on that last one.

[quote[Who?

Probably Marco Trungelliti, the lucky loser who travelled from Spain to Paris by car with his entire family. Like R397 posted, he lost his second round match against Marco Cecchinato.

I'd much rather Monfils, R373. Being a Monfils fan is a roller coaster ride...and this may be one of his last chances.

[R359] Thanks for that video! "He's 34 yrs old,but acts like a little kid." Lol.

Btw, was Sascha being flirty with that reporter yesterday?[R322]

R393,

The Sascha/Melo stalker/fanboys & the person who thinks Kevin Anderson is hot.

R396 Rafa's a virgin.

[quote] the person who thinks Kevin Anderson is hot

You do realize that R278 and his imitator are being sarcastic?

R406,

I am R278 also. Lol. But there was someone last US open who very determinedly argued Kevin A was hot.

[quote]But there was someone last US open who very determinedly argued Kevin A was hot.

I remember that too...but he thinks basically every player is 'yum'

[quote] I am [R278] also. Lol.

LeL! :)

My pleasure, R403!

He sounded a bit like it! Especially the part where Sascha agreed he enjoyed his tennis but not as much as the reporter's accent, haha. Could have been a bit sarcastic too though.

[R410] It was a very cute exchange. Charming. :-)

It was, R411! It seems to have endeared Sascha to the media and more of the public as well, because it seemed so natural.

Kyle Edmund having a cryotherapy session

Grigor lost to Verdasco in 3 sets

Keys beat Osaka 61 76

Big occasion for Dzumhur to break Zverev and serve for the match. But he loses the game from 0-40

Grigor is out. I wish I could be there when Dani grudge fucks him tonight

Dzumhur's collapse now complete

Big chocke when he served for the match

[quote] Grigor lost to Verdasco in 3 sets

Not young Grigor!

Wow, and that after Nando played a really tough 5-setter the other day, and dude is like 35 years old.

WTF, Miss Grigor?

RBA and Nole split sets! Go, RBA!

Kei is steamrolling old Simon.

at which point of next week will Kei get injured?

[quote],RBA and Nole split sets! Go, RBA!

I agree. Go, RBA!

Svitolina out! Man she sucks at grand slams.

Nice to see Goffin back after that bad injury at last year's French Open. But if he ever retires from tennis, I'm thinking there's gotta be a part for him on "Game of Thrones."

Or Lord of the Rings/Hobbit

Lil David

I'm also a fan of Dominic's white shorts.

I haven't caught any of Wozniacki's matches yet, but she seems to be steamrolling through: she's won her first three matches in straight set landslides. Is she really a contender, or did she just get a lucky draw? I don't think her defensive style will be strong enough against e.g. Muguruza or Keys, but I think she could wear down an out-of-shape Serena or an always choke-y Help.

Lovely, R427. .

Monfils should be a top ten player but he has such fucking low tennis IQ. Hard to watch him play when he consistently makes so many errors in strategy.

Thiem Vs KEi in Rd 4. I am afraid for Domi. He has been scrappy in this tournament while Kei is in top form

r430 He doesn't have the tennis education, doesn't have much to do with low tennis IQ, he didn't practice well enough in his youth; dl doesn't get that with Monfils and other black players; and when you don't have good strokes and tennis education you should go to the net a lot, he doesn't do that either, they all don't do that nowadays. Tennis needs a lot of good coaching in childhood and youth.

Agreed, R430. I used to think that, with the proper coaching, Monfils could develop his tennis IQ, but for whatever reasons he hasn't. I don't know this for a fact, but to me Monfils seems like the kind of player who insists on playing the game the way he wants to play it, as opposed to learning how to play the game in ways that maximize your chances of winning.

Nole played great match against consistent RBA. It was very high quality match from both players. Good to see Nole in good form and he didn't take long time between points which is refreshing .

However after winning the match he again did his usual boobie out gesture repeatedly . which is creepy . Why the fuck he does that?

I missed that match, R434. Would you say that Nole is playing around 90% right now, lower, or higher?

R435. He is definitely playing very well , he moved extremely well in last three matches . His game in last three matches were good combination controlled aggression , consistent baseline grind play, good net play, mixing his shots, great drop shots etc.

Infact this match was one of few times I actually enjoyed watching him play compare to the boring times when he use to out-grind Rafa and Misery.

