You know, I know it means he'll most likely make it to Hamburg (though it's a bit less sure in the light of his recent tiredness), I am still a touch sad seeing Gonzo vs Rafa as a three setter.
Ah well! Go Gonzo - Make a match of it before Rafa makes you eat that red dust.

Ptennis,

LET me belatedly say what a great performance by Kolya-and it just shows how completely unjustified was my belittling of this fine player-he almost did it.Just shows how much I know-I should stick to baseball.

*off to the pantry to find some humble pie to consume*

Jac,
me too! I completely underestimated Davydenko. It is not fair to him. He showed it last year and again this year how great he is. Looking at him, you think he should be very fragile. yet he outplayed Rafa most of the times, the way many other players couldn't. I think he earned lots of new fans yesterday.

and for Hamburg,
I think Rafa should pull out and rest his body before RG. He has played three clay tournaments ( MC, Barcelona, Rome) and will be quite tired if attends Hamburg as well. it will be a bad mistake.

I was hugely impressed with Davydenko yesterday. I sat to watch the match very half heartedly reckoning that Rafa would wipe him off the court but Davydenko played like a real top 5 player. He also looked better now he's got a clothes sponsor - the whole package was very impressive. The drive volley was a killer against Rafa and has got to point up a new way to attack him. But...the Spanish Warrior won out yet again!! He looked down and out at the end of the second set and I want to get hold of that squeezy tube stuff he was pushing down his neck in the changeover - it was miraculous how he came out. Is it some Clint Eastwood film where he says "a man's got to know when he's beaten" because Rafa never does.

Big shock about TMF and Roche. I thought Rog looked very shaken at the end of his Volandri match and I can't think that TMF split with his coach a coupe of weeks before RG unless he was feeling very concerned.

Predictions - Nadal will beat Gonzalez in 2, he'll go to Hamburg and then withdraw due to (you name it), Fed will lose to Hrbaty (again) but will win the doubles with Stan defeating Yves and Baggy in the SF on the way and Kohlschreiber will win the shield :) I can hardly wait.

Oh, and the reason for the Fed/Roche split is that Roche felt his own family needed him more than Fed did who was more interested in helping Stan get back than silly old Rome and RG, and will use his Dad and Mirka to keep him happy :)

I hope:
1) Rafa win over Gonzo today.
2) Rafa pulls out of Hamburg and rests
3) Fed wins Hamburg title.

Mornin', all.

This just in - Kuznetsova over Henin at Berlin, 6-4 5-7 6-4.

According to Reuters, "The 24-year-old Henin served her seventh double fault of the match to gift Kuznetsova a match point at 4-5 and then put a backhand wide to see her hopes of a fourth Berlin title dashed."

Kuznetsova will play Ivanovic later today.

'morning Andrew. Thanks for the Henin update - saves me from having to check for myself. (Lazy girl I am, spoiled by TW-ers am I...!)

Its a pity about Henin - but good for Kuzie. It'd be nice to see her playing up to her potential.

You are up awfully early this am!

*hugs Zola for wanting Fed to win Hamburg!*

I think you may be right about Rafa pulling out of Hamburg to rest, but I'm not sure he can.

1. he's made such a deal about Hamburg not being downgraded.
2. The 3 set final rule was essentially put into place to eliminate players pulling out of the following tournaments. (Which is horse doo doo if you ask me. Bring back 5 set finals and let 2 warriors embroiled in a 5 set final pull out if need be, but give us last years Rome!)
3. There are people that will say Rafa pulled out because he was afraid to lose and break his streak. (Which is also horse doo doo, imo, but I know that talk was bandied about last year, and always does when a player is on a streak.)

I don´t think Nadal should pull out of Hamburg. He can rest Monday and Tuesday, he will start against Benjamin Becker or a qualifier and the final in Rome is not 5 sets.

I second jb's 7.49 about hugging Zola-our Fed could use some love

LOL

me too - hugs Zola and Federer.

me three :) Hugs Fed and Zola

Here's hoping TEAM FEDERER is righted by Hamburg...I'm glad he's playing doubles and I hope he takes it seriously because he needs the matches :) (so Roger no Rolex wearing matches in double)

Morning, jb. One of my cats decided to get me up at about 5:40am. Seems cats need food and water. Who knew?

