Roland Garros 2006

[bia2209]

good luck to marat at the french....he knows or at least i hope he knows how much all of his fans believe in him...and besides fate/destiny owes me a lil something after the Champions League final...a win for Marat at Roland should even us up quite nicely...hehehehe

[SAFINNO1]

All 3 Russian' survived the 1st round of qualifiying

Teimuraz Gabashvili bt Michael Russell (USA) 1-6 6-3 6-4
Plays Benjamin Becker GER in 2nd round (Thur)

Evgeny Korolev bt Giorgio Galimberti (ITA) 4-6 6-2 6-4
Plays Werner Eschauer AUT in 2nd round (Wed)

Igor Kunitsyn bt Juan Pablo Brzezicki (ARG) 7-6(5) 6-1
Ludwig Pellerin FRA in 2nd round (Wed)

[Annie]

I am very impressed ;D ;D ;D ;D

DAVAITE BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bia2209]

here's a question for y'all...does any one know for sure if marat is playing doubles with mitya (or anyone else for that matter) during the french?

and one last thing...does anyone know what day marat arrives in paris?

right that is it for me and my curiosity...

[SAFINNO1]

Unfortunately

Ludwig Pellerin (FRA) def Igor Kunitsyn (RUS)[4]
1-6 6-1 6-4

But
Evgeny Korolev (RUS)[32] bt Werner Eschauer (AUT)
6-3 6-3
He will play Kevin Kim USA (9) for a place in the main draw

[kuniochi]

Hey, Evgeny is this young player, right? I heard very good things about him! I hope he will make it through the main draw! ;D ;D ;D UDACHI !!!

[SAFINNO1]

Seeds are out
If anyone wants to know
Men's singles

1. Roger Federer SUI
2. Rafael Nadal ESP
3. David Nalbadian ARG
4. Ivan Ljubicic CRO
5. Andy Roddick USA
6. Nikolay Davydenko RUS
7. Tommy Robredo ESP
8. James Blake USA
----------------------
9. Fernando Gonzalez CHI
10. Gaston Gaudio ARG
11. Radek Stepanek CZE
12. Mario Ancic CRO
13. Nicolas Kiefer GER
14. Lleyton Hewitt AUS
15. David Ferrer ESP
16. Jarkko Nieminen FIN
-----------------------
17. Robbie Ginepri USA
18. Thomas Johansson SWE
19. Marcos Baghdatis CYP
20. Thomas Berdych CZE
21. Sebastien Grosjean FRA
22. Dominik Hrbaty SVK
23. Tommy Haas GER
24. Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP
------------------------
25. Gael Monfils FRA
26. Jose Acasuso ARG
27. Olivier Rochus BEL
28. Fernando Verdasco ESP
29. Paul-Henri Mathieu FRA
30. Carlos Moya ESP
31. Dimitry Tursunov RUS
32. Nicolas Massu CHI

[avalon]

It's getting closer! ;D All the best Marat, sending all my best wishes and positive thoughts to you [they have a long way to travel but hopefully they will get to you by tomorrow and you will have a fantastic draw - no Nadal and Federer - and an even better tournament!]. ;D

[Annie]

GO 6TH AND 31ST SEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Thanks Ily

Bia have no idea about the doubles..guess we will find out tomorrow when the draw is done

Re: his arrival to Paris. According to his official site he is there already ;D ;D ;D Arrived yesterday

DAVAI MARATSKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Draw comes out tomorrow...I am sooooooo excited!!!!!!! ;D

[Annie]

Found this on bbc.co.uk

Interesting pre-RG chat with Henry Leconte ;D

Roger Fededer must not be afraid to use his attacking instincts if he wants to overcome Rafael Nadal and win a first French Open title.

That is the opinion of former finalist Henri Leconte, someone who knows his way around Roland Garros better than most.

These days Leconte plays on the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions, which culminates in the BlackRock Masters at London's Royal Albert Hall on 5-10 December.

Arguably his greatest achievement was reaching the final of his home Grand Slam event in 1988, eventually losing to the clay-court expertise of Mats Wilander.

But around that time the likes of Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and even John McEnroe were able to make serious inroads on the clay.

And the Frenchman believes that Federer should take a leaf out of their book and go on the offensive.

Because you're French you feel more pressure and you feel the crowd behind you - and against you sometimes

"Attacking players still have a chance but they need the courage to move more often to the net and serve and volley sometimes," Leconte told BBC Sport.

"I think it's a big mistake they make that they just want to play like the regular clay-court players.

"If you play a game like Edberg, or even now like Federer, I think you should come to the net more.

"He's going to have more easy points and with the clay at the French, and if the weather is the right and the balls are flying, it's great for attacking tennis."

At least Federer does not have to carry the burden of being a home player in front of the demanding Parisian crowd.

Amelie Mauresmo might be the world number one but she has had her fair share of tough moments while failing to deliver the title expected of her.

It was the same for Leconte, who admitted: "Because you're French you feel more pressure and you feel the crowd behind you - and against you sometimes."

"Wilander dominated in 1988, he had a chance to win the Grand Slam," said Leconte.

"He won the Australian, French, quarters at Wimbledon and won the US Open so he was playing at his best, but I had my chances."

And he remains a loyal supporter of the tournament, despite admitting that there may be one event that can rival it.

"Roland Garros has changed a bit but it's still the same atmosphere and it's always great to be there," he said.

"If you ask the players they really love playing in the French Open and even vote that it's the best Grand Slam tournament, well organised for everybody."

"For tennis, sure, Wimbledon's still number one, but every tournament has its own characteristics and you just have to play."

This year will see the French Open break new ground by extending to 14 days, starting on the Sunday.

"I think it's a great idea for everybody, even for the players," said Leconte.

"Of course the players complain - 'it's one more day, they should have more money'.... for me it's really good for tennis and I'm pleased it was a great idea from the French federation."

And if this year's tournament goes as expected and the final sees Federer take on Nadal, what will happen?

"I hope Federer's going to win, in five sets," said Leconte, "but he should attack more - much more."

[Annie]

This should be great news for all our Brits ;D

The French Open will be live on BBC television, interactive and Radio Five Live.

For the first time BBC Interactive will allow digital TV viewers to watch action from matches for the entire duration of the event.

Coverage begins on 28 May and runs right through until the 11 June from 1100-1900 (approx) every day.

Digital TV viewers should press the red button on their remote at any time during live action from Roland Garros in order to access the service.

Coverage of the women's final is on BBC Two on Saturday 10 June between 1345-1545 and the men's final is on BBC Two on Sunday 11 June at 1700.

BBC Radio Five Live will have regular updates throughout the early part of the tournament on Five Live, then full commentary of all the matches on Five Live Sports Extra from Wednesday 7th June - including the women's final on the Saturday and men's final on the Sunday.

Pat Cash and Andy Murray's ex-coach Mark Petchey will provide expert analysis as the action unfolds.

[Annie]

Coria is out of the French Open due to injury, will be replaced by Marach

[ruth]

HURRAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

edit - I mean the bbc coverage not Coria's injury.

[kristen]

omg...i can't wait for the french...i can't wait to see also how marat's going to do...

[Elisabeth]

Marat's training at RG 25.05.06