French Open

[Raji]

Can Federer finally claim Roland Garros?
Fri, May 25, 2007By Jon Campbell

And just like that – with a double uppercut to the sky and a scream that echoed nearly 500 miles away on the clay courts of Roland Garros – the French Open just got a whole lot more interesting.

It was an uncommon site from the usually reserved Roger Federer, who couldn’t contain his joy when he claimed the title in Hamburg this past week, ending Rafael Nadal’s streak of 81 straight clay court victories.

It’s hard to blame the world’s No. 1 for his outburst of emotion and most tennis followers would agree it was a refreshing change.

Until that time, the French Open had all but been decided. Federer was ‘slumping’, with no titles in his past four events and Nadal’s streak was getting so long it was almost a snore. Oddsmakers weren’t offering Rafa at any better than 2-3 to claim the grand slam he has come to rule.

Well, they’re not giving you Rafa at much better now, but suddenly Federer is looking more appealing at 2-1.

It’s funny to say that about the guy who has been ranked No. 1 in the world since January 2004. But for those who have watched Nadal slide his way to victory after victory over the past few seasons, we were all beginning to wonder just what it would take for him to fall on dirt.

It appears as though the answer might be in the question – that what it might take is for Federer to get a little dirty himself.

He fired his longtime coach, Tony Roche. He hit the practice courts harder. And he began whipping himself into shape. In fact, as I write this, reports say he is beating balls on the practice courts in Paris.

It may be early to say, but the measures look like they are working. Federer finally overcame the mental mountain of beating Nadal on clay after going 0-for-5 in previous attempts and he was showing more emotion throughout the Masters Series event in Hamburg than we have ever seen from him before.

He was yelling at himself after unforced errors, sometimes bouncing back with anger-filled aces; he cheered after big points; and he just plain looked tougher and more focused than he has in recent tournaments. It wasn’t the same player who lost to Guillermo Canas twice last month and Filippo Volandri earlier this month in Rome.

Federer was going after points again, putting away the winners he should instead of allowing his speedy opponents to get to balls and keep rallies alive. He looked like a guy who is more aware than anyone else that he is now 0-for-8 at Roland Garros with the window for adding the only grand slam trophy missing from his mantle closing ever so slightly.

So is this the year he does it?

I’m not sure it is. Though Federer at Hamburg looked like he’s snapped out of whatever funk he was in, it was clear Nadal wasn’t at his best in the final.

Whether it was mental fatigue or physical, Rafa wasn’t getting to balls with the same ‘wow’ factor he normally can – a skill that makes him so tough to beat on clay. Even his usually superhuman forehand wasn’t able to bail him out as he blew shots long and wide.

When it was all said and done, Rafa’s reaction to the loss might be the most telling element of all if you’re pondering his mental state heading into Paris this week.

The look on his face was one of disappointment sure, but rather than wallow in his loss, he chose to quietly celebrate his streak coming to an end. He asked Federer if he would autograph his jersey and Fed happily obliged. Nadal told reporters afterward that he couldn't be sad about losing to the No. 1 player in the world, but before the post-match conference was over, he said something else.

"Now I have to start another [streak]."

My pick to win: Nadal -180

Good value bets in-tournament: Juan Ignacio Chela, Novak Djokovic, Tommy Robredo

On the women's side: Serena Williams +350. I was among those who underestimated Serena at the start of the Australian Open and paid for it. Justin Henin is the big favorite at +130 or so, but there are too many questions marks surrounding her this season for me to bet on her.


Raji