2013 French Open

[Sir David Gray]

With the football season finally finished, I need to recharge the batteries over the next couple of months before getting going again in August.

Until then the tennis will be the main attraction with the French Open and Wimbledon taking place over the next 6 weeks or so.

Up first is Roland Garros which started today and there's already been some great matches.

Earlier on Gilles Simon battled back from two sets down to defeat Lleyton Hewitt in five sets in the men's draw and in the women's draw, Venus Williams is fighting to stay in the tournament against Urszula Radwanska. It's one set all at the moment with both sets going to tiebreaks but it's not looking great for Williams at the moment as Radwanska has a double break in the decider at 4-0.

Little sister, Serena, had no such worries as she beat Anna Tatishvili 6-0 6-1.

[Sir David Gray]

Venus Williams went out last night after losing 6-4 in the third set against Urszula Radwanska.

Today Britain lost one of its three women as Laura Robson lost to Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-2. Only Heather Watson and Elena Baltacha remain now and there are obviously no British men in the draw following Murray's withdrawal last week.

Rafael Nadal had a slight scare against Daniel Brands. He lost the opening set 6-4 and the second set went to a tiebreak which he was 3-0 down in. However he recovered to win that tiebreak and never really looked back.

He eventually won 4-6 7-6 6-4 6-3 and will now play Martin Klizan in round two.

Interestingly, he could face Lukas Rosol, the man who beat him at last year's Wimbledon, in round three.

[Sir David Gray]

Fantastic match on right now between Tomas Berdych and Gael Monfils.

Monfils was two sets up but Berdych has come back to level the match at two sets all.

1-1 in the decider at the moment.

No tiebreaks in the final set so it could be on for some time.

[Sir David Gray]

Berdych is out after losing 7-5 in the final set to Gael Monfils.

Biggest upset so far in the tournament.

[PatHead]

What channels is it on this year Falkirk and how is the name change coming on? (Notice STV had some coverage?)

[Sir David Gray]

What channels is it on this year Falkirk and how is the name change coming on? (Notice STV had some coverage?)

It's being shown on STV/ITV, ITV4, Eurosport and Eurosport 2.

Still no further forward with the name change! I'm really not very creative!

[Sir David Gray]

And then it was one!

After just three days of play, Heather Watson is the sole remaining British player left in the singles draw of the French Open.

After Laura Robson's exit yesterday, Elena Baltacha followed her home today after a 6-3 6-0 hammering by Marina Erakovic.

Watson will try to avoid a clean sweep of British first round exits when she takes on Stephanie Voegele tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic won in straight sets although it was three hard fought sets against David Goffin. He eventually came through 7-6 6-4 7-5.

[Treadstone]

And then it was one!

After just three days of play, Heather Watson is the sole remaining British player left in the singles draw of the French Open.

After Laura Robson's exit yesterday, Elena Baltacha followed her home today after a 6-3 6-0 hammering by Marina Erakovic.

Watson will try to avoid a clean sweep of British first round exits when she takes on Stephanie Voegele tomorrow.

Novak Djokovic won in straight sets although it was three hard fought sets against David Goffin. He eventually came through 7-6 6-4 7-5.

Watching Watson right now Falkirk. Question : Who will have the better career Watson or Robson ?

[Sir David Gray]

Watching Watson right now Falkirk. Question : Who will have the better career Watson or Robson ?

Quite a difficult question at the moment.

Watson's a couple of years older than Robson so, in theory, she should be further on in her development. However I don't think there's too much between them.

Robson has to work on her serve. It's a real weakness for her just now and she makes far too many double faults. But one thing she may have in her favour is that she's left handed and it's always different playing against a left hander. She must work on improving her serve statistics but at 19 years old, she has plenty of time on her side.

Watson is only 21 so she is still very young as well. She has been out for a while with glandular fever which is certainly going to knock her back a lot so it's probably unfair to judge her on her French Open performance.

It depends on how you judge a good career. At the moment, I would be surprised if either of them ever won a major as I don't think they're quite good enough for that but I would say that Laura Robson has the slight edge at the moment but it's not by much.

