French Open: Roger makes history

Well, what is there to say? First of all, Roger has now won the career Grand Slam: Australia, Paris, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. He is the sixth man to accomplish that ( Andre Agassi, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, and Fred Perry). Federer and Pete Sampras (who you will notice is missing from the career grand slam list) stand alone in Grand Slam wins: Total - Sampras, 14-4/ Roger, 14-5. But Sampras never won at Roland Garros. So at some level Federer stands alone. The closest to Roger and Pete is Roy Emerson with 12-3. Without wanting to anger the tennis gods, it's less than (06-22) two weeks till Wimbledon and a possible 15th for Roger. He is scheduled to play a tournament in Halle, Ger. this coming week and probably Eastbourne, GB in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Go Roger!

Court Philippe Chatrier Men's Singles - Finals Robin Soderling SWE (23) 1 61 4   Roger Federer SUI (2) 6 77 6 Match Statistics Serve Statistics

(2) R. Federer defeats (23) R. Soderling - 6 - 1; 7 - 6; 6 - 4



Federer's Path to the Finals

First Round - Defeated Alberto Martin - 6 - 4; 6 - 3; 6 - 2

Second Round - Defeated Jose Acasuso - 7 - 6; 5 - 7; 7 - 6; 6 - 2

Third Round - Defeated (32) Paul-Henri Mathieu - 4 - 6; 6 - 1; 6 - 4; 6 - 4

Fourth Round - Defeated Tommy Haas - 6 - 7; 5 - 7; 6 - 4; 6 - 0; 6 - 2

Quarterfinals - Defeated (11) Gael Monfils - 7 - 6; 6 - 2; 6 - 4

Semifinals - Defeated (5) Juan Martin Del Potro - 3 - 6; 7 - 6; 2 - 6; 6 - 1; 6 - 4

French Open: Men's final set

Well the final contenders for the French Open final have been decided. Roger Federer v. Robin Soderling. If Roger wins, it will be the fourth grand slam, the missing one in his career. After coming back from 2 sets down in the quarters (actually 2 sets and 5-1 in the third) and from 2 sets to one in the semis, I think it's Roger's tournament. But we'll see. Sunday will tell the story. Go Roger.

But don't forget Safina v. Kuznetsova tommorow (Sat.).

Court Philippe Chatrier Men's Singles - Semifinals

Robin Soderling SWE (23)               6    7    5   4   6

Fernando Gonzalez CHI (12)           3    5   7    6   4

Match Statistics Serve Statistics

Court Philippe Chatrier Men's Singles - Semifinals

Juan Martin Del Potro ARG (5)       6   6   6   1   4

Roger Federer SUI (2)                       3   7   2   6   6

Match Statistics Serve StatisticsW

Court Philippe Chatrier Men's Singles - Semifinals

French Open: Semis are set

Well the semi-finals are set both for the men and women in Paris. A week ago no one would have predicted how it would be at this point. There are at least three men (Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray) who are surprisingly missing from the party. As I said yesterday, I still think that Roger is the man to beat. Even more so now that Murray is out. Although it should be noted that, as Ann put it, Soderling seems to still be in the bubble from his defeat of the clay king and Gonzalez and Del Potro are very good. But it's Roger's tournament to lose.

So here are the men's semis:

Robin Soderling SWE (23)
v
Fernando Gonzalez CHI (12)

Juan Martin Del Potro ARG (5)
v
Roger Federer SUI (2)

In some sense, the women's semis are as surprising as the mens. Dinara Safina (#1) is still on board and there was no one who's loss was as surprising as Nadal's. We rarely get a #20 and 30 in the semis. Just like among the men many familiar faces are missing: #s 2&3 the williams sisters (Venus and Serena), #4 Elena Dementieva, #5 Jelena Jankovic and #8 Ana Ivanovic. Oh and don't forget unseeded Maria Sharapova (who had a good tournament until yesterday when she met semi-finalist Domeninika Cibulkova). I predict an all-Russian final, with Safina coming out on top.

So here are the women's semis:

Dinara Safina RUS (1)
v
Dominika Cibulkova SVK (20)

Samantha Stosur AUS (30)
v
Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS (7)

Tennis: Madrid: Championship Sunday: (#2) Roger Federer v.(#1) Rafael Nadal

Madrid Open: Final: (#2) Roger Federer (SUI) v. (#1) Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Federer     6    6

Nadal        4     4

Ah, the irony, the King of Clay upended in of all places Madrid, virtually his hometown. 

Well Roger that's the way to head into Paris (which begins next Sunday, May 24).