But I am not sure whether he is at 90 percent of his previous top form . Because neither of his opponents were big hitters . RBA is good consistent player but he doesn't have any weapon. He can't win free points on his serve . So I am not sure how Nole would do against big hitter with decent serve like Domi or Sascha or even Karen K

Not to mention I am not sure how is mentally which will be tested against players like Rafa

[quote] However after winning the match he again did his usual boobie out gesture repeatedly . which is creepy . Why the fuck he does that?

I abhor that gesture too. I detest how he gets the ball kids involved in this cloying game of his to get fans to like him. I like the name “boobie out” and will use it from now on. The explanation I’ve heard is that it means “hearts out” to all.

Thanks so very much for your incisive observations, R436. Yeah, Nole's mental game seems to be the biggest question mark. He no longer seems to know how to play a big point in tough situations. He seems so much less secure and confident. By the way, how was his serve? His serve used to be such a weapon, and recently it's been more of a neutral (albeit not a liability).

His serve was probably his weakest link in today's match specially at crucial points . He lost his serve while serving for second set [which he lost in tiebreaker]

He again lost his serve while serving for the match in fourth set . He immediately broke back to win the match.

He almost lost third set because he got broken at important point [Eighth game] . And RBA was serving for third set . But RBA was not able to capitalize on it because a]He doesn't have a big serve and b]Nole played some very good return points .

Thanks again, R439 (ESL), much appreciated.

R434 & R437 - That gesture is him sending his love and appreciation to the fans. Silly? Maybe, but it's more than many players do to show appreciation for the spectators. Showing humility is endearing.

[quote] . Showing humility is endearing.

Except this is Djokovic and does not come from humility or sincerity. He’s been overt in his cloying attempts to ingratiate himself to fans since the days of his relative unpopularity.

Melo also won [which is quite rare these days]. May be he and Sasha can go out tonight and have nice Friday night dinner in city of love[both of them have a day off tomorrow ]

R416 wrong. Dani is a power bottom. Dimitrov would fuck him. Remember, Dani previously was Murray's, then Berdych's and had a brief fling with Del Potro before settling on Grigor.

R428 Wozniacki's draw has been quite easy. Clay is her worst surface too.

I am finding Woz more and more annoying. I used to like her but she seems quite entitled these days. I also hate her hunched way of playing.

Wozniacki has always been entitled but she only acts like a diva against lesser players. I do think if she and Sharapova play again, Wozniacki will be demonstrative though. I appreciate her calling out Sharapova for the meldonium ban.

Just off the top of my head, I'm sure there are clips of Wozniacki being rude to Lisicki and Bencic during matches because she felt she shouldn't lose to them.

Speaking of Dani, I think if Dimitrov has a bad grass season, he may have to find a new top. Grigor hasn't played well this year in general. Grass is a surface he likes so the pressure is on.

Diva Dmitrov needs a new coach. Dani V has no clue what's going on anymore.

Boris Becker just broke up with his wife. after 13yrs together and 9yrs marriage...will never forget he banged that model in the nobu back staircase.

I could see Dani getting with Coric in the future

Wow, Rafa's draw is weak, weak, weak. He has a cakewalk to the final. I don't even think he's playing as well as last year and could be challenged, but not by anyone on his side of the draw. The only thing that'll make me watch this year is if somehow Nadal loses before the final, but let's face it, that is highly unlikely.

I have no idea who will take the women's trophy. There are about 12 legitimate contenders still left. As long as it's not Sharapova! I wonder who will win the Sharapova-Pliskbot match? It would be nice to see Kvitova take it, but I just don't think she has the patience clay requires. Still, when Kvitova is on, she can beat anyone.

R451, I too would be happy if Kvitova won, although I agree that she might lack the necessary patience. Still, I used to think the same thing about Sharapova -- mediocre mover who lacks patience but has powerful groundstrokes -- and she was able to win the French not once but twice. Mary Pierce, who was also cut from that same mould, was also able to win the French. So...

I'd also love Kvitova to win or Halep but she'll probably come up short again.

Well, now we know, R452, that Sharapova's doping gave her an assist. Her 2012 title came from a pretty easy draw. Really the toughest player she faced that year was Kvitova, who played like shit in the semis. Sharapova's 2014 title was more impressive as she consecutively got through Stosur, Mugaruza, Bouchard, and Halep, although each one mentally caved after having the lead. I hate Sharapova, but she is mentally tough, something this current generation severely lacks.

Pierce is really a good comparison to Kvitova. She could beat anyone with her power but was inconsistent mentally. After getting through Seles in the quarters and Hingis in the semis, I was sure Pierce would falter in the final against Conchita Martinez like she did in 1994 when she destroyed Graf in the quarters but lost to Sanchez-Vicario in the final. But Pierce kept it together, and Conchita helped her out by being a bit off that day.

the draw is all fixed y'all.

