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The picks at Roland Garros, Tuesday, June 6

June 5, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over Karolina Muchova
This was really surprising, that the Russian was mediocre this year, and all of a sudden, she started to be super aggressive. Her forehand is powerful, although she can miss it a lot, but her heavy backhand can be deep, close to the baseline. The reason why she has yet to win a Grand Slam because she isn’t very fast, when she is running, but at least she understands what she has to do. Two years ago at the French Open final, she looked great, but in the final, Barbora Krejčíková edged her in three very interesting sets, sending Muchova is a conundrum. She can look jacked up, and then she will disappear when it is close. In the doubles, she is fantastic, but in the singles, the Czech can suffer. At least at Roland Garros, she became super steady. However, Pavlyuchenkova will move around on the clay, and frustrate her. Pavlyuchenkova will win it in three wild sets

Aryna Sabalenka over Elina Svitolina
On Sunday, Sabalenka walked on the court and while she was upset, off the court, but when she was ready to play, then she was pretty intent. She did when she beat Sloane Stephens in a tough contest. Now though, she has to play even better, as Svitolina is on fire, hitting with some gigantic backhands. The former No. 3 Svitolina can be totally locked in, and her forehand is colossal. However, Sabalenka can also split her forehand and her backhand, and she can go for it, early. Her serve has improved recently, as last year, she threw in so many double faults. Sabalenka has really has matured this year, and she is also very thoughtful.

They both have gone deep at the Slams, so they probably won’t be to nervous. Without a doubt, it will be a very close contest, but this time, Sabalenka will beat her, with some amazing winners, in three hefty sets.

Novak Djokovic over Karen Khachanov
The Serbian Djokovic is gaining ground each day. He has rarely loved on clay, but over the years, he added some new shots. His backhand might be the best of all time, but his forehand is very good, but not insane. However, he can hit it some flat shots, and he can also spin it. He knows when he faces Khachanov, he can make sure to start in the rallies.

The Russian is a huge hitter, and he is really tall, but there are times when at the net, he can miss it. Khachanov had a very decent year, and overall, he has reached into the four Grand Slams in the semis and the quarters. Clearly, he is very good. However, Djokovic has beaten him all six times, so he will do it again, winning in four interesting sets.

Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
The young Spaniard has beaten Tsitsipas all four times, when he recently took him down in Barcelona. At the 2021 U.S. Open, he edged him 7-6 (5) in the third round. Then, it was clear that he was going to go close into the sky. As Tsitsipas said, “The clash we’ve all been waiting for. I think everyone was expecting it, weren’t they? It’s here. It’s game on. Carlos is someone that keeps the intensity high at all times. He’s someone that’s not going to give you gaps where his attention isn’t there. He’s very hyper. He’s very energetic and you can see that on the court.”

That was a true analysis. Tsitsipas has come close deep at the Slams, but he has not been able to do it. His one-handed backhand is stable, and his forehand can be solid. He is pretty decent at the net, and he can also return in the second serve. At Roland Garros, Alcaraz was totally controlled. Sure, he can miss a few shots, when he goes too early, but he just keeps moving forward. It is possible that the Greek Tsitsipas will finally beat Alcaraz, but to do that, he is going to change a few tactics. He will, but in the fifth set, Alcaraz once again will hit some incredible shots. He will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, karen khachanov, Karolina Muchova, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Sunday, June 4

June 3, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Sloane Stephens over Aryna Sabalenka
This could be wrong, because Sabalenka is playing darn good, but yesterday, the Belarusian was upset because her country’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. She decided not to go into the press conference. As she said: “I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis,” Sabalenka said. “For many months now, I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday, I did not feel safe in the press conference.”

That is likely true, and because of that, she must be pretty sad. When she gets on court , Sabalenka might be thinking about the situation, so then she won’t be able to be very calm, with her massive forehand and her backhand.

Stephens has heard it, so now she will totally be in control. She has had a difficult year, but once and a while, she can not just be patient, in the back, but she waits until she can smash it, down the line or crosscourt. Stephens is now saying that she loves playing at Roland Garros. This week, she has looked very good, with very few errors. This time, Stephens will dust down Sabalenka in the third set, putting together some tremendous shots.

Carlos Alcaraz over Lorenzo Musetti
This should be a terrific match, as Musetti won Hamburg in 2022, beating Alcaraz in three wonderful sets. However, at the USOpen, Alcaraz won it all. The Italian finally became much more real.

