French Open draw revealed

May 23, 2014 Ricky News 103

The 2014 French Open draw ceremony was held on Friday in Paris. Potential semifinals include Rafael Nadal vs. either Stanislas Wawrinka or Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer.

As for the four quarters of the bracket, Nadal could face fellow Spaniard David Ferrer as early as the quarterfinals in what would be a rematch of last year’s championship match. Ferrer may first have to get past Grigor Dimitrov, who cannot like his first-round opponent in Ivo Karlovic. Nadal is in line for an intriguing second-rounder against the up-and-coming Dominic Thiem.

Wawrinka and Murray should be able to play their way into a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown as the two most consistent players in their section. Talented opposition abounds, but it comes with major question marks. Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils are not healthy and Fabio Fognini has cooled off since a hot start to the season. Gasquet is a potential fourth-round adversary for Murray, while the winner of a potential–but maybe not probable–third-round date between Monfils and Fognini would likely meet Wawrinka in the last 16.

Federer cannot be expected to have any problems through his first three rounds, but trouble could come his way as the second week approaches. The mercurial Ernests Gulbis is a possible fourth-round opponent, while Tomas Berdych and John Isner loom large–literally–in the other half of the quarter. Berdych generally plays well against Federer and Isner is always dangerous. The 6’10” American could run into friend and familiar foe Nicolas Mahut in the second round.

Djokovic’s section is borderline loaded. An on-fire Kei Nishikori, who is 14-1 in his last 15 matches, could be the second-ranked Serb’s quarterfinal opponent; so could Milos Raonic, who just tested Djokovic in a three-setter last week in Rome. Djokovic likely awaits Marin Cilic in the last 32 and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last 16. Tsonga is cold right now, but as recently as 2013 that would have been a matchup worthy of a Grand Slam semifinal.

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103 Comments on French Open draw revealed

  3. I’m gonna have to think on my predictions for awhile. I just checked the 10 day weather forecast and rain is forecast every single day next week. It’s really going to create some scheduling problems.

    Reply

  4. Ricky: “The 2014 French Open draw ceremony was held on Friday in Paris. Potential semifinals include Rafael Nadal vs. either Stanislas Wawrinka or Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic vs. Roger Federer.”

    Love the way Ricky doesn’t give Berdy a chance of making the SF.

    Reply

      • With that serve, Milos is a ticking timebomb who has the potential to take the racquet out of your hand). Isner is the only player to take Rafa to five sets at RG for that same reason. I’m glad Nole drew him and not Rafa.

        Potential seed 5-8 risk in terms of difficulty are as follows:
        1. Ferru (Rafa’s qtr)
        2. Raonic (Nole’s qtr),
        3. Murray (J-Stan’s qtr)
        4. Berdych (Fed’s qtr)

        Reply

      • @hawkeye, trust me, I would have accepted any of those other 3 quarter finalists against Fed.
        Berdy has served up enough pains already in the past.
        Muzza or Raonic would have been better.

        Reply

      • abhirf, we tend to over worry about our favourite’s opponents. I am guilty also plus Rafa treating all opponents as favourites doesn’t help.

        Fed will be fine to the semis and will lose in four to Nole.

        Reply

  8. Passing grade on my draw predictions. My guaranteed lock of Berdy in Fed’s quarter came through:

    CORRECT!!!: Perhaps Thiem also. (in Rafa’s quarter)
    CORRECT!!! I think Murray will be in Wawa’s quarter
    CORRECT!!!: Nole will draw Raonic.
    CORRECT!!! Berdych in Fed’s quarter is a guaranteed LOCK. I’ll even wager RITB;s iPad.

    WRONG!!! Fed, Muzza, Ferru, Isner, Gulbis, Dolgo, Nishi in Rafa’s half.
    WRONG!!! Throw in two nondescript hard servers for his 1st two rounds for good measure, no? and Andujar too. Acronyms PCB and RBA also. (In Rafa’s quarter)
    WRONG!!! J-Stan in Nole’s half.
    WRONG!!! Zero threats in Fed’s quarter. Zero threats in Nole’s

    #Humb1eBrag

    Reply

  11. Rafa lost to Almargo, Ferrer, Stan, Nole in his last meetings with them and they could be his 4th, QF, SF , F opponents 🙂

    Bring it on. Should be interesting

    Reply

  15. Rafa not convinced of centre court after one practice on it. “Remain a few days, and probably they can fix it. They are specialists, no?”