[Treadstone]

Quite a difficult question at the moment.

Watson's a couple of years older than Robson so, in theory, she should be further on in her development. However I don't think there's too much between them.

Robson has to work on her serve. It's a real weakness for her just now and she makes far too many double faults. But one thing she may have in her favour is that she's left handed and it's always different playing against a left hander. She must work on improving her serve statistics but at 19 years old, she has plenty of time on her side.

Watson is only 21 so she is still very young as well. She has been out for a while with glandular fever which is certainly going to knock her back a lot so it's probably unfair to judge her on her French Open performance.

It depends on how you judge a good career. At the moment, I would be surprised if either of them ever won a major as I don't think they're quite good enough for that but I would say that Laura Robson has the slight edge at the moment but it's not by much.

Thanks.

Was just interested in your view. For me there is no comparison at the moment or probably indeed long term, I feel Robson is already a far better player and also has more potential. Think Watson will do well to get near the top 25. Robson could be a top 16 player if she can get that serve ironed out. Should really be doing better with it as its quite fluid and at times huge.

Watson is the better athlete but to be honest I don't see a lot else in her game. Robson has that massive forehand that can hit winners from almost anywhere on the court. Seems to have a better big game temperament as well. Thought Watsons display against Radwanska at Wimbledon last year in the third round was pretty rank whereas Robson has impressed against elite opponents.

[Sir David Gray]

Thanks.

Was just interested in your view. For me there is no comparison at the moment or probably indeed long term, I feel Robson is already a far better player and also has more potential. Think Watson will do well to get near the top 25. Robson could be a top 16 player if she can get that serve ironed out. Should really be doing better with it as its quite fluid and at times huge.

Watson is the better athlete but to be honest I don't see a lot else in her game. Robson has that massive forehand that can hit winners from almost anywhere on the court. Seems to have a better big game temperament as well. Thought Watsons display against Radwanska at Wimbledon last year in the third round was pretty rank whereas Robson has impressed against elite opponents.

Robson's run at the US Open last year was very impressive, taking out the likes of Li Na and Kim Clijsters (especially in her last ever professional match).

I would actually say that Watson has a better mentality at the moment to be honest and is a little less fragile than Robson but again I don't think there's much between them.

It would be interesting to see them play each other. They've only met once before, in 2011, which Robson won in 3 sets.

Still too early to be making any big predictions though.

[Sir David Gray]

Rafael Nadal drops the first set against Martin Klizan.

Big story brewing or just a blip?

[Sir David Gray]

Sounds like it was just a blip.

One set all as Rafa levels things up.

[Sir David Gray]

Rafa through in four.

4-6 6-3 6-3 6-3.

[lyonhibs]

John Isner in yet another mammoth 5 set game which he lost this time.

That man seems incapable of either winning or losing in a simple 3 sets.

[Treadstone]

John Isner in yet another mammoth 5 set game which he lost this time.

That man seems incapable of either winning or losing in a simple 3 sets.

Thank god the technology has moved the game on. Fifteen years ago a very limited player like Isner would have been a threat at grand slams especially Wimbledon.

After ITV4 went live to it at 5-5 Isner barely threatened the Haas serve and was looking for Haas to fold.

[lyonhibs]

Gilles Simon up 2 sets to 1 after losing the 1st

Would be quite a turnaround for Federer if this went to 5 sets as he went over on his ankle, though the fact that he has - thus far - been on the court for a grand total of 4 hours before this match all tournament might make him the favourite if it goes to a 5th.

[Treadstone]

Federer levels . Simon will be hard pushed to even make the decider competetive in my view.

[Sir David Gray]

Just in from work and watching this just now.

Quite shocked that Simon has taken Federer to five sets, regardless of what the outcome is.

Federer currently serving at 4-2 up.

[Sir David Gray]

What a game this has been.

Federer serving at 5-3.

It's gone from match point to break point and now to match point again!

[Sir David Gray]

Federer through in five, 6-3 in the decider.

He plays Tsonga in the quarter finals.

[Sir David Gray]

There has to be a mention for Tommy Robredo as well.