“The match in Hamburg gave me a lot of confidence… Of course, it’s a completely different position, different status but I think we will enjoy our match.” “I see (him as) a friend. He started a (new) way, a new generation,” Musetti said. We are trying to push him and to get closer.” The Spaniard added, “It’s a big challenge for me. I remember the match in Hamburg. It was really, really tough. He’s a really talented player. I know him very well. We played tournaments when we were kids… It’s going to be a really fun match.”

There will be some extremely rallies, with there backhands, flat or spin. They don’t chop it much, but with the forehand, they can push it very close on the backcourts. They are still working to improve there returns, especially with there second serve.

Alcaraz is on fire again, and while Musetti thinks he has to be more steady, he won’t be able to change a few important tactic in the fifth set. Alcaraz will win it with a few insane shots.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Sebastian Ofner
The Greek is quietly playing as he knows that in the second week, many of the fans will go to watch him. He has not had a fantastic year in 2023, as there were times when he would lose his head. But currently, he is more serene, just like he did at the Australian Open. In the final, he was there but then he went down. After that, he lost some odd matches, but in Paris, he decides that he was going to think hard, every second.

“I’ve produced some really good tennis when I’m at a psychological state of ‘nothing matters and I don’t care anymore’. And I just want to play it, I don’t care what the outcome will be,” he said. “I have broken back. I’ve suddenly found my rhythm back into the game. I guess there is lack of expectation, lack of thought… when you’re out there because you’re constantly analysis every decision.”

Ofner just played three hours and 50 minutes, and while he ran for hours, and he looked a little bit tired, but his backhand was so sober. However, the 27-year-old has yet to reach the top 100, ever. He will eventually, but he won’t be able to out-hit him. Once again, Tsitsipas will reach into the second week once again. He will win it in straight sets.

Elina Svitolina over Daria Kasatkina
The No. 9 has had a pretty decent year, as the Russian has improved with her forehand, as well as her first serve. She can be somewhat consistent, and on occasion she can chuck in some fun drop shots.

However, Kasatkina has played six times again Svitolina, and she lost every time. She is more oomph, as her forehand and her backhand are stronger. There are times when the former No. 3 would disappear, with some crazy shots, but the older you get, you can be much more proper. Without a doubt, Kasatkina will try to change something new, but even if she does, Svitolina will find her way again, and she will win it in two long sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Alexander Zverev over Frances Tiafoe
Correct: Coco Gauff over Mirra Andreeva
Correct: Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova over Kayla Day
~~Taylor Fritz over Francisco Cerundolo~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

19 out of 28, 67.8% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, Lorenzo Musetti, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, sloane stephens, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Friday, June 2

June 1, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Carlos Alcaraz over Denis Shapovalov
In his second time at Roland Garros, Rafa Nadal was so young, but he won the tournament, anyway. His forehand was phenomenal. The other Spaniard, Alcaraz, was yet to win it here, but he did grab it in his first major, at the 2022 U.S. Open. He was just so driven. Now, the super fast player has a really good shot to win it here now, but before he can snag it, he has to be more placid.

The Canadian Shapovalov has not been very good, this year, but at times, when he is much more effect, then he can put it on the corners. If he wants to out-last him, then he will have to really change it up, and return, better, too. As Nadal said, Alcaraz is already excellent, but he still has to add a few, intelligent, shots. He will, when Alcaraz will beat Shapovalov in four brittle sets.

Lorenzo Musetti over Cameron Norrie
The Italian is rising, with his confidence. Now he doe like to spin, but he can clap his forehand and his backhand. His first serve is somewhat decent, and he can throw it at the net. However, Musetti can hit some unpaired shots. If he wants to win the match, he has to settle down, as Norrie can play for so many hours. He can attack, or he can just sit there until his opponent will miss it. Norrie rarely gets tired, and he does blending it up all around. In the court, he will, but in the fifth set, Musetti will hit some terrific backhands and win it.

Karolina Muchova over Irina-Camelia Begu
She can play amazing when she is hitting so harsh, with her forehand and her backhand. Her serve isn’t great, but she is decent at the net, and she can scramble, too. The 26-year-old Czech said that right now, she wants to go much further.

“It’s the biggest tournament and I like to play them as well as — I don’t want to say I’m not focused on other tournaments, but the motivation is bigger at all the four slams,” Muchova said. ”I think that might be it. But anyway, anywhere I am, I’m trying to play the best against top seeds and trying to get back my ranking. I think I’m getting there step-by-step.”