Oh, well, it's all good. Any tennis matches on today?

Did anyone see that it looks as though Tony Roche might be asked to work with Lleyton Hewitt? This is mostly speculation, naturally.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21724667-23216,00.html

*hugs Jb, jac and evie*
I think a title is what Fed needs right now ( and some people who forget he is No1).

Jb, you are right in your reasons, but I still think Nadal should pull out of Hamburg and rest. He has played three full weeks of clay tennis. I wouldn't worry about what people say. People always say what they want no matter what players do. Players should look after their own health.
RG is far more important than the streak and Hamburg. with the draw that Andrew mentioned, I don't see any imminent danger to Rafa's streak ( If he survived today's final with Gonzo). But why should he risk fatigue and injury just a week before RG, after so much effort and winnig so many matches leading to RG?

If I was uncle Toni, I would pull him out right now!

new federer coach suggestion for the french open (in case no one has already mentioned it here): wilander

it would be the 'nixon goes to china' of tennis.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all mothers:

Rosangel,
Thanks for the news on Roche coaching Hewitt. This makes sense because Roche will be able to stay home on a full time basis doing what he loves to do and at the same time be with family.
Also, who ever Fed gets to coach him, what will they be able to assist Fed in maintaining his high level of tennis. Will they tell Fed to use his forehand more.

Zola - please don't be so enthusiastic about urging Rafa to withdraw from Hamburg!
I have quarter final tickets and though I bought them not counting on seeing either Rafa or Fed, a girl can hope.

While I don't think having Rome, Hamburg and RG back-to-back is the smartest scheduling on the ATP calendar, I also think last minute withdrawals are very damaging to spectators and will cause longer term problems in selling tickets and I think Rafa is the worst culprit out there.

Roland Garros,
Hope you are watching the final today. Svetlana finally found a way to beat Justine for her 2nd career win in 16 matches.
Also, Svetlana is on a roll winning the first set against Ana at 3.

Ah - the old kitty cat alarm Andrew. One of the 'features' of belonging to cats! As for tennis on, I THINK there's some tennis on a bit later this am. *yawn* - some kid whose won a couple clay tourneys. he's playin' some guy name of 'gonzo'. yeah, MAY be worth watchin' dunno - I may polish my sneakers instead..... :))))

I know what you're saying Zola about Rafa pulling; its a tough decision to make. He's played a lot of tennis lately. the good thing is he's improved his ability to win quicker, so is grinding through less matches.

Interesting article Ros - wouldn't that be trippy if Hewitt and Fed switched coaches! This is going to be a wild month or so on the sea of Fed, lots doing. I may need a barf bag or barrel. I shall apply to Steggy, she was passing them out yesterday I think.

oh dear, gotta run. breakfast w/ mom and hail, its 9 am, i'm in my jammies and i'm due in 1/2 hour. Mhm - 45 minute travel time - yep - I'm late!

ciao!

Morning all. Quick post before I head out.

Congrats to Kuzie for beating Henin in a tough match. Would prefer to see Ana win the title, but I do like both players.

Rosangel: I've been paging through the Aussie newspapers trying to see if anyone had anything on Federer-Roche. The link you referenced at 8:37am moves the ball forward slightly in two ways:

a) the Hewitt line is the newspaper asking the agent "if available, would you like Roche" and the agent replying with a neutrally polite "if he's available, it would be silly not to talk to him."

b) more interestingly, there are rumblings about prior grumpiness, including bonuses and travel commitments.

My guess is that there'll be questions at Hamburg, and Federer will either (a) make a pre-emptive statement that he won't go beyond the web site statement or (b) he will use generalities which, beyond emphasizing great respect for Roche, don't tell us much more.

Of course, in many conferences Federer has given direct answers to direct questions, so I won't rule out a non-neutral response. But Roche's standing in the tennis community is very high, and Federer will be aware that any statement that could be read as ascribing his loss of form to issues with his coach might reflect poorly on the player, not the coach.

