Roland Garros 2013 - The Draw!

First topic message reminder :

Hot off the press - here it is folks!

Likely top 4 seed paths:

1. Djokovic > Goffin > Dodig > Dimitrov > Kohli/Dolgo > Haas/Tipsy > Nadal > FINAL
2. Federer > Qual > Qual > Benneteau > Simon > Tsonga > Ferrer > FINAL
3. Nadal > Brands > Fognini > Paire/Nishi > Wawrinka/Gasquet > Djokovic > FINAL
4. Ferrer > ??? > Granollers > Raonic > Berdy/Almagro > Federer > FINAL

sweet 1st round draw for Laura Robson, there are few easier matches than wozniacki these days. Still cant believe she was world number 1, has she even reached a slam final??

Well, Fed should fancy his chances in the Final, if Nadal-Djoko have a 5h match in Semi, and Fed takes Ferrer in quick 3 sets in the other Semi.

Despite Federer's unreal record against Ferrer, i have a feeling if they meet in semis it might prove a lot tougher this time around. Ferrer has given Nadal a couple of big scares in recent weeks, a lot more than can be said for Federer. I would say he will give Federer a really tough match but would expect Federer to edge it nonetheless

Looks like someone pinched all the cup cakes Rog

HM Murdoch wrote:

bogbrush wrote:

lydian wrote:Djokovic > Goffin > Dodig > Dimitrov > Kohli/Dolgo > Haas/Tipsy > Nadal > FINAL

This is what Djokovic didn't want; for Nadal it's not so bad as awaiting him in the final (probably) is the perfect match up. For Djokovic it's the opposite; a mega tough match followed by a guy who knows better than anyone else how to beat him at this level.

I'm actually glad it's this way round!

It's definitely less pressure for Novak to play Fed in the final than Rafa. And it's how he deals with the pressure of the final that I think will make or break Novak.

Similarly, I think playing Rafa in the SF will be less pressure than than a final with a career slam in the line.

I'm hoping that, with a bit less pressure, he can avoid last year's Double Fault Fest!

Fair comment, though I think he'd have preferred Federers position. Be it final or semi, he can lose to Roger. I don't think Rafa can.
That said, forgetting Federer you're right he may e happier playing Nadal away from the final. I just hope he's inspired to take it to a 20-18 final set on that delayed semi-final!

slashermcguirk wrote:Despite Federer's unreal record against Ferrer, i have a feeling if they meet in semis it might prove a lot tougher this time around. Ferrer has given Nadal a couple of big scares in recent weeks, a lot more than can be said for Federer. I would say he will give Federer a really tough match but would expect Federer to edge it nonetheless

True, though in a Berdy / Ferrer quarter I'll be rooting for the little guy if Feds still in it.

Good points HMM and luciusmann (good to see you back posting BTW). I'd rather Nadal faced Djoko in a final than semi but it is what it is. If either man wants to win RG they're likely to have to beat each other at some point. As usual, a lot will come down to the weather as well and to be blunt its forecast to be a cold, damp and windy RG fortnight with the Jetstream being stuck out of place (again) these past few weeks.

Federer's draw is unbelievable really and he must be smiling to himself surely. I don't mind at all though, makes the event interesting and I have the ongoing selfish desire to see him at WTF so I'm happy for him to bag a load of points!

A descent chance for Federer to actually win this tournament.

But let's not forget, giving Federer's poor results, a good chance too for Ferrer to reach his first grand slam final, with Djokovic and Nadal in the other half.

bogbrush wrote: I just hope he's inspired to take it to a 20-18 final set on that delayed semi-final!

I'm laughing at this... but it's a nervous laughter!

From Fed's point of view, I think you are right about Berdych. In fact, there's a decent chance that he may be the SF opponent rather than Ferrer. Berdych is probably the darkest of the dark horses.

If it is Ferrer though, surely he he has to win a match v Fed eventually? Or does expecting a different outcome after 14 in a row of the same, suggest I may be making a descent into madness?

I have a feeling Berdy or Almagro will take Ferrer out, if not Raonic before them...partic if damp/lower bouncing.

Nightmare draw for Berdych though. Probable:

Monfils / Gulbis / Robredo / El Mugro then Ferrer

I could imagine him losing any of those.

lydian wrote:I have a feeling Berdy or Almagro will take Ferrer out, if not Raonic before them...partic if damp/lower bouncing.

Having sorted the draw out I am now working on my final weather plans. Low bouncing conditions are, as you might expect, featuring heavily.

Haddie-nuff wrote:Looks like someone pinched all the cup cakes Rog

Well someone had to get Nadal. Apart from Djokovic in the semi, Rafa's draw is hardly scary.

Screech got the toughest draw.

bogbrush wrote:


................................................................................................................


If it is Ferrer though, surely he he has to win a match v Fed eventually? Or does expecting a different outcome after 14 in a row of the same, suggest I may be making a descent into madness?

