Roland-Garros 2007 vous invite à Porte d'Auteuil

[reese]

admin said:

Reese sweetie I deleted your post because Jen already posted the news a few posts up

Ooops Sorry hon! I totally over read it

[Dina]

yeah davis thanx i rectified i was a bit rushing yesterday so!(BTW: i've really got a hell day!)
anyway i knew of course that was only the first qualications day!
and thanx Anne for the article!

[lena]

Marat will arrive on thursday in Paris, probably also to attend at the adidas Roland Garros opening party on the same evening ;D ;D

[clarisse]

Hi Lena! Do you know where in Paris is this Adidas Party?

[Anne]

Found another article about Russians hope on the French Open!!
Hope you like it:)

Russians hope to continue love affair with French Open
By Gennady Fyodorov
MOSCOW, May 23 (Reuters) - Paris and the French Open have always had a special place in the hearts of Russian tennis fans.

It was there that Yevgeny Kafelnikov made his historic breakthrough in 1996 when he became the first Russian to win a grand slam title.

Eight years later on the same red clay of Roland Garros Anastasia Myskina became the first Russian woman to be crowned a grand slam champion, lifting the Suzanne Lenglen trophy after beating Elena Dementieva in an all-Russian final.
Paris was also the site of Russia's greatest tennis triumph when they beat France 3-2 in the 2002 final to clinch their first Davis Cup title.

Next week, Russians once again will be out in force for their annual assault on the French Open, though two names from the past will be missing.

Myskina has not played on the tour since the start of the year while Dementieva has contemplated retirement after battling injuries earlier this year.

CONFIDENT SHARAPOVA
Others, though, are ready to pick up the challenge.
World number two Maria Sharapova leads the Russian contingent.
Although the U.S. Open champion has not had a good build-up to the clay season, pulling out of several high-profile tournaments with a shoulder injury, she is in confident mood after reaching the fourth round last year.
"I have the same goal in every tournament, that is to win it," said Sharapova, 20, who will have an added incentive to do well as she could overtake Justine Henin as world number one if the Belgian flops in Paris.

World number three Svetlana Kuznetsova wants to go one better than last year, when she lost to Henin in the final.
To do that the Russian, who has lost four finals this year including back-to-back ones at the German and Italian Opens, must find a way to overcome her nerves on big occasions.
"Maybe it's mental -- something that only happens in finals. I know I can play much better," Kuznetsova said after a 7-5 6-1 defeat by in-form Jelena Jankovic in Rome last Sunday.

Nadia Petrova, who won three titles on clay leading up to last year's French Open, Dinara Safina, who upset Sharapova on her way to reaching the quarter-finals in 2006, and newcomer and world number 10 Anna Chakvetadze, also have a chance.

TOUGH TASK
Russia's men have not done as well as the women on the Paris clay in recent years, although world number three Nikolay Davydenko reached the quarter-finals last year and the semi-finals the year before.
It will be tough, however, for him -- or anyone else for that matter -- to upset defending champion Rafael Nadal, who had his 81-match winning streak on the surface, dating back to April 2005, snapped by Roger Federer last Sunday.

Igor Andreev, the last man to defeat the Spaniard on clay before Federer, is always a threat as is Russia's 2002 Davis Cup hero Mikhail Youzhny, who has beaten Nadal twice in the past eight months, albeit on hard courts.

Marat Safin may be past his prime when he was considered one of the main titles contenders in Paris, but the former world number one is still strong enough to cause an upset or two.

"I'm gradually trying to regain my form. It's just a few things here and there that must be improved and I can be my former self again," Safin said last week.

"The French Open is one of my favourite tournaments and if I could finally win there it would be a dream come true."

[maryb]

annehavenga said:

Marat Safin may be past his prime when he was considered one of the main titles contenders in Paris, but the former world number one is still strong enough to cause an upset or two.

"I'm gradually trying to regain my form. It's just a few things here and there that must be improved and I can be my former self again," Safin said last week.

"The French Open is one of my favourite tournaments and if I could finally win there it would be a dream come true."

The big yin ain't passed his prime (ain't he the same age as Maestro?) He needs to get his brain in gear with his hands ... and his footwork. His opponents aim to make him play the extra shot ... who can blame them? He needs to start thinking stronger tactically - ie get in to the net - his opponents will always get him to play that extra shot. Get yer arse off bludgoening from the baseline.

I am still available for Wimbles. ;D Get the thought process going! You are more than capable of winning Wimbles!

Get a grip big yin!!!!

[Alya10]

maryb said:

The big yin ain't passed his prime (ain't he the same age as Maestro?)