"I hope:
1) Rafa win over Gonzo today.
2) Rafa pulls out of Hamburg and rests
3) Fed wins Hamburg title"

Replacing #3 with "Fed wins FO title" would be even better. :-)

Steve:
I said yesterday that either Wilander or Borg would be a great coach.
I love the idea of Borg. He was a master of grass and clay and while Federer will undoubtedly top Borg in the slams deparment, there's one way to for Borg to keep Federer at bay: have Borg get the slams player and coach trophies. Can you imagine what these two geniuses would do together? It'd be scarily wonderful.
Also, it'd bea great way to get Borg back active in the game just like Connors has come back. And Borg needs the dough.
He and Federer share a mutual respect and icy/steely reserve on the court as players.
Borg+Federer=tennis (X) dream.

Steve - I was floating the Wilander idea yesterday as well - some took it as silly. I think it'd never happen, but I continue to believe he'd be the best person for the job - certainly on clay.

Lisa-do you know if Borg has expressed either interest or availabilty? Perhaps I've missed some news which is entirely possible

Rolo: Forgot to chime in yesterday, but I like the idea of Wilander as a coach. I don't see Borg as the coaching type

morning all and happy mothers' day to all who qualify!

i hope:

rafa wins today
rafa plays one round in hamburg and withdraws
fed wins hamburg

bring it on!!!!

I think your right about Borg, Sam. Roche is actually Borg on speed

If I were Fed I would might want to confer with Yannick Noah before the French. Just a thought.

Happy Mother's Day to all the TW Moms!

Hoooray Sveta!

Vamos Nanner! I am very nervious!

LET'S GET READY TO RRRROOOOMMMMAAAA!

Is star sports showing the final? At what time?
Thanks

Happy Mother's Day! :-)

Okay, here's the key question - Rafa is once again up a break, will he actually be able to consolidate?

Anybody knows what channel in Sopcast. Rafa is up a break. Vamos Rafa! There is not live in TVU
Thanks

Found it!
Thanks

Hey last year didn't nanner win the FO on father's day? do they have father's & mother's days in manacor?

Match call starts here:

Gonzalez goes up 40-15 after some tentative play be Nadal in the opening game, but some good Nadal forehands restore the balance.

Loose shot by Gonzalez into the net, ad Nadal, then ace Gonzalez. But disaster for the Chilean - wide FH, then long sliced BH. Game Nadal. That will settle the nerves for Nadal.

1st return is long, 15-0. Soft 2nd serve ace up the T with Gonzalez guessing wide, 30-0. Gonzalez misses wide FH, 40-0. Appalling BH return on 2nd serve buried in the net, 2-0 Nadal.

Gonzalez drop shot picked up DTL by Nadal, G looking cross court touch, 0-15. Nadal shanks return, breaking 7 point "streak". 15-15. Gonzalez FH winner, 30-15. Nadal return long, 40-15. Good Nadal defense from the baseline, Nadal comes into the net, but pushes a FH volley long. Gonzalez is on the board at 1-2, but not troubling me on the 90% Nadal prediction so far.

Wilander? That would be quite a pill to swallow! :) For me, anyway. *gulp*

Go Gonzo!

Roland Garros,
Ana new found maturity on the court led her to force a 3rd set against Svetlana. Will Ana nerves hold? Will Svetlana be mentally tired after beating Justine earlier? 3rd set is tied at 3.

"Hey last year didn't nanner win the FO on father's day? do they have father's & mother's days in manacor?"

In all Spain, Father's Day is March 19th, and Mother's Day the first sunday of May.

anyone know what happened to tennis channel on tvu? doesnt show up anymore.

Lisa,

I loved Borg but I have trouble seeing him as a coach. He had a great performative mind for the game. That is, his mind did exactly what it needed to for him to win matches. But this is a skill that can't really be taught and he never seemed to have a great mind about the game (unlike Wilander). He's also had some pretty erratic behavior for the last, ummm, 26 years. Frankly I really worry about Fed seeing Borg as too much of a model. Didn't he make a comment after Wimbledon last year about Borg retiring at 26. Perish the thought!!!

I hope Gonzalez settles down and makes this a match. Deep and flat to Rafa's backhand! Things no looking good in the first set for Gonzo.

Sam - don't push your luck on #3. I don't think Zola meant to be THAT generous to your man.... haha!

But I would still be willing to make that title swap deal with you - RG for Wimbledon! Why can't we just settle these things amongst ourselves at TW?

