Wildcard "La Monf" a RG Sensation (Again)

As a native Parisian Gael Monfils has always enjoyed lots of crowd support at Roland Garros - he is affectionately known as "La Monf," but this year is extra-special as his ranking didn't qualify him for an automatic place in the draw of the clay-court Grand Slam.  His entry was through a wild-card granted to him by the French Tennis Federation.

In the first round Monfils upset fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych in five sets and in the second round he beat Ernests Gulbis in four.  This sets up another thrilling run for "La Monf" at Roland Garros, something tennis fans everywhere, not just in Paris, should be very thankful for.  He will face Tommy Robredo of Spain in the third round. 

Federer Looking Good And So Is His Draw

Devarrman offered little resistance in his second-round match against Roger Federer. 

Roger Federer Joins Twitter

Speculation was running high when the Twitter domain name @rogerfederer was snapped up last week but no tweets or pictures had been added.  Out suspicions were confirmed just before Roland Garros began when Federer posted his first-ever tweet.  Welcome to Twitter, Roger!

Djokovic Victorious, But Not Fully Fit

Novak Djokovic appeared stiff throughout, but recovered from losing the first set to defeat Juan Monaco 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

Having suffered a sprained ankle less than two weeks ago while representing Serbia in Davis Cup against USA, Djokovic's fitness for Monte-Carlo and the rest of the European clay season was left in doubt.  Those concerns were confirmed as Djokovic was obviously favoring the injury.  Djokovic's typically free-wheeling and creative game turned stiff and deliberate in order to protect his compromised right side. 

The question will be if his participation in Monte-Carlo, despite it being a clay court event, will cause the injury to linger into coming months.  He may regret playing on an ankle that had not fully healed given the arduous season ahead.  Regardless, winning when not at your best requires grit.  Djokovic displayed that today in spades. 

Fognini Silences Berdych 6-4, 6-2

Nadal defeats Kolschrieber 6-2, 6-4

Murray Dominated by Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2

Andy Murray was dominated by Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 at Monte Carlo. 

Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 2013

Poundtown Tennis returns for the 2013 season beginning with the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 1000. 

Federer Impressive So Far

 

Before the tournament started Bleacher Report made the mistake of criminally underestimating Roger Federer.  Their analysis of the draw was that Federer would have too much trouble dealing with the likes of nikolay Davydenko, Bernard Tomic and Milos Raonic early in the draw.  And that would leave him vulberable against Andy Murray in the semifinals, if he even got that far.  They were badly wrong. 

Federer is through to the quarterfinals without dropping a set to any of his first four opponents while also looking incredibly fit.  Tsonga next.  Bleacher Report should be more careful next time. 

Andy Murray def. Gilles Simon

Andy Murray did not play his best tennis against Gilles Simon.  But it was still enough for the number three seed to easily advance 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.  

Federer def. Milos Raonic

Roger Federer has yet to lose a set at the Australian Open heading into his quarterfinal match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

What initially looked like a tricky draw for Federer has turned out to be not more than a series of practice sessions for the tennis king.  Raonic, like Davydenko and Tomic, was no threat whatsoever. 

Federer def. Tomic

Roger Federer advanced in straight sets over Australian Bernard Tomic.  Before the tournament when he was asked about the prospect of the match-up with Federer, Tomic hinted that the match might not happen because Federer might not get that far.  Unfortunately for young Tomic, Federer did get that far.  And once the match was on the Swiss legend administered a swift lesson in tennis brilliance, as well as respect to the brash Australian.  After losing a competitive second set, Tomic rolled over and submitted the third. 

Djokovic v. Wawrinka: A Classic

Stan Wawrinka said it was the best he's ever played.  Over five hours and five sets he pushed the worlds number one-ranked player, Novak Djokovic, to the brink of defeat in Melbourne. 

Roger Federer Cruises

(2) Roger Federer (SUI) advanced easily over Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.  Federer wasn't at full stretch but remained dominant in his opening match at the Australian Open against the 47th-ranked Frenchman.

Paire was moody and undisciplined in the third set.

"I'm happy.  Great day to play tennis." Federer Said

NO WARM-UP Tournment:  "Few busy years.  Wanted to cool down a bit.  I hope it's the right decision."  Federer had his health in mind when he planned his off season before the Australian Open. 

Federer found his hitting zone and got through easily which is the most important thing for him in his attempt at a fifth title. 

Spainards Verdasco, Almagro Win Five Setters

Nico Almagro needed five sets.  Verdasco beat David Goffin in 5 big-hitting sets.  He'll play Xavier Malisse in the second round. 

(1)Djokovic Advances

Tournament favorite and world number one Novak Djokovic defeated Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-4, 7-5. 

Djokovic was accurate on serve.

Conditions Down Under Could Favor Federer

The matches haven't started and players are already commenting on the overwhelming heat in Melbourne.  Australia as a whole is experiencing a heat wave that has caused massive wildfires and evacuations.  Conditions on the court will be scorching.  If the the heat remains many matches will be won and lost by who deals with the sun better.  Djokovic is known to be sensitive to heat.  Andy Murray trains in Miami so he won't be as affected.  The big boys like Tsonga, Raonic and Tomic will have their fitness tested in the heat.

