French Open Review

The fortnight at Roland Garros has come and gone. During the two-week competition, fans witnessed everything from shocking upsets, to the usual matchups. As we transition from dirt to turf, there are several things we can take away from the events that transpired at the tennis season’s second major. In my French Open review, I will discuss the three biggest takeaways from this year’s tournament.

Generational Shift

From the start of the 2013 season, I noticed a generational shift taking place on the WTA Tour. The marque women such as Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova were upset early at the majors by much younger players. At the Aussie Open and Wimbledon, top-ranked Williams was beaten Sloane Stephens (then 19) and a 23-year-old Sabine Lisicki. In regards to Sharapova, the Russian was taken out in the second round of Wimbledon last year by the 20-year-old Portuguese player Michelle Larcher de Brito.      

In addition to aging, the reason why we are seeing the top women upset at the majors is because of the fearlessness of today’s top women prospects. Most players when stepping on the court to play Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova are so awestruck by the presence of these great champions that by the time they get their head into the match, it is too late. Conversely, youngsters Eugenie Bouchard, Simona Halep, and Garbiñe Muguruza possess the inner belief where they can compete with the best players on tour. The 2014 French Open was a perfect example of the threesome’s fearlessness.    

If you have not realized from my previous blogs, I am a huge fan of Serena Williams. Coming off a victory in Rome just a week prior, Williams was my favorite to win the French Open. However, the 17-time grand slam champion ran into an impenetrable wall in the second round, Garbiñe Muguruza. In all my years of watching Serena Williams dominate women’s tennis, never before have I seen her utterly manhandled by an opponent. Typically, when Williams starts a match slowly, she manages to find her imposing game. After losing the first set quickly 6-2, I expected Williams to change her game plan to counteract the powerful, flat hitting of the Spaniard. However, as quickly as Williams fell behind in the first set, she also did in the second, dropping her serve in the opening game of the set. The world number one looked befuddled throughout, unable to fully get her teeth into the match. Moreover, the 20-year-old Spaniard did what very few players have been able to do, take the racquet out of Serena Williams’ hands. In the hour-long encounter, Garbiñe Muguruza displayed the composure and determination of a seasoned champion.

The 2014 French Open represented a changing of the guard on the women’s side. After much anticipation, the young guns are finally beginning to make an impact on tour. The Williams/Muguruza match represented the apprentice schooling the master. Going forward, I expect a greater generational shift to take place. Lastly, based on the performances by Halep, Bouchard and Muguruza, it is fair to say that the future of the WTA Tour has arrived.

Aussie Champs, Top Players Falter

One of the most shocking developments of the 2014 French Open was the early exits made by the reigning Australian Open champions. For the first time in the Open Era, both Aussie Open champs were eliminated in the opening round. In my French Open preview, I had mentioned the reasons why Li Na and Stan Wawrinka would lose early in the tournament. Based on the events that transpired during their respective matches, my analysis of the players was spot on.

Prior to the tournament, I anticipated Stan Wawrinka making another deep run at a major. Throughout his career, the Swiss number one has had the most success on clay, winning the Master Series event in Monte Carlo and making the final of both Madrid and Rome. However, Wawrinka’s impressive form in Monte Carlo did not carry over to the red dirt at Stade Roland Garros. In fact, his form was quite the opposite.

During Wawrinka’s first round match against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, the world number three looked completely out of sorts. Garcia-Lopez, a former top 30 player who has beaten the likes of Nadal and Murray, appeared un-phased by the matchup against the reigning Aussie Open champ. After quickly dropping the first set, as expected, Wawrinka fought hard to level the match at a set all. However, the Australian Open champ’s game completely deserted him; as a result, Wawrinka managed to win only two games in the final two sets.