He is one year older than Fed, not that it matters that much. Carlos Moya is 30 and he got to the SF in Hamburg. Blake and Ljubicic are 1 year older than Marat and they in or close to Top 10, so anything is possible

[jenhatter06]

stats, facts & numbers from the ATP (so many that it would make your head spin)

Your Essential Roland Garros Preview

ROGER, RAFA LEAD THE WAY…AGAIN
The No. 1 and 2 players in the ATP Rankings have accounted for five of the six biggest titles so far this year going into Roland Garros. Top-ranked Roger Federer has won three titles and No. 2 Rafael Nadal has won an ATP-best four titles, including three ATP Masters Series titles.

Here is a look at both players this season:

'07 Titles '07 W-L (on clay)
Roger Federer 3 – Australian Open, Dubai, Hamburg 24-4 (10-2)
Rafael Nadal 4 – Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome 36-6 (19-1)

THE TOP SEED – Federer comes into Roland Garros as the top seed and as the world's No. 1 player for the 13th straight time in a Grand Slam tournament. He’s advanced to the final the last seven Grand Slams, going 6-1 with his lone loss to Nadal in last year’s Roland Garros championship. The 25-year-old finished last season No. 1 on the ATP circuit with a career-high 12 titles and a 92-5 match record.

He became the first player to reach all four Grand Slam finals in the same year since Rod Laver won the Grand Slam in 1969. Federer enters Paris with a 24-4 match record (38-3 last year) on the season, including 10-2 on clay. Federer is 20-8 lifetime at Roland Garros with his best finish a runner-up showing last year (l. to Nadal).

THE MISSING SLAM TITLE – Federer is attempting to join an elite list of players who have won all four Grand Slam titles during their career: Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, and Andre Agassi. Other former greats who won three of the four except for Roland Garros: Arthur Ashe, Boris Becker, Jimmy Connors, Stefan Edberg, John Newcombe, and Pete Sampras. Agassi, who captured Roland Garros in 1999, is the last player to complete a career Grand Slam. The last player to win four straight Grand Slam titles was Laver in 1969.

JOINING THE GRAND SLAM TITLE CLUB – History indicates a player is likely to capture his first career Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. In the Open Era, 21 players have notched their first Grand Slam crown in Paris, more than any other Grand Slam tournament. Of the past 19 winners since 1989 when Michael Chang captured his first and only Slam title, 12 claimed their first Slam crown in Paris, including Rafael Nadal in 2005. In addition, since ’89, only three players (Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Yevgeny Kafelnikov) have won another different Grand Slam title other than Roland Garros.

THE TWO-TIME DEFENDING CHAMPION – Rafael Nadal is trying to become the second player in the history of the French Championships (since 1925) to win three consecutive titles. Bjorn Borg won four straight years (1978-81) and six overall titles. Since Borg’s achievement, four players have won back-to-back titles but fell short of a three-peat – Gustavo Kuerten (2000-2001), Sergi Bruguera (1993-94), Jim Courier (1991-92) and Ivan Lendl (1986-87). The 20-year-old Spaniard (turns 21 on June 3) is undefeated in his career (14-0) at Roland Garros and he enters with a 19-1 clay court record on the season.

His record 81-match clay court winning streak came to an end against Roger Federer in the final of ATP Masters Series Hamburg on May 20.

THREE-TIME WINNERS – Nadal is attempting to become the seventh man to win at least three titles at Roland Garros. Here are the players with at least three titles:
No. (Years)
Bjorn Borg 6 (1974-75, ’78-81)
Henri Cochet 4 (1926, ’28, ’30, ’32)
Gustavo Kuerten 3 (1997, 2000-01)
Mats Wilander 3 (1982, ’85, ’88)
Ivan Lendl 3 (1984, ’86-87)
Rene Lacoste 3 (1925, ’27, ’29)

TOUGH TO BEAT IN FIVE – Nadal enters Roland Garros undefeated in his career (27-0) in best of five set matches. In fact, he’s only been extended to five sets only twice, defeating Guillermo Coria in the 2005 Rome final and Roger Federer in the 2006 Rome final (both 7-6 in fifth).

DOUBLES THREE-PEAT – While Nadal is trying to become the second layer to win three straight singles titles in Paris, two-time defending doubles champions Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi are attempting to become the first duo to capture three straight doubles titles in the history of the tournament (since 1925).

HEALTHY FIELD – As of Monday, 46 of the Top 50 players were expected in the main draw. The withdrawals were No. 10 Tommy Haas (shoulder), No. 11 Andy Murray (wrist), No. 17 Ancic (mononucleosis) and No. 33 Xavier Malisse (wrist).