And may that be a lesson to you all.

Nobody beats David Ferrer fifteen times in a row .......

(with apologies to Mr Gerulaitis )

edit : sorry HMM and bb. Don't know how/why the quote came out like that, it was HMM's post rather than bb's, just to be clear !

lol lags. Well you feel if he's ever going to break his duck, this could be the one and if he gets to the semis he'll be in good form given his banana skin draw.

"Screech"....haha, makes me laugh everytime I read that.
This year he may be 'saved by the swell' (weather swell that is...)

Yep BB, think we're all going to turn into Michael Fish's this fortnight, temp , rain and wind fluctuations are predicted to be massive one day to the next!

Infact now the draw is better updated Ferrer could even slip in R1 as Matosevic is a good player. R2 is Montanes who's a decent clay guy, then given those wins he'll be on track for a trip to the farmyard with the seed plough in R3.

emancipator wrote:

Haddie-nuff wrote:Looks like someone pinched all the cup cakes Rog

Well someone had to get Nadal. Apart from Djokovic in the semi, Rafa's draw is hardly scary.

Screech got the toughest draw.

The draw looks somewhat strange without Andy and Delpo.. It looks a bit lopsided but hey I suppose we need to help the "old boy" with an extra cup cake here or there.. Couldn´t give one to screech they are not "gluton" free

Wonder who the qualifiers are. If Federer gets a threatening one I'm reclassifying this as a beast of a draw. On that theme, I just remembered what a clay bunny Tsonga wasn't at this event last year. He'll have to go early; I nominate Neimenan to take care of business there.

The tough thing for me is going to rooting hard for Djokovic through the first five rounds. Unless Rafa loses early that is (at which point I wake up anyway).

lydian wrote:Infact now the draw is better updated Ferrer could even slip in R1 as Matosevic is a good player. R2 is Montanes who's a decent clay guy, then given those wins he'll be on track for a trip to the farmyard with the seed plough in R3.

Excellent wordplay

So is everyone happy?

Haas isn't a foregone conclusion yet. He pulled out of Dusseldorf due to the most horrific of ailments (the rhinovirus AKA common cold) so should be fine for the FO.

bogbrush wrote:The tough thing for me is going to rooting hard for Djokovic through the first five rounds.

You might get a taste for it! It can be an addictive past time.

By the SF, you'll be thinking "you know what? His haircut's not that bad...".

Then if he wins, you'll be buying a plane ticket to California to party with Socal!

HM Murdoch wrote:

bogbrush wrote:The tough thing for me is going to rooting hard for Djokovic through the first five rounds.

You might get a taste for it! It can be an addictive past time.

By the SF, you'll be thinking "you know what? His haircut's not that bad...".

Then if he wins, you'll be buying a plane ticket to California to party with Socal!

You were winning, and then you overpressed at the end!

hawkeye wrote:So is everyone happy?

Socal wont be happy with the row of banana skins lined up for The Special One.

If Novak is screech, i would put nadal as AC Slater (slick back hair and the gun show).

Yep, socal won't like the draw. It's a stitch-up, I tell you...... How many MORE times ...??

Anyway, let battle commence .... time to get this show started.

Or - as they say in Paris - roll on Garros.

come to think of it, with Fed's recent hair cut, bit of the zac morris about him

http://cache2.artprintimages.com/LRG/10/1062/LVUL000Z.jpg

Zac who??

Thought they said Nadal looked like Josh Harnett?

lags72 wrote:Yep, socal won't like the draw. It's a stitch-up, I tell you...... How many MORE times ...??

I think he'll be delighted that Fognini is in Nadal's quarter....

It's a good draw for Federer - mind you any draw which keeps him away from Nadal before the final is a decent draw.

It does mean that what is on paper the likely crunch match is scheduled to be on the Friday, but that's not the end of the world and nor, prior to the Fedal era, is it particularly unusual in Slams.

If we have a Fed v. Nadal final (and that's if) I fear we'll need our time machines set to 2008.

slashermcguirk wrote:If Novak is screech, i would put nadal as AC Slater (slick back hair and the gun show).

Has anyone seem the Roland Garros promotional picture of The Big Three?


Glad to see Federer and Djoko getting on again though. Security footage from the locker room after the USO11 semi final suggests things were a bit tense:

Nadal also looks like Atreyu from The Never Ending Story.

And also a little like a capybara:

dont know who josh harnett is but there is a resemblance alright. I was just trying to keep in line with saved by the bell theme. Classic pics Murdoch

[quote="HM Murdoch"]

slashermcguirk wrote:If Novak is screech, i would put nadal as AC Slater (slick back hair and the gun show).

"Has anyone seem the Roland Garros promotional picture of The Big Three?"



Lol, great stuff. Judging by the first picture, Djoko must have just seen the draw.

barrystar wrote:
It's a good draw for Federer - mind you any draw which keeps him away from Nadal before the final is a decent draw.