Was the pressure too much for Wawrinka to handle? The Swiss player disagrees. Contrary to his belief, pressure was definitely a factor in Wawrinka’s performance. A player let down following a championship run are common on both the men and women’s tour. The last major champion to lose in the first round of the subsequent major was then eight-time French Open champion, Rafael Nadal last year at Wimbledon. On the women’s side, 2011 Wimbledon and U.S Open champions Petra Kvitova and Sam Stosur both lost in the opening round of the next major. Pressure is something that even the greatest champions to ever play the game have succumbed to. Stan Wawrinka was the latest grand slam champion to be affected by the stress of being a grand slam champion.

Contrary to Wawrinka, Li Na has dealt with the pressures of winning a major before. After winning her first major at the French Open in 2011, the Chinese number one won only a handful of matches the rest of the year. Not only does Li Na have to cope with the pressures of the tennis community, she has to bear the weight of the entire Chinese nation.

The big question going into the French Open was whether Li Na learned to manage her emotions after winning the previous major. In my French Open preview, I had mentioned the importance of Li Na maintaining laser-like focus, which she often struggles with during matches. Li Na’s first-round opponent was another talented youngster, 21-year-old Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic. After a breakthrough 2013 season, Mladenovic has struggled in 2014, and has seen her ranking fall outside the top 100. However, if you have ever watched the French Open, the French crowd is like the 12^th man in football, providing a confidence boost to the native players.

Li Na, like Stan Wawrinka, dropped the first set against the 103^rd ranked Mladenovic. However, unlike her male Aussie Open counterpart, Li squandered two opportunities to capture the opener. The world number two quickly regained her championship form, taking the second set against the local favorite 6-3.

At the start of the decider, it appeared that Li had finally sunken her teeth into the match, and would run away with the set. After a hold to open the set, Li failed to win another game. The errors began to fly off of the Aussie Open champ’s racquet, committing 37 in the match. Instead of continuing to apply pressure on the young Frenchwoman, Li’s focus wavered, thus allowing Mladenovic and the French crowd to hang around. As Li lost her focus, Mladenovic regained hers, clinching the match on her second match point, 6-1.

The great Billie Jean King once said, “Pressure is a privilege.” How a player copes with the pressure separates the generational champion from the all-time great. Pressure means that there is an expectation of you to produce an anticipated outcome. The great champions of our sport, Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova to name a few, have used pressure as fuel to produce the desired outcome. I am not implying that Stan Wawrinka and Li Na are not great tennis players. However, some players respond to pressure better than others.   

 A Young Star Is Born

In previous blog posts, I mentioned that American tennis, especially on the women’s side, has a surplus of young players. Based on the American women’s performances at the 2014 French Open, there was one player in particular who truly impressed me. Her name is Taylor Townsend.

Townsend, the former number one junior in the world, entered the public spotlight under unfortunate circumstances. In 2012, Townsend was denied a wild card into the U.S Open because the USTA felt that she was not fit enough to compete. Townsend, just 16 years old at the time, went against the USTA’s decision and flew to New York to compete in the junior event, without any financial backing. Thankfully, the situation was resolved, and Townsend has been able to get back to what she does best, tennis.

Prior to the French Open, three ITF challenger events held in the United States. Based on the results of the American men and women, a main draw wild card is awarded to the man and woman who perform the best at these events. After winning the ITF titles in Charlottesville and Indian Harbour Beach in both singles and doubles, Townsend was given the wild card into the French Open.

Playing in her first main draw at a major as a professional, my expectations were modest for the 18-year old American. Townsend received a favorable first-round opponent, fellow American Vania King. After handily beating King 7-5 6-1, the young American faced a much tougher opponent in the next round, 20^th seeded Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

Much to my surprise, Townsend rushed out to a 6-4 4-1 lead against the feisty Cornet. The young American exhibited the weapons that helped her become the top junior in the world, her lefty serve and forehand. When it appeared Townsend had the match in hand, Cornet fought back, winning five straight games to take the set 6-4. For most players, when they experience a let down such as Townsend’s, the following set most often times is a quick one. However, the final set proved to be the most enticing of all.