Happy Mother's Day everyone! This is my third MD as a mother, but I still forget - I feel like its still just for my mom.

Gonzo looks like he brought his worst tennis today. If he keeps playing like this, this match should be over in a few minutes.

Big T first serve that Gonzalez can't control, 15-0. Then deep BH return to ad corner, Nadal drives DTL but Gonzalez FH behind Nadal is a winner. 15-15. Nadal pushes Gonzalez back, BH slice floats long 30-15. Then Nadal bullies Gonzalez all around the court, finishes with simple OH, 40-15. Wide serve ace gives Nadal 3-1.

Gonzalez drop shot netted by Nadal, 15-0. Deep ball from Nadal mishit by Gonzalez, then very wayward FH, and it's already 15-30. Gonzalez nets another inside out FH, 15-40. Nadal returns a very wide slice, tracks down the BH to the open court with a looping running topspin FH, and Gonzalez pushes the BH wide. 4-1 Nadal.

Horrible stuff from Gonzalez so far, apart from some nice drop shots. His game plan is hitting through the court rather than using width, as Davydenko did yesterday.

I think Federer is too stubborn to give Wilander a call. Borg doesn't strike me as a coach. I think Federer needs to see if Thomas Muster would be willing to sign on as a hitting partner. Muster's signature shot was his extremely topspun lefty forehand, just like Nadal's. So Federer could get more used to that shot and he could pick Muster's brains about how to break down that shot. I don't think anyone else mentioned could be as useful in that regard.

Um, is it too late for me to pick Nadal?

my hopes for another tussle appear grim... 4-1 in about 15 minutes....

congrats Rafa fans, another day at the office, another win, a longer streak, break out the mimosas and drink them fast, youre not gonna see much tennis today!

poor Gonzo

At the moment this is a no-contest. The New Rafa ia back out on court today. 5-1 in the first set.

Gonzales is currently spraying errors around the Court. We've already had one shake of the head from Stefanki on camera.

But with that forehand, Gonzales can turn it on at any point...I think the second set will be closer. He has a good record against Nadal from which he can draw much confidence.

Oh Gisela. what does gonzo want with trophies if he has you in his box?

HUASO ARRIBA!

Rafa playing wonderfully and Gonzo far too tight. I think too many players think that "attacking" Nadal means going for lines (as gonzo is doing and missing). Kolya's mode of attack yesterday was different. It was complex in that it took time and patience, but very simple in that he just moved Nadal around, kept the ball deep, and got to the net to end points. Easier said than done, but it was the perfect way to take advantage of Nadal having an off day. Of course almost any other player would kill to play that well on an "off" day.

I think Gonzalez wouldn't have defeated Nadal at AO if Rafa hadn't been very tired and a bit injured after his match against Murray. A Fed-Nadal final at AO could have been amazing, well, maybe next year...

Berlin scoreboard update: 3rd set is tied at 5. Ana had a chance to serve it out at 5-3 but double faulted at break point.

Already a tired FH error on the fourth ball by Gonzalez, 15-0. Nadal sets up a short ball with a punishing FH, forces Gonzalez to stop, then puts away the FH to ad. 30-0. DF Nadal, 30-15. Wide I/O FH return by Gonzalez off soft 2nd serve induces Nadal error, 30-30. Then deep BH return goes out, 40-30. And Nadal wins a net rally off a Gonzalez drop shot. 5-1 Nadal, it's one way traffic.

Gonzalez FH long, 0-15. Gonzalez FH long, 0-30. Anyone see a pattern here? Ace down the T, 15-30. Good wide first serve, Nadal error in net, 30-30. Another good serve sets up a drive FH, 40-30. Gonzalez FH long (hereinafter GFHL), deuce.

Nadal BH UFE (!), ad Gonzalez. T ace, 5-2 Nadal.

Note that Gonzalez is claiming a few cheap points from his serve, but apart from that, he's not in this match. Yesterday, I didn't see Davydenko get a single cheap point off the serve.

We need a clone! Davydez! or Gonzenko!

Berlin scoreboard update: Ana leads 6-5 in 3rd set. Svetlana to serve. With the weather being a problem this week. The final match may end in a tiebreak.

Good match call Andrew on Rafa-Gonzo.