GRAND SLAM CHAMPIONS IN FIELD – Two-time defending champion Rafael Nadal is one of nine Grand Slam champions (accounting for 21 Grand Slam singles titles) in this year's main draw. Here are the active Grand Slam champions:

Age No. Titles
Roger Federer 25 10 2003-06 Wimbledon; 2004, ’06-07 Aust. Open; 2004-06 US Open
Lleyton Hewitt 26 2 2001 US Open, 2002 Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal 20 2 2005-06 Roland Garros
Marat Safin 27 2 2000 US Open; 2005 Australian Open
Thomas Johansson 32 1 2002 Australian Open
Juan C. Ferrero 27 1 2003 Roland Garros
Gaston Gaudio 28 1 2004 Roland Garros
Andy Roddick 24 1 2003 US Open
Carlos Moya 30 1 1998 Roland Garros

2007 CLAY COURT LEADERS – Here is a look at the clay court match wins leaders on the ATP circuit (records as of May 21):
W-L Clay Court Highlights
1) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 19-1 Winner at Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Rome; Runner-up at Hamburg
2) Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 17-7 Winner at Valencia; SF at Buenos Aires; QF at Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco, Hamburg
3) Juan Ignacio Chela (ARG) (pictured) 16-6 Winner at Acapulco; SF at Costa do Sauipe; QF at Rome
4) Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) 16-8 Runner-up at Costa do Sauipe; SF at Acapulco, Monte-Carlo

Others:
Albert Montanes (ESP) 14-8 Runner-up at Casablanca; SF at Vina del Mar, Houston; QF at Buenos Aires
Tomas Berdych (CZE) 12-5 SF at Monte-Carlo, Munich; QF at Rome
Guillermo Canas (ARG) 12-5 Winner at Costa do Sauipe; Runner-up at Barcelona
Juan Monaco (ARG) 12-5 Winner at Buenos Aires; QF at Costa do Sauipe, Houston, Estoril
Potito Starace (ITA) 12-7 Runner-up at Valencia; QF at Costa do Sauipe, Barcelona

A LOOK AT THE SEEDS – Here are the Top 16 seeds (based on the May 21 ATP Ranking) and a look at their Roland Garros results:
Roland Garros
W-L (Best Finish - Yr.) Noteworthy
1) Roger Federer (SUI) 20-8 (Runner-up - 2006) First player to reach seven straight G.S. finals since Jack Crawford
in 1933-34
2) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 14-0 (Winner – 2005-06) Trying to become first three-peat champion since Borg from 1978-81
3) Andy Roddick (USA) 4-6 (3rd – 2001) Looking to win back-to-back matches at RG for first time since 2001
4) Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) 12-6 (SF - 2005) Has reached QF or better in six of last nine Grand Slam tourn.
5) Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 10-6 (QF – 2003) First Chilean in Top 5 in RG since Marcelo Rios in 1998 (No. 3)
6) Novak Djokicic (SRB) 5-2 (QF – 2006) Seeded in Top 10 of Grand Slam for first time
7) Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) 8-7 (SF – 2006) Made surprise run to Grand Slam-best SF last year
8) James Blake (USA) 5-4 (3rd – 2006) Seeded in Top 8 for fifth straight Grand Slam tournament
9) Tommy Robredo (ESP) 19-6 (QF – 2003, ‘05) Has reached 4th RD or better in five of six appearances
10) Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4-3 (4th – 2006) No. 1 Czech trying to get past 4th RD in a Grand Slam for first time
11) Richard Gasquet (FRA) 3-5 (3rd – 2005) No. 1 Frenchman looking to get past 4th RD in a Grand Slam
12) David Ferrer (ESP) 8-4 (QF – 2005) One of three Spaniards in Top 16 seeds (No. 2 Nadal,No. 9 Robredo)
13) Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 5-6 (3rd – 2004) Comes into RG among Top 20 for first time in his career
14) Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 19-7 (QF – 2001, ’04) Has advanced to 4th RD or better in five of seven appearances
15) David Nalbandian (ARG) 16-5 (SF – 2004, ’06) Semifinalist in two of last three years (ret. vs. Federer in ’06)
16) Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 1-2 (2nd – 2006) Enters in Top 20 for second straight year

YOUNG STARS ON THE RISE – Nadal is among eight players under age 21 ranked in the Top 100 appearing in Roland Garros (not including qualifiers, wild cards):

ATP Rank Age
No. 2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 20 years, 11 months (turns 20 on June 3)
19 Marcos Baghdatis (CYP)20 years, 11 months
No. 20 Tomas Berdych (CZE) 20 years, 8 months
No. 28 Gael Monfils (FRA) 19 years, 8 months
No. 42 Nicolas Almagro (ESP) 20 years, 9 months
No. 43 Richard Gasquet (FRA) 19 years, 11 months
No. 45 Andy Murray (GBR) 19 years
No. 63 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 19 years

THE LAST FRENCH CHAMPION… – Yannick Noah is the last Frenchman to win the Roland Garros title in 1983 (d. Wilander). Since then, Henri Leconte (l. to Wilander) in 1988 is the last and only French male player to reach the final.

