Ted Robinson’s Matchpoints

Speechless – that’s the state Rafa Nadal left us in Sunday. No one, anywhere at anytime, could have imagined Roger Federer rendered so impotent. It was impossible to conceive of the great Federer so helpless on any surface, even the red clay Nadal so loves.

What Rafa sent Sunday was a strong bulletin, if not a warning: don’t anoint Fed yet. Don’t believe anyone will beat me (Nadal) on this red clay. Don’t think there is kryptonite anywhere.

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Indeed, Nadal played the role of Clark Kent Sunday, changing into his Superman pirate shorts and sleeveless short before taking the court where he has never lost.

Federer talked the role, speaking confidently of his improvement on clay and the design given him by Jose Higueras. If true, there needs to be a serious recalibration by Federer for the stark truth is that the gap between himself and Nadal on clay has widened in the last year.

Nadal is sick, a heaving mass of muscle who moves like a dancer on the tricky surface and strikes winning shots from the most defensive of positions. At the very moment one thinks he has Nadal beaten, he strikes a winning blow.

Nadal is James Bond… or Jack Bauer.

So the more relevant question, for there is neither logic nor hope in wondering about Federer’s chances on clay, is whether the pendulum swings on grass. As unnatural as the surface is for Rafa, he solves it more definitively than Roger does clay. Rafa has come closer to winning Wimbledon than Roger at Roland Garros. And there is every reason to wonder if this is the year that Fed’s reign at SW19 could be toppled.

Novak Djokovic is a contender, although still a step behind the big 2 on clay and grass. Rafa has yet to prove he can play on the hardcourts, particularly after Wimbledon, but there is no one yet able to disrupt the Dynamic Duo in this spring doubleheader. Yes, even Andy Roddick has been able to insert himself into the equation, although it would be nice to see America’s No. 1 do so when few expect.

The great Bjorn Borg watched in awe as Nadal thoroughly dismantled one of the game’s greatest. Nadal is clearly Borg’s equal on clay and Fed has matched the Swede’s five straight Wimbledons. Is it clear that we are enjoying the greatest rivalry in the history of this great game?

It was a final of two eminently likable women. Both Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina had reached the moment honestly, the product of hard work, seizing opportunity, growth of mind and rejection of fame over results.

Either women winning the crown was a win and there aren’t many championship matches to which one takes that feeling.

What most wanted to see was a good fight. The recent history of women’s finals at RG is miserable — seven years since a 3-setter, six since a remotely competitive final. Just give us two people playing through their nerves was a commonly held if not voiced thought.

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And the pair delivered. Ivanovic was frozen in the moment last year but he began this match striking her forehand boldly. Unlike last year and despite a healthy wind on this day, she had no issues with her toss.

Safina was the rookie but handled her first Slam final with few nerves. There some misses that hurt and a second serve problem, but overall she fought with the resolve that brought her to this day.

It was never more evident than the seventh game of the second set, a must hold for Safina. She battled through 7 deuces and multiple forehand winners from Ivanovic to hold.

That game was her last gasp — Ivanovic took 8 of the next 9 points to calmly win the title. But Safina was able to stand tall at the end, although she snuck in a reference to the “annoying” support of the Ivanovic group. Ana acknowledged so much in her speech, which makes me wonder if the tennis world will have to get used to the Serbs or will the newcomers adapt to the mores of tennis?

Justine Henin was in the first row to watch and then awarded the trophy she had won 4 times. It caused me to wonder: when JH and Kim Clijsters played for the 2003 title here, could anyone have imagined that 5 years later both Belgians would be retired while the Sisters would still be active? Not me.

It’s folly to think this will be the lone title for Ivanovic. She is too strong of forehand and serve and now owns the improved fitness that enabled her to claim this crown. What we will watch is how she handles her newfound dual status: #1 and Slam champion.

CORRECTION: Courtesy of tennis maven Leo Levin: Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker played in 3 consecutive Wimbledon finals (1988-90) so Fed and Nadal will be the second pair to achieve this in the Open Era.