With the French crowd firmly against the 18-year-old American, Townsend exhibited the guts and determination equivalent to Serena Williams. Townsend showed no signs of disappointment after failing to close out the match in straights sets. If anything, losing the second set motivated the American to finish out the match in winning fashion.

When Townsend closed out the match 6-4 in the third, I was overcome with emotion. Why do you ask? It is performances like Townsend’s that inspire me to work hard in order to succeed. Townsend proved all the people who doubted her fitness, as well as the French crowd who fully supported their compatriot wrong. In sports and in life, you cannot teach someone a fighter’s mentality. This mentality is something that a person is born with. Taylor Townsend proved that she possesses a quality that many of the tennis legends displayed during their careers. If Townsend can retain the attitude she displayed in her two-hour and half hour match with Alize Cornet, the American has a bright future ahead of her. 

What were your takeaways from the French Open? Let me know in the comments section below.

In my next blog I will be breakdown the men and women’s Wimbledon draw.  

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French Open: Women’s Preview

The tennis season’s second major begins on May 25^th. Since the clay court swing began on the green clay of Charleston, South Carolina, we have seen several intriguing story lines. Sharapova continued her strong play on the clay, winning titles in Stuttgart and Madrid. Simona Halep made her first career premier mandatory final in Madrid. As a result, she became the 56^th in WTA history to be ranked Top 4 in the world. Lastly, Serena Williams, despite losing early in Charleston and pulling out of Madrid, the world number one remained dominant on the red dirt. Since the start of the 2012 clay season, Williams has a 53-2 record on her worst surface.

As the French Open draws near, it is time to consider the players who have the potential of raising the Coupe des Mousquetaires (Men’s trophy) and the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen (Women’s trophy). In this two-part blog series, I will name my shortlist of contenders, dark horses and early upsets for both the men and women’s singles tournament.

    

Contenders

Serena Williams

• Why: The world number one may not have had the same amount of success that she did by this point last year; however, Williams has continued the form that has gotten her back to the top of women’s tennis. After pulling out of Madrid two weeks ago, Williams was unsure whether she would be able to defend her title in Rome. Luckily for the American, her leg responded well to treatment, and she was able to play the event. Despite having played only a handful of matches on clay this season, Williams remained dominant, winning the Italian Open for the third time. Serena Williams will have the pressure of defending her title at Roland Garros. However, if the American plays the way she did en-route to her title in Rome, it’s will be extremely difficult for anyone in the field to stop her.
• Why Not: After a season where the American won 11 titles, including two majors and the season-ending championships, it is not surprising that Williams is beginning to show signs of fatigue. The 32-year-old has also nursed several injuries throughout the season. Furthermore, if Williams is not 100% healthy going into the season’s second major, I have a hard time seeing her winning another French Open title.

Maria Sharapova

• Why: The 2012 French Open champion is finally regaining the form that saw her lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen two years ago. After dealing with a shoulder injury that kept her out of the game the second half of last year, Sharapova is enters the season’s second major with a lot of confidence. Despite having her ranking fall to number eight, the Russian has had a very successful clay court season. If Sharapova is able to stay away from Williams in the draw (she drew Williams in the quarterfinals), the Russian has a strong chance of making another French Open final. However, if Serena Williams were to be upset, Maria Sharapova would be my second pick to win the title. What was once her worst surface has now become Sharapova’s best. Look for the former world number one to have another strong showing at the French Open next week.
• Why Not: The one thing that will prevent Maria Sharapova from winning another French Open title is Serena Williams. The American has dominated the head-to-head; winning the last 15 times they have played. The determining factor in the matchup is movement. Sharapova is able to strike the ball with as much power as Williams; however, Williams has the ability to run down a majority of Sharapova’s shots. Lastly, if Sharapova were to end the American’s winning streak against her, the best chance she has is on a clay court.

