French Open Preview: Day Three
Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 26, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
Rain washed out the second half of play on Monday, so on Tuesday the French Open will have a busy schedule of first round matches.
Five members of the Top 10 will compete on Tuesday, including top seed Maria Sharapova.
Aaress’ Picks for Tuesday
(1) Maria Sharapova vs. Evgeniya Rodina
Although she has described herself in the past as a “cow on ice,” Maria Sharapova’s clay court game has improved with every season. She still has not managed to get sliding down to an art, but she is comfortable at the net and has started using the angles more to her advantage.
Unlike many other Russians, Sharapova feels no pressure when facing her countrywomen, so look for her to stroll into the second round in just two sets.
Maria Sharapova in 2 sets
(6) Anna Chakvetadze vs. Nuria Llagostera Vives
While the big four–Maria, Ana, Jelena, and Serena–are being touted as title favorites, I like Anna Chakvetadze’s chances of making some noise in Paris. She is in the top half of the draw with Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova, but if her fellow Russians tumble, she’ll have a good chance of reaching the semifinals.
Although Vives is ranked almost eighty spots beneath Chakvetadze, both of their previous meetings have been close and gone to three sets.
Anna Chakvetadze in 2 sets
(9) Marion Bartoli vs. Casey Dellacqua
The last Grand Slam was one of the best ten days of Casey Dellacqua’s young career. She thrilled her hometown fans in Melbourne with a run to the fourth round and since then she has risen to a career high of No. 51.
Casey is the same age as her opponent on Monday, Marion Bartoli, although far less experienced. Bartoli has not been able to recapture the form that led her to the Wimbledon final in 2007, yet she has managed to return to the Top 10. If Marion’s wrist has completely healed, she’ll be able to weather Dellacqua’s pounding onslaught. If not, look for Dellacqua to score her first Top 10 upset.
Casey Dellacqua in 3 sets
She Said What?
Venus Williams about her tough first round match against Tzipora Obziler:
“Sometimes tennis isn’t always won as quick as you want. I think she really played some good tennis.
She made some good shots and fought really hard, fought hard for that second set, and it was just important to close it out in the third.”
What Else is Happening in Paris?
Stosur steps up comeback in Paris
Samantha Stosur is back on the Tour after recovering from Lyme’s disease.
Belgium tries to regroup after losing its 2 stars
Belgium has just one player in the main draw of the French Open, Yanina Wickmayer, who is ranked at No. 98 in the world.
USA Television Schedule
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
First Round - TTC - 5:00 am - 12:00 pm (LIVE)
Early Round Coverage Day #3 - ESPN2 - 12:00 pm - 6:30 pm (LIVE)
All times are Eastern.
Don’t forget to enter On the Baseline’s Pick the Winner’s contest! The entry deadline for Tuesday’s featured match is 4:00 am ET.
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