Tiebreak Tennis: 2010 French Open Quarterfinals

New Podcast episode is out! Check it out on the top of the blog, on the Podcast site HERE, or on iTunes by searching "Tiebreak Tennis."

Check it out as we recap the first week of Roland Garros, and discuss all 8 of the Quarterfinal matches.

Check out LIVE coverage of the 2010 French Open on Tiebreak's Twitter.

Thanks and see you soon.

TT

French Open Rd of 16

It's time for the Rd of 16 at the 2010 French Open.

Henin/Sharapova will finish tomorrow after they were stopped at one set all today. Once there is a winner in that one, the Rd of 16's will be complete.

This is always the gritty part of a Slam. For the most part, everyone who couldn't make a real dent in the tournament is out.

To try and sort through the matches, and pick out which ones to pay close attention to...here are a few predictions.

The Men

The Lock- Rafa is always a good lock on clay. He goes up against Belucci from Brazil. Belucci is sort of a mini-Nadal with big lefty strokes. He just doesn't have enough game to take him out, but I look for him to be a threat in a few years.

The Upset- My upset pick is Almagro (19) over Verdasco (7). It's the perfect equation for an upset. Take a tired, overplayed Verdasco coming off a 5 set marathon win and mix it with a talented, dangerous, relatively fresh shot-maker with a lot of heart= an upset.

The Dud- Cilic/Soderling on paper is a blockbuster. However, I think Cilic is feeling his last match against Mayer that went 5, and Soderling is playing awesome. I think Sod is going to take care of him without many problems. I hope I'm wrong because on paper, this match could be amazing.

Closer than you think- Fed/Wawrinka. I'm not quite brave enough to make this my upset pick, but I certainly think Stan Wawrinka is going to give Fed trouble. He has beaten him once already on the dirt and usually plays well against him. I also think Fed feels some pressure against him because he is his countryman and good friend. Keep a close eye on this one.

The Women

The Lock- Dementieva/Scheepers. Admittedly, I have never seen Scheepers hit a ball...and couldn't pick her out of a lineup. I really like the way Dementieva is quietly moving through the draw and look for her to win this one easy.

The Upset- Hantuchova over Jankovic. In the battle of could-be mental cases, I think Hantuchova takes out the 4 seed.

The Dud- Venus/Petrova. I think Venus is going to roll through Nadia. Perhaps it's purely a hunch, but I think Venus is playing at an extremely high level right now.

Closer than you think- Peer/Serena. Serena seems to be under the weather and was really tested in her last match. Peer has a lot of fight in her and is a very good clay courter. I look for this one to be tight.

These next few rounds should be very interesting. Stay tuned to Tiebreak's Blog, Twitter, and Podcast for much more info on the 2010 French Open.

New Podcast coming very soon.

Full coverage tomorrow on Tiebreak's Twitter.

TT

Four Horse Race...

Today was a busy day of catch-up at the French Open.

It featured just about everyone in the draw, men and women as the 2nd Slam of the year made up a rainy Day 5.

Watching just about everyone in the draw today, it seems like this tournament is a four horse race.

2 men and 2 women seem a level above everyone else in the competition.

MEN:

Rafa- Rafa has lost 2 sets on clay this entire season. He is assaulting people on the dirt as usual, looks fit, is playing more aggressive, and the scariest thing: I think he can play better. Honestly, the way he is playing right now who can beat him best of 5?
Roger- Fed seems to have left his mini-slump. He is moving beautifully on the clay and hitting the ball really well. He is so versatile on the clay, maybe even more than any year. He is using the drop shot more, hitting the backhand more solid, and seems to be serving a high percentage.

Women:

Serena- I don't care how she grades herself, the tournament is in her hands. She is the best player and it really comes down to how bad she wants this one.
Venus- She is playing the best clay court tennis of her life. Moving and sliding very well and playing a nice blend of patient and aggressive tennis. Backhand looks awesome too.

Now, of course, things can change. One bad set can change everything in tennis, and someone else can certainly step up (think Henin, Verdasco, Novak?).

But, if your asking me through 6 days at the French...Roger and Rafa will be battling it out for the trophy, and so will Venus and Serena. It's a four horse race.

Check out the blog, Twitter page, and Podcast for full coverage of the French Open.

A Wild Night...

Just before 10 PM Paris time, Gael Monfils and Fabio Fognini ended their epic...well just until tomorrow.

There are some moments in sport that you may never see again, and today I saw tennis in the dark.

Day 4 at Roland Garros was sprinkled with Federer, Venus, Cilic, Soderling, and Tsonga all winning easily. The real tennis didn't really start until late.

The most entertaining match of the women's side was defending champ Svetlana Kuznetsova, as she battled back from a set and 4 match points down VS Petkovic to win in 3. Svet looked down and out before she loosened up and took a tough match that will give her some major momentum.

