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Archive for May 29th, 2007

Roddick needs to forget about even playing on clay again. Here’s why.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

Roddick is going to be 25 in a couple of months. His best performance at Roland Garros was a third round berth.

At this point in his career, he needs to be thinking about his legacy. He needs to be less concerned about accumulating points by entering at events like Roland Garros.

He still has a shot at Wimbledon and the US Open. He needs to focus on that wholeheartedly without concerns about what is world ranking is. Who cares if he holds on to the No. 3 ranking in the world for another 6 months.

What matters is how many titles you have, and more importantly how many Grand Slams you have, after everything is said and done.

You don’t have the luxury of time anymore. Cut your losses and separate yourself from events which do not cater to your natural game. You participate in other events AFTER you have mastered your own backyard.

He should have skipped the whole clay court season to concentrate on winning Wimbledon this year. What have you freaking achieved by a first round loss at a major?

That time would have been better spent working on grass to give yourself a fighting chance at Wimbledon. He should never play on clay again and focus all his energy on winning the majors he can.

Time to enter events to gain points etc is over. You don’t have that luxury anymore. You  have a bigger fish to fry or is it a monkey that won’t come off your back.

You have just two more years to make a breakthrough with that one-dimensional game of yours.

Play smart and go for the kill you can handle, to perserve energy and get the most bang for your effort.

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Gonzalez eliminated in first round in straight sets.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

Gonzalez was the potential opponent for Federer in the semifinals. Other two, I had predicted are Gasquet and Canas. Click here if you were not freaking paying attention.

This is another break for Federer. If Gasquet and Canas falter, it will be an open road to the finals.

Gonzalez was defeated by Mr. Martina Hinges (Radek Stepanek- Is this a freaking star war movie? Change the name, man!!!) 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.

Gonzalez, please report with all your stuff at the slide area in the park. You are done.

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Federer’s second round opponent – profile.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

Name: Ascione, Thierry from France.

Age: 26

Turned pro: 2000

Current ATP ranking: 168

Highest ATP ranking: 81 (Feb-04)

Titles won – 0

Has won two non-ATP title this year, one on clay.

Roland Garros record: Played four times. Eliminated in the first round all four times.

Defeated a qualifier in the first round, in straight sets to set up this match with Federer.

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Time spent on court – Federer vs Nadal – Roland Garros.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

This statistic will have a lot to do with what happens, if the titans meet in the finals. It will be updated FYI. Also included is the first serve pct. Notice how it affects the time spent on court.

Here is the latest:

Federer:
1st match:1 hour 35 minutes – 71 (first serve percentage).
2nd match: 2 hours 11 minutes – 68.
3rd match: 1 hour 31 minutes – 62.
4th match: 2 hours 25 minutes – 50.
5th match: 2 hours 02 minutes – 59.
6th match: 3 hours 01 minute – 51
TOTAL: 12 hours 45 minutes.

Nadal:
1st match: 2 hours 19 minutes – 63.
2nd match: 1 hour 53 minutes – 75.
3rd match: 2 hours 21 minutes – 69.
4th match: 2 hours 21 minutes – 71.
5th match: 2 hours 02 minutes – 75.
6th match: 2 hours 28 minutes – 71.
TOTAL: 13 hours 24 minutes.

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Poll says Federer is fan’s favorite to win the Roland Garros title.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

Click here.

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Federer wins his opening match in straight sets. Finally!!!

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

Federer eliminated Michael Russel of the US in straight sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to move into the second round at Roland Garros.

These are exactly the type of wins he needs, to not only establish himself between his own ears, but also only among the hungry field out there.

In previous years, he has had a very comfortable ride on clay towards the final. This year he is struggling and in most cases, have had to dig himself out of a hole.

In view of above, he has to be careful to take one match at a time and not look too much ahead into the draw.

Straight set victories are crucial to set the tone. They are also required to minimize the time spent on the court. Remember, we are playing five setters here.

Physical conditioning will become an issue for anyone not prepared for the grind on this surface. If you add consecutive five setters to it, leading upto the big match, it only exaggerates the problem.

The open secret for Federer to achieve that, is to have a dominant first serve. It may not be as critical to serve an ace, as it is to induce a weak return, so you can finish the point on the next shot. Taking some pace off and compensating it with better placement would do the trick.

Federer is smart enough to realize, that he was able to dictate the points against Nadal at Hamburg, primarily due to Nadal’s empty tank by time the second set started. To repeat that performance, he needs to keep himself as fresh as possible. His tank, for sure, does not have the same depth as Nadal’s.

Not that he is not trying to close every match as quickly as possible, here and at this point in his career and the consequent place in history at stake, it takes a whole new meaning.

He may have had the luxury in the past, to not try as hard to get the break twice, but it will serve him well, if he works harder to break opponent’s every service game to shorten the stay on the court.

The freaking point is this: aim at 6-1 or 6-2 set wins to come out ahead at the back end. Work harder than usual at opponent’s service games even if it is 40-0.

Both these strategies have to be executed in tandem. We all know a 6-1 set can last longer than a 6-4 set. So a good first serve coupled with shorter rallies will get the desired result, of preserving enough gas in the tank, for the mega match.

The point this year, more than ever, is not just to get to the finals and then try to figure and learn Nadal’s game to finally bring him down. THIS IS IT.

With a favorable draw, coach troubles behind him, Hamburg victory and the consequent momentum, this is the best shot for Federer to claim the GOAT. You cannot freaking mess this up.

Mess up here may prove to be more damaging than what has transpired in years past. Anyone with a brain can see the writing on the wall. There is no question Federer’s game is on the decline for whatever reason(s).

Nothing substantial has happened since the first loss to Canas at Indian Wells, to reverse that thinking. This could prove to be the final nail, if Federer is unable to milk the perfect scenario the tennis Gods have laid out for him.

Will he step up and claim the prize?

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

French Open TV schedule – 2007.

Posted by tennisplanet on May 29, 2007

French Open Television Schedule

Sunday, May 27, 2007
First Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Monday, May 28, 2007
First Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 3:00 pm (LIVE)

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
First Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Second Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Thursday, May 31, 2007
Second Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Friday, June 1, 2007
Third Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 3:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – ESPN2 – 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Saturday, June 2, 2007
Third Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds – NBC – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (DELAY)

Sunday, June 3, 2007
Third Round – TTC – 5:00 am to 1:00 pm
Early Rounds – NBC – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (DELAY)

Monday, June 4, 2007
Fourth Round – TTC – 6:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Round of Sixteen – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Women’s QF – TTC – 6:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Men’s & Women’s QF – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Men’s QF – TTC – 6:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Men’s QF – ESPN2 – 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Thursday, June 7, 2007
Men’s Doubles SF – TTC – 5:00 am to 8:00 am (LIVE)
Women’s SF – ESPN2 – 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (LIVE)
Women’s SF – TTC – 1:00 pm (LIVE)

Friday, June 8, 2007
Men’s SF – NBC – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (LIVE)

Saturday, June 9, 2007
Women’s Final – NBC – 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)

Sunday, June 10, 2007
Men’s Final – NBC – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

*All times are Eastern.

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