Li Na

• Why: The world number two is arguably having the best year of her career. After a strong finish to the 2013 season, Li Na won her second major at the Australian Open. As a result of her play, the Chinese number one became the highest ranked Asian player in tennis history. The 2011 French Open champion enters this year’s tournament with renewed motivation. Much of the Chinese’s success has to be attributed to her coach, Carlos Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who formerly coached Belgian superstar Justine Henin, has helped Li become more consistent with her forehand, and at the net. With her improved game, and a coach of a four-time French Open champion in her corner, Li Na is definitely a player you want to keep your eye on at next week’s French Open.
• Why Not: Something that Li Na has struggled with throughout her career is maintaining her focus during matches. Even with her improved play over the last 12 months, the Chinese number one still experiences huge ebbs and flows in matches. A perfect example is the championship match against Serena Williams two months ago in Miami. Li Na started the final in dominant fashion, racing to a 5-2 lead against the defending champion. However, once Williams upped her level of play, Li Na’s game began to falter. The world number two managed to win only a single game the rest of the match. If Li Na wants to win her second French Open title, she must retain laser-like throughout her matches. Otherwise, the Chinese may make an early exit from the tournament.

Simona Halep

• Why: The Romanian is another player entering this year’s French Open at a career-high ranking. At this time last year, the world number four wasn’t even ranked in the Top 50. Over the past twelve months, Halep has won 7 titles; made her first career grand slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open; and has defeated Top 10 players Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanka, and Angelique Kerber. The in-form Romanian has had success at Roland Garros in the past, winning the junior championship in 2008. The slower court surface allows Halep to display her superior movement, while providing ample time to impose her aggressive game. Look for Halep to continue her impressive run on her favorite surface. 
• Why Not: There are several reasons to consider why the Romanian will not win her first grand slam title at next week’s French Open. First, Halep has never been past a grand slam quarterfinal. Will getting to the latter stages of a grand slam prove too much for Halep? Time will tell. Second, is the lack of power on Halep’s groundstrokes. Problems could arise if the Romanian is scheduled to play on a cold and damp day in Paris. The slower conditions will make it even more difficult for Halep to overpower her opponents. Simona Halep will never be a power player like Sharapova or Williams, which presents a huge challenge stepping on the clay courts of Roland Garros.    

Dark Horses

Ana Ivanovic: The 2008 French Open champion is playing the tennis that got her to the top of women’s tennis six years ago. Ivanovic’s resurgent season began in Auckland where she won her first title in over two years. At the Australian Open, the Serb defeated Serena Williams for the first time en-route to the quarterfinals. Ivanovic’s clay court campaign began with a runner-up showing in Stuttgart, losing to Maria Sharapova in three well-contested sets. At last week’s premier event in Rome, the former world number one continued her strong play, losing to Serena Williams in the semifinals in three sets. If Ivanovic can use her trademark forehand and powerful ground game effectively, the Serb could be a major treat to the top contenders.

Caroline Carcia: I know that the next two picks may be a little bit of a stretch, but I believe that if playing well, a player like Caroline Garcia can take down a top player on any given day. The in-form Frenchwomen captured her first WTA title last month in Bogota, and has recently cracked the Top 50. Garcia burst on the scene three years ago when she led a set and 4-1 against Maria Sharapova in the second round of the 2011 French Open. After several years of inconsistent play, the young Frenchwoman is finally beginning to put all the pieces together. The 20-year-old has huge weapons in the forehand and serve, which can cause trouble for the top players. Even though Garcia may not lift the trophy at this year’s French Open, the Frenchwoman is definitely a player you want to keep you eye on in the coming years as a contender for the title.

Sloane Stephens: The American is a player who plays her best tennis on the WTA’s biggest stages. Furthermore, despite having an up and down season to this point, Stephens is a player that can do some major damage at Roland Garros. The young American is a natural mover on the red clay. As a player who relies a little too heavily on her movement, the American is virtually a backboard on clay. In addition, the slow court surface suits Stephens’s playing style perfectly. Stephens is able to use her excellent defensive skills to eventually gain the upper hand in the rally. More importantly, the clay provides Stephens the opportunity to dictate with her huge forehand. If the young American is going to make a deep run at the French Open, she must show the desire that has eluded her for most of the 2014 season.          

