French Open Tennis Preview: Day Three
Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 28, 2007 | Print
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Other than half a dozen women and a handful of men, the only winner on Monday at Roland Garros was the rain. For the second day of the tournament inclement weather has caused matches to be postponed.
Instead of having the second half of the draw take to the court today, the tournament officials at Roland Garros have decided to catch up with the remaining first half of the women’s draw and the second half of the men’s singles.
The only top seeds scheduled to play on Tuesday are Jelena Jankovic, Nicole Vaidisova, and Elena Dementieva.
Key Matches for Tuesday, May 29
(See the Roland Garros schedule for the complete order of play)
From Monday’s schedule:
(5) Jelena Jankovic vs. Stephanie Foretz
Sizing up the competition for this year’s title, I’d have to put Justine, Serena, and Jelena Jankovic as my top three. It is amazing how far Jelena has progressed since this time last season and it should only be a matter of time before she wins her first Grand Slam. French wild-card Stephanie Foretz will be a great opener for the fifth seed and Jankovic should easily progress to the second round.
My Pick: Jankovic keeps up with Henin by joining her in the second round, but with a much easier time on Monday.
(18) Marion Bartoli vs. Aravane Rezai
France’s Aravane Rezai just capped off one of the best weeks of her career, but her run at Istanbul ended prematurely against Dementieva in the final with a left knee injury. She may be playing for her birth nation because Iran is not sanctioned, but there is certainly no love lost between her family and the French Tennis Federation, with her father (who is also her coach) being banned from darkening the door at Roland Garros.
Playing a French native on Suzanne Lenglen won’t be easy for the backhanding wielding Rezai, especially if the crowd starts backing Bartoli, let alone if her knee starts acting up again.
My Pick: Marion Bartoli reminds the French crowd that she just might be their best hope for a long-shot champion.
Venus Says
On the state of her game:
“I think the most important thing is that I’m on tour, and as long as I’m on tour, I feel like really good things can happen to me. So it’s just important for me to stay in the tournaments and be healthy.”
About the changes she’d like to see in women’s tennis:
“Women’s tennis is a business now. We have to always get better or else we’ll go out of business. So obviously, the players have to play better, and on the business side, we have to definitely run our business in the best way possible.”
On her strapped wrists:
“I’ve had those straps on for years. So sometimes it varies what’s under it. But I’ll probably always have them.”
What’s Happening in Paris
Stosur breezes through
Samantha Stosur is the only Australian player who has managed to finish a match so far at Roland Garros.
Live French Open Coverage
Once the rain finally stops at Roland Garros, the Tennis Channel will be airing up to sixteen matches a day online.
USA Television Listings for Tuesday
First Round - TTC - 5:00 am to 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Rounds - ESPN2 - 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm
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