French Open

The second grand slam of the year , the French Open , starts on Sunday. Can anymone stop Nadal claiming his third straight title.

Federer has the easier draw with Djokovic due to meet Nadal in the semi's.

The women's draw is wide open since Justine Henin announced her retirement. Sharapova , Serena Williams and Ivanovic are all in with a shout.

I don't think Nadal can be beaten at French open this season. He's playing well and on good form atm.

The womens title is wide open IMO. If only Henin played...**sighs*. Not gonna happen. So I'll support the Serbian girls...

One more thing... Does it require a separate 'sticky' thread??? It could've been posted in the 'Tennis season 2008' thread, right???

This would be Nadal's 4th Roland Garros, I think.
U hope he wins, but it won't be easy since it's not only Federer this year, but also Djokovic the main threatens for the spaniard.

As per usual, I'm rooting for the two Serbs Ivanovic and Djokovic!

Thanks for making this a sticky, smithy.

I cant see past Nadal for the mens, Federer & Djokovic are the only two that can really pose a threat but ive seen him against both recently and he was a class above.

For the womens, Henin is gone now so its a lot more open, it has to be Ivanovic for me though!

Good choice Conal

come on federer

Yeah your Raul it is his fourth. I didn't realize this until today.

Mrtz what about Jankovic ? she's a serb


Immortal : grand slams have always had their own thread.

Oh, thats ok then. I didn't know about that...

Its good for discussion I say...

I'm a day late with this , never mind.

Andy Murray just about got through his first round match against a wildcard in five sets.

If he can't beat a wildcard in three straight sets than he stands no chance against the likes of Djokovic and Nadal.

No problems for any of the other seeds as they were all through easily.

Gustavo Kuerton brought an end to his career in defeat. He has announced his retirement from the sport. A great champion who was always professional on and off the court.

What makes you think he'll even face Djokovic or Nadal??? He'll most probably crash out before facing anyone of them...

I have faith in Andy.

Come on Andy

Smithy: I like Jankovic as well, I think her emergence along with Ivanovic and Djokovic as the young, exciting players challenging the established players in Sharapova, Henin, The Williams', Federer, and Nadal has been superb for the sport. It's a great breath of fresh air reminiscent to the Russian Revolution before with Sharapova, Dementieva, Myskina, etc. But now the Russians are part of the establishment, and the Serbs are the new kids on the block. Keeps the sport interesting .

But my #1 favorite is Ivanovic because I liked Sharapova when I watched her play Seles in Hong Kong when she was 16. When she won Wimbledon I wanted to support someone new, and that's when I discovered a 16 year old Ana Ivanovic playing in Miami

Djokovic and Jankovic I only heard of when they were already popular.

Richard Gasquet withdrew from his first round match due to a knee injury.

One big name to fall today was Marcos Baghdatis , he lost in straight sets to Simone Bolelli.

And the match of the day has to be Guillermo Canas , he went out 7-6 ( 8-6 ) , 7-6 ( 7-3 ) , 7-6 ( 8-6 ) to wildcard Wayne Odesnik.

Federer , Jankovic , Venus Williams and Patty Schynder all through.


Rain has stopped play at present.

After yesterday was washed out they still playing catch up.

Nadal finally got to play his first round match and after a tricky first set he beat the up-coming Brazlian in straight sets. I've no doubt we're gonna see the young Brazilian a lot more in the future.

The top women's seed Marai Sharapova is also through in 3 sets.

Ivanovic through relatively easy against #41 Safarova.

I'm watching Serena Williams play Johansson. Williams serving for the match.

Yeah that Bellucci guy was good IMO. He played really well in the first set and pushed Nadal to the end. He's a real talent and he has some shots that look similar to that of Nadal. In some rallies, it looked like both players were playing the same shots and like Nadal was playing at both ends. Have to keep an eye on him in the future I suppose...

Andy Murray turned in one of his best performances on clay to brush aside Jose Acasuso 6-4 6-0 6-4 at the French Open.
The British number one needed just one hour and 38 minutes to see off the Argentine and reach the third round at Roland Garros.

Let's hope rain doesn't come out again during the tournament!

I'm very shocked he won the second set to love. Especially after the five set marathon.