More than that, but Begu really knows how to play different tactics. She can rush ahead, and she can bang her backhand, but her forehand isn’t great, which is why she has yet to win a major. But she is trying, even though decently, she tossed her racket. Oh well, most of the players, do. She is 31-year-old, and very respectable, on court, but she has yet to reach in the top 20. Maybe she will, someday. Believe it or not, they played each other at Madrid a few weeks ago, and Begu beat Muchova in two, tough, sets. This time, Muchova will turn it around. She will win it in three savage sets.

Anastasia Potapova over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
The Russian is pretty young, and she has moved up the changed, somewhat faces. Yes, over the past two months, she put up some fine shots, but also, against some of the top 10 players, she lost in the third sets, four times. Clearly, she has more spawn to do. On the court, she looks aggressive, but also, she isn’t mixing it around, enough.

Pavlyuchenkova is another player who has been for a long time. She has been very respectable, but not fantastic. She almost retired, due to an injury, and she could play for five months. “Now she is back, hoping that she can run without pain. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions because I was sad. I was close to crying, but also sad because I wasn’t sure what (comes)after,” she said. Potapova beat her one time, and it was pretty close. Without a doubt, Pavlyuchenkova will make a mammoth effort, but Potapova will pop her in two surprising sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Bianca Andreescu over Emma Navarro
Correct: Nicolas Jarry over Tommy Paul
Correct: Frances Tiafoe over Aslan Karatsev
~~Lauren Davis over Lesia Tsurenko~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

13 out of 20, 65% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Anastasia Potapova, Cameron Norrie, Carlos Alcaraz, denis Shapovalov, Irina-Camelia Begu, Karolina Muchova, Lorenzo Musetti, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros: Thursday, June 1

May 31, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Bianca Andreescu over Emma Navarro
Who would have known that Andreescu has already playing excellent again? Two month ago, she could barely walk, because she received a tear in her leg and it looked like that she would be off for months, but somehow, she fixed, it. She is almost 100 percent and two days ago, she flipped Victoria Azarenka in three sets. Her forehand is gigantic, as has her hard backhand. Over the past eight months, the American Navarro is rising fast. It took her a while to improve her forehand, and when she returns. She really like sports, overall, so she will charge into the net, on occasion. If she continues playing well, she could actually end the year in the top 30, but the is a big if. Andreescu may not win Roland Garros, but she definitely wants to go into the second week. Therefore, she will win it in two stagy sets.

Lauren Davis over Lesia Tsurenko
The American has been playing for so many years, all the time, week after week. She is 29- -years-old, and eventually she will age, but right now she just wants to play and finally reach into they second week at a Grand Slam. As she said, “Anything, please!”

Davis would really like to go for it, so while she is not that tall, she can hit the ball, harder, and really fusion it up. The Ukrainian Tsurenko can be very valid, and she can also hit it deep, in the singles and the doubles.The veteran can hit it pretty short, and her forehand is decent, but not fantastic. She certainly can play, but she can throw in some different shots in Paris? I would think, no, so Davis will where her down, and win it in three lengthy sets.

Frances Tiafoe over Aslan Karatsev
The Russian went bonkers in Madrid, when he qualified, and he stunned to beat Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16. He managed into the semis, and he looked terrific, but he lost, eventually. He has won three small titles, but that is good enough. He has a monstrous forehand, and his backhand can be solid, but he can also back off.

Tiafoe seems to be feeling pretty good, on the court, as he has lost some unmatched matches. The American can mash his forehand, as well as his backhand, too. The former US Open semifinals Tiafoe can be fierce, and he can also hit extreme shots, when he is returning with a second serve. He is a very nice person, off the court, but on court, he can be disturbed. This time, though, he will were Karatsev in five sizable sets.

Nicolas Jarry over Tommy Paul
The Chilean all of a sudden started to be more aggressive, and much more patient. In Geneva, he won it, upsetting Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev and Grigor Dimitrov on clay. That was a huge event, so he was totally sealed. He did win another two more, somewhat small, but this time, he had to beat the very good players. Apparently, he made some new tactics.