Nadal yesterday : "I am destroyed, completely mentally burnt out" I'm a death, I'm very mentally tired

http://www.marca.com/edicion/marca/tenis/es/desarrollo/992278.html

what the frig is nadal talking about, this is what annoys me about him, he's just killing gonzo and he''s on his deathbed? ... gimme a break and cry me a river...

Rafa back to his usual ways 6-2

of course, the fact that Gonzo just missed the easist forehand on earth helps Nadal, to be sure...

Gonzo, why?

Tiebreak to decide the title in Berlin b/w Svetlana and Ana

I'm no expert but maybe running around against Kolya for 3.5 hours playing 2 tiebreak sets and getting broken 16 times or whatever might have been kind of mentally draining, since it was pretty intense just to watch.

Dude, Tim, this has been a SERIOUSLY draining tournament for Rafa. He's killing Gonzo because he's a special champion and he rises to the occasion.

But this is very much like Fed at Canada last year. Lot of tough matches, draining three-setter against Reeshar (here it was Kolya, obviously), and a Slam a couple weeks away.

Andrew, excellent work.

It was clearly only overthinking that made me think Gonzo had more of a chance at first. Step back and you realize this is a good second tier player who has never won a truly big match against a champ who wins nearly every big match.

Gonzalez BH DTL goes tamely wide, 15-0. Nadal BH UFE (!) 15-15. Nadal BH UFE (!) 15-30. Gonzalez BH DTL goes wide, but more as a result of Nadal pressure, 30-30. Then Gonzalez butchers an open court FH, 40-30, emblemmatic of the day so far. And Nadal makes a meal of a high BH volley, but Gonzalez gets his feet tied up and stumbles, rolling on the clay, and gets up slowly. Nadal at the net, expresses friendly concern. An embarrassing end to an embarrassing set for Gonzalez.

Tim, I hope you haven't been watching this...

Two quick asides.

First Layhani in the chair!! Yea, Layhani KADs. Please, please, please, commentators, don't use your talking points about the "error" Layhani made in the Hewitt match, and... gaaah.

Second, I hope those nice Italian girl ball girl types broke out the sunblock this afternoon.

"Tiebreak to decide the title in Berlin b/w Svetlana and Ana"

Has the tiebreak started? I can't see the scoreboard!!!

I bet Nadal did feel "mentally burnt out" yesterday. A full night's sleep and an opponent who is only making him work about 1/10 as hard as he did yesterday is probably having pleasantly rejuvenating effects. If Gonzo changes gears and makes this next set more of a real contest, Nadal might start showing some fatique.

Even if Nadal wins this in straight sets (and I think he will at this point), I think he'd be crazy to play Hamburg).

Tim -

I can imagine that that was a very legitimate sentiment yesterday after that match. Anyone would be mentally and physically spent in the presser after that match. I think the pressure of The Streak only adds to that.

BUT - he is 20 years old, proven to be very mentally strong, and after a night's rest and coming out with adrenaline, he is playing a good set and Gonzo is playing poorly. I don't think there is much more too it than that.

I have never heard Nadal make a comment in a press conference of the "poor me" variety. I think he is just honest and pretty candid from what I have read.

Tim,
What is your anaysis on Rafa-Gonzo in your opinion so far? Is it Rafa making winners or Gonzo making too many UFEs?

.com,
4-2 Ana in the tiebreaker

after watching yesterday's match, I really wish Fed had a double-handed backhand. Kolya was returning some of Nadal's high-spinning forehands with considerable interest and Fed's one-hander is not able to do as much damage as Kolya's bh yesterday

And another immediate break for Gonzo. This is terrible stuff from him.

It's sad to think that Gonzo, for all his work with Stefanki and whatnot, hasn't won any of the five biggest career matches he's played. Gotta be tough.

I really don't understand why Gonzo is so tight. There is very little pressure on him to win this, relatively speaking. He seems to be falling back into old patterns that only work when he's really on. And he's clearly not today.

Thanks. This Ana is really promising!

The Sky commentator, an American whose name I'm not sure about -- Retief Shiraz?? anyway, he's an ex-player -- has just said he thinks Gonzo can still win this match and that Nadal doesn't look right physically.

I don't see it myself.

Ana Ivanovic just won the title in Berlin 3-6,6-4,7-6(4). This may give her all the confidence she needs for RG.

