Orbler
Louie
Yinette PerezFederer scare Rafa writes for Roland Garros!
May 29th 2006 09:13
It's FRENCH OPEN TIME!
Roger Federer, who looks to be the first person since Rod Laver to win a Grand Slam, had a tough start to his campaign yesterday when he was faced with a "lucky loser" in Diego Hartfield of Argentina. The 156th ranked opponent managed to gain the upper hand early in the first round and Roger lost the first two of his service games, Diego leading at one time 3-0. Hartfield looked to make it 4-0 but Roger broke his serve back. From there Roger managed to break him again and take the set 7-5.
In the second set there were various exchanges of serve, with Diego giving everything into the game. He survived 3 set points and managed to take the 2nd set into a tiebreak. Unfortunately for the Argentine, Federer's greater experience in tiebreakers meant Roger won the 2nd set 7-6 (7-2).
Diego started cramping in the 3rd set, and Roger steamrolled to a 6-2 victory.
Verdict: Whilst it may suffice for a 1st round win, one hopes Roger is meerly saving up his energy for the tougher later round opponents and possibly a final with Nadal. However, I believe there is little chance of Roger winning the title if he continues at this standard of play.
David Nalbandian and Tommy Robredo also advanced into the second round in straight sets. Tim Henman needed 4 sets but he is also into the 2nd round.
Rafael is blogging his time at Roland Garros. I am about as excited about it as everyone else.
David Nalbandian d Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4
Tommy Robredo d Tomas Zib 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
Tim Henman d Kenneth Carlsen 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Carlos Moya d Juan Antonio Marin 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
Roger Federer d Diego Hartfield 7-5, 7-6(2), 6-2
Roger Federer, who looks to be the first person since Rod Laver to win a Grand Slam, had a tough start to his campaign yesterday when he was faced with a "lucky loser" in Diego Hartfield of Argentina. The 156th ranked opponent managed to gain the upper hand early in the first round and Roger lost the first two of his service games, Diego leading at one time 3-0. Hartfield looked to make it 4-0 but Roger broke his serve back. From there Roger managed to break him again and take the set 7-5.
In the second set there were various exchanges of serve, with Diego giving everything into the game. He survived 3 set points and managed to take the 2nd set into a tiebreak. Unfortunately for the Argentine, Federer's greater experience in tiebreakers meant Roger won the 2nd set 7-6 (7-2).
Diego started cramping in the 3rd set, and Roger steamrolled to a 6-2 victory.
Verdict: Whilst it may suffice for a 1st round win, one hopes Roger is meerly saving up his energy for the tougher later round opponents and possibly a final with Nadal. However, I believe there is little chance of Roger winning the title if he continues at this standard of play.
David Nalbandian and Tommy Robredo also advanced into the second round in straight sets. Tim Henman needed 4 sets but he is also into the 2nd round.
Rafael is blogging his time at Roland Garros. I am about as excited about it as everyone else.
David Nalbandian d Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4
Tommy Robredo d Tomas Zib 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
Tim Henman d Kenneth Carlsen 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
Carlos Moya d Juan Antonio Marin 7-5, 6-3, 6-3
Roger Federer d Diego Hartfield 7-5, 7-6(2), 6-2
| 85 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Stanley
Comment by Whitney
french is definitely the most different of the slams. all the sliding, the drop shots, the clay getting stuck in shoes. it's why there are clay court specialists, i suppose, because it requires different technique to play. Grass is different too, very quick, but i think it's probably closer to hardcourt than clay is.