Once again, tennis’ premier duo has made history. Sunday, when Rafa and Roger play for the French championship, it will be the first time that the same two men have played three straight years for a Slam title.

Honestly, it’s hard to see a different outcome. For much of Friday afternoon, Rafa Nadal neutered Novak Djokovic. The young Serb, whose abundant confidence has pricked some nerves (see: Federer, Roger), was dazed and confused. He wandered around Court Centrale with slumped shoulders and no apparent remedy.

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That’s the measure of Nadal; he gets in the head of foes like no other player on clay. He administers a physical beating that takes a huge mental toll.

To do that to Djokovic, who just a month ago took a set from Rafa in Hamburg and was playing for the No. 2 world rank, was staggering. Preparing for his semi, Roger could not help but have noticed.

After all, Fed was seen practicing Thursday with a LEFTY! That’s right, the day before his semi with Gael Monfils, Fed imported a young French lefty, undoubtedly to prepare for Rafa.

So, Rafa is in Roger’s head. How could it be otherwise when the clay docket reads 8-1 Nadal? Can Roger change the trend? Does Jose Higueras have a formula for success that a hundred players/coaches have failed to find?

Federer did not inspire such confidence against Monfils. The young Frenchman took a first set spanking but did not fold, spindle or mutilate. And Roger seemed surprisingly unable to deliver the knockout blow.

In the fourth set, as Monfils gamely fought off a pair of match points serving at 4-5, Mats Wilander commented on EuroSport that he was not sure where Federer’s head was. I have never once wondered about Fed’s focus or shot selection in a match as important as a Slam semi. Yet, here was a champion making the point. Was Fed looking too closely at Nadal? If so, another measure is seen of Rafa’s impact.

My bottom line: there has not been 1 moment during these 2 weeks when Rafa has demonstrated one iota of vulnerability. Not once has he given anyone reason to believe he will do anything but win his fourth straight French. The great Bjorn Borg will be in attendance to see his feat matched.

Talked to Pete Holtermann of the ATP, along with Greg Sharko a wise tennis mind that is an underappreciated asset in selling the sport to the American media. I asked Pete for his names to watch this summer. His thoughts:

* Robby Ginepri’s boost in the rankings, to between 50-60, helps him with direct entries and to relax in those events. The last time that happened, in the summer/fall of 2005, Robby shot to 15 in the world.

* The Olympics will affect the USOS in many ways; one being depleted fields in the August events. That could help Donald Young and John Isner rack up points in events like Washington, Los Angeles and New Haven.

* Then there are those fighting their way out of the Challengers. Tall South African Kevin Anderson and teen Kei Nishikori, from Japan/Florida, are perfect examples. Nishikori is already being subject to the suffocating Japanese media (I saw this first-hand in baseball) and uses assumed names in hotels. He has signed a lucrative endorsement deal with Sony and is likely to receive a wild card to the Olympics.

* Watered down fields in the Euro clay court events of the summer could help Younes El Aynoaui in his comeback. At 36, he has already jumped to 151 and some good summer events could put him back in the top 100.

* Amer Delic is returning from a surgery to suppress excess perspiration and won last week’s Carson challenger.

* And the last name that many root for is Taylor Dent, trying one more return from complex back surgery. His first challenger was a first-round loss in Carson.

Five thoughts from QF Wednesday in Paris:

* Watching the arrival of young players, especially those who have been expected, is enjoyable. Dinara Safina has carried the burden of her brother’s legacy: million dollar talent, 10-cent head. Nothing much has happened to dispute the notion until this week. She has saved match points in consecutive rounds, including a memorable two-hand backhand winner against Maria Sharapova that could be a career-changing shot. Now she has a tough but winnable semi against Svetlana Kuznetsova. Who is stronger of nerve in the moment will play Saturday.

