French Open first round what we learnt
There are 256 players taking part in the French Open this year and realistically there are only four players who will be competing for the titles, or so we thought.
On the men’s side you have world No. 1 Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the four time champion at Roland Garros.
And on the ladies side you had world No. 1 Serena Williams and Justine Henin, the three time champion who’s just come back from retirement.
Whereas the men’s side of the draw looks destined for a Federer-Nadal final after the first round, the ladies championship doesn’t look as clear cut.
Even though both pre-tournament favourites are safely through to the second round neither exactly dominated their first round opponents, and although you can argue it’s only the first game there are some causes for concern. Serena is coming off a leg injury which has pretty much kept her out of action since she won the Australian Open in January. And Henin is coming back from retirement which has made her rusty, especially footwork wise.
After watching Henin’s straight sets victory over Tsventana Pironkova (6-4 6-3) it’s clear that the former world number one is still rusty, and yes she might have the talent to overcome lesser opponents but what’s going to happen when she has to face someone tougher? Against Pironkova Henin’s footwork wasn’t up to her high standards and isn’t what it used to be, whether it be due to rust or age catching up to her, it’s just not there.
Though Serena has issues hers are not so major. She hasn’t missed more than a year of competitive tennis and even if she’s struggling with her footwork, she has the raw power to smother her opponents and that still makes her favourite.
Federer and Nadal showed no such rust, both easing their way into the second round with straight set victories. It will take a brave person to bet against a final between the two.
Andy Murray showed us exactly why he was priced at 30/1 before the start of the tournament, struggling to beat Richard Gasquet in five sets. It was only when the Frenchman ran out of steam that Murray took control of the match. It’s clear Murray hasn’t got the game or mental strength at the moment to be considered a serious contender.
Fernando Verdasco on the other hand, is a possible threat to the top two in the men’s draw, after he eased through his first round game beating Igor Kunitsyn in straight sets. If he continues to play like that he should be able to go far.
Jelena Jankovic continued her recent impressive form beating Alicia Molik 6-0 6-4, signalling her intent of winning her maiden grand slam, the No.4 seed has a relatively easy draw to the semi-finals where she could meet defending champion Serena Williams.
Last year’s runner-up Dinara Safina continued her monumental slide in form, losing to 39-year-old Kimiko Date. Safina was up 4-1 in the third set and still managed to lose, and a place outside the top-20 looks likely.
Ana Ivanovic, however, is doing the opposite to Safina and is climbing the rankings. The 2008 champion could even pose a threat if everything goes right for her. She dropped just three games in her first match and looked at home on the clay, but this year might be too soon for her second French Open title.
Victoria Azarenka was comfortably beaten by Gisela Dulko, which begs the question what is wrong with Azarenka? Only time will tell.
Juan Carlos Ferrero is back in form and on clay that means he is now a threat to make it at least the quarter-finals. Beating Pablo Cuevas at the cost of eight games is a big indication that Ferrero could be an outside shot to win another French Open title.
And if you thought there was going to be a Frenchman winning at Roland Garros you would be wrong, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Gael Monfils, although they are through to the second round, struggled through their first round matches. Where you want to put your money for a home French Open champion is on the ladies draw. Aravane Rezai has been in great form of late and her first round match against Heidi El Tabakh was so easy that Rezai is looking like the player to beat. Serena beware.
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