After a fair amount of play got rained out on Sunday, first-round action will resume at Roland Garros on Monday–weather permitting. Stan Wawrinka is scheduled to go up against Lukas Rosol for the second time in as many tournaments.
Stan Wawrinka and Lukas Rosol will be squaring off for the fifth time in their careers and for the second time in four days when they meet again in round one of the French Open on Monday. They just faced each other in the Geneva semifinals, where Wawrinka prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on his way to the title. The fourth-ranked Swiss is sweeping the head-to-head series 4-0, having previously scored two victories over Rosol on hard courts and another one on clay.
While Wawrinka is without question an all-court player, he certainly enjoys the red stuff. After all, he captured his second career Grand Slam title by upsetting Novak Djokovic in last year’s Roland Garros final. The No. 3 seed’s preparation has not been as strong this time around, but he at least managed to reach the Monte-Carlo quarters in addition to his triumph in Geneva.
Rosol had been 3-7 in his last 10 matches (Challengers included) prior to this past week, when he got past Roberto Ortega-Olmedo, John Isner, and Andrey Kuznetsov before losing to Wawrinka. The 68th-ranked Czech is 6-5 lifetime at the French Open with two appearances in the third round–including last year.
There is no reason to think Rosol will suddenly get on the scoreboard against Wawrinka, who can only be flooded with confidence upon returning to the scene of one of his greatest moments.
Pick: Wawrinka in 3
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WWW?
Stanimal in three
Ricky,
You said Wawrinka twice in the last paragraph. I think you meant to say – there is no reason to think that Rosol will get on the board against Wawrinka.
I agree! Stan for the win in 3 sets.
I am not so sure it will be in 3. Rosol is dangerous.
Rosol is capable of snatching a set. However, I have Stan winning it in three.
Not just capable. He’s snatched the first set. How long he can keep it up is another matter. WaWa is not in his top gear yet.
Definitely Stan in 3… Pairs just survived yesterday and Sock has thrown away a 2 set lead… What’s the forecast in Paris for day 2?
Some showers but not as prolonged as yesterday:
http://www.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/destination/previsions-meteo-roland-garros-42-0.php
No start before 1 PM:
https://twitter.com/rolandgarros/status/734686872669159424
they’re on court now. i am not supporting rosol!!!
Ae-Rosol took the 1st set 6-4.
WaWa is ratcheting up the pressure now and has got his serve working whereas Rosol’s has dropped away from the 1st set level.
I’m at the match
First French Open Ricky?
So why no commentary from our man on the spot 🙂
WaWa just managed to extricate himself from going two breaks down. Rosol’s downfall is he’s in such a hurry to finish off points he ends up with a heap of UEs.
I think it’s just part of his high risk game. Go for broke and hope it works.
If Stan somehow loses, he’d be the first defending champ to do so in the first round.
I don’t think players should be allowed to wear a kit the same colour as the tennis ball.
If Rosol manages to hold on to his service break this match will have to go the distance.
Ae-Rosol leads by 2 sets to 1.
So much for all those predictions it would be a straight sets win for WaWa.
LOL
#RobertWillWin
Unless Rosol chockes badly now WaWa has his work cut out to survive.
I am rooting for Rosol,believe it or not.
Glad it’s not rafa out there. These cool damp conditions reduce the height he gets on the ball and Rosol is on one of his moods.
Stan will slip to about 8-9 if he loses depending on what other players do. No.7 at best.
what a backhand by stan!!
rosol is an utter tosser!
kind of a pity andy isn’t out there to let rosol know how popular he is….
I can’t believe it! Stan is in a fifth set with Rosol?
Stan just got a break. This is unreal! I did not see this coming!
i am very glad rafa isn’t out there nny….
Me too!
rosol has been trying to get in stan’s face…usual tactics by him…
Yes, this is why I can’t stand him. A real bush league player.
I will say this. If Stan gets out of this match, it’s the kind of win that could get him going. When you survive tough early round matches like this, it can help with confidence and belief. Stan had been struggling so much to find his best form.
