Women’s Quarterfinals Set in Paris
By Jane Voigt For the first time since the 1979 U. S. Open, none of the women in the quarterfinals of this year’s French Open are former Grand Slam Champions. That means a new star will rise in the City Of Lights come Saturday, June 10. Here are the eight quarterfinalists: Jelena Ostapenko, Caroline Wozniacki…
Nadal Focused and Grateful
By Jane Voigt If you listen carefully to Rafael Nadal you’ll know what keeps him on track to win his 10th, and unprecedented, Roland Garros. His health. His good health. “I’m in the quarterfinals and healthy and playing well,” Nadal told the press, after his routing of Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 17), 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. “Those…
The Three Wise Women
By Jane Voigt A week ago 256 players stepped into the starting gate at the 2017 French Open. Today that number will dwindle to 32, if the weather holds. Who’s worked their way through to the second week — round 4 or the round of 16, as it’s called — creates another gateway. The players…
Djokovic Survives. Nadal Destroys.
By Jane Voigt Andy Murray is the top seed at this year’s French Open, but most eyes are on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, seeded two and four respectively. They both landed in the bottom half of the men’s singles’ draw and are on a collision course to meet in that semifinal. Novak Djokovic struggled today in…
Watch Out Big Four, They’re Coming
By Jane Voigt Do you know Karen Khachanov? Probably not. But, you will. Playing in his inaugural French Open, he advanced to the third round today. That’s a monstrous achievement in a crowded field where talent abounds. At six-foot-six Khachanov’s favorite stroke is his serve. It was a force to contend with today as he…
Djokovic and Agassi. A Winning Combo?
By Jane Voigt Today’s story comes from TheSportsHaven. It’s about a slumping world number-two Novak Djokovic and his all-out efforts to get back on top, like way on top … number one in the world.
Twenty-Year-Olds Playing to Win
By Jane Voigt ‘Young Guns’ and ‘Next Gen’ are labels generated by the ATP. They help separate players by age and help promote the arriving wave. None has crashed the party of those holding tight to the top five rankings. However, rumblings have been heard. Last week in Rome, Alexandr Zverev defeated Novak Djokovic to…
Top Seed Angelique Kerber out in Opening Round of French Open
By Jane Voigt Top seed and world number-one Angelique Kerber is out of the French Open. It’s the first time in the history of this major that the top seed has lost in her opening round. The German was defeated by ‘dangerous floater’ Ekaterina Makarova, 6-2, 6-2. “I’m enjoying tennis, but losing is never good,” Kerber…
Roland Garros, Men’s Draw
Excitement’s in the Parisienne air and around the world as tennis and sports’ fans anticipate the second Grand Slam of the year … Roland Garros. The most grueling of slams will be the test for Rafael Nadal, as he attempts an historic 9th title in ten years. His every slide will be scrutinized because he…
Novak Djokovic Wins French Open
Finally. After four attempts at closing the biggest gap in his resume Novak Djokovic has won his inaugural French Open, defeating Andy Murray of Britain, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. The climax of Djokovic’s struggle to reach the ranks of few first and foremost puts him alongside Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) to have…