French Open 'Preview'

The main draw at the French Open begins this Sunday, and a wonderful occasion it will be.   Three guys are the talk of the tournament - the usual suspect, Rafael Nadal, will be there to defend his title from last year, and also try to tie the Björn Borg record of six French Open titles, Roger Federer will be there trying to salvage his year, and course, tennis' boy wonder, Novak Djokovic will be there.  Some other players that may possibly have a chance at the title, or at least going deep into the tournament are, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling, and Juan Martin Del Potro.

Novak Djokovic

The most talked about guy is without a doubt, Serbian, Novak Djokovic.  Nole is on a 39-0 run this season, with seven titles - one slam, and four masters series titles.  Currently sitting at number two in the world, if Nole makes the final, even if Nadal wins, he will take over the number one ranking position.  He has become the second player who has beaten Nadal four consecutive times, the only player who has beaten Nadal in four consecutive finals.  In their last two matches, Nole has beaten Nadal in straights sets ON CLAY.  Up until this year, when a Nadal has gotten ahead in a point, that point was his for the taking, but Djokovic has changed that dynamic.  His best performance at the French Open to date were two semifinal births in '07 & '08, losing to Nadal each time.  In '10 he made it to the quarters before being ousted by Jurgen Melzer. 

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is currently the number one player in the world, but only by 405 points, and this French Open could very well be the end of his reign.  Up until about three weeks ago, Rafa was on a 37 match win streak on clay (186-6 record overall since 2005), but then he came up against Nole in the finals of Madrid and that streak was ended.  People said that it was only because Madrid's clay was faster, and the altitude had a say in the way things happened, but then the following week in Rome, on a court that plays similar to those at Roland Garros, Djokovic captured another straight sets win.  His notorious forehand shot with the high kicking ball placed at his opponents backhand side used to prove an effective weapon, but Nole has been able to neutralize it - the short of it is that the Djokovic backhand has become a much better weapon than the Nadal forehand.  The days when the  longer rallies, especially on clay, that used to go Rafa's way are gone, at least against Djokovic.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer was known as the second best player on clay, behind Nadal. He was a French Open finalist in '06, '07, 08, losing each time to Nadal, and he won the 2009 French Open (with the absence of Nadal in the final).  This year he has been beaten by only four men - Richard Gasquet in the round of 16 in Rome, Jurgen Melzer in the quarters in Monte Carlo, three times by Djokovic - Aussie Open & Indian Wells semis, the finals in Doha, and twice by Nadal - Madrid & Miami semis.  Early years in his days of domination The Fed was always under control, always stoic, and rarely showed any negative emotion on the court. Now he's often visibly frustrated, 'Roddicking' - arguing with umpires, he's a step slower, his forehand doesn't have the sting it once had, and his backhand has become a definite liability.  Having lost the number two ranking to Djokovic earlier this year, The Fed will want to have to make a good showing if he wants to make his way back up to the top - or at least put himself in a position where he doesn't have to meet Nadal or Djokovic is the semifinals of tournaments.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray, oh Andy Murray - I really don't know what to say.  After the beat down he took in the Aussie final from Djokovic, his lil engine just couldn't/wouldn't go any further.  Traditionally, clay isn't his best surface, but maybe there is a glimmer of hope in the fact that he took Nadal to three sets in the semifinal in Monte Carlo, and also Djokovic  in Rome - this match in Rome is being hailed by some as the best match of the year & I agree. His best performance at the French Open came in '09 when he made the quarterfinals, '10 he went out in the fourth round.  We can only wait to see which Andy shows up.  Let's hope for the best...I really like this guy, and would like to see him win a major one day - Great Britain would love him for it.  I would love him for it.

Robin Soderling

Robin Soderling in the past two French Opens has been the 'giant killer'.  In 2009, he took out (an injured) Rafael Nadal in the round of 16, in 2010, he took out '09 champ Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.  So far this year, his performance has been decent, and he has reached the quarterfinals in his last three clay tournaments.  He can be very unpredictable on the clay, or in general for that matter.  Like Mr. Murray, it's a wait & see kind of thing with him as well.

Juan Martin Del Potro

Juan Martin Del Potro has gotten progressively better since his return to the tour earlier this year.  At the end of 2009, before his wrist injury, he was expected to be the guy to break up the Federer/Nadal duopoly. In route to his '09 US Open title, he took out Nadal in straight sets in the semis, and Federer in a five set thriller in the final - hitting them both off the court in the process.  He has two titles this year, one on clay at Estoril earlier this month.  He booked himself a third round clash against Nadal in Madrid, but had to withdraw before the match with a hip injury.  Up until earlier this week, he wasn't sure he'd be healthy enough to play at Roland Garros.  He could possibly face Djokovic in the third round, which will be interesting, but with Nole playing the way he is, DelPo will have to be very well rested to get by him...unless, of course Nole has a let down in playing form.  I wish him luck, but don't see him getting past the Djoker.


There are of course other guys who can possibly threaten, but these six guys I see that have the game and the mental fortitude to get the job done.  Regardless of anything else that may go on in the course of the tournament, the Nadal/Djokovic/Federer storyline is making this one of the most anticipated French Opens in a long time.

This French Open is going to be tasty! 

Ce français Ouvert va être délicieux!