IF they can fix the world cup draw in the 90s. Then I'm sure everything and everything has been fixed since then, in every sport.

The French would never fix the draw in Nadal's favor. They can't stand him.

Oops, in 1994 Pierce beat Graf in the semis.

Watch out for Maria, though. She's now winning three set matches. She's apparently found something to get her through those long matches now.

We could also see a possible 4R between Serena-Sharapova.

[quote] She's apparently found something to get her through those long matches now.

Peeps or Ho-Hos? Both work for me.

Or a very long bathroom break

Damir Dzumhur Crushes Ball Boy in Collision at 2018 French Open

Ouch!

Can't wait to see Serena possibly beat Maria's ass!

Serena has certainly owned Maria, r462, but one of Serena's biggest advantages has been her superior movement, which might not be as big a factor now. Still, I will never, ever bet against Serena simply because of her mental toughness.

Serena especially gets psyched for her matches against Sharapova, too. I never see her as determined against other foes. A determined Serena is difficult to beat. She revels in beating Maria. I'd put my money on Serena, but Serena is definitely vulnerable due to the lack of match play. I've not been paying much attention to the WTA the past 1 1/2 years (#notcompellmg), but I was really surprised Maria is inside the Top 30. I guess she's doing better sans doping than I expected.

I would bet that Maria is still doping in some way. She doesn't know how to play without it.

Damir's ass looked pretty peppy in those tight black shorts. Just sayin. Plus, his coach is HAF.

Damir is hot. I'd love to run into him. Glad the ballboy is OK

As for Serena, it just depends on her form and fitness. Due to the toll her pregnancy took on her body, age and lack of matches, I'm worried she could get tired or even injured if she does reach the next round. She's not match tough. Sharapova has played a lot of clay matches and came close to winning Rome so it's a tough call

If they play next round this might be Sharapova's best chance to get another win over Serena.

I was just going to write that, R468. If they do meet, it will be mind over matter for Serena. She loathes losing to Maria, so she will somehow have to will her body to do whatever it takes to win.

Nole

but serena is also playing doubles. did she lose yet?

R471, SVWilliams beat Flipkens/Errani 2 and 4 on Friday. They’ll be playing either Begu/Wang or Klepac/Martinez Sanchez in round 3.

Sorry, make that 4 and 2, r471.

Kvitova's having a tough go of it against Kontaveit: dropped set 1, and currently neck-and-neck midway through set 2. Meanwhile, Sloane Stephens looks to have taken control of her match, winning set 2 handily after dropping set 1 to Giorgi Girl.

Earlier on Chatrier, Muguruza wiped the court with the overly-muscled pride of Australia, Sam Stosur (pictured below).

Kvitova is out. Double 76

Stephens survives. 8-6 in the third

Pliskobot demolished by Doparapova 62 61

Sascha hugging Lil' Damir at the net yesterday

People are hyping up Screamapova a lot. Dont get me wrong, she could win. However, Pliskova was terrible. Serve was off, moving worse than her usual average movement and generally didnt look like she wanted to be there. Let's see what she does against a much better player like Serena or Muguruza.

God, I really don't want to ever see Sharapova win another major.

Same here R479. I'll take a Pliskbot win anyday.

As someone who roots for Serena, the Serena-Sharapova rivalry has given me so many enjoyable moments. I forget which match it was where Sharapova beating Serena’s ass on the way to a decisive win and the commentator gleefully proclaimed “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”

And like that, Serena turned on a switch, turned the whole match around and won it. Cracked me up.

Sharapova winning this whole thing would be the worst result. She's so insufferable.

[quote]Pliskobot demolished by Doparapova 62 61

I was watching on Eurosport, and after a long gruelling point won by Doparova followed by another rally easily won by Doparova, the male commentator said—without any sense of irony, I’m afraid—“What amazing powers of recovery!”

You just [italic]know[/italic] she’s on some other not-yet-banned substance. She’s got a seriously bad heart, and diabetes runs in the family so, you know... It’s a TUE, so it’s all legit, though.

[quote] the overly-muscled pride of Australia, Sam Stosur (pictured below).

Tehe.

Dieghito ousts Coric in straight sets

Monfiels failed to convert 2 match points

Now Goffin wins the 4th set

Monfiels' behaviour is irritating. He is tired. He takes lots of time between rallies. When the ball is close to the line, he calls the umpire down to check the sign even when it was clearly in only to gain more time before the next rally.