But he still has to win it.
yeah thinking the same thing. stan does have the weapons for sure.
I don’t like the weather. It needs to warm up and get sunny for Rafa tomorrow.
Stan still up a break. I am not a fan of Stan, but I honestly would not like to see Rosol win this. He’s so obnoxious.
no i would never root for rosol. i can’t stand him!
he has delusions of grandeur no??
Now the tennis channel switched to sock/Haase. Sock serving for the match.
Looking at the score of that match, sock was up two sets and then lost the next two.
Oooh! The crowd booing sock because he was yelling out so loud at the end of the point. The French crowd does not like sock! They cheered when he faulted. Then he wins the match and they boo him off the court!
Stan is two points away from winning.
Nine aces apiece for both guys.
Beautifully constructed point from Stan to get to match point. Rosol makes it deuce. I bet Stan would love to close it out now. Two match points gone.
Stan will have to serve it out.
stan should have taken that match point. rosol wasn’t doing much on it.
Stan up 30-0 now.
Match point for Stan!
WaWa woke up to the fact he is a slam winner and manages to pull his socks up in the nick of time. Not a fan of him but agree Rosol is a j**k. Glad Rafa will not have to cope with him.
stan does it. buzz off rosol.
rosol could have taken out a top player today…
Amy,
Buzz off Rosol! LOL! Love it! Now I may revise my initial thought that Stan won’t get to the semis. This is a really good come from behind win for him. This time he did not lose. Any time you can get through a tough battle like that in the early rounds, it’s a boost for a player. I also thought he played some quality tennis in that fifth set,
yeah nny…you could see what he was capable of for sure. that was a tough first round match and he showed some quality and guts to pull it around in the end. wasn’t easy at all.
They said that there was a rain delay again. I really wish this weather would go away
Now the tennis channel is showing a story about Fed withdrawing and the end of his streak of slam appearances.
Stan wins. Good for him.
stan has a good chance to get to the semis now.
he looks like he could take out either murray or nishi if he gets there…
Yes, I agree. He played some really solid tennis to finally get the win.
ALLEZ STANISLAS!! I watched the whole thing and I was so hoping he could come back. Also Dustin Brown got his first ever RG win with a 6-4 win in the fifth over Sela!! Let’s go Dreddy!!
NNY: I put up the link for the weather forecast earlier today.
Here it is again. Looks promising for the next two days
http://www.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-france/destination/previsions-meteo-roland-garros-42-1.php
ed,
Thanks so much!
Just seen the closing set Dimi v. Troicki.
Sad to see Dimitrov going downhill and what’s more losing to the likes of Troicki. I’m afraid there will always be a cloud over his head as far as I am concerned.
#fear of needles my foot.
Are you kidding me Grigor. He was up a break in the fourth and had multiple shots at extending his lead to a double break. What a shame.
Dimitrov lost to Troicki? I picked Dimitrov to win, thinking he might turn it around.
I went out briefly and am trying to catch up!
Fear of drug test needles.
AeRosol choked.
Now they are showing Cilic/Trungelliti. Cilic lost the first set in a TB.
Cilic looking sloppy in the early going of the second set.
Wow! Trungelliti up a break 2-0.
Now Murray/Stepanek coming out on court.
They said there will be about two hours of light left for them to get this match done.
Now 3-0 Trungelliti.
please can we have compulsory gagging orders on all the british commentators? and most of the british press?
I’m watching all the matches on French TV. The blessed relief not to have to listen to the rubbish that comes out of the mouths of the English team on Eurosport. As a bonus most of the time my favourite commentator, Jean-Paul Loth (former French Davis Cup captain) s covering the big matches. He is a joy to listen to.
lucky you ed! andy isn’t playing well no?
his return is off. now got an audible obscenity warning.
says he’s destroyed his legs!!!
steps breaks! murray double faults to hand over the break..
murray is not very convincing atm. good thing he’s not playing rosol.
steps takes first set after breaking again.