Early Upsets

Petra Kvitova: Two words that I have used to describe Petra Kvitova since her incredible 2011 is unpredictable and inconsistent. The former world number two is the type of player who either plays fantastically and wins the tournament, or plays horrendously, losing in the first round. Since her semifinal run at the 2012 French Open, Kvitova has only made two quarterfinals at a major (both at Wimbledon). The Czech lefty will go into this year’s tournament with a 4-3 clay court record. Kvitova’s 2014 clay court season is a perfect example of the southpaw’s inconsistency. Following an opening round loss to Alisa Kleybanova in Stuttgart, Kvitova made a semifinal run in Madrid. Unfortunately, the very next week in Rome, the Czech would have another opening round exit to Shuai Zhang of China. Based on her inconsistent play of late, there is a strong possibility that Kvitova could be an early casualty. However, the unpredictability of her game could potentially result in a deep run by the 2011 Wimbledon champ.           

Angelique Kerber: The German left-hander has been struggling to find her form of late, especially on the clay. Kerber was winless on the red dirt until she won her opening round match in Nurnberg, Germany this week. The former U.S Open and Wimbledon semifinalist has the game to be a successful clay court player. She is one of the best defensive players in the world, and counterpunches extremely well. Can the world number nine reverse her fortunes and make the second week of the French? Most certainly! However, Kerber’s current form points to a potential early exit during the fortnight.   

Caroline Wozniacki: Back in 2011, if I predicted that Caroline Wozniacki, the world’s top player, would lose early at a major, my blog would probably be considered a farce. However, with the Dane struggling to regain the form that got her to the top of the women’s game, she is susceptible to the upset bug next week in Paris. Clay is Wozniacki’s weakest surface, as it exploits the blaring weaknesses in her game. Though the Dane defends extremely well on the surface, the lack of a huge weapon and racquet head speed on the forehand groundstroke results in her being easily overpowered by opponents. Caroline Wozniacki is one of the most talented young players on the WTA Tour. However, the Dane’s inability to find the form that catapulted her to the top, and the hindering weaknesses in her game, will result in an early round loss in Paris.   

Who do you believe are the contenders at tomorrow’s French Open? Let me know in the comments section below.

In my next blog I will be breakdown the interesting storylines during the fortnight at the French Open.  

Enjoyed this post? Email it to a friend or share it on your social media page. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on tennis with you!

  

French Open: Men’s Preview

Contenders

Rafael Nadal

• Why: Simple, Rafael Nadal is the king of clay. The Spaniard has only one loss at Roland Garros in nine career appearances. In addition, Nadal’s eight titles at the clay court major are the most titles won by any male at a grand slam. Even though the world number one has struggled on the clay this season, winning only one of the three Masters Series events, it would be hard to bet against the greatest clay court player in history. 
• Why Not: Following his Australian Open final loss to Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal has not regained the dominance that got him back to number one in the world last year. The Spaniard suffered an unexpected loss to Alexandr Dolgopolov in Indian Wells, and has been unable to defeat Novak Djokovic in his last four attempts. In his last two matches against the Serb, Nadal took the opening set. However, the world number one was unable to capitalize on the set advantage, succumbing to Djokovic in three sets. If Nadal does not sharpen up his game, we might be seeing another player lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires at the end of the fortnight.