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* Gael Monfils is the French Open answer to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a wildly talented player prone to injury who is arriving in a major. For the final 45 minutes of his QF win over David Ferrer, Monfils looked unbeatable. Sculpted physique, intense emotion and immense athletic ability all combined at the right moment, rendering Ferrer helpless. If Monfils can repeat any of this play, Friday’s semi with Federer will be interesting.

* How can Nadal-Djokovic, featuring the 3-time defending champ playing against his rival trying to overtake him for the #2 world rank, be a warm up match? The French will most certainly schedule Monfils-Federer as the second match, affording Monfils the prime-time slot for spectators and TV. It’s fair from a competitive standpoint as Rafa and Novak are playing with 2 days of rest, but unusual for a player who has never lost at Roland Garros.

* Doubles note: what the heck is going on in the men’s world? I haven’t heard of 3 of the 4 teams in the semis. This is worse than a bad soap opera: Dlouhy/Vizner reach the finals of 2 slams in 2007 but split because Dlouhy wants to focus on singles (Dlouhy is still playing doubles with Leander Paes, they lost in the third round while Vizner teams with Martin Damm and lost first round), Mark Knowles was dumped by Daniel Nestor despite team success and Nestor is in the semis with Zimonjic, the powerful Bjorkman-Mirnyi team split and neither man has succeeded with new partners, while the Bryans stand alone as a united team but were stunned in the quarters. None of this touches the bizarre Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi saga. Successful partners for years, after a lengthy split, Paes has sought a peace treaty so the pair can play in the Olympics, but Bhupathi has thus far been unresponsive.

* Interesting opinions from Mats Wilander: he likes Jankovic over Ivanovic Thursday. To Mats, Jelena’s defense tips the scale, Valid thought but Ivanovic has played so authoritatively and Jankovic appears to be held together by adhesive tape. It is the women’s match of this RG.

A little tennis and a little culture from Roland Garros:

Not a great day for tennis - Serbia was the winner as the three standouts advanced to the semis. Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic won easily while talented Ernests Gulbis tested Novak Djokovic. Clearly seen, though, was that Gulbis must overcome a lack of training in Latvia. A hurry-up dose of experience and wisdom will give him the chance to be a Top 10 player.

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Big loser was Nicolas Almagro. Strong clay court results in the anonymity of lower tier tournaments do not translate into success at a Slam. Hate to be this strong but Almagro’s effort was pitiful. Court Chatrier is the biggest clay court stage in the world and he simply did not compete at anything approaching an acceptable level. Too often did Almagro stand still and watch Rafa Nadal winners fly by.

Can Nadal be better on clay? In the last four rounds, he has lost 17 games in 12 sets.

Junior focus: Ryan Harrison, 16, lost in 3 sets but in a Tennis Channel interview sounded amazingly poised. And he voiced the truth that must change for the US to ever truly hope of succeeding at Roland Garros — the clay here is not at all like the clay Harrison had played on at home. We must offer our best players the chance to train on red clay.

Pat McEnroe offered an interesting take on Melanie Oudin, the No. 1 seed in RG’s junior girls competition. Pat raved about her fight. It’s necessary for Oudin, from the Atlanta area, stands just 5-4. Unless she finds a height burst, it will be exceedingly difficult to project Oudin as a champion, but a good pro career is within reach due to her powerful ball striking and exceptional competitiveness.

Wednesday:
Women’s quarters find Svetlana Kuznetova facing first-timer Kaia Kanepi. Kuznetsova has the experience and the ability to withstand Kanepi’s power. Dinara Safina tries to reach her first Slam semi as she faces Elena Dementieva. But Elena has experience on her side in this matchup and has reduced her double fault problems. Is Dementieva ever favored in a big match?

Roger Federer is placed on the second court for his quarter with Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzo is playing more wisely on clay, an endorsement of coach Larry Stefanki, but history (10-1 Fed) and weather (heavy and damp) favors Federer.

Can Gael Monfils handle the moment? He’ll have a huge vibe in his favor but a tireless opponent across the net in David Ferrer. Ferrer should be too consistent for the erratic Monfils.