I also think there is a good chance Rafa plays Hamburg. So far this season, he's had far shorter matches that in the past two clay seasons (typically he's had 3 or 4 three setters plus the best-of-five finals vs. Coria and Fed). So far this year he's only had one three setter.

Also, he'll have two days off after the final today, then 7 days off until RG starts. My guess is he won't play doubles in Hamburg though.

If you follow RN pressers you'll know that he never takes credit from his rivals when defeated, nor he uses excuses (being tired, injured) to justify them. Actually he plainly refuses to use an excuse of the kind saying things like "I didn't lose because I was injured: if I hadn't been fit enough I wouldn't have played".

I'm not a Rafa KAD, actually I prefer Federer's game, but you have to give Rafa credit for all that.

Nadal is clearly tired. He's serving and volleying occasionally and coming in quicker than usual during rallies.

Tim, I think you also need to factor in the fact that Rafa suffered from a bout of colitis this week, which I imagine is rather uncomfortable. And not easy to play with.

Wow Gonzo with a break point - maybe there is life in this match after all!

AmyLu,
What happened to the break point? Know, you are happy that Rafa erased that break very quickly and held serve.

patrick, ana is the champion! what a match! truly a classic! my hat's off to ana. she was clearly injured towards the end of the second set and it started hurting her again when she was serving for it at 5-3. but she showed her champion calibre by holding and taking it into a tie-break. then, she bravely played through the pain, held her nerve, and won her first tier i on clay.

very smart play by her throughout the match. in the first set, i thought kuznetsova did not play fair by negating an ace and diverting the umpire towards the wrong mark. this changed the tide of the set and kuznetsova took it. had this not happened, i believe ana would have won it in two.

as for kuznetsova-justine, this just proves my point all along. if jelena hadn't choked, she would have won that match. the difference here is, kuznetsova did not choke. justine is not playing well. her first serves aren't going in and she is making too many unforced errors. if this keeps up, she is by no means the fabourite for the french.

Wow, Nanner gave mad props to kolya in that article: "I don't know if I've encountered an opponent as tough as davydenko."

Ooh, and an awesome new vocab word! tenísticamente!

Michealo, is it Leif Shiras?

I LOVE the way Rafa keeps getting to net. The commentators mentioned already that he is showing somewhat of an all court game. Very smart to not let himself get run around today on what may be tired legs. I think yesterday's match was a good wakeup call to remind him that he does not want to go back to "old Rafa" tactics because players playing on the attack can take him down when he plays like that.

"Nadal is clearly tired. He's serving and volleying occasionally and coming in quicker than usual during rallies."

So if he plays Wimbledon completely exhausted maybe he can win there this year ;)

I agree .com... tired Rafa is employing some excellent tactics! Let's hope they show up at certain other fast court tournaments..

Gonzo is just trying to out-Nadal Nadal from behind the baseline. There's only one winner of that type of contest. Now a double break to Nadal in the 2nd set.

Yes Snoo Foo. That's the guy. Know anything about him?

Nadal is not in the doubles draw for Hamburg.

So far, Nadal is allowing Gonzalez to lose, which he seems to be doing expertly.

Fresh court, wicked Nadal crosscourt slice BH dropshot. 0-15. Gonzlez varies his BH errors, hitting half way up the net, 0-30. Nice wide drive FH from Gonzalez brings up 15-30. Deep return from Nadal, Gonzalez shanked FH goes straight up in the air. Then horrible, horrible, horrible FH into the tramlines, 0-1 Nadal. A few whistles from the crowd. Gonzalez looks lost out there.

The commentators are rabbiting on about how well Nadal is playing, but he's just doing his basic defense. Gonzalez is happily (well unhappily) self-destructing.

GFHL, 15-0. Forced error. Gonzalez tries a running pass, and the doubles practice pays off with a BH volley, 30-0.

Good deep return from Gonzalez, Nadal misses on a wide I/O FH, 30-15. Wide slice serve volley, Gonzalez makes the BH crosscourt pass, 30-30. And we have a breakpoint! Nadal atacks the net, Nadal plays a tentative volley to the deuce court, and Gonzalez runs it down and smacks away the FH. But a lovely T first serve makes Gonzlez cough up a 3 in long FH return, deuce.

