Into Week Two

Well the women's side of the draw seems to be falling apart with the top three seeds all out before the quarter finals, Wozniaki beaten by Hantuchova, Clijsters by Rus, and Zvonerava by Pavluchenkova.  Wozniaki, as always made the mistake of playing too much by playing a tournament in Belgium the week before the French Open started.  Although she could push through any physical tiredness, the mental fatigue seemed clear, to me at least, as she never looked convincing or determined at Roland Garros.  It's great she wants to play but doing anything week in week out would make you jaded, if she wants to jeopardise her chances of winning a grand slam by playing too many other tournies that's one thing, but she seems to be jeopardising her love for the game she has another ten years to play (all going well). 



Clijsters, similarly, never looked convincing here (although I did leave the house thinking she was going to trounce Rus of France only for her to come back and win it in three sets when I was at work (crafty French).  She hurt her ankle at a wedding and has been out of game for a few months but it was her casual attitude to the matches she played- an attitude I've noticed and despised since her return from retirement.  Since she already had a career, then retired, the wins she has now are fun, a bonus, and a bit of a game, with none of the determination and focus a pro athlete ought to have. 

Azarenka

Pavluchenkova

I feel bad for Zvonerava- she had a big year last year getting to two grand slam finals and is struggling this year to have the same impact.  Pavluchenkova on the other hand is the up-and-comer of the women's game.  Sam stosur, last year's runner up, who was playing well, has also gone out.    But Sharapova, Schiavone, Azarenka, Li Na, Pavluchenkova, Kuznetzova, Bartoli are through to the quarter finals, with Kirilenko and Petkovic fighting it out for the last quarter final spot. 

In the mens game nothing that interesting has happened really- Soderling will play Nadal in the quarters (the only man to have beaten Rafa here), Monfils plays Federer, and Djokovic is already through to the semis after Fognini pulled out of their quarter final match.  And Chela awaits either Troiki or Murray who are playing currently- with Murray down 2-1 sets, and down 2 rackets after throwing a couple of tantrums.   Alas Jamie Murray and partner Chric Guccione lost in their second round match against top pair Bob and Mike Bryan, but is in the quarters of the mixed with Nadia Patrova (mixed only has 5 rounds).  Unfortunately I don't think mixed doubles counts towards ranking points.

And how was your week?