The American Paul had a solid year in 2022, and this year, he pulled off a good amount of wins, especially in the hard courts. He is a huge hitter, reached the semis at the Australian Open, and he also got into the final in Acapulco. He was getting better, each month, but after that he started to slip. Yes, the No. 17 will reflect on the court, and what he is really doing, but he also has to center more. Paul can make a astronomical effort, but Jarry is on fire and he will win it in four intense sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Jessica Pegula over Camila Giorgi
Correct: Andrey Rublev over Corentin Moutet
Correct: Novak Djokovic over Marton Fucsovics
~~Leylah Fernandez over Clara Tauson~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

10 out of 16, 62.5% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Bianca Andreescu, Emma Navarro, Frances Tiafoe, french open, lauren davis, Lesia Tsurenko, Matthew Cronin, Nicolas Jarry, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Tommy Paul

The picks at Roland Garros: Wednesday, May 31

May 30, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Jessica Pegula over Camila Giorgi
The hustling Italian Giorgi can slap the ball with her backhand, her flat strokes, and her spin. She is quick, she can angel, and she tries to hit it deep, here and there. However, she doesn’t smash the ball constantly, and Giorgi will throw some key errors. She hasn’t not won a Grand Slam, or ever she has never reached into the semis. This time she wants to try again, but there are a number of excellent players who can go deep at the majors.

Pegula is also trying, too. The No. 3 has had a very decent year, as she beat a number of very good players. However, she has gone deep a lot, but she has also lost in some key matches. She is very steady, and she can really hustle. In the doubles, her returns and at the net, she has improved a lot. However, she only has won just one title, so clearly the veteran wants to win a major, but she needs to do it pretty soon. Pegula is aware that she needs to be patient, until she breaks her down. The American, Pegula, will win in two extended sets.

Andrey Rublev over Corentin Moutet

Here at Roland Garros, the Frenchman Moutet played a very good season in 2022, winning a number of contests, on the hard courts, and in the clay, too. His backhand is somewhat solid, and he can mix it up, a lot. He still is trying to bash his forehand, and with his first serve, too.

The powerful Rublev plays a lot, during the events, and when he LOCKS it in, he can chuck a lot of winners. He has won 13 tittles, which is terrific, but the current No. 7 has yet to reach into the semis at all of the Grand Slams. Right now, he believes that when he is stable, then he can shatter the ball on the lines. Rublev will win it over Moutet in three routine sets.

Leylah Fernandez over Clara Tauson

The Dane Tauson is very young, but this year she is starting to beat a number of good players. She has a lot of work to do in the summer, but she has been practicing and playing almost everyday. She can be steady, and she can also swing pretty hard, with both sides.
In 2021, Fernandez reached the US Open, and she was totally locked in. But after that,while she can still be loyal, but on court, she can become confused. This year, she hasn’t beat anyone in the top 30. She won a few decent contests, but she has to re-set and add some new shots. Tauson is ready to win another match, and Fernandez will win it in three bizarre sets.

Novak Djokovic over Marton Fucsovics

The Hungarian is aging, but over the past few years, he has changed his tactics. His forehand is more powerful, and his backhand is deeper. However, how can he stun Djokovic? The Serbian has won 22 Grand Slams, and he has beaten everyone, with his phenomenal backhand, his return, and his terrific serves. When he is on, he will rarely miss it, but this year, he has cut some odd strokes. But he does want to win Roland Garros for the second time, so he will be charging hard. Djokovic will win it in three comfortable sets.

As he said, “I want to believe that I am ready. Grand Slams are my priority; they motivate me the most. The best possible news is that I don’t have any physical issues, knock on wood.”

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Gael Monfils over Sebastian Baez
Correct: Taylor Fritz over Michael Mmoh
~~Victoria Azarenka over Bianca Andreescu~~
~~Shelby Rogers over Petra Martic~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

7 out of 12, 58.3% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Andrey Rublev, french open, Jessica Pegula, Leylah Fernandez, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros; Tuesday, May 30

May 30, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Picks were written before matches started.

Victoria Azarenka over Bianca Andreescu
At what point will the two time champion Azarenka will make it back into the semis at a Grand Slam? The former No. 1 has two gigantic shots, with her forehand and her backhand. She is darn aggressive, and she can make an attempt to hit it on the lines. However, she has slowed down during the last couple years, and she still becomes injury, pretty frequently. It is difficult to see if Azarenka can be healthy, through out during the event. The same goes with the Canadian Andreescu, who was playing much better, but then she fell down, and she could not get up as her leg was almost busted. She had a full tear of two ligaments in her left ankle.

