well, the first week of the French open is done, and until yesterday, everything was going fine.

Djokovic lost in straight sets yesterday and never threatened.

And today...the unthinkable. Nadal loses in the 4th round in 4 sets. His quest for 5 consecutive French Open titles is done. Never lost a match at the French until today, and he is out.

This opens the door for Roger Federer to possibly capture his first French Open title. It will be very tough with a possible quarterfinal vs. Roddick, who is playing well. Possible semifinal matchup could be vs. the winner of a 4th round matchup between Del Potro and Tsonga.

Roger goes at it tomorrow in the 4th round against Tommy Haas.

One week from today, I really hope we'll see Roger capture his first French Open on clay.

Today might end up being the most important day in Roger Federer's career... and he didn't even play. If he can take care of business, this tournament could cement his legacy as the greatest player of all time.

On a random sidenote... after all the times Federer has broken Roddick's heart, wouldn't it be ironic to see Roddick knock Federer out in the quarters? I'm not sure what Roddick is doing differently on the clay this time around cuz I haven't been able to watch, but it's obviously working better. We'll see if he can get by Monfils.

The ramifications of the Nadal loss are incredible.

Not only for this one tournament, but for Federer's entire career achievements...it opens up the door for the career slam, another title towards that all-time mark, etc...

Simply amazing what happened inside Court Phillipe Chatrier today at Stade Roland Garros...simply amazing.

The men's draw is definitely WIDE open now.


I am going with Andy Murray to have his break out grand slam and walk away with the title.

Fernando Gonzales in mild, then major upset.
He's nails right now and loves the clay.

Fed drops the first two sets and then rallies for a stunning victory vs. Haas this morning!

WOW...when I left the house earlier he was down 2 sets but playing better in the third. I knew he had it in him to do it, but didn't know if he'd be able to. I need to see those final 2.5 sets.

How close we were to a semi's that didn't involve Nadal or Fed. His semi-final streak lives on for now.

It appears he'll have to get by Roddick in the quarters, who plays this afternoon.

Already looking to Roddick playing Fed? I think Roddick will have a lot of trouble, if not too much trouble with Monfils. I think the Frenchman pulls it out.

yeah I am looking ahead, and I agree he could fall today.

Roddick has been playing very well and the thought of Fed/Roddick in the quarters started creeping into my head...

just like I talked about Fed possibly winning the whole thing then he drops the first two sets within 12 hours of starting this thread!

I can't stand Monfils.

And I can't stand the french fans. I feel like they love watching Andy get upset by a lower seed because he's the "big bad American." Turns out, Roddick is hardly a top 30 player on clay.

Monfils breaks once to win the first set 6-4..breaks Andy on the opening game of set 2 and really working Roddick over.

The Monfils/Federer matchup might be more entertaining than Roddick/Federer

not a lot of openings for roddick right now, monfils is playing so good

Roddick is beatin Mentally as well. Yeah its getting darker...QUIT WHINING

quote:

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I can't stand Monfils.

And I can't stand the french fans. I feel like they love watching Andy get upset by a lower seed because he's the "big bad American." Turns out, Roddick is hardly a top 30 player on clay.

---

OR, they are cheering for the last Frenchman in the French Open...which has not been won by a Frenchman in many, many years.

Andy Roddick is very popular in France.

They've been pretty supportive of Roddick the first three matches, but I will say that they seem to start booing a player way too easily (not just today)

I started watching at 2-0 in the 2nd, looks like Roddick has had some opportunities but Monfils always comes up with the big serve. Roddick has definitely right the ship a bit it seems.

And just when I say that...a break.

You can't convince me the darkness isn't an issue with some of the shots he's missed though

quote:

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They've been pretty supportive of Roddick the first three matches, but I will say that they seem to start booing a player way too easily (not just today)

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And Deluxe was going after Monfils and the French crowd pretty easily...

Indeed I was.

Credit to Monfils. I hope Roger take him out in straight sets.

How many times can Tennis Channel tell me Rafa
lost? Also sick of Johnny Mac and his worn out
act. Never once mentions class on the court or
linesmen that get it right way more than not.
Can't he just go away and take Martina with
him.
Thanks, rant over.

you do know that Rafa lost though...right?

Hate to jump in late, but surprised some were overlooking Monfils v. Roddick. Roddick was the clear underdog there. Andy losing makes the road tougher for Roger.. Monfils best surface is probably clay.

[This message has been edited by Aston04 (edited 6/1/2009 9:42p).]

yeah, Monfils has the advantage...I just bought into Andy's hot start so far in the tourney.

The winner of Federer/Monfilis could very well be the winner of the French.

While we're on the subject of Federer. Can I just say that he got beat in straight sets 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 on marrying a hot women. WTF??? Dude could have a straight up super model waiting in his bed each night and he goes home to that?!? Fail. I guess love really is blind. :^D

Are you saying Roddick finally beat Federer at something?

BTW, go Monfils, I really don't want Federer to win.

Maria Sharapova is actually fighting after being down 6-0, 5-0. Cibulkova is very capable of choking this one away

scratch that. Cibulkova just earned a third of her career winnings for making the semis

Soderling won in straight sets to move to the semis

Andy Murray is out.

This could end up being a breakout tournament for the kid from Argentina although if Federer makes it to the semis you have to figure his experience will take him the rest of the way. These young guns are starting to show how nervous this situation can be.

Sharapova just couldn't continue to will herself any further. Her legs just finally said "no mas."

Had to go for the dropshot repeatedly, had to guess on everything, etc...

This tournament was a very good showing from Maria, all things considered.

Gonzales in the mild upset with the grande on tap.

i hope fed destroys monfils. not sure that's gonna happen though. i could see it going either way. it'll be interesting to see how much support federer gets from the crowd.

I'd really like to see Fed finally win the French. Monfils in the last year has taken his game to another level and it should be a terrific match.

I had wanted to bet on Del Potro when I was in Vegas a week ago...he was 50-1 to win it all. I forgot to get my bet in on Saturday night (forgetting it started early Sunday morning)...they wouldn't take my bet that morning.

He's looking like pretty decent odds now.

johnny mac is the only commentator I actually enjoy listening to.

and the french crowd sucks. not because of the monfils match, they just always act like a bunch of *****es.

1. Martina Navratilova is really annoying as a commentator.

2. Please let Serena lose. Cant stand watching her or her sister play. If Serena would get in shape, she would never lose. Never.

Fed/Monfils starts off with a bang.

And Fed takes the first set 7-6 in a tiebreak. He had the lead twice in the tiebreak but gave it back both times. Faced a set point at 5-6, he held and then broke to win the tiebreak 8-6.

Having to watch this on the computer...hoping when ESPN picks up coverage in less than an hour they'll go straight into the match live.