Gonzalez BH slice floats to the deuce corner, Nadal runs around and smacks a wide I/O FH winner. Then another Nadal net attack off a wrong footing FH, and he puts away the FH volley. 2-0 Nadal.

Short Nadal ball punished by wide Gonzalez FH, 15-0. Deep topspin FH to the deuce court that Gonzalez can't track down, 15-15. Gonzalez DF, roh-roh, 15-30. Yuck. Baseline rally of about 14 shots, but every ball drops on the service line, and finally Nadal dismissively snaps off a FH winner 15-40. These are match points, guys.

But Gonzalez finds two good serves, one for a FH error, one for an ace, deuce.

Vintage Nadal defence. Under extreme pressure, he throws up a lob, gets back in the point, and induces an error. But Gonzalez counters - wide serve, attack the BH, put away the floating volley. Just like, er, Davydenko yesterday? Deuce.

DF. Ohhhhh... this time Gonzalez attacks the net off a shot to the ad side gets a makeable high BH volley, but his lack of confidence shows in slow footwork, and his volley goes tamely wide.

Eeeek! This was all a dream! Larry Stefanki has just woken up sweating in his bed at 4am in Rome. It's OK Larry, go back to sleep. It never happened.

Patrick, Rafa was aggrerssive - he upped his level a little, and Gonzo, was well Gonzo. Way too many errors.

Rafa-Gonzo: 6-2 3-0 in exactly 58 minutes..............talk about mental burnout!!!!

Heh, .com, good one.

I think I'm changing my name to Retief Shiraz.

Nadal's net play continues to improve. Love it!

michaelo, no not really, except his real name is "George Livingston Shiras" and he's the same dude we have on TTC, prolly the same feed as sky sports.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Shiras

by the way has anyone noticed that the Bryan brothers LOST the final
........and that Fabulous Fab (santoro) with Serbian-guy-with-strange glasses WON the double Final?

Oh wow, too bad for the Bryans but Allez Fabrice! I think Tipsaravic is the bespectacled serbian, Zimonjic just wears a beard sometimes.

Gonzalez free swings, and a DTL FH induces a Nadal FH in the net. 0-15. Nadal gets a short ball, a slightly tentative approach, and a Gonzalez BH pass. 0-30. Nadal again comes to net, and blocks away a volley, 15-30. Another Nadal FH volley after a deep deuce FH ball, 30-30. Nadal gets a time warning. This time, Nadal nets a shoe top BH volley, 30-40. And a Gonzalez sliced BH cross court drop shot induces a Nadal error. Gonzalez has one break back, 1-3.

Low quality drop shot, but this time Gonzalez wins the net rally. 15-0. Then Nadal makes an error on a fairly simple (for him!) FH DTL in mid court, 30-15. Gonzalez smacks a FH into the net, 30-15. Low quality stuff, boys and girls. Half volley baseline rally ends with Nadal smacking a FH way wide under no pressure, 40-15. And Nadal can't get a basic BH return above the net, and it's 3-2.

Just for five minutes, Nadal's level has dropped a bit. Kinda like the Federer "playing with his food" syndrome.

everythings was going so well, now as if Rafa's serve has deserted him! ( and his forehand). C'mon Rafa!

Has a nice ring to it Ray.

Anyway, Gonzo has just played a great game to break back, so maybe Leif, Retief, George Livingston or whatever his name is may be proved right!

Roland Garros,
What is Ana's injury? Hope it is minor. This is probably a bigger win in her career than Montreal when she beat Hingis last year. This will give Ana confidence heading to RG. Do you think this injury will keep her out of Rome this week?
On Justine, she did good by making the SF if her play was below HER standards(UFEs and lack of 1st serves).Now,she rest up and will start preparing for RG.

Justine is still my pick to 3-peat RG even if Serena is healthy. She has enough weapons in her arsenal and no player can use their power to hit through her on clay.

On to Rome....

patrick, ana has a foot injury and, luckily, it doesn't look too major. she had it re-taped in the second set and, later on, she looked in pain. however, i'm sure she'll be fine and i'm looking forward to her in rome.

that starts tomorrow on eurosport and i'll keep you updated.

i'll check out the order of play later and be back with my thoughts.