Notes from French Open 2013

AND WHAT ABOUT NOVAK DJOKOVIC?

The World No.1 was close, very close to becoming just the 2^nd person to beat Nadal at the French Open after Robin Soderling. It was also only the 2^nd time the Spaniard has been taken to a 5^th set here after John Isner managed to do it in the 1^st round in 2009. Djokovic is the only player capable of beating Rafa on clay at present. The fact that he did not play to his best through the entirety of the match certainly did not help. That resulted in 75 unforced errors, definitely not helping. He represents a clear and ever present danger to Rafa’s crown and he is getting closer – 4 sets last year, 5 this year. Remember how Nadal reigned in Federer at Wimbledon? He will be disappointed, no doubt, at having let a good opportunity slip, but he will know that save a loss of concentration on a few critical points in that final set, he was on his way to a great victory over his adversary.

On that note, time to say ‘Adieu’ to the red clay of Roland Garros and say ‘Hello’ to the green grass of SW19!