RG: The draw
Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
The draw for Roland Garros is up! Federer is in Djokovic’s half while Murray is in Rafa’s. Here’s the html version of the draw (the link to the pdf one isn’t working for me). Rafa will face Bolelli in his first match.
Seeds in Rafa’s quarter: Mayer, Raonic, Monaco, Almagro, Kohlschreiber, Benneteau, and Tipsaravic.
Seeds in Murray’s quarter: Ferrer, Youzhny, Granollers, Dolgopolov, Gasquet, and Tomic.
Seeds in Federer’s quarter are: Roddick, Stepanek, F. Lopez, Del Potro, Cilic, Anderson, and Berdych.
Seeds in Djokovic’s quarter are: Melzer, Seppi, Verdasco, Simon, Wawrinka, Troicki, and Tsonga.
Vamos, Rafa!
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Some early predictions:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/tennis/2012/05/24/french_open_mens_preview.SportsIllustrated/index.html
Espn one-sided predictions makes me nervous. A win for Rafa is not a given. I still see Djokovic as very dangerous and super motivated as he will make tennis history if he wins the French Open. But I am glad Rafa has beat him in two finals, redressing the balance over the last year– where I truly thought he feared Djokovic and his game did not match well against the Djoker, Nadal lacking the variety and artillery of a Federer or even Murray.There are aspects of Rafas’s game where he has not improved enough or has used less than effective strategies against Nole. Why does he have to stand so far back to return even a second serve on clay all of the time? By contrast, I watched Venus Williams on Sunday, and saw how she stood inside the baseline to return and whacked a few winners, intimidating her opponent.
To temper some of the forecast from well known experts, here’s a link to “Bleacher report” that tries to be contrary and suggests that Rafa will not win another slam in 2012.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1199624-three-reasons-why-rafael-nadal-wont-win-a-grand-slam-in-2012
I get the first comment yeaa, okay the only person Im worried about is ranoic especially if court plays fast and they use the same balls they did last year which helped the big servers alot. but at the same tie i dont see ranoic take rafa in three sets, i also think rafa will ferrer in the semis instead of murray. i think djokovic got the easiest draw beside tsonga i dont see anyone else that can take a set from him. federer got a tough one hes got delpo and berdych. i think federer and nole will meet in the semis and rafa and ferrer in the second semis. vammmoooss Rafa!
Roger’s quarter seems most trickiest one.
Dono why nole got all the qualifiers around him.
Better than last year’s first round opponent – BIG JOHN ISNER – who will ever forget that fight. I remember an article just after that match – ‘And that is the reason why Rafa Nadal is going to win his 6th RG title’. And indeed he did after that struggle :)
An easy draw is not necessarily good. Just look at Rafa. The harder the draw, the better he plays. He will prevail.
He just will.
yes. I agree, completely.
Right now he is only in the 1st round, one match at a time, no one match is gonna be easy in a grand slam and we will see what happens! Nest ce pas Rafa?
Vamos y Buena Suerte!
Why does Ferrer always have to be in Rafa’s half? I expect Ferrer to make it to the semis, where Rafa will have to go through him, yet again (if he makes it to the semis himself), to get to the final. Ferrer matches are always sensitive for Rafa, and meeting him for the 3rd time in a few weeks will only make things worse. I’d still pick Rafa, of course, but I expect it to be tough.
Speaking of tough, Monaco and Raonic are possible threats in Rafa’s quarter, in that order, but I think the threat they pose is tiring Rafa out in tough matches rather than beat him outright. Given that Djoko’s draw is by far the easiest and that he’s probably going to make it to the final without too much fuss (Federer’s draw is full of land mines), a tired Rafa may not be able to cut it if he meets (a probably better rested) Djoko in the final.
We’ll see how things pan out, but I’m still optimistic Rafa will get his 7th RG, fingers and toes crossed!
Let’s not forget what Rafa did to Juan Monaco in the Davis Cup Final last year.
I, too, worry about the grind of Rafa’s draw, but only Novak has what looks like a less-than-taxing series. I expect Monaco, not Raonic, to meet with Rafa.
I’m not usually superstitious, but the blatant assumption by everyone that Rafa already has the Coup makes me nervous. However, he’s the least likely of the Big Four to let it go to his head.
Please, please don’t make us go through another Ferrer-Nadal match, O tennis PTB.
Agreed..I’m NERViosss also..the media should just SHUT IT and not mention anymore about the 7th French, records, etc…nerve wrecking..
It is a historic French open if both Rafa and Nole go at it at the finals. I have a very good feeling not only that Rafa will get to the finals, but that he will win it, if he is healthy.
He’s got the eye of the tiger…all over again.
I am assuming that these are the experts’ picks for this year’s FO:
http://espn.go.com/sports/tennis/picks
WOw! thanks for sharing this screenshot , dk..but it makes me even more nervous , that most analysts pick RAFA..call me superstitious..but i just don’t want anything to jinx Rafa..
yes thank you DK for sharing that list.
It is great to see all but 1 of the experts backing Rafa, even Federer is backing Rafa. If Rafa can improve on last years french open performance he can win this without too much trouble. I see Raonic, Isner and Ferrer taking him to maybe 4 sets or 3 tough sets. I don’t see Murray doing that much but he does perform better at the grandslams. I see Djoko or Federer meeting him in the final and Rafa beating one of them in 4 sets. But what do i know, i just have to watch and enjoy and cheer for my favourite The king of clay.
It would be fantastic (personally) to see an epic 4 or 5 set final with Rafa vs djoko or Federer.