It does mean that what is on paper the likely crunch match is scheduled to be on the Friday, but that's not the end of the world and nor, prior to the Fedal era, is it particularly unusual in Slams.

If we have a Fed v. Nadal final (and that's if) I fear we'll need our time machines set to 20082006.

Corrected.

Dark horse-wise I feel Gulbis could beat Berdych then go on to beat Ferrer in the quarters before casting aside TMF and making the final! Yeah ok...not likely...

Lookalikes?






No way!!

Haha the last one!

Ha ha! This place is such fun when everyones... or rather most are happy. I hope it doesn't change on Tuesday when it stops raining and tennis balls start getting hit...

Lydian. I can't quite see the likeness in that last picture. It might help if a pipe was being smoked in both?

Oh I forgot this crucial likeness:


Seen as I'm in frivolous Friday mood, here's the tweak just for you HE

Thread of the year!

lydian wrote:Oh I forgot this crucial likeness:


Seen as I'm in frivolous Friday mood, here's the tweak just for you HE

Ha ha! With that added bit of visual I can't tell them apart. You will have to tell me which is which? Actually don't bother I quite like a mystery...

The French have planned a splendid retirement/going-away party for Federer.

We need to re-visit the 'Draw Conspiracy thread'.

Murray and Nadal would have been paid a large sums by FFT, i presume.

I wonder if the sums are more than Thailand (Bangkok) and Queens.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4528005/Andy-Murray-has-earned-6m-off-the-tennis-court-this-year.html

FO never does Djokovic any favors certainly didn't this time either. Oh well, if he can pull it off it will be memorable victory and how better to cap a career slam than wins over fedal in the last two matches. However it is going to be very tough to beat Nadal in 5 sets and then have enough gas in the tank for Federer. Also they both play completely different styles and hit completely different types of shots. That being said I could see Fed losing before the final, although I think most likely he gets there and has a great chance to win.

I think if there's such a thing as karma in this context and being due something then Fed is due a win if he makes it that far i.e. with the way the draw opened up for him. Particularly after his admirable performance 2 years ago.

I don't know how much is known about him here but one to watch out for in the draw is Jiri Vesely, the 19 yo Czech player. He's had some good results in the juniors (AO Champ + USO finalist in 2011, plus junior number 1) and is tipped to be a very good player. He's made it through 3 rounds of qualifying and will be in the main draw, but will no doubt draw The Fed in round 1!!

Knew I'd forgotten something, he's the lone teenager in the top 200.

Let's hope he gets something a little easier, TSJ. Would be good to see the youngsters represented in R2!

Best thread ever, those pictures are brilliant.

lydian wrote:

hawkeye wrote:So is everyone happy?

Socal wont be happy with the row of banana skins lined up for The Special One.

No I am not happy with the draw he has it tough all the way through. But I am amused at how happy everyone here is for roger's two week Gallic tour de cupcake. I am vicariously happy for all of you. I hope screech can clear out his half for our Swiss Zach Morris. You guys crack me up seriously good stuff. Is roger a Freemason because I am smelling conspiracy. Not just nadal but haas, dimi, and kolby and a tough first round match to boot.

EDIT: jumped in a pit

Just realised my old mate from the Futures, Pablo Carreno-Busta, has drawn Federer in the 1st round.

Chydremion wrote:

socal1976 wrote:

lydian wrote:

hawkeye wrote:So is everyone happy?

Socal wont be happy with the row of banana skins lined up for The Special One.

No I am not happy with the draw he has it tough all the way through. But I am amused at how happy everyone here is for roger's two week Gallic tour de cupcake. I am vicariously happy for all of you. I hope screech can clear out his half for our Swiss Zach Morris. You guys crack me up seriously good stuff. Is roger a Freemason because I am smelling conspiracy. Not just nadal but haas, dimi, and kolby and a tough first round match to boot.

I feel sorry for you Socal. Actually first they had intended to give that cupcake draw to screech, but then they realised it wasn't gluten-free.

Chydremion I am sure I will be fine I am quite used to this particular trend where 3 of the top 4 show up for a tournament and Novak getting the top 4 player in his semi it is a well established trend at this point. As I said don't be sad for me it is not like I get any of the prize money. I am quite happy that everyone is in a jovial mood and so am I.

socal1976 wrote:

lydian wrote:

hawkeye wrote:So is everyone happy?

Socal wont be happy with the row of banana skins lined up for The Special One.

No I am not happy with the draw he has it tough all the way through. But I am amused at how happy everyone here is for roger's two week Gallic tour de cupcake. I am vicariously happy for all of you. I hope screech can clear out his half for our Swiss Zach Morris. You guys crack me up seriously good stuff. Is roger a Freemason because I am smelling conspiracy. Not just nadal but haas, dimi, and kolby and a tough first round match to boot.

I thought your earlier balanced posts were a bit out of character, I even started to worry you weren't well, or had been hacked.

I'm so relieved.