Culture notes:
My hotel TV carries a dozen Arabic channels, including Al Jazeera TV. The English-speaking channel has a US studio, incredibly clear pictures and the startling sights to an American viewer of women anchors in Muslim head wear.

BBC News, also available here, covers the US elections as if it were theirs. Interesting to frame the coverage here with Bill Clinton’s eternal popularity on this continent.

The lamentable state of our news coverage is evident at all times here. Multiple networks available here, including CNN International, cover Zimbabwe, the Pakistani suicide bombing and the aftermath of the China earthquake far more comprehensively than anything most of us see at home.

Headlines emphasize Maria Sharapova’s loss in Paris. But Monday wasn’t about Sharapova losing; it was about the arrival of Dinara Safina.

The Golden Girl is an uncomfortable clay courter, lacking the graceful movement so necessary and trying to win with fight and grit.

Check out MediaZone Tennis | E-mail Ted at MediaZone’s Mailbag | Sign up for my RSS FeedIn the first set, when Sharapova saved 6 break points and then 2 set points in a tiebreak, it looked to be another match that Maria would win on effort over excellence.

But, then Safina lifted her play for the first time in a Slam moment. This player of immense skill and equal measure self-doubt began to turn things her way when she appeared down and out.

The single moment that may elevate Safina to a top 10 player and legit Slam contender came on Sharapova’s match point. Safina unloaded a fierce two-hand backhand up the line to stay alive. And eventually Safina leveled the match with a tiebreak win.

Third set belonged to Safina in its entirety. No longer could Sharapova bull her way into a win, for on the other side stood a player who had erased her doubts. Safina closed out the match 6-2 to reach her third Slam quarter.

But this time no one (and Mats Wilander publicly proclaimed this) would be shocked if Safina could join her brother as a champ. The field is that open, although Sveta Kuznetsova has a Slam on her resume and Ana Ivanovic is playing like one as well.

David Ferrer is the intriguing man of the day. He rallied from 2-1 down to KO Radek Stepanek in 5 sets. One of the most unassuming top 5 players to ever play, Ferrer has placed himself into the realm of players who could challenge the big boys on clay. A Spaniard who openly admits he patterned himself after Lleyton Hewitt (who he beat in the third round), Ferrer is fit (consecutive 5-set wins), gives away nothing and changes direction on the ball better than anyone on tour.

Sounds a lot like the Jose Higueras formula for victory on clay? If Ferrer can outlast the wildly talented and erratic Gael Monfils in the quarters, a Fed-Ferrer semi could be an interesting warmup for Nadal-Djokovic.

Robby Ginepri has played the role of Lazarus before. In 2005, he arrived in Indianapolis with a rank around 100, in danger of missing the cut for the US Open, without an endorsement deal and with a new coach, Francisco Montana.

That hot week in Indiana, wearing clothes gifted him by a friend representing a fledgling company (UnderArmour), Ginepri won the tournament.

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And it started a run that saw Robby win 4 straight 5-set matches at the Open, reach the semis and finally ascend to 15 in the world.

He couldn’t sustain that pace, and the next 3 years have again been a struggle.

Falling to 171 in the world while young guns like Donald Young and Sam Querrey make their way could have pushed Ginepri to the end, but he has continued to fight.

His best move: connecting with Jose Higueras, whose credentials are unchallenged.

Now Ginepri is the last American in Paris, reaching the fourth round, not done by an American man since Agassi 5 years ago. And the shocking part has been Robby’s comments, that he never knew how to construct a point on clay, never understood how to play with his head until his alliance with Higueras and Diego Ayala.

Two questions: Why does it take players so long to understand the importance of strategy on clay? And does anyone doubt Roger Federer’s chances with Higueras in his corner?
 
Ginepri will play Fernando Gonzalez Monday, as the Chilean was one of Saturday’s 5-set heroes. Both Gonzo and Ivan Ljubicic rallied from 0-2 deficits to win, Nikolay Davydenko the shocking victim of Ljubicic’s comeback.

