A few thoughts as we start the second week of Roland Garros.
Although it's unfortunate that recent Top 10 addition Alexander Zverev lost in the first round to veteran Fernando Verdasco and David Goffin got tarped (maybe Eugenie Bouchard's lawyer can help?), I'm all too happy that Dominic Thiem lived up to his seeding.
While I'm not expecting too much against Novak Djokovic -- he got just one game when they played recently in Rome -- he's proving himself to be a reliable Top 10 player. (And kudos to Adidas for those nearly obscene white shorts and green briefs.)
Rafael Nadal looks unbeatable -- he now plays Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarters -- so I guess the only wild card is who his victim in the final will be. Andy Murray has shown he's no slouch on the red clay -- and then there's former champ Stan Wawrinka in the top half of the drawer, too.
The women's side just really let us down. Was heartened then heartbroken by the return of Petra Kvitova. (Anyone else notice the resemblance to Elisabeth Moss, especially now that she's blond in "The Handmaid's Tale"?) Would have rather she'd lost to anyone but Bethanie Maddek-Sands, who is beloved by all but just tries too hard wiith her "adorable" antics with poor Lucie Safarova. (Kudos to whichever trailer park provided her with a tennis court as a child, however.)
The women's side just really let us down. Was heartened then heartbroken by the return of Petra Kvitova. (Anyone else notice the resemblance to Elisabeth Moss, especially now that she's blond in "The Handmaid's Tale"?) Would have rather she'd lost to anyone but Bethanie Maddek-Sands, who is beloved by all but just tries too hard wiith her "adorable" antics with poor Lucie Safarova. (Kudos to whichever trailer park provided her with a tennis court as a child, however.)
With Serena Williams out pregnant, it seemed so many people were poised to make their moves, only to get in their own way -- namely Venus Williams. All the stars seemed aligned for the big sister to finally win her first French Open -- except the one that allowed her to find the court in the third set against Tragic Eyeliner Girl Timea Bacsinszky. (Why, Venus????) Meanwhile, defending champ Garbine Muguruza lost to Kristina Mladenovic, who admittedly is on a bit of a hot streak but is hardly someone you want to see late in the tournament -- let alone possible winners/finalists Jelena Ostrapenko, Petra Martic, Alizé Cornet, Veronica Cepede Royg, etc. The only way this can have a "happy" ending is if Caroline Wozniacki or Simona Halep ends up walking away with the crown -- the journeywoman cometh! -- or Karolina Pliskova makes good on the promise shown late last year. (Angelique Kerber -- sigh.)
And while this is definitely Tennis Tuesday worthy, Márton Fucsovics is so smoking hot I can't hold off. The hunky Hungarian won the ATP Challenger event in Vicenza yesterday -- saving two match points against seventh seed Laslo Djere of Serbia -- as well as a legion of gay fans (after today).
Expect to see more of this one
2 comments:
I know Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and have for more than 10 years. She's definitely a bit over-the-top, but she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. She knows she leaves herself open to non-tennis criticism for her attire, but her motto is to do what's right for her, not you or me. We all should be more like that. Your dig against her is no worse than others I've seen and heard, but it's no nicer either. I always want her to win every match and I've been very happy for her continued success on the court and in life. How would you react if something like what you wrote about Bethanie were written today about your deceased brother?
@Embarrassed: Is Bethanie deceased?
Post a Comment