French Open Semi-Finals preview from www.tour-tips.com
Two very tight matches on the schedule today, with no clear-cut winner looking evident.
Gustavo Kuerten vs Juan Carlos Ferrero
h2h 1-1
2001 Rome TMS, Clay, F Ferrero 6-3 1-6 6-2 4-6 2-6
2000 Roland Garros, Clay, S Kuerten 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-4 6-3
The best two players in the world this season, and they do battle in the semi-final. A slight injustice, but that's the way the seedings work.
Both players pulled out their 'A' games to breeze through their respective quarter-finals against quality opponents. Kuerten did what he needed to in disposing of Kafelnikov while Ferrero was probably more impressive in knocking out Lleyton Hewitt.
Guga's journey through the draw has been a little more troublesome, facing matchpoint against qualifier Michael Russell, dropping a set to Alami and playing through a bout of blisters. The Mosquito has dropped only one set for the week and has looked on top of his game since the opening round. Could he have peaked too early?
I honestly believe there is nothing between these two players. Writing off Kuerten is always a very risky proposition, he has an enormous heart and always seems to have that little bit extra in reserve. Ferrero hssimply looked brilliant without being truly tested.
I can't recommend getting heavily involved in this match, sit back with a couple of beers (if it goes five sets again, you may need a fully-stocked fridge!) and enjoy a titanic struggle. Small play on Guga at the overs.
2pts Kuerten 2.20 at Direcbet
Alex Corretja vs Sebastien Grosjean
h2h 0-0
Remarkably for two players at this end of a Grand Slam, these two have never played an official match before. Thus we are left with a lot of ifs, buts and maybes.
Grosjean's win over Agassi was super-impressive, but was Andre playing at his usual Grand Slam level. I doubt it. The Frenchman hit a lot of winners, but Agassi contributed to his own downfall by making a lot of unforced errors.
Take note of these points.
1. I think beating Agassi on centre court in front of the home crowd will be quite mentally draining for Grosjean. It wasn't a long match, but I believe that beating a former champion could cause a bit of let-down for the semi. The physical effects of returning such hard, flat shots may also be a factor.
2. Corretja is a different style of player. He uses a lot of more topspin and will have a much more effective drop shot. He also moves to the net a lot more readily, putting much more pressure on the groundstrokes of the Frenchman.
3. I can't remember seeing Agassi play that bad for a long time. He played a good first set when Grosjean was obviously nervous, then lacked any options when Seb upped the pace. Very one-dimensional, and very un-Andre.
4. I find it hard to believe Grosjean can repeat that performance. In the second and third sets, he was simply unstoppable. Corretja has been here before, and IMO deserves to be a slight favourite while Grosjean is still to convince the world that he is an elite player.
Please take note that I recommended Corretja at 25/1 pre-tournament so I may be slightly biased in my conclusions, but I see them as valid points. I see the Spaniard as a slight favourite and with my futures ticket riding on it, have no need to get involved in this match today.
Two very tight matches on the schedule today, with no clear-cut winner looking evident.
Gustavo Kuerten vs Juan Carlos Ferrero
h2h 1-1
2001 Rome TMS, Clay, F Ferrero 6-3 1-6 6-2 4-6 2-6
2000 Roland Garros, Clay, S Kuerten 7-5 4-6 2-6 6-4 6-3
The best two players in the world this season, and they do battle in the semi-final. A slight injustice, but that's the way the seedings work.
Both players pulled out their 'A' games to breeze through their respective quarter-finals against quality opponents. Kuerten did what he needed to in disposing of Kafelnikov while Ferrero was probably more impressive in knocking out Lleyton Hewitt.
Guga's journey through the draw has been a little more troublesome, facing matchpoint against qualifier Michael Russell, dropping a set to Alami and playing through a bout of blisters. The Mosquito has dropped only one set for the week and has looked on top of his game since the opening round. Could he have peaked too early?
I honestly believe there is nothing between these two players. Writing off Kuerten is always a very risky proposition, he has an enormous heart and always seems to have that little bit extra in reserve. Ferrero hssimply looked brilliant without being truly tested.
I can't recommend getting heavily involved in this match, sit back with a couple of beers (if it goes five sets again, you may need a fully-stocked fridge!) and enjoy a titanic struggle. Small play on Guga at the overs.
2pts Kuerten 2.20 at Direcbet
Alex Corretja vs Sebastien Grosjean
h2h 0-0
Remarkably for two players at this end of a Grand Slam, these two have never played an official match before. Thus we are left with a lot of ifs, buts and maybes.
Grosjean's win over Agassi was super-impressive, but was Andre playing at his usual Grand Slam level. I doubt it. The Frenchman hit a lot of winners, but Agassi contributed to his own downfall by making a lot of unforced errors.
Take note of these points.
1. I think beating Agassi on centre court in front of the home crowd will be quite mentally draining for Grosjean. It wasn't a long match, but I believe that beating a former champion could cause a bit of let-down for the semi. The physical effects of returning such hard, flat shots may also be a factor.
2. Corretja is a different style of player. He uses a lot of more topspin and will have a much more effective drop shot. He also moves to the net a lot more readily, putting much more pressure on the groundstrokes of the Frenchman.
3. I can't remember seeing Agassi play that bad for a long time. He played a good first set when Grosjean was obviously nervous, then lacked any options when Seb upped the pace. Very one-dimensional, and very un-Andre.
4. I find it hard to believe Grosjean can repeat that performance. In the second and third sets, he was simply unstoppable. Corretja has been here before, and IMO deserves to be a slight favourite while Grosjean is still to convince the world that he is an elite player.
Please take note that I recommended Corretja at 25/1 pre-tournament so I may be slightly biased in my conclusions, but I see them as valid points. I see the Spaniard as a slight favourite and with my futures ticket riding on it, have no need to get involved in this match today.
