Surely Only Illness Can Deny Serena Now?
Locker Room
June 4, 2015
Once again, Serena Williams needed to come from behind. Once more she found the strength when the cause seemed beyond her. Timea Bacsinszky seemed to have such freedom of movement, to show such fearlessness in her stroke-play, that when she took the first set 6-4 and more than held her own in the early games […]
Rafael Nadal Loses At Roland Garros
Locker Room
June 3, 2015
For the first time in 40 matches and only the second time in ten years, Rafael Nadal lost a tennis match at Roland Garros. The superb Spaniard had won here for the last five years and yet he finally met his match in Novak Djokovic, the world number won who hasn’t lost now in 27 […]
Federer Falls To Whirlwind Wawrinka
Locker Room
June 2, 2015
The poetic power of Stan Wawrinka was too much for Roger Federer, whose best tennis seemed to be carried away on a forceful Parisian wind. ‘I’ve beaten a friend,’ said Wawrinka, a poignant remark given their relatively recent falling out. Federer, the world’s favourite player will now start looking forward to Wimbledon, his best chance […]
How Long Can Comeback Queen Serena Keep Doing This?
Locker Room
June 1, 2015
So she did it again. For the third successive match at Roland Garros, Serena Williams struck back from a set down to come through in three. IRREPRESSIBLE On this occasion, Sloane Stephens, her fellow African-American, was the victim of that irrepressible Williams will to win. Even though the younger woman had blitzed the first set […]
SHARAPOVA CRASHES OUT BUT RUTHLESS ROGER IS THROUGH
Locker Room
A moment of complacency can finish you at Roland Garros, just as surely as a bout of illness. So it was for Gael Monfils, who was 40-0 up in the first game when he resumed his match against Roger Federer at one set all. CASUAL Monfils decided to attempt a casual drop-shot to complete that […]
Robinsons, Slazenger and Other Wimbledon Partners
Locker Room
May 28, 2015
Here’s a fun exercise in brand-spotting: at Wimbledon 2015, see how many logos or advertisements you can spot. Aside from select products supplied by Wimbledon’s official suppliers you are unlikely to find any. Despite being one the world’s most popular events, Wimbledon takes a distinctly ‘less is more’ approach to advertising. It’s not by accident but […]
RAFA: “I’M PLAYING BETTER AND BETTER”…BUT BOUCHARD IS OUT…
Locker Room
May 26, 2015
Rafael Nadal insists he is moving in the right direction after he defeated Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening match of his Roland Garros title defence. Despite a rusty patch during the opening set, Nadal soon settled into a decent rhythm and saw off the 18-year-old wildcard entrant in one hour and forty-nine […]
Murray through, Lopez out…and is Sharapova ill?
Locker Room
May 25, 2015
Andy Murray sailed through his first round clash against Facundo Arguello, claiming the match 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 without having to show his very best tennis. Murray, one of the favourites for success in Paris, will be relieved that he didn’t have to expend too much energy, knowing what fearsome challenges may lie ahead further down […]
Federer through…but unhappy
Locker Room
May 24, 2015
Roger Federer cruised through his first-round match at Roland Garros with growing confidence – but showed rather less faith in the security arrangements at the French Open. Although the number two seed started somewhat shakily, he ended convincingly with some spectacular winners in an entertaining 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Colombia’s Alejandro Falla. BREACHED Then […]
RAFA V NOVAK IN ROLAND GARROS QUARTERS?
Locker Room
May 22, 2015
Rafa Nadal could face Novak Djokovic in the French Open quarter-finals…with Andy Murray potentially awaiting the winner in the semis! If Djokovic is to complete his Career Slam in Paris, he is probably going to have to do it the hard way. With Nadal seeded sixth and Murray third, Novak is faced with a momunemtal […]