    Carole Bouchard ‏@carole_bouchard · 47m
    . @nadalnews @MisterPigz Rafa says clay moving a bit too much around & some small stone that makes the movement a little bit more difficult.

    Reply

  16. http://tennisabstract.com/current/2014FrenchOpenMenForecast.html

    2014 French Open Men’s Draw Forecast

    R64 R32 R16 QF SF F W
    (1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) 99.1% 97.2% 95.5% 87.1% 77.1% 66.4% 45.8%
    (3)Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 85.1% 78.2% 68.2% 46.8% 26.4% 6.7% 2.2%
    (7)Andy Murray (GBR) 94.3% 87.7% 72.2% 54.2% 35.4% 10.2% 3.9%
    (4)Roger Federer (SUI) 94.8% 88.6% 71.6% 54.3% 34.3% 13.0% 4.4%
    (2)Novak Djokovic (SRB) 97.7% 94.3% 89.6% 79.2% 69.7% 55.8% 31.3%

    Reply

  18. . ”Knowing that I have gotten closer and closer each year to the title gives me enough reason to be confident,” Djokovic said. As for Djokovic’s chances of completing a career Grand Slam, three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander said: ”It’s just a matter of time, you would think.”

    Reply

    • Indeed. One of these years Rafa will not compete at RG or will not be near enough to the top if his game. And given the overwhelming number of times Novak made it to the final at RG, it’s inevitable he will win it one day.

      #CountChickens

      Reply

  19. Oddschecker have Novak as favourite on 31/20, and Rafa second on 15/8

    Ladbrokes have Rafa and Novak even at 6/4

    Reply

  21. Augusta@2;23pm
    The subject cropped up two or three days ago on the Non-Big 4 thread.
    As far as I know there were no reports of an injury during Rome. He complained of a sore back early in the week attributed to the unseasonal cold weather. I picked up on it in an article about his official name change which implied it dated as far back as the AO.
    http://www.tennisearth.com/news/tennisNews/Wawrinka-changes-his-name-from-Stanislas-to-Stan-362585.htm

    What started as a niggle became a problem: then the problem became an injury.
    I recall there was a tweet when he announced he needed to rest his back but it wasn’t serious and he would be fine for RG.

    #ChineseWhispers
    #StormInTheTeacup

    Reply

    • ^^posted same in my post above:
      rafaisthebest says: May 23, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Good luck to Stan-formerly-known-as-Stanislas……………

      Reply

  23. Fed says:

    “Physically I feel very strong. If I have to draw on reserves I’m very confident. I feel very strong.”

    I just hope he runs up against his usual kryptonite this fortnight, no?

    #SuperPowers

    Reply

      • Well I just hope you don’t compare a bit off with WAY off. Don’t you? Or do you.

        I was off by a measly 3% which, in a way, is way off for Me.

        I’ve created a monster admittedly.

        #Sock
        #Tomic
        #PCB
        #Thiem

        Reply

    • @jpacnw,

      Regarding your comment @ 4:36 pm, right on! If Stan’s back does act up and he has to go off court for treatment, we know that Rafa won’t have a hissy fit and get in the chair umpire’s face demanding to know what’s wrong! 🙂

      Reply

    • Fed is only using RG as prep for Wimby so Djoko has a nice ride to the final….

      Pressure is really on Djokovic this year. This is the year everyone says/feels he has to get it.

      Vamos Rafa!!

      Reply

    • @Sanju,

      I expected this to happen once Novak beat Rafa in Rome. It’s the bandwagon effect. They all want to get on the train! But when all is said and done, it means nothing. Novak still has to go out there and do it, that’s if he gets there.

      Reply

  26. Stan seems to be making the same mistake that Novak has in the past, i.e. talking himself up before the start of a slam. I guess he’s going to have to learn the hard way that it’s what happens on the court that counts. I remember Rafa saying that very thing one year when he went into the AO and wasn’t the favorite. He acknowledged that the pundits and analysts have to pick a favorite, but then he said that in the end the only thing that matters is what happens on the court. That’s the only thing that counts.

    Wise words from the one who should know! 🙂

    Reply

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