He got a penality point and he started to argue with the umpire just to waste some more minutes and recover energies

Mofils looks like he is in the best shape of anyone but looks are deceiving I guess

Monfils (sp?) did act like an ass at times today. Is he always like that or was it the excuse the commentators hinted at, that he wasn't rested enough because the match was interrupted by rain yesterday?

Apologies to all you experts, but remind me why both Federer and Murray are absent this time?

Murray is waiting till the grass season to return after recovering from injury. Federer is being a pussy and skipping the clay season because he's not great on it and is scared of Nadal.

Monfils out to an elf, Coric to a dwarf, PCB to an obscure Sicilian, RBA to an ill-tempered billy goat. Who'd have thought Herbert would be the last Frenchman standing?

Monfils is an ass. arguing with the ref.

just saw them interview rafa after the match, they gave him another fishing rod for his bd.

BD?

R493 His Birthday! he will be 32

His Birthday is tomorrow June 3rd, they gave him a fishing rod like last year.

It's crazy he'll only be 32. Seems older.

R491, it was warranted.

Kind of insulting for Gasquet for Rafa to cream him and then start playing with a ballboy right after the match.

NBC coverage starting just now. All Serena?

It is weird that when Tennis Channel goes off, they don't even say tune in to NBC for more.

I'm glad John McEnroe is back in the booth. He was a great player and champion in his day, but is maybe even better as a color commentator for live television at slam events.

must be nice for the ball boy, i wonder if he was allowed to keep the racket.

Gasquet is 1 of the biggest disappointments of hyped juniors. He was expected to be rivals with Nadal competing for slams. While he's been successful and hit the top 10 briefly, he's mostly a top 30 and sometimes top 20 player. The last several years he's good enough to reach the third and fourth rounds of big events before getting crushed by the top guys. I hate watching him other than his backhand. His forehand is a liability (like Paire), his movement isn't great and he's prone to injury.

well Serena is through to the next round. I'm so nervous. Hopefully she'll be 100% ready for Sharapova on Monday

That this overweight, lumbering Serena W is ploughing through the WTA rank-and-file at the rate she is, and [italic]on clay[/italic], says a lot about the current state of the WTA.

And it ain’t good.

Well Serena was leagues above most so now it's just more even. But not really cause she's still at such a physical advantage despite being overweight.

Women's tennis is pathetic, especially if Serena can just waltz back in and win another one of these.

R505 like Federer dominating the first quarter of the men's tour last year after coming back from injury?

Could Sharadopa actually win this time?

Serena won that match pretty decisively. There is a lot of talent on the women's side, so I don't think she is "just waltzing back in."

Serena got drilled by bird-brained Naomi Osaka in Miami. She was so humiliated that she got straight in the SUV and drove home. She's had a harder time than many thought.

Serena's had two months to get fit since Miami. I'm no fan and like Venus much more, but seeing snoot Sourdopa getting beaten by just about anyone would be good.

Serena: I wanted to read Maria's book. But I heard that so much of it was about me. I always supported her even during her drugs ban.

Serena still doesn't look that fit but it won't matter cause she has and can still win like that.

This is probably Dopapova's last and best chance to take out Serena at a major.

Serena had that look in her eyes today that says she's not fucking around. Since Maria has almost always been her pigeon, I'd expect more of the same.

Props to lil Diego! Even though he took out the ATP's best eye-candy.

Khachanov - Sascha should be fun. Waddya bet TC shows 5 minutes of it because Tippy the Turtle is playing on Lenglen?

Go Sloane.

R508 = Ben and Courtney

r515 You Americans only care about stars, looks and entertainment, don't recognize talent and hard work, you made WWE out of pro sports.

r516 Or out of Spitzensport, competitive sport, pro sport has always been pretty manipulated.

To be fair if you look at statistics there is hardly any rivalry there... 19-2 H2H and those wins were over 10 years ago. The fact that somebody takes this match as another episode in Serena vs Maria rivalry is an effect of the booked published by the latter in which she just proved how obsessed she is about her.

Looking at H2H she should be much more concerned about Muguruza with whom she's never won on clay.

that was regarding r514

Yes, R519. But who knows, maybe nobody beats Maria Sharapova 15x in a row!

There was that year (2009?) that Serena showed up to Australia totally out of shape (fat fighting out of her neon outfit), had Shahar Peer serve for the match against her, and still won the whole thing.