Inspired effort from Julien Benneteau who played 5 sets Friday and came back the next day to knock out a rested Robin Soderling. 

Could anyone have imagined the following representation in the men’s 16: France 5, Spain 4?

The women are loaded with Russians. In fact, 4 will play for one semi spot. Maria Sharapova is favored as she continues to fight as she displayed in an 81-minute first set against Karin Knapp.  But watch for Vera Zvonareva, talented but fragile, who appears healthy and has the game to move forward on clay.
 
Sunday belongs to the men on the big stage, with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic playing back-to-back as they move towards a marquee semi.
 

This Friday was one of mixed emotions depending on your viewpoint: for France, it was a day of joy as four men, (Paul-Henri Mathieu, Julien Benneteau, Jeramy Chardy and Florent Serra) advanced while for the U.S. it was a day of shock as the Sisters were sent packing in bookend matches to a long day of warm sunshine.

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Venus falling, in the fading light of a Friday night was not a surprise. After all, she has never been a serious threat here, reaching one final in a year where she played Robin to Serena’s Batman. And she hadn’t played much since taking a break from the tour in March.

Watching the Venus profile on HBO’s Real Sports emphasized several points of interest: Venus is the most likable Williams, rooted in some measure of humility, more interested in personal growth than fame (evidenced by the pride she takes in her recent design degree- she wore her class ring at RG), and more comfortable in her own skin than little Sis.

Friday’s results proved one thing that I have believed: Venus will never again be a threat at a major other than Wimbledon. She is a 1-court star: Centre Court. At 28 by the time she arrives at SW19, she is retro only when she steps onto that hallowed grass. As a four-time champ, she must hope the Club schedules her accordingly and keeps her on her “home” away from home.

Serena is baffling. She was horrid Friday. There is no other way to candidly describe her performance. It was the universal view among commentators, many of whom are champions. How she could possibly play in such a manner, so lazy afoot, so sloppy of form, could only be explained by her own admission that she “didn’t want to be here.”

If true, then she should be back in Florida, SoCal or wherever she chases the fame that is so important to her. My partner John McEnroe couldn’t hide his feeling that Katerina Srebotnik deserved her day, an honest hard-working decent player whose previous bests had been in doubles. On one sunny day in Paris, she stood tall in Paris.
 
The French didn’t try to hide their chauvinism Friday, scheduling Michael Llodra and Mathieu on the main show court while sending Serena, Nadal and Djokovic, champions all, to the second court, a good show court but still number 2 in the rank.

Neither do the French try to honor their champion. Roger Federer was granted his wish for a Monday start, thus Rafa Nadal fell victim to rain and played his first 3 matches on consecutive days.

Fed plays a Monday-Thursday-Saturday first week while Rafa went Wed-Thurs-Fri. Surviving that siege gives Nadal a tremendous edge as he must now play only 4 matches over 9 days to win a fourth RG.

So much on this Thursday, but the highlight was simultaneous play from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the first time I can recall that at any major. Rain caused the overlap with the 2 greats occupying the show courts in the late afternoon; both had similar results, although Federer had a small glitch, dropping the first set tiebreak to scrappy Albert Montanes. Too soon to project the final weekend, but Federer is hitting his backhand well and seems healthy with his normal movement. It’s not enough to beat Nadal when Rafa is on, but it is more than enough to keep Federer #2 in the clay court world.

Disappointment for James Blake, who lost a chance to make the second week at RG. With his section wide open, Blake needed a win over a talented teen, Ernests Gulbis of Latvia. A tough draw no doubt, but Blake is still searching for the Slam where he wins a few that he’s not supposed to. James got this match to 1-1, but dropped serve late in the third and never recovered.

Mardy Fish had a chance with a hobbled Lleyton Hewitt playing at 80 percent efficiency (torn hip cartilage). But Mardy, after dropping a tight first set, couldn’t hold a break advantage in the second and went out in straight.

