2013 French Open

[JimBHibees]

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I would be very surprised if either Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic had taken any illegal substances.

Stunned, in fact.

Personally wouldnt be stunned in the slightest.

[Treadstone]

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You are maybe right about the blog however if you had listened to the Connors interview there was IMO a definite edge to what he was saying. When you look at some of the quotes on the site from well respected tennis people I think it is pie in the sky to suggest that tennis doesnt have these issues. When you look at the level of physicality in Djokovic and Nadal games to me it doesnt stack up that they are so much fitter and stronger than the other players especially when as Connors indicated Djokovic was struggling to play 3 sets less than a year before his unbelievable improvement.

To me Nadal is too strong also his game is wonderful but alot of it is based on outstaying the opponent especially on the most taxing surface clay. His recovery from being out for 8 months is again to me highly suspicious. I think there are valid questions to be asked especially when it was highlighted at the Australian open that tennis has much less blood testing than other sports.

Djokovic sends up red flags with the semi and final at the Aussie open in 2012. Testing has to be more stringent and more accurate, blood samples should be the norm for ALL dope tests. Nadal is paying the price for his game in the last few years. I expect his hard court schedule to be scaled down even from its flimsy current attendance.

[JimBHibees]

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Djokovic sends up red flags with the semi and final at the Aussie open in 2012. Testing has to be more stringent and more accurate, blood samples should be the norm for ALL dope tests. Nadal is paying the price for his game in the last few years. I expect his hard court schedule to be scaled down even from its flimsy current attendance.

Agree completely.

[jodjam]

Federer a set and a break down to Tsonga

[Treadstone]

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Federer a set and a break down to Tsonga

Federer oot. Walloped.

[Sir David Gray]

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Personally wouldnt be stunned in the slightest.

I just don't see the likes of Nadal or Djokovic, who are two of the most high profile sportsmen in the world at the moment, sacrificing all of that by taking dodgy substances.

If they have, I would be incredibly saddened as I look upon them as two of the greatest athletes in the world.

It would be horrible to think that they had actually achieved a lot of their success by cheating.

[Sir David Gray]

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Federer oot. Walloped.

Quite surprised by that scoreline.

Tsonga certainly has it in him to beat Federer. He did it a couple of years ago at Wimbledon in five sets but to actually go out and beat him in straight sets is very impressive.

It gives Tsonga a great chance now of reaching only his second Grand Slam final after his appearance in the 2008 Australian Open final. He'll now play David Ferrer in the last four who is looking to reach his first ever Grand Slam final.

However the eventual winner will surely come from the winner of the other semi final, which is undoubtedly going to be between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

[Treadstone]

After yesterdays 2 stunning Ladies QFs it was a bit disappointing today. Sharapova match was good without being engrossing and Nadal and Djokoviv outclassed their opponents. Looking forward to their semi and the two Ladies semis. Both could be classics and I expect Errani to put on a good show unless Serena turns the power on early.

[PatHead]

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Personally wouldnt be stunned in the slightest.

If Lance Armstrong could get away with it for years you never know, Tiger hid his secret life for long enough...............hope not though as I admire both these guys. BTW have always wondered about the Williams sisters as well.

[Sir David Gray]

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After yesterdays 2 stunning Ladies QFs it was a bit disappointing today. Sharapova match was good without being engrossing and Nadal and Djokoviv outclassed their opponents. Looking forward to their semi and the two Ladies semis. Both could be classics and I expect Errani to put on a good show unless Serena turns the power on early.

Fully expect Serena to be in the final. I can't see any way that Errani will beat her.

The Azarenka v Sharapova match will be a harder one to predict although I'm going to go for Azarenka.

I'm going for a Williams-Azarenka final.

For the men, I think it will be a Djokovic-Ferrer final with Djokovic winning in straight sets.

I really hope the Djokovic-Nadal semi on Friday is delayed until at least 5pm as that is when I come home from work. I'll be gutted if I miss that and it really should be the final.

[JimBHibees]

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I just don't see the likes of Nadal or Djokovic, who are two of the most high profile sportsmen in the world at the moment, sacrificing all of that by taking dodgy substances.

If they have, I would be incredibly saddened as I look upon them as two of the greatest athletes in the world.

It would be horrible to think that they had actually achieved a lot of their success by cheating.

The argument probably is that they are such high profile sportsmen because they have.

Personally think the evidence is pretty clearcut when legends in the game like Connors appear to be questioning their much superior physical capability. Djokovic never gets tired when previously he was one of the players who struggled with stamina. His improvement has been unbelievable IMO. Would you have predicted even when he won his first major that he would be the dominant force in the game that he is now.

Nadal's physical shape has changed enormously since when he first started playing, His stamina is also limitless when he is fit.

[JimBHibees]

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If Lance Armstrong could get away with it for years you never know, Tiger hid his secret life for long enough...............hope not though as I admire both these guys. BTW have always wondered about the Williams sisters as well.

Agree.

As regards doping in sport how bad was the decision by a Spanish judge to destroy the blood samples (I think it was) from sports people across many sports (football, athletics etc) who had dealings with the Doctor who was involved with Armstrong. Too much money and embarrassment connected with many of the people involved I would assume.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Feel sorry for the wee ball boy with the ginger hair in the first semi, the sun is not his friend, looks like he is about to explode!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

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After yesterdays 2 stunning Ladies QFs it was a bit disappointing today. Sharapova match was good without being engrossing and Nadal and Djokoviv outclassed their opponents. Looking forward to their semi and the two Ladies semis. Both could be classics and I expect Errani to put on a good show unless Serena turns the power on early.

Even though she lost I enjoyed watching Kirilenko yesterday! :-)

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Nadal flying here, can only see one winner at the moment. Djokovic serving at 3-5 to stay in the set.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Nadal takes the first set 6-4 and is a break up in the second, 3-2 with the serve.

[Treadstone]

Nadal has been magnificent.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Djokovic gets the break back.

[Treadstone]

Nole has big cajones.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Could be interesting, looks like a wee change of momentum, still got to fancy Nadal tho.

[Treadstone]

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Could be interesting, looks like a wee change of momentum, still got to fancy Nadal tho.

Fancied Djokovic before the match but the way Nadal is playing...

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Great effort, Djokovic breaks again!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Potential for a repeat of The Aussie Open, 1 set each.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Commentators think Djokovic has picked up an injury, that would be a great shame. Nadal breaks to go 2-0 up at the start of set 3, wrong decision by the umpire according to Hawkeye gives Nadal the break!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Another break for Rafa!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

This could be over very quickly now.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

3rd set to Rafa 6-1, game over!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Rafa gets the first break in set 4, now serving at 4-3

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Djokovic breaks back! 4-4

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Nadal serving for the match at 6-5