Surviving "Paradise"

No surprises today in Paris, well at least not really.  I guess Maria Sharapova losing the first set 6 – 0 to Jankovic could be a bit surprising?  Result was as expected, Sharapova advances in three sets and will face Azarenka (who also advanced) in the semifinals.  Um…I am pulling for Azarenka.  Serena Williams will face S. Errani in the other women’s semi.

On the men’s side, (sigh…still sad about Federer’s lackluster performance yesterday against Tsonga), Rafael Nadal took care of the other Swiss, Stan Wawrinka, without breaking a sweat, 6 – 3, 6 – 3, 6 – 1.  I believe Wawrinka is now 0 – 10 against Nadal.  Djokovic defeated Tommy Haas (35 years old!), 6 – 3, 7 – 6, 7 – 5.  A little bit more of a battle, but still the expected result.  So, we now await the semi between Nadal and Djokovic.  Excuse me for not being one of those sitting and waiting with baited breath.  It will be the same old slug fest that always takes place between these two.  I agree with John McEnroe, if what we have to look forward to is Murray, Djokovic and Nadal slugging it out in these incredibly long rallies, seeing who can hit the ball the hardest and extend the rally…boring!  We need different styles of play, serve and volley players like Raonic and Isner to mix things ups a bit.  Unfortunately, these guys just are not quite good enough to take out the top three (four, as I of course still include Mr. Federer as one of the group).  Even having Federer in the discussion makes for a more interesting match as Federer is more style and substance when he is on his game, looking to end points early, sort of ballet on the courts as opposed to a boxing match on the tennis courts.  Oh well…this is what we have  right now for the semifinals at this year’s French Open.  In the other match, the always entertaining J. Tsonga (now here is a guy who is capable of making things interesting!) will take on the other Spaniard, David Ferrer, the hardest working guy on the court besides Nadal.  Predictions????  I don’t know,  Serena vs. Sharapova perhaps, although I am pulling for Azarenka.  On the men’s side, anything could happen.  Stay tuned…action continues tomorrow and Friday!

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Well, it has taken me awhile to digest this and be able to write about it.  It was just sad and painful to watch.  As a longtime Fed fan, it was brutal!  Roger Federer was beaten by J. Tsonga today in the quarterfinals of the French Open, 7 – 5, 6 – 3, 6- 3.  Straight sets, over, out and done.  Fed should have and could have won the first set, breaking Tsonga in the first and up a break and serving, only to find himself broken right back and then never ever looking like he was mentally or physically really in the match.  He had his few magnificent moments, but they were too few and far between.  Tsonga just took the match and never looked back.  On one shot, he hit Roger with the ball, going right at him, it was the right play, but Fed made no attempt at the ball while up at the net after hitting an approach shot.  Too many missed overheads by Fed, something you just are not used to seeing, regardless of who you pull for.  So, 36 straight Grand Slam quarters but he is out of the French Open and will now turn his attention to the grass courts in Halle, Germany in preparation for Wimbledon (still his best shot at winning another major to add to his record 17).  Meanwhile, Tsonga will move onto the semifinals on Friday to face David Ferrer, winner over Robredo in straight sets, 6 – 2, 6- 1, 6- 1.  After several tough five set come from behind victories at this year’s French Open, Robredo just ran out of gas and into the energizer bunny that is David Ferrer.

Tsonga is looking to become the first Frenchman to win this event since Yannick Noah won in 1983.  Still have to expect that the winner of the Nadal-Djokovic semifinal (provided both get through their quarterfinal matches tomorrow) will be the favorite.

On the women’s side, Serena William was tested, needing three sets to defeat the resurgent Kuznetsova, prevailing 6 – 1, 3 – 6, 6 – 3.  Serena has looked invincible until today, so it will be interesting to see how she fares when she faces Sara Errani in the semifinals.  Errani defeated A. Radwanska in two sets.

Still not happy after watching a very bad day at the office for Mr. Federer.

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