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TENNIS: From clay to grass
Jun. 10th, 2008 07:48 pmI feel obliged to write about the French Open, because I created a tab for it. As the championship wore on, the matches put one over earlier, and BBCi was my friend. Both women and men's semi-finals were enlightening. I'd seen Safina came back against Dementieva, but Kuznetsova folded a lot too, so I thought that the winner of the all-Serbian semi would be likely winner of the Open. (And how apt was it that it was an all Russian affair on one side and all Serbian on the other?) With Ivanovic, the steps she'd taken as a player since the last French Open final made it likely she'd be better able to cope with the occasion and have a better game to win. Though I find her charming, I was rooting for Jankovic and Safina for much of their matches. As it turned out, the final had an element of Ivanovic needing to underline that she deserved to be world number one in the present circumstances of the women's game. I thought that Justine Henin was really courageous and gracious in being the one to give the trophy.
As for the men, by the time of the semi-final, Nadal had shown that he was supreme on clay this year, beating good clay-court players, and nearly completely drubbing Djokovic, who had to come up with his best game in the third setto keep his head up. Due warning was served for the final, or so it seems with hindsight, but on the day I don't think anyone expected the win to be so overwhelming, and all the focus seemed to be on when and then if Federer could get his game together, as if it was to be expected that Nadal would be excellent. Well, it was, but he really was excellent. I think it'll make for an interesting grass court season.
And now we have to adjust to the green after the orange clay. It's a small adjustment compared with the adjustment of players must make so quickly obviously. I'm glued to Eurosport and BBCi, usually providing the same match only with different commentators (shut up, Frew MacMillan). O would be if they showed the doubles. The football is annoying, however, I hope it won't mess with Wimbledon, otherwise my rage and vitriol won't be good for my blood pressure.
As for the men, by the time of the semi-final, Nadal had shown that he was supreme on clay this year, beating good clay-court players, and nearly completely drubbing Djokovic, who had to come up with his best game in the third setto keep his head up. Due warning was served for the final, or so it seems with hindsight, but on the day I don't think anyone expected the win to be so overwhelming, and all the focus seemed to be on when and then if Federer could get his game together, as if it was to be expected that Nadal would be excellent. Well, it was, but he really was excellent. I think it'll make for an interesting grass court season.
And now we have to adjust to the green after the orange clay. It's a small adjustment compared with the adjustment of players must make so quickly obviously. I'm glued to Eurosport and BBCi, usually providing the same match only with different commentators (shut up, Frew MacMillan). O would be if they showed the doubles. The football is annoying, however, I hope it won't mess with Wimbledon, otherwise my rage and vitriol won't be good for my blood pressure.