But Andreescu returned this month, so perhaps she will continue to become better. Four years ago, she beat so many terrific matches, winning at the 2019 U.S. Open. It looked like that she would continue to rise, but she did not and that was the last time she won another tournament. Is it possible that she can win a huge event, again? Maybe, but it is uncertain. This contest will be very close, but in the third set, Azarenka will hit some deep shots, and she will win it, with a big smile on her face.

Gael Monfils over Sebastian Baez
Years ago, the Frenchman reached into the semis at Roland Garros, with some heavy strokes. He is one of the fastest runner, ever, and he can go way beyond the courts, and bring it back. However, his forehand can be titanic, but his backhand is so-so. He is decent with the return , and at the net, too, but the reason why he has never won an ATP Masters 1000. However, at least he made it into the finals, three times. Maybe the 36-year-old can do it one more time? I doubt that, even though he is a super nice person, off court, but on court, he has been injured so many times. But as he said, “It will take time and I’m willing to be patient and persistent.”

This might be the last time next year at Roland Garros, but the most important is to stay for a few days, as long as Monfils can out-hit Baez. Last year, the Argentine put together some phenomenal shots, but this year, the 22-year-old has not won two many matches against the very good players. He can be steady, and he can nail his forehand, but his serve and his return has been marginal. He does know that on the main court in front of the fans that he will have to pound it for hours. Baez looks a little better now, but Monfils will be thrilled just to be on the court. He will, and Monfils will win it in five tough sets.

Shelby Rogers over Petra Martic
Yes, Martic can be very solid, and she can bash her backhand, but she is slowing down. The American Rogers is a massive player with her forehand, but at times. she misses a lot. However, on clay, she will beat Martic in three, sizable, sets.

Taylor Fritz over Michael Mmoh
The American men have known each other for a long time, but they have played only once, back in Memphis, indoors in February. That was seven years ago, so it is totally different. Mmoh had his best event of all time, upsetting Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open. He lost after that, but he was so thrilled. However he is ranked No. 123, so he still has more work to do. Fritz is still struggling on the clay, but he seems to feel that he can turn it around. Fritz will win it in three light sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Sloane Stephens over Karolina Pliskova
Correct: Elina Svitolina over Marina Treisan
~~Brandon Nakashima over Denis Shapovalov~~
~~Felix Auger-Aliassime over Fabio Fognini~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

5 out of 8, 62.5% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: french open, Gael Monfils, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Shelby Rogers, Taylor Fritz, victoria azarenka

The picks at Roland Garros: Monday, May 28

May 28, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Brandon Nakashima over Denis Shapovalov
The Canadian has looked decent this year, but he is certainly struggling a lot. Shapovalov has a lot of spin, and he can also attack early, but at times, he isn’t concentrating enough. The young American had a fine year in 2022, but over the past five months, he has been disappointed. He can be proper, and he does like to sit in near the baseline and swing it, at times, hard. However, his serve is mediocre , and his return is OK, but they aren’t harsh enough. Last week he did reach in the semis in Lyon, so perhaps his pride is rising.

Shapovalov is ranked No. 32 and last year he was a charmer, but this year he has done almost nothing. Maybe he is hurt, on the court, or perhaps he is thinking about whether he can add some new shots, or stable. Eventually, he will, but who knows when? This is a huge toss-up between the both of them, but at least Nakashima had a good week, so then he will win it in five brutish sets.

Felix Auger-Aliassime over Fabio Fognini
This should be a blast in Paris. The Italian Fognini has played so many clay courts matches, for many years, and he has won so fantastic matches. He has a lot of roll, and he can also chop it, here and there. He can return, and he can touch with the the drop, shots. But at the Slams, he has been OK, but he has yet to reach the semis. Maybe this week, he can coup so high.

But I doubt, that. The other Canadian Auger-Aliassime, had a tremendous year in 2022, beating a number of the very good players. He is a colossal
hitter, and he is fast when he is running. He can slap his forehand and his backhand, and he can crush it down the line. But this year he is another player who is really struggling. Even with that, though, Auger-Aliassime will start to twirl, and he will win the match, with some gigantic forehands.

Sloane Stephens over Karolina Pliskova
The American Stephens has had a tough year, but she plays constantly, and while she has lost some odd matches, there are times when she can lock it in. The former 2017 U.S Open champion was so steady, from the backcourt, and she could really mix it up with her solid backhand and her forehand.

