The tennis world’s toughest two week test on clay begins today at venerable Roland Garros in that city of lights, Paris, with the 119th edition of the French Open.
The key story for the singles scene this year focuses on both world no.1′s for different reasons as they each aim for the premier championships on their favorite surface.
Looking at the women, established names like Jankovic, Kuznetsova, Dementieva and the Williams sisters all pose a threat to Dinara Safina who will be looking to win her first Slam having reached her first final here last year.
Safina would love to win the title if only to silence critics about her being atop the rankings despite not having won a slam. Also standing in her way are some formidable youngsters like Sabine Lisicki, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki who can do some damage for they do not fear their elders.
Stories of veterans at this year’s event include French favorite, Amelie Mauresmo, Maria Sharapova, who returns after a 9 month injury-forced layoff and defending champion, Ana Ivanovic who has tumbled.
In men’s singles Rafael Nadal is a clear cut favorite, as he aims for his 5th consecutive Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy.
Roger Federer looking for his 14th slam title (and tie Pete Sampras) offers the biggest obstacle to the Spaniard as Nadal attempts to beat the great Bjorn Borg’s record of four consecutive championship wins.
With 2000 points at stake for the winner, a victory could see some seismic shifts in the rankings especially if either Nadal or Federer lose early. Nadal defends 2000 points and Federer 1400.
Enjoying a good draw, I say the player to look out for is Andy Mu..Roddick….Novak Djokovic.
In the end, however, remember this amazing statistic-
Rafael Nadal has never lost a match at the French Open.
2009 French Open TV Schedule
*U.S. BROADCAST – ALL TIMES EST
Sunday, May 24: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN TV SCHEDULE
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Monday, May 25: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 3:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
3:00 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Tuesday, May 26: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Wednesday, May 27: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD- LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Thursday, May 28: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Friday, May 29: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm -6:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Saturday, May 30: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 1:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm: French Open Early Rounds – NBC – LIVE
4:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Sunday, May 31: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN
5:00 am – 3:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm: French Open Early Rounds – NBC – tape
6:00 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Monday, June 1: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN – RD. of 16
5:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Round of 16 – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Round of 16 – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Tuesday, June 2: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN - QUARTERS
8:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Quarterfinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Quarterfinals – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Wednesday, June 3: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN – QUARTERS
8:00 am – 12:00 pm: French Open Quarterfinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Men’s Quarterfinals – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE and tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Thursday, June 4: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN – SEMIS
5:00 am – 8:00 am: French Open Men’s Doubles Semifinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – LIVE
8:00 am – 1:00 pm: French Open Women’s Semifinals – ESPN2 + ESPN2 HD – LIVE
1:00 pm – 6:30 pm: French Open Women’s Semifinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
6:30 pm – 5:00 am: French Open “Tonight” show – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Friday, June 5: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN TV SCHEDULE – SEMIS
5:00 am – 10:00 am: French Open Women’s Semifinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: French Open Men’s Semifinals – NBC – LIVE
4:00 pm – 11:00 pm: French Open Men’s Semifinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
11:00 pm – 6:00 am: French Open Men’s Semifinals – TENNIS CHANNEL (HD) – tape
Saturday, June 6: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN TV SCHEDULE - FINAL
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Women’s FINAL – NBC – LIVE
Sunday, June 7: ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN FINAL
9:00 am – 2:00 pm: Men’s FINAL – NBC – LIVE
Nadal is just dialed in, he wins another French title
I’d like to see some comments about the doubles aspect of the tournament.
I dont think Sharapova will be sharp enough to hang through two weeks of clay.
Federer is not quite through with Roland Garros and I think he just might be the man to knock Nadal off his throne
You have to think Nadal v Federer is the best match-up in world sport right now – it puts the current hype about Lebron v Kobe into some sort of global perspective.
I liked the article on si.com about how Rafa changed his game to overcome Federer – makes for top reading before settling down to two weeks of clay-court tennis.
My tip: Rafa in the men’s, Safina in the women’s.
Thanks for the preview, Randy!
Jack B
Nadal nails down another French Open title
I think Federer has played Nadal enough to see an opening this time round.
I think Paul Bettany squeaks by Farley Granger in the semis, then gets smoked by Vince Van Patten in the final.
Nice work, Randy.
Borg won 4 French open in a row. So did Nadal. Surely this time he runs for history. And who can stop him ?
Mathias, Paris