Muzza is in a very bad mood today. Steps is driving him mad.
steps is controlling the rallies…
Anybody in the united states, please let me know the best subscription package to watch tennis tournments throughout the year
Vmk1,
You can subscribe to tennis channel plus. I get the tennis channel with my cable provider, but you can get the plus package if you want to pay extra. I would check out their website for more info.
Thanks nny!
Vmk1,
Do you get ESPN on your cable provider? They should be televising RG also.
ESPN is not covering the French this year. First time in 17 years I believe.
Hawkeye,
Really? I am surprised! So that’s why the coverage has been only on the tennis channel. I was wondering what was going on.
Vmk1,
Forget what I said about ESPN! Just stick with the tennis channel!
steps takes the second set!!! can he finish it tonight??
he’s in complete control…
So much for Muzza being touted as a possible winner at RG. The wily 37 year old is getting the better of him.
37 year old Stepanek playing like a total boss. Get it done Radek!!
Trungiletti has beaten Cilic.
You are joking, surely!
Cilic must be the worst grand slam champion on the planet.
It is looking doubtful this will finish tonight. For Andy’s sake hope he get out of bed on the right side tomorrow to face a rested Stepanek.
murray’s shouting let’s go after almost every point he wins is un peu dubious no??
wonder which murray will turn up tomorrow?
Murray still mouthing off to his box. I think the “let’s go” is to stop him saying the ‘f’ word.
hee, hee. You could be right. I noticed at one point when he was clearly dropping the F bomb he kept his hand over his mouth.
there is a real unfairness though about the audible obscenity warning as it penalises players swearing in english. rosol was swearing his head off but no-one knew what he was saying.
Amy,
Good point!
I had an appointment and had to leave with Step up a break against Murray in the first set. So I gather that Steps won the second set and they were not able to finish the match today.
I can’t believe that Cilic lost to that guy! Although from what I saw, Cilic was not playing well at all.
Steps is tired.
A tricky moment to have to halt play. Difficult to restart with that scoreline. One slip from Murray and it will be all over for him.
There’s no doubt Step’s prowess at doubles has given him a new lease of life in singles. Not so long ago he only played singles to keep his hand in for Davis Cup matches.
I checked the scores and saw that Dimitrov was up two sets to one and still lost to Troicki!
He has really lost the plot.
I saw that Steps was up 2 sets and then Murray came back to win a set and Steps was up 4-1 when they suspended play. That is a shocker. But I think that stopping play may take away the momentum from Steps.
nny, murray was up 4-2 when they suspended play!if they had carried on he would have run away with it.
but now it’s a crap shoot. if murray comes out slow and steps is inspired again then he could take it.
over a set and a half steps can win.
Amy,
So Murray was up in the fourth set? Maybe I read the score wrong.
It’s hard to know who will benefit from a suspension of play
No way did I think that Murray would have this much trouble with Steps!
This is why the early rounds are so dangerous.
Okay, I checked the score again and saw that Murray was up 4-2 in the fourth set. If Murray can pull out the fourth set to even it up, then I think he will win.
But this has been some start to RG! Stan had to battle in a five set match against Rosol and now Murray is in a battle.
Lost in space, poor Dimitrov. Will he ever get his mojo and confidence back?
I just watched Wawa v Rosol — wow, what a first round match! Stan was fired up in the end but Lucas really fought. Great tennis in that one.
Did he ever have it rc?
He’s made a single slam semi and one slam QF.
In 37 Masters, Dim Dim has two SF and three QF appearances.
#Overrated
His career median slam finish is second round.
He showed a glimpse, I thought. But the mental part isn’t there, sadly, and I doubt it ever will be. Agreed, overrated.
Wow…strange results! Just a reminder of how crazy things can happen at a slam. Take nothing for granted.
I knew Rosol would be dangerous.
Stan’s backhand though! I tip Stan to go very deep in the tournament now.
I would normally disagree given that he played all last week and had a tough five setter but no one in the draw to challenge him until a potential SF showdown vs Murray so you are right as usual VR.
But I do believe that playing last week, while a confidence boost, will physically catch up to him eventually.
