Roland Garros Day 7: Serena Through But Gives Rivals Hope
Locker Room
May 28, 2016
Serena Williams found a way, as she usually does. But it took five match points and an awful lot of wasted break points earlier in the contest before she finally got it right. A marvellous tie-break, during which Kristina Mladenovic had a set point opportunity, ended 12-10 in Serena’s favour and she screeched with relief. […]
Nadal Pulls Out of Roland Garros With Wrist Injury
Locker Room
May 27, 2016
Rafael Nadal has pulled out of Roland Garros with a wrist injury – increasing the likelihood that Novak Djokovic could complete a Career Slam in Paris next week. Novak and Rafa both looked in good form and seemed on collision course for what promised to be an epic semi-final. One school of thought suggested […]
Nadal Achieves Special Landmark
Locker Room
May 26, 2016
Rafael Nadal reached an incredible 200 wins in Grand Slams with his impressive victory over Facundo Bagnis by 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 at Roland Garros. The superb Spaniard became only the eighth player in history to reach that special landmark. Now he needs just four more wins to arrive at another milestone – 800 career […]
Roland Garros Day 4: Radwanska And Halep March On
Locker Room
May 25, 2016
Agnieszka Radwanska looked impressive on the fourth evening of Roland Garros as she fought her way past a decent opponent in Caroline Garcia. The Polish star needed three match points but was never in too much trouble as the number two seed defeated the underdog, 6-2, 6-4. A delighted Radwanksa said: ‘It was a […]
Roland Garros Day 3: Murray Scrapes Through In Epic
Locker Room
May 24, 2016
What a relief for Andy Murray fans! Staring defeat in the face, he dug deep to keep his hopes of French Open glory alive. ‘I knew that potentially playing a fifth set, anything could happen. I fought extremely hard and now I get a chance to play tomorrow,’ he said with a tired sigh. […]
Roland Garros Day 2: Wawrinka and Muguruza Survive Big Scares
Locker Room
May 23, 2016
Sometimes you just have to tough it out and hope your best tennis comes later. That’s what happened to Stan Wawrinka and Garbine Muguruza on Day Two of Roland Garros. They flirted with the exit door. But it wasn’t time to leave. Defending champion Wawrinka looked distinctly vulnerable against the dangerous Czech, Lukas Rosol, […]
Roland Garros Day 1: Nishikori Must Wait, Kyrgios Erupts
Locker Room
May 22, 2016
Kei Nishikori’s opening match against Simone Bolelli was suspended before the Japanese star could finish the job. That made for a complicated start to the Asian hero’s Roland Garros campaign. Rain made for a tricky first day at the French Open. Nishikori seemed to sense that opportunities for continuous play might be few and far […]
Who Will Win Roland Garros This Year?
Locker Room
May 20, 2016
On the face of it, Roland Garros 2016 should be all about Novak Djokovic completing his Career Slam. But it isn’t that simple any more. For a start, the resurgent Rafael Nadal is in Novak’s half of the draw. So the Serb could face a bruising semi-final challenge from the former King of Clay […]
Federer Saving Himself For Wimbledon
Locker Room
Roger Federer has indicated that he is saving himself for Wimbledon by pulling out of Roland Garros. His decision to miss the French Open – the first Grand Slam this century that Federer hasn’t played – seems to say as much about his love for Wimbledon as anything else. GRASS COURT SEASON Federer explained the […]
Is It Time To Introduce An Asian Slam?
Locker Room
May 18, 2016
You know how we enjoy that tingle of anticipation in Europe just before Roland Garros and Wimbledon? It’s the same in New York a few weeks later, or indeed Melbourne when the year is still young. There’s nothing like a Grand Slam tournament for getting the juices flowing. We’re lucky, aren’t we? So why shouldn’t […]