She may never win another Grand Slam again, but if she wants to push herself one more time, then maybe she can do it.

The Czech Pliskova can look tremendous, beating anyone, with her massive first serve and her forehand. She came so close to winning the U.S. and Wimbledon, but in the third set she misses a few critical shots. However, when she is feeling good, she can put it together with so many winners. Stephens has beaten Pliskova four times, including at the 2021 French Open, and while she can check out, at time, she will do it again, in three, wild, sets. As she said: ‘I think now I’ve kind of picked up some momentum. The clay-court season is always nice. And being able to win matches and collect a lot of points is always good. So just been trying to keep the momentum going from here.”

Elina Svitolina over Marina Treisan
They have not played with each other before, but the Ukranian is on fire again, as she just won another event, 19 all together. Svitolina is such a competitor, and she can hit some phenomenal strokes. She just returned, as she had a child, so now it is different, when you run, but already, she is much more snug. The Italian Treisan said, “I’m living in a dream.” Well that is good, except a few days ago, she became injured. She can skid it side to side, but if you are not 100 percent, then against Svitolina, she won’t be able to bring her down. Svitolina will win it in two sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Sebastian Korda over Mackenzie McDonald
Correct: Camila Giorgi over Alize Cornet
Correct: Jessica Pegula over Danielle Collins
~~John Isner over Nuno Borges~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

3 out of 4, 75% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Brandon Nakashima, Elina Svitolina, Felix Auger-Aliassime, french open, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, sloane stephens

Roland Garros, Day 12: Novak Djokovic versus Rafa Nadal

June 11, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will face off on Friday night at Roland Garros. It is amazing that those two have clashed in 57 matches. If you really like to watch the great players, how about 58? Sit down and watch TV and you can stay there foreve
On court, they totally know each other – their strokes, their attitudes – and they can go for big shots when they see openings. There have been so many winners, hundreds of them. In their first match back in 2006, Nadal beat Djokovic, who retired in the Roland Garros quarters. The Spaniard eventually won the Slam for the second time in Paris, and while the Serbian began to win the majors, Nadal continued to beat him, six times at RG. But know this: Djokovic has taken down Nadal a lot,on the hardcourts. In a sense, they are even.

Djokovic has the overall edge 29-28, but in last year’s French final, Nadal smoked Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5. That was a blow out, but yesterday, the super consistent backhand Djokovic said that this week, he is feeling terrific. “I’m confident. I believe I can win, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. Let’s have a great battle,” he said.

There were other finals, and Djokovic could not find the solution. Back in 2013, the only time, Djokovic nearly upset Nadal in this tournament. The Serb was toe-to-toe, however, the Spaniard fought and fought and he finally won, 9-7 in the fifth. That is clearly one of their classic matches.

“l probably pick Rafa as the biggest rival I’ve ever had in my career. The anticipation for the match against him, any match, any surface, any occasion, is always different from any other,” Djokovic said. “His match had it all: falls, crowd, break. It was a lot of intensity. I just felt under tension the entire time. I felt like I missed some of the chances to end the match in the third set. I didn’t want to give him too much opportunities to dictate the match. That’s why it was just super, super stressful to constantly be under pressure on my service games because his service games were quite smooth with the big serve. Yeah, the reaction in the end was just me liberating that tension that was building up for the entire match.”

Nadal has a phenomenal forehand … Djokovic has a better very deep backhand … they are almost tied with the serves. But, with the second serves, the Serb hits it harder. Once again, they are tied with the returns, but Nadal is more comfortable at the net. No matter Nadal’s incredible success on clay, Essentially, they are even.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Novak Djokovic, rafa nadal, Rafael Nadal, roland garros, roland-garros

Roland Garros, Day 11: Tsitsipas & Zverev on pressure

June 10, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev have reached the semis at Roland Garros and both of them have said that right now they believe that they can finally win a Grand Slam.

In Paris, Tsitsipas had a terrific win, beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (3), 7-5. He was very patient, hitting the balls deep. When he has a chance, he went for the winners. He didn’t do that at every opportunity, but he knew he could pound it.
“I feel privileged that I’m in that position, and I feel obviously I’ve put in a lot of daily hard work has been a key element of me being here. But my ego tells me ‘I want more.’ ” Tsitsipas said.