Bobby Reynolds fell in four to the resurgent Nico Lapentti, who made the main draw at 31.

But Robby Ginepri, late in the night, pulled off the stunner, knocking out seeded Igor Andreev in four sets. More details on that match to come tomorrow.

So there are 2 Americans in the third round, Wayne Odesnik draws Novak Djokovic late Friday (around noon ET, 9 AM PT) and today Justin Gimelstob told me of his admiration for Odesnik. This is a rare young player who seeks help, solicits advice and enjoys clay. Wayne is working with Spaniard Felix Mantilla while in Paris and has Francisco Montana, late of Robby Ginepri, at home. But he looks at the French as a challenge, not an obligation. Odds are his stay will end Friday night, but Odesnik has put his name in the mix of American tennis.

Low road comment of this Roland Garros comes from tournament doctor, Dr. Montalvan. Speaking in defense of Richard Gasquet’s withdrawal, Dr. Montalvan said it was “my personal opinion” that Andy Roddick withdrew because clay is not his favorite surface. Why a doctor sees the need to opine is a different story, but Roddick had played the last 7 French Opens and will be in Madrid for September’s Davis Cup semi against Nadal. Roddick’s record on court can be addressed but not his competitiveness.

How open is this men’s draw? One of the following four: Gulbis, Michael Llodra, Simone Bolelli or Lapentti will be a quarterfinalist.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing: the Eurosport commentator said that Nikolay Davydenko’s win over Marat Safin was “huge” for any win over Safin is significant. Davydenko is 4 in the world, and posted a Roddick-Nadal double to win Miami. Safin is 73 in the world. That statement needed a hyperbole check.

Day 4 thoughts:

* True fans and observers know this but the large segment of the U.S. population than only knows Maria Sharapova for looks, commercials and swimsuits misses the mark of a champion.

Sharapova competes as well as anyone. She fights for all, gives away nothing. That trait, more than any skill, allows her to win matches she shouldn’t, to avoid ugly upsets and to advance on her least favorite surface.

Wednesday, she contracted the yips, offering a dreadful 17 doubles over 3 sets. Gusting wind threw off her game. And a 19-year-old named Evgeniya Rodina, in her first slam match, proved to be of strong mind.

When Sharapova tried to hit Rodina off the court, the teen retrieved all. When Rodina needed to hold serve, she placed her moderately paced serve well. She was able to hold when important. She seemed less bothered by the trying conditions, by the flying clay and sand, than the world number 1.

Although Sharapova prevailed, Rodina earned respect. And the honor that all will remember her name.

* Same for Thomaz Bellucci. A Brazilian who was known only to those on the Challenger circuit, Bellucci impressed Nadal and all observers with a sharp serve and forehand. He was not ready for the moment, but he shows enough to highlight the astounding depth in the men’s game. How many more Belluccis exist in the nether lands of the Challenger world?

* One way I know the world is small: Complaints abound in Europe about the price of gas! It’s not just us. French president Sarkozy is threatening action by France, truckers are striking in England and wails are heard from all corners of the continent. It seems that everyone feels our pain.

* Flying under the radar: Andy Murray smacked Jose Acasuso to reach the third round. Murray has been flighty, but his talent is undeniable as evidenced by the one-sided score against a good clay player. JC Ferrero, always a concern as a former RG champ, bailed in his first round match, eliminating one of the few possible threats in Fed’s half.

* Schedule questions: Nadal, on consecutive days, will likely play his second round match before Federer takes court. How does a 3-time champ receive such treatment?

* Finally, props to Robby Ginepri, a vet playing with his right arm heavily taped, who knocked out Donald Young, Mardy Fish, who despite a flight booking to Florida took down Argentine Agustin Calleri and Bobby Reynolds, a former Vanderbilt All-American (great concept- an American playing college tennis!), who took out Thierry Ascione in 4 sets. At least, the US has a chance to send some men to Week 2.