Do you have such hopes for Isner this year? He has really been sloppy since his great wins earlier, I’ve been disappointed in him. But, WDIK?
I’ll tell you this: I’d far rather see neither Novak nor Roger in the final. I don’t want to see them getting any extra points, esp. Novak. I would not be surprised to see Tsonga, or Berdych, or even Delpo get to the final, particularly if any of them overcomes his “fail” demon.
@Melissa, I haven’t paid that much attention to Isner’s results but he could cause a little trouble with his big serve. I see what you mean about Djoko or Federer gaining points if they reach the final but i don’t see anyone stopping them.
One day at a time, one match at a time. But always with colm. And ice cream, to settle the tummy.
Nice one Rana
Federer is easy pickings for Rafa, so I hope they get to play, which means Federer will probably have taken care of Djokovic. I am worried that Rafa has been playing too much lately and is too tired. Also his remarks seem a little jaded, so unlike him. For me, he will always be the Spanish God of tennis, and I will be watching and hoping he has rejuvenated himself, all fresh and eager for is it the 8th RG win? Or the 7th? Whatever, he deserves it more than any other player. He works and trains so hard. Those muscles–mmmmmm, delicious. Sandy A.
You probably shouldn’t worry about Rafa playing too many matches. Rafa played even more pre-French Open clay-court matches last year, and still won French Open. Also, ironically, the injury-related break Rafa took after Miami may have been good for him, because it meant he got a 2-week rest between Miami and Monte-Carlo (he didn’t even practice in those 2 weeks).
And what do you mean Rafa’s remarks are jaded? Rafa said he’s happy about how he’s playing.
What do you all think?
I think that with Fed and Novak both putting pressure on Nadal by saying that he is the favourite, Nadal is trying deflect this by saying that he is happy winning 6 RG titles and going for the 7th does not add any extra pressure.
Well,Rafa’s had a disappointing time with the French press, some Spanish press, and his pal Federer these past few months, not to mention Madrid and the unkind things some other tennistas and commentators have said. Were I paranoid, I would advise Uncle Toni to guard Rafa’s food and water — the attacks almost appear coordinated and timed. But, as I say, I am not paranoid enough to give that credence.
However, the persistent scurrilous attacks by certain French entities alleging doping have upset Rafa (who wouldn’t be upset?), who is justly proud of his remarkable physical conditioning achieved through years of very hard, disciplined work. And the (apparently unfounded) accusations that he hasn’t paid all the taxes due on some of his business interests in the Spanish Basque(?) region have also taken his time and attention away from his true calling. He already had an oppressive burden of commitments (Alma Madrid, his foundation, his agreements to play at other charitable exhibitions, sponsors’ projects, photo shoots, etc.) outside the tournament schedule. Then there’s the players’ council and his laudable but unsuccessful efforts to achieve needed reforms in tennis, and the very public criticisms of and jeers at those efforts. It’s good for him that he quit the council, but it’s bad for the future of tennis.
And no matter how often he says he loses because the other guy has played better, the media still report him as offering excuses. (For example, count how many journalists reported that he blamed the blue clay for his loss.) He’s made noises about freeing himself from certain family … “processes,” shall we all them? … and setting his own course for a couple of years now. I personally think that was one of the reasons for his autobiography, wherein he did finally express himself forcefully about strains with Tio Toni.
In the face of all that, along with the challenge of re-loading his career, he has begun to sound somewhat … testy. I thought he was very grumpy at Indian Wells–I don’t blame him but was surprised that he showed it. He refused the opportunity to jest about the Madrid fiasco, which he certainly took personally, and is estranged from one of his best friends as a result.
Yet he has shown a remarkable ability to compartmentalize anxieties and distractions when confronted with a great tennis challenge. I think the recent decisive wins have reinforced that ability. I certainly hope so. But I suspect he, like all of us, misses the optimistic, carefree times of youth.
I wish him joy and and pleasure to leaven the demands of fortitude and dedication.
I don’t think Rafa is estranged from Moya…
His remarks are not jaded, i don’t think. They are filled with humble confidence. He is very candid. When he is worried about his play, he is worried and he comes right out and says it. He has not said, I am going to take it all, he has not even said he wants to break records. He behaves like a prince on the court. Does not break rackets,etc, etc, etc…
He has been so open about his concerns that his openness about his confidence is well received by the press, and certainly by us.
Does anyone know when Rafa’s first match will be played pleased?
I’ve read that Rafa’s first match will be on Tuesday.
Can’t wait for Rafa’s first match. He looks to be in such good shape both mentally and physically. No doubt in my mind he’ll be in the final, and who knows, maybe a Wimbly victory as well.
I am hoping that his mental state is somewhat like it was in 2010. If that is the case, we’ll see some great tennis at RG, Wimbledon and the Lympics.
Well thought out text, Melissa (your long one). Nice hearing from you. Sandy A.
Best of Luck Rafa!!! Win! Go Rafa Go!!!
Looking forward to RG but feeling nervous with all the hype about Rafa going for the 7th! I know he can do it but anything can happen in this sport …..
Be confident Rafa!!! Focus on your Game!!! You can Do It!!! Go Rafa Go!!!
I know i’ve asked before but what websites can you watch different matches live on the internet for free (safe websites) please.
ITV in the UK are only showing one match and i know last year the BBC tv did not show that many Rafa matches, if Andy Murray is playing at the same time as Rafa the BBC will show Murray’s match.
Good luck Rafa !