French Open : Mercury Rising

There have been some great tennis matches that I have seen over the years. My favorite Men's Tennis match is Andre Aggasi vs Goran Ivanesevic 1992 Wimbeldon Final and Women's Tennis match is Monica Seles vs Steffi Graf, I don't remember the year, but it was French Open Final and the last set went to something 16-14. In both these matches my favorites were on the losing side. Last couple of years I have seen Carlos Moya take the honors beating the lovable Paradon Srichappan at the beautiful Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium. Another match that I remember having enjoyed a lot at the stadium was Leander Paes beating Wayne Ferrera at Jaipur in Davis Cup 1995. Somehow watching a Tennis match at the stadium is so much fun. This year the French Open has brought up two matches, which has raised my expectations of being able to see great tennis.

Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal. The Picture that comes to my mind is that of Federer as a Matador and Nadal as a young bull battling it out in the arena, though geographically speaking Nadal should have been the Matador. Its going to be a battle of Style and Strength. Everybody is calling Nadal the young turk, but to be fare Federer is not old at all. He is all but 24 years old and aiming to become only the 6th man to grab a career grand slam. In contrast this is Nadal's (19 yrs) first French Open. Only the great Mats Wilander has won the French Open on his debut. Will Nadal be able to increase the tally of this list? I am talking as if this is the Final! But no this is the Semi-Final!! Lets wait and watch.

Sports is replete with stories that raise the adrenalin, and no story is more exciting than a victory where a comeback has been involved. No matter who wins, both these ladies would be winners! Justine Henin-Hardenne who spent most of last year on bed has a record of 23-1 this year. Nothing could be more special for her than to crown her comeback with a title at Roland Garros. Mary Pierce the French beauty will become the second olders woman to win a Grand Slam title if she beats Henin-Hardenne tomorrow. As I said earlier either ways both would have won irrespective of the result, but I am sure all of France would be praying that the crown goes to their country-woman.

The other match that has piqued my interest is the Mixed Doubles Final. That Leander has a chance of adding one more to India's tally of grand slams is of interest but what is more interesting is the 49 year old Navratilova attempts to add one more to her huge tally of Grand Slam titles. Beating the pair of Fabrice Santoro/Daniela Hantuchova is not going to be easy for them but then lets hope that we have an exciting match.

Lets hope that we have a great fare of Tennis over the weekend
Cherio