Last year at the 2020 U.S. Open final, Zverev was close in the fifth set, but he could not find the finish line against Dominic Thiem. The German backed away from going for his shots while the Austrian was fearless and won. This time in the quarters in France, he easily won 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The 24-year-old Zverev has won some big titles, taking numerous ATP 1000s and ATP Finals. He has won on clay and on hardcourts. But, holding him back was getting angry at himself. Now, he is so much smarter.

“Obviously, the Grand Slams are the tournaments that we want to win the most,” Zverev said. “Before, maybe, the last few years, I was putting too much pressure on myself. Before Medvedev and Tsitsipas arrived, I was seen as this guy that was going to all of a sudden take over the tennis world. I was not very patient with myself, which I feel like now, maybe, I learned how to deal with the situation a little bit better.”

Tsitsipas is 22 years old and now knows he is more comfortable with his forehand and his returns. His backhand can be flat, or he can swing very hard. He really likes his progress.

“I’m playing good. That will show by itself,” he said. “I don’t think there’s a player that thinks they can’t win the tournament. I’m pretty sure that they all can play well. If someone could grant them the tournament, I don’t think that’s a thought. Of course, I’m playing well. I think if I can keep repeating the process, the everyday hustle that I put in, for sure there’s going to be a reward, why not?”

Why not, that is for sure.

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How about this? Usually at the Grand Slams, in the semis, there have been at least a couple women players who were in the top 10, or how about No. 15? Not now, this week. All four are in their first major semifinal.

Yes, all four players have looked excellent during the matches, but before that, none of them have won a huge tournament. So, on Thursday, it will be the No. 31 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova versus the No. 85 Tamara Zidansek; and then the No.17 Maria Sakkari against the No. 33 Barbora Krejcikova.

Going into Paris, many people, the journalists and the fans, would have thought that the top 10-ers would have reached into the semis, such as Iga Swiatek, Ash Barty, Naomi Osaka, Sofia Kenin, Serena Williams, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova and others. But they lost or withdrew [Osaka]. So, now it will be the new, new players.

Will they be calm, or super nervous? All of them — Pavlyuchenkova, Zidansek, Sakkari and Krejcikova — will be shaking early, but when they can attempt to go for it, and read it, then they can be competitive. Two of them who wins it will start thinking about the final at Roland Garros on Saturday. Maybe they won’t sleep, but take a nap, and dream before they start. A good dream.

Thursday update: Pavlyuchenkova advanced to the final when she took down Zidansek 7-5, 6-3.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Maria Sakkari, roland garros, roland-garros, Stafanos Tsitsipas, Tamara Zidansek

Roland Garros, Day 9: Federer and Serena are gone

June 7, 2021 by Matthew Cronin

On Sunday, two of the best players ever who have won so many titles, are out as Roger Federer withdrew and Serena Williams lost. They are good friends, but as I have written this so many times now, they are aging. When they hit 39 years old, they are much more mature, but have slowed down. They both know what to do, and they can see it, but trying to sprint, very fast, that is a tough ask.

Federer decided to end his Roland Garros after he beat Dominik Koepfer in four sets because it was a very long match. His body said it is time to go back home. He hasn’t played much over the past 17 months, because his legs were messed up. As Andy Murray said about Federer, another good friends, “I’d argue that it’s quite risky to play multiple 4hr matches in a row in your 2nd tournaments back in 18 months so to me it makes sense to be reactive based on how your body feels, length of matches.” True.

Let us see during Wimbledon. Hopefully, his body will be in better shape. He has to because he really wants to win London.

Serena is pushing, and she looks pretty decent, but in order to get much better, then maybe she can attack early, and get it done ASAP. She lost to Elena Rybakina 6-3 7-5 — a good player who is up and down — and Serena couldn’t hit the ball from the backcourt and fumbled with a lot of errors. So in England, she has to hit it deep and mix it up more.

If she practices a lot, and I think she will when she arrives in England, then she will have her last chance to win a major. Serena will have to be totally into it, and be really aggressive on the grass.

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Two of the very good players will face off on Tuesday with Daniil Medvedev versus Stefanos Tsitsipas. That will be a fantastic battle, with some huge swings. Seems like every predictor had Medvedev getting bounced in the first round. Now, he is into the second week.

Who knew that Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has finally reemerged? It had taken her for a decade. She is playing decent, but not wonderful. But, over the past few months ago, she woke up and smellrf the roses. Now she is much smarter on the court. Do it again. Prove it.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, daniil medvedev, Elena Rybakina, paris, Roger Federer, roland garros, roland-garros, Serena williams