French Open reaches fever pitch

Since my last post, the French Open 2012 has already provided us with unbelievable matches and plenty of splendid displays from the tennis elite.

In the women’s draw, the biggest shock was the exit of Serena Williams in the first round. Since entering her first Grand Slam event in 1998, she had never lost at this stage in a major tournament. Virginie Razzano, the French number four, completed this astonishing victory after eight match points in an incredible 25-minute final game.

After my comments on Monday, saying that Maria Sharapova’s biggest obstacle in winning the career slam is Serena Williams; it should follow that Sharapova is now the outright favourite. If her first round demolition of Alexandra Cadantu, which ended in a 6-0 6-0 scoreline, is replicated on Friday then this must be the case.

Virginie Razzano knocks Serena Williams out in the first round at the French Open.
Source: dailytelegraph.au

Can Maria Sharapova win at Roland Garros?

 As one of the favourites to win the French Open title this year, Maria Sharapova has seriously put herself in contention to win the only Grand Slam that has eluded her. After a gutsy victory in Rome, against the reigning French Open champion Li Na, Sharapova yet again …

A Clasico weekend of sport – here’s a roundup

For all of us sporting fans, the last weekend has been essential viewing. There have been so many talking points that I thought it best to provide a brief roundup on what’s been going on.

Monaco

In April and May, Monaco will host two of my favourite events in the sporting calendar. The Monte-Carlo Masters begins this weekend and next month the Monaco Grand Prix will take place there.

It may just be my personal opinion but I think that Monaco is such a great sporting location. This is not just because of the luxurious nature of the place. Both of these events have been staged here for many years and so there is an illustrious sporting history attached with Monaco.

Another final between Murray and Djokovic: The rivalry continues…

Tennis fans should prepare for something special tomorrow when Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic meet in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open Final. Why? Because I think that so far this is the tennis rivalry of 2012. Djokovic and Murray have already played one of the best matches of the tennis season in their epic semi final encounter at the Australian Open. This was not a unique occasion, their rivalry has been developing for several years. In fact, their match last year in the clay tournament at Rome was arguably the best match of 2011.

You may disagree, and say that the competition between Nadal and Djokovic has been the best so far, purely because of their gruelling tie at the Australian Open Final this year. At the moment though, I think that the competition between Murray and Djokovic is more finely balanced because they have both beaten each other this year. Nadal has failed to beat Djokovic since the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in 2010.

Whatever your view, the final in Miami is another chance to put our opinions to the test. For now, here’s just one point to savour from their Australian Open meeting this year:

Click here to see my prediction for the 2012 tennis season.

A little prediction…

After some advice from a colleague in the office, (albeit he told me to place a bet on my predictions, which I’ve yet to do) I have decided to display publicly my thoughts on who will win the remaining Grand Slams of the tennis season. I haven’t chosen a winner for the 2012 Olympics yet, although I think that Del Potro might take it.

So here goes:
Firstly, Nadal will win the French Open. Some might say that naming the ‘King of Clay’ as champion for the seventh time is hardly a remarkable statement. Yet, his loss in this year’s epic Australian Open final to Novak Djokovic was worrying for the Rafa fan club. He was unable to grind down his opponent in his signature style. In fact, the relentless nature of Djokovic’s attack and defence left the Spaniard exhausted. Likelihood rating 9/10

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

The honour of winning Wimbledon this year will return to the living legend that is Roger Federer. He may not have won a Major title since 2010 but that is testament to the opponents that he has faced. A 16-time Grand Slam winner knows how it is done and with superb victories over Murray and Nadal already this season, another victory at his most succesful tournament will certainly be one of his greatest achievements in the game. Likelihood rating 7/10

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news

The US Open trophy is waiting at Flushing Meadows for a certain Mr Murray. With no pressure from a home crowd this is the year for Murray to win at his self-proclaimed favourite tournament. He has been extremely close for several years, Federer has been the main obstacle, but with Ivan Lendl at his side Murray will be ready. Likelihood rating 6/10

Source: clbuzz.com

One Major title for each of the Top Four, can it happen?