So Day 10 of the French Open saw more pulsating and electrifying tennis with the continutation of Andy Murray vs Viktor Troicki's 4th round match, Federer vs Monfils, Bartoli vs Kuznetsova and finally Schiavone vs Pavlychenkova.
We'll take these one at a time, starting with Andy's match which saw the deciding 5th set between his match with Viktor Troicki, it was a really topsy turvey encounter, with both players holding serve until 2-2 all and then it went all askew for Andy as he made some more unforced errors and double faults, leaving it wide open for Troicki to take the lead, which he did until it was 5-2. At this point Troicki served for the match, but then Andy fought back and broke his serve, and then reeled off the next 4 games to take him to a miraculous victory, the final score being 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. This sees the second time that Andy has reached the quarter finals at Roland Garros, which is great, the first being in 2009. At the end of the match Andy indeed looked a bit emotional as he sat down and put his head into his towel, possibly having a wee tear. Overall it really was an incredible match and one of the toughest and most exciting of the year for Andy. However he's out again tomorrow in his quarter final match against Juan Ignacio Chela, whom he has a perfect record against of 6-0, will tomorrow be Chela's first? Hopefully not, as this week Andy has inspite his ankle injury pulled off a couple of miracles, so it will be interesting, and it may become Andy's first semi final if he wins. Its getting that bit more interesting to see how far Andy can go in the tournament, if he meets Nadal who might be in poor form, he stands a good chance of getting to the final. Could he win the French??? Maybe. But he would be up against two very in form players in Djokovic and Federer and in Andy's current state it seems doubtful he could live up to playing at their level. But he has already pulled off a couple of miracles already this week, so who knows? Maybe that major silver trophy is awaiting him yet. But if he drops his serve as much as he has already then hasn't got much of a chance, so we need to see a sharp improvement.
Another point also is Djokovic has had it quite easy this week, having a walkover into the semi finals has given him 4 days rest. Whether or not this is a good thing or not I don't know, on one side he has plenty of rest and will be fit and fresh for Friday, but on the other, he hasn't had any match play, so perhaps that might affect his performance against Federer, who also hasn't dropped a set so far. Who knows??
In another match, Francesca Schiavone faced a very spirited fight from the young Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Schiavone came back from a set down 1-6, and a break down in 1-4 in the second set to level things and break Pavly's serve to take the 2nd in 7-5. In the third Schiavone stormed ahead until 3-0, but then Pavly fought back to make it 5-5 all, but again Schiavone found extra reserves to break her and took the match in 7-5. Its great to see Schiavone play with such fire in her, she really has brought some of her best tennis to this tournament so far, as she is obviously so hungry and determined to defend her title, so best of luck with that.
In Federer vs Monfils match, it promised to deliver quite a bit. However due to the very blustery conditions on court, it was a big struggle for both players, morely so for Gael Monfils who's serve continually broke down as served up 11 double faults. As Mats Wilander said, Monfils had two opponents that day, Federer and the wind, and I think the latter was even worse! In the end though it was Federer who held his composure and took the match in straight sets winning 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(3). In fact Monfils did well taking it to a 3rd set tiebreak because he really did look down and out in the second set, but ultimately it was always going to be Federer that would prevail.
So next up for Fed is another mammoth challenge, as he hopes to derail the mighty Djokovic and end his unbeaten run? Can he do it??? Judging by his current form quite possibly, but Djoko's confidence is off the charts so beating him is nigh impossible at the moment, however its not actually impossible, just very very difficult. One way or another, it will be a thrilling match, and if Federer didn't drop sets up until now, he will start on Friday, but I think its going to be a real battle.
Onto the last match, which featured some of the best news of the day, as Marion Bartoli took on former French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and defeated her in two straight sets, winning in 7-6, 6-4. It was great to see Marion go through as she's one of my favourite players and for her to win the match and reach the semi finals of the French Open for the first time was terrific. Its also great for the home crowd, and without a doubt, Bartoli is playing the tennis of her life at the moment. Next up for her is Francesca Schiavone, which will be another marathon battle I think, who will come out on top?? Who knows?? But if Bartoli wins she could come a strong favourite to win the title, which would be tremendous for France, but she maybe up against Sharapova, Azarenka or even Petkovic. So no easy feat ahead of her but I wish all the best, but I also think it will be another teriffic battle.
So more great tennis tomorrow, its getting near the finish line, and its heating up tomorrow will see Nadal vs Soderling, Murray vs Chela, Sharapova vs Petkovic and Li Na vs Azarenkna. Its looking very exciting.
However I do have one main concern out of those matches, and no its not Andy and his ankle, its Rafa. Rafa is in a worrying state just now, he's really lacking in confidence and tomorrow he faces Robin Soderling, who put him out of the French Open in 2009. Rafa has also openly admitted that he isn't playing well enough to win the title, however he said if he plays well in his quarter final match it will give him more confidence. But it doesn't look great from the defending champion whether or not he can pull through tomorrow we'll soon find out. At least with Andy, despite some ropey match play, he's winning matches by showing guts, belief and determination, and that's something Rafa needs to show more of.
Right that's all for the mo.
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