That says as much about gurl's mental toughness as it does about the mental fragility of nearly everyone else in the WTA in the last 10+ years (with Cuntadopa an exception--when she has her prescription filled, of course).

Serena is not going to win this time. I fucking hate that russian cheat but I don't think serena is fit enough. the russian cunt is in good shape. she's gonna make serena run all over the court and the fat bitch will lose her cool and fuck up her serves.

[quote] had Shahar Peer serve for the match against her

Now that's a name I hadn't heard in a long time.

Cake?

Serena, when roused, has an absolutely ruthless desire to win. Did you see her repeatedly swinging her racket toward Georges's head before the match started?

I do think this one will be on Maria's racket. Serena will definitely want to beat her (and she looked better today against Gorges). But Maria will know this is her best chance in ages, and should be able to construct a plan to run Serena around (and that's her best bet).

I hate Sharapova but she looked sharp against Pliskova. This will be a tough one for Serena to win based on pure will.

R516, MARY!

Yes, R516, Americans are responsible for every uncouth development in the history of sports!

Why are there no highlights on the RG youtube page for some of the most important matches. There's no Fognini-Edmund reel even though it was played on the main court and nothing for Stephens-Giorgi. The Serena-Georges highlights last only 90 seconds.

One thing’s certain—one of those insufferable bitches will be out of the tournament come Monday evening. Serena’s post “I’ll shove this ball down your throat” PR overdrive and Dopapova’s whole cheating demeanour have made them equally repulsive to me.

Thank Christ Tippy is off the court. Can we see some mins now?

I bet Khachanov throws a fierce fuck.

He will manage to lose in 5 to Asshole Zverev

This will end with two spanish winners. Nadal has a cakwalk draw and this is his home, he is very difficult to beat on 5 sets on Paris. And Garbiñe only plays well a couple of weeks per year, but she has the good sense of doing at least in one Grand Slam. She never lost a set against Serena on clay, and this version of Serena can intimidate lesser players but i doubt Garbiñe gets impressed (Serena was always her idol and she knows her well). It's funny how Zvervev has problems everytime he serves to stay in the set or to win it. The curious thing is that if he is able to win this his mentality could get better from now on because he is surviving tough matches (while in the past he used to lost them). Of course being number 3 in the world and good at clay (or any surfice) he should learn sooner than later that he needs to close his matches faster or he'll be to tired to fight in the final rounds

Kei has obviously been taking classes at the Bernie Tomic Academy of Motivation.

Muguruza is looking really good. The best of what's left. Hope she keeps it together as she progresses in the tournament.

Dominic Thiem wins an incredibly easy first two sets, then drops the third 7-5 to Nishikori.

Fear the US Open flashbacks may be coming for him.. He was 30/0 up in his game while serving to stay in set then lost four points out of nowhere

Good call R533! 🧐

Don't worry, Bem, Thiem will win in 4 agains one of the most useless player around, Kei Nishikori

Nishikori showed he is not made to big things when he tanked on the US final against Cilic. Zverev won again in 5 sets

Kei doesn’t really want it.

Yikes, Thiem was really starting to tighten up but then Nishikori played such sloppy tennis.

Uggh It is going to be Nole and Rafa final in this slam. Another return of big 4

Hardly anyone left to champion: Mugu, Stephens, Keys of the women; Cilic, Anderson, Schwartzman, Martererer of the men. Only Mugu among these has a likely chance. Heavy sigh....

I would love to see lil Diego get to the final. It's not gonna happen, but a gurl can hope.

Wow, Sloane is kicking Kontaveit's ass!

r544, don't count out Stephens yet. She's been looking quite good so far.

Dull match though.

I'm watching the start of the Djokovic v. Verdasco match and already I'm distracted by Fernando's bouncing pecs.

Verdasco should be up a break but he mentally collapsed multiple times so now he’s down a break.

I like Nandos thighs 😋

Is he gay ?

Verdasco is one of the most notorious pussy-chasers on the circuit, allegedly; and utterly dim.

as reported several times in these threads, Verdasco is a jerk to regular fans. If you're a celebrity he'll kiss ass though

Why do we hate Zverev? I was rooting for him this morning and loved that he came back and won, yet again

Cecchinato takes the 4th set 6-0 against Goffin. Now leading 2 sets to 1

I am a big, big fan, R555, and very happy he won!

So is he accent-/dialect-sexual or actually flirting with this journalist? I mean the body language is interesting at least, haha!