The most entertaining match on the men's side, and the tournament so far hasn't even finished yet.

Tempers, a point penalty, chanting, umpires, tournament directors, darkness, match points saved, and cramping.

Those are just some words that describe what went on. Gael Monfils, 13 seed and fan favorite, took on the talented Fabio Fognini from Italy. After 2 uneventful sets that Monfils won comfortably, the real fun started.

Monfils began to take Fabio for granted and let him sneak out the 3rd set 7-5. Everyone then thought Monfils would win in 4 after he raced to a 4-1 lead. Fognini, hardly known for his heart, fought back to win 5 games in a row and take the match into a 5Th set.

Monfils went down an early break but fought to get it back. As night fell, it got nuts.

Isner/Chiudinelli got suspended with Isner down a set. Murray/Chela got suspended with Murray up a set in a drop-shot-fest.

Every court suspended play except Chatrier where Monfils and Fognini were locked at 4 all in the 5Th. The tournament director walked out onto the court to the crowd booing and had a long discussion with Monfils, Fabio, and the ump.

Apparently, Monfils wanted to continue (he has a habit of that, think VS Roddick last year) and Fabio and his camp wanted to finish tomorrow. For some reason, the director decided to let them play on, leading to a temper tantrum from Fognini for about 6 minutes. The delay then led to the ump hitting Fabio with a point penalty.

Personally, I thought the match should have been called at 4 all when every other court stopped play, but I'm certainly OK with the drama that followed.

Fabio fought off break points on his serve to hold for 5-4. This led the director to decide there was one more game to be played. ESPN2 did a great job of coverage as they showed what the court looked like without camera enhancement...it was pitch black. Pat McEnroe was great saying it was some of the best drama he's "never seen."

Monfils was serving to send the match to tomorrow and in the darkness fell down double match point at 15-40. He saved both, of course. Then came the next piece of drama...the cramps. Monfils began cramping in his leg and hobbling around. With all guts, he held serve leaving the crowd rabid, Fognini yelling at everyone he could see, and some pretty good tennis left for Day 5.

As Fabio left the court, he yelled in the direction of the umpire and tournament director.

Great drama and the true beginning to the French Open.

Day 5 will have Roddick, Rafa, Novak, Serena, and of course the completion of Monfils. Tune in to the Tennis Channel and ESPN2 for live coverage.

You can check out a recap of Day 4 and full coverage of the entire French Open on Tiebreak's Twitter HERE.

For all the scores from the day click HERE.

Tiebreak Tennis Podcast available on iTunes!

See you tomorrow,

TT

5 Things I learned from the French Open 1st Round...

As the 1st Round of the French finished, I found myself thinking that there are 5 things that everyone should have learned...

1- Getting much better.

The Tennis Channel and ESPN2's coverage of the French Open(and all the Slams) is getting much better. I think both stations have found a comfort zone and have a good cast of commentators. They are showing better matches, more live coverage, and more features.

2- Age is a number.

Kimiko Date-Krumm, a 39 year old, took out former #1 Dinara Safina. Even though I think it was a huge statement about Safina's awful attitude, lack of mental toughness, and the fact that she was a fraud at #1...I am still impressed by Date-Krumm. There aren't too many 39-year-old athletes that can play at the top of a sport.

3- Rafa #1

If Rafa wins the tournament and Fed loses before the Semifinals...Rafa is once again the World Number 1. Incredible considering Rafa's brutal injury struggles. The King of Clay definitely looks hungry to get that top spot back, and I think he will.

4- She Was Missed...

Justine Henin was missed at the French Open, and in tennis overall. She is a great personality and has one of the most beautiful games to watch. Women's tennis should thank Justine for giving us another player worth watching.

5- American Dirt.

America hasn't been exactly been tearing up the red clay, but they've been better. Isner, Roddick, Serena, Venus, Ginepri, and Fish are all big names that survived round 1.

Stay tuned for much more coverage of the 2010 French Open on Tiebreak Tennis...

Keep checking the Blog/Twitter/Podcast/ and Facebook for full coverage!

If you want all the scores from today, click HERE.

Subscribe to the Tiebreak Tennis Podcast on iTunes!

See you soon,

TT

Tiebreak Tennis: Anthony Renna

Day 2 of the French Open saw Fed and Serena breeze through.

Djokovic struggled a bit but moves on in 4 and Murray won a 4+ hour marathon against Gasquet.

Check out the blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Podcast tomorrow for full Day 3 coverage.

ALSO: Brand new Tiebreak Tennis Podcast episode. After that 4 hour battle between Murray and Gasquet, what better time to talk about fitness than now?

Podcast available, as always, on the top of the blog, the podcast site HERE, and on iTunes.

In the new episode I interview host of the Strength Coach Podcast, and owner of his own fitness studio, Anthony Renna.

Check it out and let me know!

For every score from Day 2 at the French Open...click HERE.

