Day 3 of the French Open was quite an eventful one with plenty of interesting matches on the go. But the main match of interest of the day was Rafa's first round match against the American giant John Isner. Now on paper this match sounded like a breeze, but of course it was anything but. What looked like a routine win for Nadal turned into an out and out battle with the Spaniard having to fight out of the tightest of tight corners to stay in the match and the tournament, as he came back from 2 sets down in the 2nd and 3rd, to eventually close out the win against the giant yank, in an epic result of 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. The big guy's serve did indeed post a serious threat to Rafa, but in the end when it came to a 5 set match, its always about stamina, and after 4 hours, Rafa had much more in the tank then the tall yank did, who ironically ran out of legs!! (Funny eh??? ;-).
This is the first Nadal has been pushed to a 5 set match on clay as well as at Roland Garros, and to have it happened in the opening match frankly is a worry. I thought John Isner might give him a bit of match but I didn't realise just how far he would push Rafa out of his comfort zone. Nevertheless on the basis of this, Rafa has shown time and time again his resilience to pressure from his opponents, with the exception of Djokovic, there hasn't been another player he hasn't been able to overcome on the tour so far this year, but that was a real close shave. But its funny to think just a year ago Rafa was imperious, winning 3 grand slams at the French, Wimbledon and the US Open, not to mention all 3 clay court Masters titles into the bargain, but this year he's traded places with Djokovic, he looks befuddled at what to do.
Nevertheless when it comes to the crunch I still think Djokovic will be still up against it should he and Rafa face each other in the final. Djokovic might still come out on top, but he hasn't played Rafa before in a grand slam final on clay, and this is a different kettle of fish than winning a Masters title in two straight sets. Rafa will dig as deep as he can and try to bring his game to the match. Today by no means saw Rafa at his best, but what it did show is that he refused to go down without a fight, and he came through with his usual admirable display of determination and guts (or cojones should I say!). Lets not forget at Wimbledon last year, Nadal also had two very tough 5 set matches in his 3rd and 4th round, and he still came through and went on to win the title. So perhaps this might be the case with Nadal this year in the French Open, just maybe he can dig dig dig and get to win. Or I might be totally wrong and Djokovic might straight set pummel him, but that's all waiting to happen, but I really think it won't be the case. But I would really like to see the Spaniard lift the trophy at the end of tournament, and who knows it might just yet happen. One way or another at this tournament Rafa has to sound out a warning to Djokovic saying if Djoko wants to win he's gonna have to fight. But I'm sure with the big yin out his way, Rafa will focus on his game and play much better for the rest of the tournament. Well he better!
Anyway as for other matches today, Andy Murray came through in a relatively comfortable win in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 against French qualifier Eric Prodon, who did give a little cause for discomfort for Andy by throwing him off his rhythym. Andy loves to play his drop shots but for once he met his match with the Frenchman who outplayed him on that front. Nonetheless Prodon lacked consistency and in the end he failed to push through, even though he was up a break in the 3rd set, Andy instantly broke back and closed out the remaining games to take the match. So its quite a good start for Andy, perhaps not his absolute best tennis, but it did show promise, however he still needs to work on that serve if he wants any chance against the tougher players ahead. Regardless I don't see Muzza winning the title, but it will be interesting to see how far he can go, and hope he does progress quite deep into the tournament, getting to the quarters or semis against Nadal would be terrific, but I don't see him going all the way. Next up Andy faces another qualifier in the 2nd round, the Italian Simon Bolelli, who might prove to be an imposition to the Scot, but hopefully Andy will come through it.
In other matches Robin Soderling came through against the young American Ryan Harrison in 4 sets, Fernando Verdasco came through also in 4 sets against Juan Monaco, and on the ladies side, Andrea Petkovic won in two tight straight sets against the Serb Jovovic in 6-4, 7-6(3). Also British No.1 Elena Baltacha came through her first round match against Stephanie Sloane in straight sets also 7-5, 6-2, which was another good result for the Brits as she is the second woman to make the 2nd round of the French Open since 1994, just after Heather Watson the other day. Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters also moved through quite comfily with minimal fuss. Personally I think Sharapova is strong favourite to win this title, she still is up against some fine players such as Clijsters, Wozniacki, Azarenka and perhaps even maybe the darkhorse Julia Goerges. But overall I think she has a strong chance, winning in Rome would also give her much confidence, and if nothing else this woman is totally determined to do it. So it will be quite a match if she does get there.
So that's quite enough o all that fer the now.
Peace out.
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