Fine-tuning For France

Clay-court king, Rafael Nadal, won his fifth straight Monte Carlo Masters title Sunday. The world’s number one, Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-1. The Serbian Djokovic is third ranked on the ATP tour and gave Nadal all he had in the second set. It was only the first time in three years Rafael dropped a set in the Monte Carlo tournament. Novak put pressure on Nadal, who struggled with an accurate serve all day. Djokovic won the second set by succeeding at net. He came up with huge shots and winners in the third set, but fell short when Nadal rediscovered his serve. Djokovic made several unforced errors, hitting shots out while striving to put them away. Nadal was able to salvage the win and survive the match.
Novak reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open this year, the semis in Sydney and Marseille, and the finals in Miami to go along with his Monte Carlo appearance. He was the tournament winner in Dubai and a threat to advance in the remainder of the major 2009 tournaments. The 2008 Olympic bronze medal winner can beat anyone on the ATP tour and is still very young. He reached the semifinals in the 2007 French Open and Wimbledon before winning his first Grand Slam, the 2008 Australian Open. In Paris, he will look to return to the semifinals, hopefully in the opposite bracket as Nadal.
Nadal is an expert on the clay surface but he could be challenged in the French Open by Djokovic or Scotland‘s, Andy Murray. Murray rallied back from 2-5 to force a semifinal tiebreaker against Nadal. Murray lost in two sets, 6-2, 7-6 (4), but was aggressive and showed precision on his backhand. He held serve in the second set only to fall behind three games. The surge back from 2-5 occurred because the Scotsman reeled off a set of winners Nadal couldn’t chase down. Rafael is a speed specialist but Murray kept him scurrying behind the baseline. The tiebreaker featured two long rallies, including one with 29 strokes. At 6-4, Murray’s backhand went into the net and Nadal prevailed. The semifinal was the first one for Andy on clay. Murray’s plays a different style and brand of tennis than Nadal and it’s hard to see it working in any major event. But he has officially arrived as a genuine, reasonable pick for a title.
If anybody is planning on winning Roland Garros, they should expect to get past Nadal. He has four straight titles there, and has yet to lose a match on the French clay. Nadal is a left-handed unique player with a punchless serve but riveting offensive game. He doesn’t have a classic shot in his arsenal but uses many different weapons to confuse opponents. Even the immortal Roger Federer failed to figure him out on his best surface. Roger’s four set loss in Paris a year ago was frustrating for the classy, crisp professional.
Federer flopped in Monte Carlo, losing to fellow countryman, Stan Wawrinka. He played sloppy against his Olympic doubles partner despite winning 9 games. The 6-4, 7-5 drubbing was Roger’s first since getting married last week so perhaps he has a legitimate excuse. He didn’t many opportunities to practice on clay courts before the tournament. Federer needs to find his rhythm if he intends on competing in the French Open with the terrific Spaniards and Nadal. Forehand and footwork are the features of Federer’s game. He’s best at his vintage self. Ragged Roger should be able to work out the kinks by June, but I don’t see him winning his 14th Grand Slam then. Nadal is the heavy favorite and anything short of a championship will probably leave him disappointed. His clay court display this season is only an indication of things to come.
Nadal’s clay court play overwhelms the opposition. The pace is slower but his quick racquet erupts, unloading laser shots that are difficult to return. His crude drop shots and spinning forehands reach the sidelines and die in the red clay. Nadal knows just how to work the surface. His fancy footwork flourishes as he slides sweetly through the unforgiving slosh. The 22 year old Spanish phenom whizzes by like a fluorescent blur in his cropped pants and sleeveless shirts. Nadal could well be the best ever player on clay. Bjorn Borg won six French Open titles and deserves higher praise at this point, but if Rafael continues to be dominant, he could surpass the tennis great.

Parting points: A’s vs. Yankees, Andy Pettitte vs. Dana Eveland tonight at the big ballpark in the Bronx is looking good.

The Detroit Lions are “transforming their brand”. Will it work? http://www.detnews.com/article/20090420/SPORTS0101/904200404/1004/Lions++new+logo+has+fangs++flowing+mane