TT

Live Murray/Gasquet coverage

Check out Tiebreak's Twitter now for live coverage of Murray/Gasquet!

click HERE.

5 Things to look for...

Hi everyone...

With Day 1 in the books after another Sunday start (which I'm still struggling to get used to) I thought I'd mention 5 things I am going to be looking for this French Open.

1- Is this where it ends?

Is this finally when Fed's streak of Slam semifinals is going to end? No question clay is still his worst surface and there are a handful of guys in his section that could take him out. His form has been suspect for this clay court season. BUT. At the end of the day, it's hard to ever bet against him.

2- Somebody help US(A).

Is this going to be the year when an American man breaks through and makes a run? Roddick hasn't played much dirt ball this year but is always a tough out in the Majors. Isner and Querrey are giving us some hope, but can there big bodies handle best of 5 grinding clay court matches? I predict one American man reaches week 2.

3- The Deadly Quarter

The blockbuster women's 1st quarter of the draw features Henin, Serena, Sharapova, Peer, Bartoli, and Stosur. All eyes are on Serena and #22 seed Henin...something tells me if they meet up, that result will decide the French Open champ.

4- The Wounded

Will the injury bug continue to bite at Roland Garros? Even before a ball was struck this tournament lost huge names on both sides. Clijster, Davydenko, Del Potro...just to name a few all weren't fit to play. Hopefully that's the end of injury in Paris.

5- Still the King?

Rafa has returned to domination on the clay. That being said, Slams are a different animal and I'm anxious to see how Rafa looks in his first few matches. Hopefully he can get on and off the court as quick as he can. Efficiency is going to be the key for Rafa to get his crown back.

Coverage starts at 5 AM ET tomorrow for Day 2 of the French Open on the Tennis Channel so tune in!

Don't watch it alone, I'll do my best to live tweet scores and commentary for all of you working without a TV. click HERE for the twitter page.

E-mail any questions/comments to Tiebreak.Tennis@yahoo.com

See you tomorrow,
TT

Nick Bollettieri Interview

Continuing with the Tiebreak Tennis 2010 Roland Garros coverage...check out an all new Tiebreak Tennis Podcast.

In this episode listen as I spoke with Nick Bollettieri. He is the founder of the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and coach of 10 world number 1 players.

You can check out the interview on the top of the blog, or by going to the Podcast site HERE.

Make sure you subscribe to the Tiebreak Tennis Podcast on iTunes.

Much more to come...keep checking the blog, podcast, and twitter for full coverage of the 2010 French Open.

TT

Brad Gilbert Interview

Hi everyone!

Today I interviewed best selling author, former coach and player, and tennis analyst, Brad Gilbert.

In case you missed Brad and I previewing the 2010 French Open on WVOF 88.5 Fairfield...I posted the interview on The Tiebreak Tennis Podcast!

You can listen to the interview HERE....it's also available at the top of this page.

Don't forget to subscribe to the Tiebreak Tennis Podcast on iTunes!

Check the Podcast tomorrow for a special new episode where I interviewed the founder of the IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy and coach of 10 World Number 1s...Nick Bollettieri.

Check out all the shows and feel free to comment!

E-mail Tiebreak.Tennis@yahoo.com

TT

2010 Roland Garros Coverage

Get ready for the 2nd Slam of the year.

-Tiebreak Tennis will be there for every match!

-Check out the Twitter page for live scoring updates and commentary....

-Check out the blog for analysis of matches, results, and more.

-Check out Tiebreak Tennis on the radio Sundays at 6 PM ET on WVOF.org and 88.5 FM.

-Check out the Tiebreak Tennis Podcast available at the top of the blog and on iTunes!

All new Roland Garros preview show with very special interviews available tomorrow on the Tiebreak Tennis Podcast!

Tiebreak Tennis NCAA Specials

Tune in Friday May 14Th for 2 Tiebreak Tennis Specials!

When: 1:30 pm-2:45(ET) Tiebreak Tennis NCAA Pregame Special

Where to Listen: If you are in the Connecticut area tune your radio to 88.5 FM or access the show on live web cast available HERE on WVOF.org...click "Listen to FM Studio stream" on the right side of the page!

How to talk: Call in with your questions/comments to 203 254 4111

What's On? Tune in as Tiebreak discusses Roland Garros, Madrid, Del Potro, ATP, and WTA Tennis

Also, we'll preview the Men's and Women's NCAA D1 Championships and preview the Fairfield Stags 1st Round match against Stanford!

When: 5:00 PM(ET)- LIVE coverage of Fairfield VS Stanford(women's tennis)

Where to Listen: go to WVOF.org or click HERE and go to "Listen to Web Studio Steam" on the right side of the page.

How to talk: Call 203 254 4002

What's on?: Tune in for play by play, scores, and commentary on Fairfield/Stanford.

Check out this Press release from the Fairfield University athletic web site!

HERE