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21 May 2010

It’s just you and me: French Open 2010 (Men’s draw preview)

King of clay Rafael Nadal is on a hot clay court streak and looks to be in the driver’s seat to reclaim the Roland Garros crown from his arch rival Roger Federer. Will they meet each other for the eighth Grand Slam final on the 6th June? 


128 men will be battling it out on the Parisian clay courts as the 2010 French Open starts this Sunday, 23rd May. And there will be a familiar outlook to the men’s drawsheet as only two names seems to matter when it comes to the winner’s circle; Swiss world number one and title owner, Roger Federer and world number two, Rafael Nadal.

Nadal’s injury woes started twelve months ago, when he made a shocking 4th round exit at the French Open at the hands of Robin Soderling. Federer, the second best clay court player in the world went on to win his first Roland Garros title (after four consecutive loses to Rafa) to complete his career slam.

Since Nadal’s return from his enforced break to nurse the tendonitis in his knees, we were worried that the greatest tennis rivalry has come to an abrupt end. Rafa’s form was questionable as he has not won a single tour title and he has failed to beat any top 10 player until this March’s Miami Masters.

Things started to look up for Rafa once the European clay court season started in April. The Spaniard reasserted himself as the player to beat as he became the first player ever to win all three ATP Masters titles (Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid) on clay in a year. Of significance, he beat Federer at the finals in Madrid.

As usual, Roger Federer shrugged off his Madrid Masters final defeat as irrelevant, as he feels that the claycourt season should be determined by one’s performance at the French Open. The world number one is confident of his form despite a dismal 6-3 record on clay so far, including a shocking 2nd round knockout at the Rome Masters by young gun, Ernests Gulbis.

"Rafa's and my clay court seasons are decided at the French Open, and not before," the 28-year-old Federer said.

"It's unfortunately - or fortunately - like that. If we win all the tournaments like Rafa now and then go out in the first round of the French, everything will be questioned."

While the 16-times Grand Slam winner might sound cocky (he is allowed to be), it will be an extremely tough ask for anyone to beat him in a best of five sets match. It will be a huge surprise if we do not witness a Federer-Nadal final yet again.

Sounds terribly boring, but there can be fun in a Federer-Nadal final. We are picturing a flustered Federer at the mercy of Nadal. But, we suspect there will be no water works this time around.

Well, there are dangerous in-form players such as David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco that are tipped to go deep into the tournament, but they don’t look like the potential winner to us.

Our list of unlikely winners would extent to world number three Novak Djokovic and world number four Andy Murray. Both have hit a bad patch of form, particularly Murray after his blow-out defeat at the finals of the Australia Open.

So again, the action and drama would be on the women’s side.

讀者回應

1. 2010-05-22 07:55  
Looks like Rafa will have to roll an ankle or have more of that knee tendonitis to give the others guys a chance.......but you just never know what Fed can bring. The guy has made the last 8 or so grand slam finals (i can't even be bothered checking the actual number!) so there you know he understands what's required to do it again.

Maybe Fed can go into a final with Nadal with a more carefree mindset? Having bagged a French last year he won't feel the same pressure as previous finals and that may give him the confidence to play attacking tennis (ie. up to the net, mix it up ala Rafter and Henman)

I'd give Verdasco a chance but can't see anyone else making any major upsets. What happened to Davydenko? Nalbandian? Shame those two aren't in the mix. Murray and Djokovic have lost their mojo too. Big disappointment that Del Potro is injured.....he was so close to winning the French last year.

Anyhow i'm looking for Marin Cilic, Ernests Gulbis and Baghdatis to do some damage.....but fully expect to see Roger V Rafa in an exciting final!

Go Roger!
2. 2010-05-23 19:26  
i wanna see roger repeat his glory, or if not, some young guys like murray or cilic or gulbis rise up to the challenge. but nadal looks pretty unstoppable at the moment.
3. 2010-05-24 09:38  
would love to see Rafa win in Roland Garros again... the guy is on a good run and doing what he does best! Vamos Rafa!

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