One would think Rosol was the toughest opponent in Stan’s draw until SF — but Milos’ draw is looking good too. Stan v Milos QF.
What if Sexy Steps takes out Andy!!?? Whoever wins has young French sensation, Mathias Bourgue in the 2nd round! wow.
You mean Fish Face? Gross!
You haven’t heard Steps called Sexy? How many WTA did he date?! ? Everyone on the other blog where I post used to call him Sexy Steps — as a joke, of course.
I’m glad it was only a joke. They must have dated him many moons ago.
Hawkeye, yes, that’s how I am seeing it as well! He has a really good chance of reaching the semi. We all know Stan is vulnerable to losing to non-big 4 players so let’s see. I think he will make it and if he does, he will be really hard to fend off for anyone not named Rafael Nadal.
Stan is pretty fit, so I don’t know that playing last week will catch up to him. We should keep in mind that Stan has been getting knocked out very early in recent tournaments. So he certainly hasn’t overplayed in that regard.
I think Stan needed a good result before RG. Maybe playing that smaller tournament was worth it to get a good result and have some momentum coming into RG.
I think this tough first match could also help Stan find his best form. He did have that backhand firing. He played very well in the fifth set and stepped it up against an opponent who played well.
I said earlier on another thread that I hope for a Rafa vs Stan final. I think Stan can make it after a tough first round.
Murray is also struggling vs Stepanek. Murray will have a hard time vs Stan should they meet.
For the record I still think it was stupid to play in another country 2 days before a slam starts especially one which you are defending champion. Cilic got burned from it and Stan almost did as well.
Everyone, not including me, was going on about how Murray was going to sleepwalk his way to the final. I pointed out that having qualifiers in your draw wasn’t to be taken for granted and when Stepanek was drawn against Murray in the 1st round, I felt that at least some justice had been done. I knew Step would give him a run for his money.
The match is far from over, but I feel Stepanek was getting tired yesterday after the first 2 sets so the fresh restart today will help him so we’ll see. It’s there for either of them to win.
The Guardian on Murray-Stepanek
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/23/andy-murray-angry-french-open-disaster-radek-stepanek
kevin mitchell is pretty annoying. he writes a lot of rugby stuff where he is routinely pulled apart for his idiocies btl. is there a single tennis journalist in gb who is even close to the quality of tignor?? can’t think of anyone…
steps squanders 2 break points..
I stopped breathing for what seemed like forever………………….
Do we think Muzza can pull this one off?
what a hold there by steps!! i think murray will win in the end….
he usually plays well when he is fired up…
this is getting pretty personal…
I’m still seething at Steps for instigating the stoppage last night because he was flagging.
Andy did well to snatch the set but he has come out fighting and doing a good job getting on Andy’s nerves 🙁
what a backhand passing shot by steps in the last game!!
he is not backing down…
You can say that again! I’m getting a bad feeling about this.
steps serving and volleying on a slow clay court!! 3-2 to steps…
The crowd are well and truly getting behind Steps. Andy needs to get in touch with his inner Scottish stubborness.
they are cheering him on now! they love his serve and volleying!! on clay!
steps is winning the long rallies which is astonishing!
he has won 12 out of 17!
Andy fails to get the break in the vital 7th game. He normally has such a good tennis mind but he is failing to anticipate Steps next step and being repeatedly wrong footed.
he should have been able to do more. steps has made a lot of errors with his dodgy forehand. murray has to serve now to stay in the match.
Thanks for reminding me. NOT.
well he survived! only just though!!
finally! poor game from steps with unforced errors and a double fault. andy will serve for it.
Now it’s on Muzza’s racquet. Just bloody welll consolidate that break.
Whew. He finally does it on his 2nd match point. To be honest he didn’t really deserve to win but am heartily pleased he did.
yeah he could have lost ed. was 2 points away and it could have gone to steps with a bit of luck.
squeaked through though….
4 unforced errors when steps changed his racket. that won the match for murray rather than his own play.
Hopefully his next couple of matches will be less complicated.