 Novak Djokovic

• Why: No player is hungrier than Novak Djokovic to win next week’s French Open. The clay court major is the only grand slam title eluding the 27-year-old Serb. After a dominant performance at last week’s Italian Open, Djokovic looks primed and ready to capture his first French Open title. The ideal situation for Djokovic, if facing Nadal in the final, is for a cold and damp day in Paris. When the two squared off in the 2012 French Open final, Djokovic nearly captured the title as a result of the playing conditions. The even slower court speed, coupled with the balls not kicking up as high, prevented Nadal from implementing his nearly unbeatable game plan. As a result, Djokovic was able to capitalize on the ineffectiveness of Nadal’s groundstrokes, dictating play on his terms. Unfortunately for the Serb, play was suspended at 2-1 in favor of Djokovic, with Nadal leading two sets to one. Djokovic would eventually fall in four tight sets; but the Serb proved that if the conditions are just right, he could pull off the massive upset.
• Why Not: A major concern for the world number two is the wrist-injury that forced Djokovic to pull out of Madrid two weeks ago. Fortunately for the Serb, he didn’t experience any setbacks at last week’s Italian Open. In order for Djokovic to dethrone the King of Clay, he must be 100% healthy. Moreover, if there is any lingering wrist pain heading into the season’s second major, the Serb’s chances of capturing his first French Open will be slim. 

Stan Wawrinka

• Why: Following a strong finish to the end of 2013, Stan Wawrinka shocked the tennis world when he upset top-ranked Rafael Nadal to win this year’s Australian Open. More impressively, Wawrinka knocked out both Nadal and Djokovic, which is something only a select few players have accomplished, en-route to his first grand slam title. The Swiss number one enters this year’s French Open with endless confidence. Wawrinka began the clay court season in Monte Carlo, where he defeated his countrymen, Roger Federer, to capture his first Masters Series crown. At 29 years of age, Stan Wawrinka is finally realizing his potential as a top tennis player. Look for the world number three to use his powerful serve and trademark one-handed backhand to make a serious run for his first French Open title.
• Why Not: As a newly crowned grand slam champion, Wawrinka will be facing pressure that he has never experienced before. Now that tennis fans and experts know that Wawrinka is capable to winning major titles, he is expected to bring that same form to every grand slam. An interesting storyline at this year’s French Open will definitely be whether Wawrinka can handle the pressure and win another grand slam title. Expectation can have a debilitating effect on players following a successful run at a major. Lets hope that the talented Swiss doesn’t succumb to the tennis world’s relentless pressure.

Roger Federer

• Why: One word to describe Federer 2014 season is resurgent. The 17-time grand slam champion has regained the form that helped him dominate the game for a decade. Following a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, and two runner-up showings at the Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Monte Carlo, Federer is back in the Top 4 in the world. Even though clay is Federer’s worst surface, the Swiss legend is capable of winning the grand slam title that eluded him until 2009. Federer will likely have to defeat both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal if he is going to capture his second French Open title. Will this be an extremely difficult task? Yes. However, if anyone is going to pull off the seemingly impossible, there is no likely player than Roger Federer. 
• Why Not: For the same reason Roger Federer could potentially win the French Open, is also a reason why he won’t win. Nadal and Djokovic are much better clay court players than Federer. Having to defeat the world’s top two players in back-to-back matches will require a Herculean effort to accomplish. In seven matches against Djokovic and Nadal at the French, Federer is winless against the Spaniard, and 1-1 against the Serb. As if his poor record against the two weren’t enough, Federer also has two new additions to his family. On May 6, Mirka Federer gave birth to twin boys, Leo and Lenny. Having two newborns to care for during a grand slam tournament will only make winning a major on your worst surface more difficult. Is it realistic to think that Federer can win the French Open without some help during the fortnight? In reality, no.     

Dark Horses

Grigor Dimitrov: The 2014 season has proven to be the coming out party for Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian made his first grand slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, and captured his first ATP 500 title in Acapulco. Dimitrov was a highly publicized junior player, where he earned the nickname “Baby Fed.” However, the success he achieved as a junior did not translate immediately to the pro tour. Now 23 years of age, Dimitrov, with the help of coach Roger Rasheed, is finally able to handle the physicality of the game. The Bulgarian has one of the most aesthetically pleasing games, which translates to every surface. Even though Dimitrov has not proven that he is able to take down one of the Big Four, look for the talented Bulgarian to make a splash at this year’s French Open. 