Fernando is a Colton Haynes superrfan.

[quote] Why do we hate Zverev?

Which one?

[quote] Fernando is a Colton Haynes superrfan.

So he’s the one.

I'm glad Zverev is getting through these matches, but he's going to be burned out in these upcoming later rounds. I fear the bottom half of the draw will be a bloodbath, and whoever gets through it will be Nadal's sacrificial lamb.

Agree with upthread posters about Muguruza. She gets her shit together periodically, and that generally happens at Slams. She's quietly making her way through this draw. She could win it again.

That was kind of adorable Zverev answering those silly questions about Roland Garros. It's been an ongoing joke about the reporter's Yorkshire accent. I am liking him more and more

Hands and hearts out!

[quote]those silly questions about Roland Garros

I always assumed the tournament (and is it also the venue?) was named after a great French tennis champion from long ago. I finally looked it up and it turns out the man was a WWI flying ace and pioneer in aviation. Interesting.

Cecchinato ousts Goffin

Cecchinato is sexy.

very sexy!

Cecchinato has a history of suspected match fixing. He got suspended but I think he won the appeal against the suspension and the fine

"Cecchinato has altered... the results of his singles tennis match against Kamil Majchrzak at the ATP Challenger in Mohammedia in 2015, as well as his doubles match, played with Luca Vanni against Betov-Elgin, in the ATP Challenger in Prostejov, also in 2015," the Italian tennis federation said in a statement on Tuesday.

"“In addition to altering the results of those matches, Cecchinato was found guilty of giving confidential information about the upcoming match between Andreas Seppi and John Isner at the 2015 Roland Garros, and on a match of player Lorenzo Frigerio on the occasion of a Future ITF tournament,” the statement added."

He got 18 months but then he won the appeal

"The biggest accusation towards Cecchinato at first was the fact that he had fixed his match against Kamil Majchrzak in the Mohammedia Challenger in October 2015. A few weeks before playing this match, Cecchinato had said to his friend Riccardo Accardi, who was the one to bet, that they could consolidate their betting losses in a soccer game only with the money earned in Morocco.

But Cecchinato intended to get a good result in the tournament so that he could earn a good amount of prize money. He had told Accardi to bet for a win of his opponent because he was not feeling well and not because he wanted to lose intentionally."

Is it just me or has John McEnroe referred to the women players as "girls" at least twice?

I love his commentary, but wtf?

What's the deal with Kasatkina's serve?

R571 I know...so powerful!

You mean horribly average for a top 20 player.

Go Daria. I love her game (and the fact that she doesn't grunt or scream)

A serve

R555, I'm a big fan of Mischa Zverev, who seems genuinely warm and humble. Sascha, though, seems much more calculated and geared toward media manipulation, taking a page right out of the book of Djokovic. His charm strikes me more as making sure to protect his brand. Conversely, with his abuse of umpires and arrogant crap displayed in the following links, it seems at his core is the heart of an arrogant artichoke.

....

....

He can be a bit over-confident on court, but in his interviews he really isn't. I think he is genuinely realistic in his responses, but has strong belief in his abilities. Barbara Rittner was saying yesterday that he used to be an annoying teenager but has evolved into a gentleman. I actually also don't think he even cares half as much as Nole does about the public. Obviously he likes people to be on his side but I doubt he will go out of his way to gain their approval. I mean in Rome when they booed his racket smash, he decided to smash it harder and break it. His anger also mostly really works for him and did again today.

A sort of moonball drop shot just came out of Woz's racket

Da Woz.

Based on form Sloane Stephens will beat whoever wins between Wozniacki and Kasatkina

Perhaps, R579, but it's a major turnoff...at least for me it is.

Stephens looks great this tournament, but Kasatkina (or Woz) could backboard her into a suicidal despair.

Kasatkina is such a boring player.

omg woz is gonna lose.

I like it that Sloan seems to be growing sharper with each match. That's a champion's quality. Serena has it. I think Rafa, too.

I want my BF to look at me like Zverev looks at the reporter in R557 :)

I watched the clip with the sound off, and he looks adorable.

Yeah, you feel like they should get a room already

Haha, yes, I agree, R588! He is blushing and playing with his hair...and looks very different in this clip compared to the rest of what is available of the press conference.

Link to the new thread below:

Nole.

A. Zverev

B. Zverev

C. Zverev

D. Zverev

E. Zverev

F. Zverev

G. Zverev

H. Zverev

I. Zverev

J. Zverev

K. Zverev

L. Zverev

Puig!