Roger Federer deals with heat better than anyone.  Extreme conditions usually work in his favor. 

Tough draw for Fed-Ex? Bleacher Report insults Federer

Bleacher Report has implied that the men's singles draw will chew Federer up and leave him with nothing left for possible semi-final and final matches with Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic.  The lead of the recent article states, "with age working against Roger Federer, a challenging draw will wear him down and leave him unable to challenge the other elite players in the 2013 Australian Open."

They go on to say that possible early opponents Benoit Paire, Nikolay Davydenko and Milos Raonic respresent significant obstacles to Federer achieving an 18th grand slam championship in Melbourne.  What's so scary about Tsonga in the QF's of a major? Bollocks. 

Here is why it's unsound:  The article makes the assumption that all of these guys will get far enough to even play a match against Fed, which is unlikely.  Draws open up, retirements happen, etc. 

The next argument, that Federer couldn't get out of the early rounds of grand slams unscratched last year isn't entirely incorrect.  But that wasn't because he had tough draws or was losing his advantage.  It was because he played very poorly early in tournaments and was battling injuries.   He couldn't make straight-sets work of early-round challengers because of a lower-back problem.  He was fending off match points against Benneteu and using his racquet as a crutch against Malisse at Wimbledon and he won that tournament. Federer is likely to be healthy and refreshed after the offseason. 

The draw is pretty much irrelevant for Federer.  Fed's level of play will determine his success.

Federer's 2012 season was a qualified success.  Meaning that by any human standards it was an outstanding year, but by the standard Federer has set for himself, it wasn't

Another passage that should draw ciritcism: "However, the fact that Federer's season drew accolades and he only walked away with one major is both telling and a testament to his greatness. He just couldn't keep his high level of play rolling through the rigors of a Grand Slam."

This shows us what the writer must not have been watching last season.  Because if he was he would know that Federer didn't attain a high-level of tennis until the later rounds of the grands slams.  He didn't have a problem "keeping his high level of play rolling" he had a problem with getting it rolling altogether.  

But the most egregious insult to Federer comes when the author writes, "Federer would play Murray in the semis and Djokovic in the finals. That is a daunting task at any time, but impossible for Fed after the tough road to get there."  (Emphasis my own.)  I give the edge to Federer in a semi against Murray.  Djokovic would be tough but he is the heavy favorite.

(Another point:  Any draw without Rafa Nadal in it sets up a better opportunity for Federer to win.)

The Master

At 31, Roger Federer is still the most feared man in tennis.  And that's just how he likes it.  

He is now a major champion, will we see less of 'Mopey Murray?'

Andy Murray will arrive at the 2013 Australian Open as a major champion for the first time in his career.  Winning the previous hard court Grand Slam Murray ought to be brimming with confidence coming to Melbourne.   He is now a major champion, will we see less of 'Mopey Murray?' 

Murray has threatened at Melbourne routinely throughout his career.  All signs indicate that Murray has made leaps and bounds since Wimbledon, and should reach number one in the world this year.  Rafa Nadal has dropped in the rankings due to injury and even if he won nearly everything would be hard-pressed to gain those spots back by the end of the summer. 

Revisitng the 2012 Final: Djokovic v. Nadal

Got six hours? Melbourne 2012 was the longest Grand Slam final in the Open era.  Nadal called this the toughest loss of his career.  Two virtuosos at the absolute peaks of their powers.  It's a classic.

Austrailian Open 2013

The Australian Open starts Monday morning in Melbourne with Novak Djokovic as the heavy favorite to win his third straight title, and fourth overall.  Other serious contenders include the usual suspects: four-time champion Roger Federer and Andy Murray.  Djokovic will be using his new HEAD speed Graphene racquet. 

Without Rafael Nadal, who will be absent from the tournament for the first time since 2003, there is more daylight for players like Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Juan Martin del Potro and Tomas Berdych.  Although, Djokovic would still have been the heavy favorite even if Nadal was here. 

The dominant Spaniard is close to a return but a best of five sets hard court major does not present the ideal opportunity to return to ATP competition.  Look for Nadal make his comeback at the beginning of the European clay court season in the lead up to Roland Garros.  Nadal has repeatedly stated that his first priority for every year is to win Roland Garros.  When Nadal missed the 2012 US Open I put the prospects very low that he would play in Australia.  Nadal hates hard court.  Tendonitis only heals with periods of prolonged rest.  So why wouldn't he just skip Australia and come back fully healthy for the clay court season?  Because Nadal is a fierce competitor and would be in Australia if there was any way that he could.

The main concern will be fitness after a 10-month absence from the circuit.  Nadal is hitting and re-habbing and was planning on making a comeback in Doha but pulled out due to an illness.  Without the warm-up tournament competing in Melbourne safely was impossible.