Rafa wins French Open
June 8, 2008
The King of clay Rafael Nadal destroyed World number one Roger Federer in the final of the French Open. The Spaniard won the match in straight sets 6-1,6-3,6-0 to claim his fourth consecutive title at Roland Garros.
Roger could not find his rhythm…
The Swiss made too many unforced errors and his volleying was poor on the day. Every time he came to the net, he seemed to either knock it long or hit the net. He became very frustrated with himself because he knew that was not going to win the title for another year.
Rafa’s class…
The Spaniard proved why he is the best with some outstanding groundstrokes and winners. He always made Federer play that one extra shot and it proved because by the final set he was tired and began to lose his concentration.
The win puts the Spaniard in the same class of Bjorn Borg who also won four consecutive titles.
Ana Ivanovic wins French Open
June 7, 2008
The new world number one Ana Ivanovic defeats talented russian Dinara Safina in straight sets to claim her first grand slam at the French Open. The Serb won Read more
Roger overcomes home favourite
June 7, 2008
Roger Federer overcame Frenchman Gael Monfils to book a place in the final against Rafael Nadal. The Swiss number one won a tricky tie in four sets 6-2,5-7,6-3,7-5. It wasn’t vintage Federer but it was more than good enough to win the match.
Roger said after the match…
“I’m relieved to win this match.I had a very good first set but then he stepped up. It was very tight.”
He then went on to talk about the final…
“Me and Rafael have played two great matches in Monaco and Hamburg this year. It’s a pleasure to play him again.”
All tennis fans will be expecting a classic when the two rivals come together again.
Nadal crushes Djokovic
June 7, 2008
World number 2 Rafael Nadal put in a superb display to defeat World number 3 Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard won the match in straight sets 6-4,6-2,7-6. Novak almost won the third set after being 3-0 down and two breaks. He broke back and showed great spirit in the final part of the match.
How did Rafa rate his performance…
“I was very dominant, I could put the ball anywhere. I didn’t think I could make mistakes — that was key. The level of the first two sets was almost perfect, so I am very happy about that. This was my best match at Roland Garros this year — so far.”
The Spaniard went on to talk about the final…
“I’ve played a great tournament and I’m going to do everything to reach the summit.”
Rafael Nadal now looks to Roger Federer in what will be the third time in a row they have faced eachother in the final.
Federer hot on Nadals heels
June 5, 2008
Roger Federer kept up hus push for the Roland Garros title with a hard fought 4 set win. The Swiss overcame an early scare to defeat Fernando Gonzalez 2-6,6-2,6-3,6-4. This win means Federer now comes up against home hopeful Gael Monfils.
Gonzalez has an appauling record against Roger but early on he didn’t looked fazed by it, but as the match rolled on you could see he just could believe in himself enough to beat the World Number one.
How did Federer rate his performance…
“I needed to get off to a good start in the second set because I wasn’t playing that great and Fernando was playing well, he plays particularly - dinks the backhand and rifles the forehand. He is quite unpredictable, a dangerous player who has the game to upset the big guys.”
Monfils carries French hopes at Roland Garros
June 4, 2008
Gael Monfils overcame fifth seed David Ferrer in four sets to keep his hopes of winning the French Open alive. The Frenchman won 6-3,3-6,6-3,6-1 in 2 hours and 27 minutes.
Next up for Gael..
The semis are played on Friday and monfils meets world number one Roger Federer. It will be a massive game for Gael and with his country’s hopes resting on his shoulders probably the biggest game of his career.
How did the frenchman rate his chances in the tournament..
“I prepared well for this tournament, I’m trying to take as much as pleasure as I can but also to keep focused, With the crowd and my family backing me, I feel very strong. I have raised my level progressively, I played beautiful tennis.”
In the other semi-final Rafael Nadal meets Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic stumbles into semi’s
June 4, 2008
World number three Novak Djokovic put in an under-par display to dispatch young Latvian Ernests Gulbis in three sets 7-5,7-6,7-5. Novak played good points when he needed to put knows that if he wants to challenge Rafael Nadal in the semi’s he will have to lift his game dramatically if he wants a place in the final.
Novak Djokovic failed to convert his chances through out the match and had numerous break points which were not taken. Gulbis will feel he missed a good chance of beating Novak because the Serb couldn’t get anything going. He became very frustrated with himself and it was clearly visable he wasn’t on top form.
Djokovic now waits until friday to pitt himself against the “king of clay” Rafael Nadal.
Rafa’s domination on clay continues
June 2, 2008
Rafael Nadal secured his 25th consecutive win at Roland Garros with a blistering display to defeat fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco. The World number 2 conceded just 3 games in winning 6-1,6-0,6-2.
How the match went..
Nadal was always in control of the match and Verdasco who defeated World number 15 Mikhail Youzhny in the 3rd round had no answers to Nadal’s hard hitting ground strokes. During the match things got worse for Verdasco has he suffered an injury which didn’t help his cause as he looked for an unlikely comeback. He continued and began to shake off his injury but by then the match had gone and Rafa was in the Quarters.
This win means Nadal is still on course to win his fourth consecutive French Open and equal Bjorn Borg’s record.
Andy Murray crashes out of French Open
May 31, 2008
British number one Andy Murray has crashed out of the French Open after a good performance against clay-court specialist Nicolas Almagro. The young scot was defeated in 4 sets 6-3,6-7,6-3,7-5.
After the match Murray was a bit disappointed but he also believed that his performances overall on clay have been good and that he is now looking forward to the grass-court season. Murray had a very good run in the French Open and he believes that his form can help him at Wimbledon because he could get into the top 12 seeds. Which would mean he could avoid he top four seeds until the quarter finals.
The young spaniard who defeated Murray now looks to Jeremy Chardy who defeated the talented Russian Dmitry Tursunov.
Andy Murray through to third round of French Open
May 29, 2008
The young Scot put in possibly his best ever performance on clay as he crushed the well fancied Jose Acasuso 6-4,6-0,6-4. The British number one defeated the Argentine in just 1 hour and 38 minutes. The victory means he will now face Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the third round.
How did Murray rate his performance..?
“I felt my performances on clay have been decent this year but I keep getting questioned why I’m not doing better,” he continued “I wanted to show I could beat a good clay court player.
“I’m very pleased, it was a great performance. I was very aggressive and my shot selection was great.”
Andy Murray seems to be really confident and judging by this performance there is no reason not to be.
