Comments on: Open Forum Friday: Who Will Win the 2009 French Open Women’s Singles Title?

By: harry kramer

harry kramer — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:42:52 +0000

well. I have waited long enough!! NOW THAT MARIA SHARAPOVA MADE TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN AND HAS GOT SOME GAME EXPERIENHCE BACK……..I DEFENITELY LIKE MARIAS CHANCES TO GO ALL THE WAY!!! AS LONG AS SHE PLAYS WITHIN HERSELF!!

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Wow, Kurt, good point! Never thought of the similarities between the two players, but’s almost uncanny. Didn’t even think of Ana, but now that you mentioned it, I see it.

Thanks for pointing that out!

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:57:01 +0000

Well, Aaress, my description was a little vague for a certain reason. Those results do indeed apply to Dinara Safina in the period from January 2008-March 2009. They also apply perfectly to Ana Ivanovic from January 2007-March 2008.

Ever since the LA win by Safina, I thought it interesting that the two players were following similar paths, results-wise. Add in an increase in fitness level and attaining the number one ranking in the spring following the Melbourne final loss, and the coincidences are quite startling.

My point is that I think, as Ivanovic proved last year, Safina is ready to win the French Open. And, as you noted, four games dropped in three rounds points toward the same conclusion.

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:22:01 +0000

Okay, Kurt, I’ll take the bait. :)

I presume you’re meaning Dinara Safina, correct?

If so, I think you might have a very solid point. Four games dropped in six sets looks reminiscent of what Henin used to do in the draw at Paris.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:18:15 +0000

(Slightly off-topic, but believe me, I’ll bring it around once I’ve made my point:)

Who am I talking about?

-Quarterfinalist in Gold Coast (lost to Peer)
-Early loss in Melbourne
-R16 loss in Charleston
-Win in Berlin
-Injury pull-out of Rome
-Final loss in Paris (with wins over Kuznetsova and Sharapova)
-SF and relatively early loss in other two majors
-Win in Los Angeles (with a win over Jankovic)
-Loss to “Williams” in New York City
-First time to Tour Championships
-Top 5 year-end finish
-Next year: Finalist in Melbourne, R32 loss in Miami

By: marko

marko — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:09:15 +0000

ana has great outlook for going deep into the tournament. she improved many aspects of her game thanks to cardon such as volleys,groundstrokes,not to forget her recognizable,impressive forehand..she has much tougher draw this year..but if she wins 4th round match,she will go all the way. her (potential) opponent in quaterfinal match is world no1,but i think that at this juncture the only player who has the game to defeat safina again is ivanovic..ajde,ana..idemo!

By: Rolan Garcia

Rolan Garcia — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:55:31 +0000

I think The Williams sister will be on finals. If they managed to defeat all the players in 2nd -4th round, they will be dangerous on the layter part.

By: Raphael

Raphael — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:10:32 +0000

Oh, and JJ! How could I forget JJ! She’s a contender too, but a tough draw for her – although I would love for her to capture her maiden slam. I think she can be a brilliant player, although my expectations are low after the Aus. Open debacle.

By: Raphael

Raphael — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:07:56 +0000

Dinara is in brilliant form (a double bagel against highly capable Keothavong, who’s also playing well lately, and then a double baguette against Diatchenko), but she’ll have a difficult road to the final, if she’s to make it there – Pavlyuchenkova next, then (presumably) Azarenka. I actually think she is the dark horse for the title, so if she beats Safina, I believe she could definitely be the champ.
I’d also love for Dementieva or Sharapova to take the title (but both seem shaky at the moment), as well as Li Na to go far. (I’d love a win from her, but that’s just a dream. A QF/SF would be wonderful, though.)
If Ivanovic remains injury-free, she could make a quarter or semi, but probably won’t go further.
Finally, I’ve learnt never to count out a Williams sister, but I’m certainly not convinced – I wouldn’t put my money on either of them.

Any which way, it’s a very exciting draw – I like having this constant state of flux over who the best player is. It’s much more fun than having a concrete number 1. (Ha. A poet, and I didn’t know it.)

By: karin

karin — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:02:26 +0000

think: safina
want: sharapova