BRYANS ON A ROLL – The No. 1 team in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race, Bob and Mike Bryan, have reached the final in eight of the last nine Grand Slam tournaments (except ’06 US Open). They won their first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2003 and they have been finalists the last two years. This season the Bryans have won an ATP-best six titles in seven finals. Here is a look at the Bryans’ Grand Slam finals since 2005:

2007 Australian Open d. Bjorkman-Mirnyi
2006 Wimbledon d. Santoro-Zimonjic
2006 Roland Garros l. to Bjorkman-Mirnyi
2006 Australian Open d. Damm-Paes
2005 US Open d. Bjorkman-Mirnyi
2005 Wimbledon l. to Huss-Moodie
2005 Roland Garros l. to Bjorkman-Mirnyi
2005 Australian Open l. to Black-Ullyett

ROLAND GARROS FLASH BACKS –
- Five years ago (in 2002)…Albert Costa of Spain captures his lone Grand Slam title by defeating four Top 20 opponents in a row, including countryman Juan Carlos Ferrero 61 60 46 63 in the final.
- Ten years ago (in 1997)...Unseeded and No. 66-ranked Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil defeats former two-time champion Sergi Bruguera 63 64 62 to win first of three Roland Garros titles (2000-01).
- Twenty years ago (in 1987)…No. 1 Ivan Lendl defeats Mats Wilander in four sets to capture his third and final title in Paris.
- Twenty-five years ago (in 1982)…Mats Wilander makes his debut as a 17-year-old and defeats former champion Guillermo Vilas in four sets (his first of three titles)
- Fifty years ago (in 1957) Sven Davidson of Sweden defeats American Herbie Flam 63 64 64 to become the first Scandinavian to win a Grand Slam singles crown.

[Elisabeth]

www.rolandgarros.com/fr_FR/players/photos/gallery.html?xmlPage=/fr_FR/players/photos/xml/atps741.xml

Marat 's first training at RG

[davis]

www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2007-05-24/200705241180013748812.html

Follow the draw live!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
By Guillaume Baraise


The draw for the French Open will take place at 11.30 am in the Tenniseum at Roland Garros. Fans the world over will be able to follow the event live on the official website simply by clicking on the links below. The names of the players will appear as soon as they have been drawn, with the suspense building up as the draw progresses!

Click on this link. It will be activated at 11 am (Paris time) / 5 am (New York time) / 2 am (Los Angeles time) / 5 pm (Hong Kong time) / 7 pm (Sydney time)

> Follow the draw live (from 11.30 am)

> Women's draw (from 12.15 am)

> Men's draw (from 12.45 am)

Seeds and qualifiers alike will be on tenterhooks, waiting to see what fate the draw has in store for them. Some mouth-watering ties are guaranteed as early the men's first round, and the draw will give Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal a clearer idea of what to expect during the opening week.

The top 32 players will be seeded, but outside of this group there are some real clay-court specialists, including Russia's Igor Andreev, local boy Paul-Henri Mathieu, Spain's Nicolas Almagro and Italy's Filipo Volandri, all of whom could be more than a match for anyone on this, their favourite surface.

In the women's draw, all eyes will be on the seeds, with Venus Williams possibly having to face a top 10 player as early as the third round. And what are the odds on her having to play her sister Serena...?

The French contingent will also be keeping a close eye on the draw for their home tournament, and with so many of them involved, some are bound to find themselves drawn against one of the favourites in the first round.

[jenhatter06]

Mardy Fish is also out of the French after a freak foot injury

Fish and his U.S. teammates at the World Team Cup visited the NFL Europa team Rhein Fire on Wednesday. He apparently sprained ligaments in his foot while trying to kick a field goal.

The 31st-ranked Fish has returned to the United States for treatment, ruling him out of the French Open beginning Sunday.

"It's really unfortunate," Blake said. "We all learn not to do silly things and to be more careful if we are going to do anything like that. But we also have to be human beings and live a life. We can't live in a shell or a bubble and only play tennis and never go out and do anything. It's a tough balance."

[Annie]

OOOOHHHHHH Emma, yse and I followed the draw live last year Groovy experience Will do it again, thanks for all the info ladies ;D

[Alya10]

Rodick got Igor Andreev 1st round! First interesting clash

Marat got a Qualifier and then he could meet Robredo at the 3rd round.

[davis]

The Ladies' draw:



And the Mens' Draw:



OMFG, some amazing 1st-Round clashes here! ;D

Strange way of drawing, though...

[sandra]

The draw looks good for Marat or am I just positive? He can make it to the third round, but with Marat you never know