Tomas Berdych: At 28 years of age, Tomas Berdych is in the prime of his career. Possessing one of the most powerful games on the ATP Tour, the 6’5” Czech is capable of going deep at a slam. In fact, Berdych has made the semifinals of every major, highlighted by a runner-up finish at Wimbledon in 2010. A prevalent theme on the ATP Tour in 2014 is players making a breakthrough. Wawrinka made a huge breakthrough by winning the title in Australia; while Kei Nishikori, who I will discuss shortly, became the first Japanese male to crack the Top 10. Why can’t someone like Tomas Berdych join the breakthrough party? Based on the events that have transpired in 2014, there is a chance we may have to add Berdych’s name to this season’s breakthrough list. 

Kei Nishikori: The Japanese number one has achieved several firsts this season. Previously mentioned, he became the first Japanese male to crack the Top 10 in singles. In addition, he also made his first Masters Series final in Madrid, where he was up a set and a break on defending champion, Rafael Nadal. Unfortunately for Nishikori, he was forced to retire midway through the third-set because of a hip injury. Much of the Japanese’s success this season is due to a coaching change. At the beginning of 2014, Nishikori began working with Hall-of-Famer Michael Chang. The effects of Chang’s coaching were immediate. Nishikori began the year with a round of 16 showing at the Australian Open, and a semifinal result at the Sony Open in Miami. The world number ten would make even greater strides on the clay, winning the tournament in Barcelona and nearly winning the tournament in Madrid. If Nishikori can stay healthy, which is always a major concern, look for the highest ranked Japanese player in history to make it deep into the second week at Roland Garros.    

Early Upsets

John Isner: The 6’9” American’s 2014 season has contained mixed results. Following a title run in Auckland to begin the season, Isner was forced to retire in his opening match at the Australian Open. By virtue of another semifinal run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Isner secured his return to the top 10. Unfortunately, since the lanky American stepped on the clay in Houston, he has struggled to win matches. In 3 clay court tournaments, Isner has won a total of 2 matches. The tennis world is well aware of the American’s lack of success on the clay. Possessing the biggest one-two punch in the game with his serve and forehand, Isner is capable of winning on the red dirt. However, based on his current form, I don’t expect the American to make much of an impact at Roland Garros.

Tommy Robredo: At last year’s French Open, Tommy Robredo was the Cinderella story of the tournament. After an extended period away from the game, the Spaniard saw his ranking fall well outside the top 100 in the world. Prior to the tournament, few people had Robredo on their radar to make a deep run. The Spaniard would prove everybody wrong, making an inspiring run to the quarterfinals, where he would lose to his compatriot, David Ferrer. Unfortunately, Robredo has not been able to find the form that got him back into the top 20. Plagued with injury, the Spaniard has been unable to achieve consistent results this season. Although I am not expecting another deep run from Robredo, he has proven the tennis world wrong before. 

Tommy Haas: At 36-years-old, Tommy Haas still looks as fit as the day he turned pro. After countless surgeries, and extended periods away from the game, the German is back to playing at the level that got him to number two in the world. Haas nearly secured his spot back in the top 10 last year following a strong start to 2013. Unfortunately, Haas’ 2014 season has followed a similar trend to Robredo. Injuries have forced the German to retire from his opening match at the Australian Open, as well as the Masters Series Events in Miami and Rome. If the shoulder injury Haas sustained in Rome is serious, he may be unable to defend the quarterfinal points he accumulated from 2013.    

Who do you believe are the contenders at tomorrow’s French Open? Let me know in the comments section below.

In my next blog I will be breakdown the story-lines during the fortnight at the French Open.  

Enjoyed this post? Email it to a friend or share it on your social media page. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on tennis with you!