At 31 years old, he becomes the first player in almost 90 years to come back and win from two sets to love down in three consecutive Grand Slam matches.

He'll have his work cut out in the quarter finals though against David Ferrer. He's done well though as it's his best Grand Slam performance for four years.

[Treadstone]

Scheduling at Rolly G is quite bizarre. Lost quite a lot of play to rain yet Federer and Tsonga already in quarters. At Wimbledon 'Magic Monday' has all 32 players involved in the last 16 in action, I think it works quite well although the weather has to hold up the second week. Hope the schedule stands up unlike the US Open where the organisers seem determined to give one half of the draw an advantage.

Still sticking with Novak and can't see past Serena although impressed with Radwanska on Sunday after being quite ordinary before that her best match for a couple of months. Doesn't hit enough winners to trouble SW and MS though.

[JimBHibees]

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-case-against-tennis.html

Got to be said really like tennis however have grave concerns about some of the top players. For Nadal to come back from 8 months off and be absolutely back to his best has got to be questionable. Also Djokovic who went from a guy struggling to play 3 sets to be able to play full out for 5 sets quite easily is again questionable.

Saw an interview with Jimmy Connors on Sky last week and he said pretty much the same thing with regard to these 2 guys. Personally I think he was insinuating something a bit more sinister to be honest. The link I have put up was quite interesting to me however given the levels of testing is nowhere near other sports I think there is a credibility issue for some.

[Treadstone]

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-case-against-tennis.html

Got to be said really like tennis however have grave concerns about some of the top players. For Nadal to come back from 8 months off and be absolutely back to his best has got to be questionable. Also Djokovic who went from a guy struggling to play 3 sets to be able to play full out for 5 sets quite easily is again questionable.

Saw an interview with Jimmy Connors on Sky last week and he said pretty much the same thing with regard to these 2 guys. Personally I think he was insinuating something a bit more sinister to be honest. The link I have put up was quite interesting to me however given the levels of testing is nowhere near other sports I think there is a credibility issue for some.

Tennis has to get a bit tougher, but think the blogger behind this website is a nut or a cycling fan.

[Sir David Gray]

http://tennishasasteroidproblem.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-case-against-tennis.html

Got to be said really like tennis however have grave concerns about some of the top players. For Nadal to come back from 8 months off and be absolutely back to his best has got to be questionable. Also Djokovic who went from a guy struggling to play 3 sets to be able to play full out for 5 sets quite easily is again questionable.

Saw an interview with Jimmy Connors on Sky last week and he said pretty much the same thing with regard to these 2 guys. Personally I think he was insinuating something a bit more sinister to be honest. The link I have put up was quite interesting to me however given the levels of testing is nowhere near other sports I think there is a credibility issue for some.

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

Stunned, in fact.

[Sir David Gray]

Some match on just now between Richard Gasquet and Stanislas Wawrinka.

It's into a decider and it's 5-5.

[Sir David Gray]

Wawrinka wins 8-6 in the fifth set and comes back from two sets down.

[Sir David Gray]

The quarter final draw is complete now;

Novak Djokovic v Tommy Haas
Rafael Nadal v Stanislas Wawrinka
Tommy Robredo v David Ferrer
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga v Roger Federer

Can't see past the top four seeds getting to the semis.

It's a pity that Djokovic and Nadal are probably going to meet in the semis.

I'm going for a Djokovic v Federer final.

[JimBHibees]

Tennis has to get a bit tougher, but think the blogger behind this website is a nut or a cycling fan.

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.

[JimBHibees]

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]

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]

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]

Federer a set and a break down to Tsonga

Federer oot. Walloped.

[Sir David Gray]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

4th set tie-break!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

5th set decider, great stuff!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Djokovic breaks in the first game!

[Treadstone]

This is like Ali-Frazier with more pain.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Nadal breaks back! 4-4, game on!

[Treadstone]

What an error from Nole. Shouldn't even be arguing that one.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Djokovic serving to stay in the match! This is superb stuff!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Feeling sorry for FH!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Djokovic serving to stay in the match! This is superb stuff!

And again!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

6-6, nae tie-break, could be here for a while!

[Treadstone]

Feeling sorry for FH!

If this started after the other semi it would probably be a 9pm+ French time at least.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Rafa wins 3-2, good entertainment!

[Sir David Gray]

Feeling sorry for FH!

Recorded the whole match on ITV4 and managed to avoid the score!

Got in at 5pm tonight and I've sat in my room watching both semis from start to finish.

That Nadal-Djokovic match was simply outstanding. The amount of twists and turns in that match was unbelievable and it was five hours of fantastic entertainment.

The quality of the tennis was stunning and when played at that level, I think men's Grand Slam tennis is unrivalled by any other sport in terms of excitement and drama.

It's a shame that there's speculation about the integrity of both players and I would be really saddened if it was proven that there was something dodgy about them. It's an honour and a privilege to watch these two great athletes and I hope it continues for many years to come. I just wish that had been the final.

Just a pity that the second semi was a bit of an anti-climax. Tsonga just never turned up in that first set and it was always going to be an uphill struggle for him from there, especially against someone like Ferrer. I think the point Jim Courier made was spot on. I think Tsonga was expecting a big crowd to welcome him onto the court and when he walked on to such a small number of people, I think he was a bit surprised by that and I think that had something to do with him having such a flat opening to the match.

He played much better in the second set and really had to win that one. When he went two sets down, the game was up and the scoreline was in no doubt after that.

As for the final, I really can't see past Nadal. His record at Roland Garros is beyond belief, he's almost unbeatable on clay and his record against David Ferrer is also very impressive (19 wins from 23 matches) and his only defeat to Ferrer on clay came in 2004, when Nadal was just 18 years old!

It's also Ferrer's first ever appearance in a Grand Slam final and I think the occasion may just get to him.

I can't see any other outcome except a straight sets win for Nadal and if Ferrer can keep the score respectable in every set then I think he'll be doing well.

[Sir David Gray]

Serena Williams has won her 16th Grand Slam title with a routine 6-4 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova in the women's final which was only her second win at Roland Garros and her first there in 11 years.

There was also British success in the boys' doubles as Kyle Edmund and his partner took the title this afternoon.

[PatHead]

Serena Williams has won her 16th Grand Slam title with a routine 6-4 6-4 win over Maria Sharapova in the women's final which was only her second win at Roland Garros and her first there in 11 years.

There was also British success in the boys' doubles as Kyle Edmund and his partner took the title this afternoon.

Really can't be bothered with wimmins tennis due to the noise levels. Wish they would turn the court mikes off just leaving the commentators and crowd.

[Sir David Gray]

Really can't be bothered with wimmins tennis due to the noise levels. Wish they would turn the court mikes off just leaving the commentators and crowd.

I watched a couple of minutes of the Sharapova-Azarenka semi the other day and I had to turn it off.

It's not suitable for TV.

[JimBHibees]

Really can't be bothered with wimmins tennis due to the noise levels. Wish they would turn the court mikes off just leaving the commentators and crowd.

The grunting is a massive turn off and really needs to be sorted. A joke.

[Sir David Gray]

Men's final just starting now for anyone who's interested.

Just hope Ferrer makes a game of it.

[Sir David Gray]

Nadal breaks already.

2-1 in the first set.

[Sir David Gray]

Ferrer breaks straight back.

[Sir David Gray]

First set to Nadal, 6-3.

Looks like it's title number eight for Rafa.

[Sir David Gray]

Someone's just invaded the court with a flare.

Shocking stuff but thankfully the security men were quick to take him down.

[Sir David Gray]

Second set to Nadal, 6-2.

This has been a bit of a waste of time to be honest.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Someone's just invaded the court with a flare.

Shocking stuff but thankfully the security men were quick to take him down.

You sure it wasnae a smokebomb? ;-)

[Sir David Gray]

Game, set and match to Nadal.

6-3 6-2 6-3.

Never in doubt really.

Grand Slam number twelve and the first man ever to win a single Grand Slam on eight occasions.