french open starts wednesday

[renaedawn 1]

Today is the beginning of qualifying rounds for the 2005 French Open. Regular draw matches begin Monday. Anyone following this grand slam?Marat Safin should be the odds on favorite after winning the Australian in January. However, he's played dismally since then and hasn't made it past the 2nd round in any tournament since including the warm ups for Roland Garros. Sad, really since clay is his best surface. Marat's biggest demon is in Marat's head. I don't think Marat will make it past the quarters of the French.Roger Federer is the actual odds on favorite. Barring any complications from his foot injury the only one really poised to challenge Federer is Raphael Nadal. The young Spaniard has had an amazing clay court season so far. 5 titles and 2 finalists. And Nadal, because of that great season is only 10 points behind Federer in the points race. This is the young gun's chance to prove he belongs there. If he can take out Federer, well, wow. That would surely be something.Hewitt and Roddick will both probably make the semi finals but no further.Agassi, if he plays well, will make the quarterfinals but no further.On the women's side this is probably Amelie Mauresmo's last good chance to win her home tournament. Davenport isn't really that good on clay and Serena Williams hasn't played a clay court match all year. If Mauresmo doesn't do it now, I say write her off. She'll forever be known as the top 5 player who never lived up to her potential.Anyone agree? Disagree? Anyone but me care?

[fryer98 30]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

[renaedawn 1]

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH...

See, I told you nobody cares.

[mark33f 0]

I care...As They Say "You knew what the thread was before you read it so if you don't wanna read it then don't" :-) I put Federer easily as the favorite...something like 50+ and 2 lately, but he said he is more focused for WimbledonWhat about Coria? Easily one of the the favoritesNadal has the momentum and his rested from taking Hamburg off so I would bank on him.Hewitt might not even play (cracked rib) and Roddick will easily be out before the semis...he sucks on clay but I def. am rooting for himAgassi, yes Quarters but not furtherSafin defintley not the favorite, probably won't make it to the quarters or even worse the third round.My Pick if draw permits: SemiNadal vs. Coria: Coria(lost too many times to Nadal to let it happen again)Federer vs. ???Gaudio???: FedererFinalCoria over Federer in 5 sets-How about posting a whole bracket like thing when the draw comes out??

[renaedawn 1]

I guess we tennis fans are few and far between, huh?Yeah, I'd like to put up a bracket. That would be fun. The draw won't be announced until, what? Sunday?Federer is definately the favorite. But I think we agree that Nadal is a good money bet, too. I just don't see Coria playing as strongly against Federer again as he did last time. I don't think Coria's got the stones for it. Roger can just wear a guy out and that was a long 5 set match. IF Coria gets to the final (and I personally don't think he will all things being equal) I definately don't see him upsetting Federer. I think Nadal is the only one in this tournament with that potential.I do think Roddick will make a strong run and could possibly end up in the semis. But this isn't Roddick's best tournament. We'll see a much stronger Roddick during the American hard court season. That's his place to shine.I may have been too hasty about Hewitt, though. If he plays and if he's healthy, it's still too slow a surface for Hewitt's liking. Quarters is very likely though.Agassi is no more than a quarterfinal bet in any Grand Slam anymore. And that's sad because I love Agassi.Anyway, I'm rambling, but yes, let's definately do a bracket.

[mark33f 0]

It came out today Hewitt won't be playing as well as American Taylor Dent.I definitley think it will some combination of Nadal, Coria, Federer and Gaudio in the semis...some Quarter favorites David Ferrer or J. Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya...the players who are more familiar with clay then say Andy Roddick, who bests finish so far was 3rd round in 2001Draw comes out Sunday I think

[renaedawn 1]

Okay, so I'm watching ESPN2's coverage of this event today, and I'm left wondering is Brad Gilbert just the worst commentator ever? I mean really, who cares what color socks Gaudio is wearing and what Brad thinks of that color choice? Mal Washington may be worse but it would be close.

[fryer98 30]

:silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced: :silenced:

[renaedawn 1]

:snooty: :bubbleno:

[fryer98 30]

:snooty:  :bubbleno:

If there's one thing I learned in 4.5 years of college....it's that sometimes "NO" means "YES"!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[renaedawn 1]

Honestly sometimes no does mean yes. But in this case, no means no I will not stop talking about tennis and you can't make me.Dinara Safina lost her first round match.

[fryer98 30]

Honestly sometimes no does mean yes.  But in this case, no means no I will not stop talking about tennis and you can't make me.Dinara Safina lost her first round match.  

You're allowed, I put the :silenced: saying I wasn't going to say a word.Is Dinara hot?? I love tennis chicks.

[renaedawn 1]

Honestly sometimes no does mean yes.  But in this case, no means no I will not stop talking about tennis and you can't make me.Dinara Safina lost her first round match.  

You're allowed, I put the :silenced: saying I wasn't going to say a word.Is Dinara hot?? I love tennis chicks.

I thought you were telling me to shut up.I'm talking to myself anyway in this thread. Oh well, truth be known, I talk to myself a lot. Dinara Safina is Marat Safin's little sister. He's my favorite so I'm always interested to see how she fares, too.Here's a pic of her:Not nearly as hot as her older brother:Now that is YUMMY.

[renaedawn 1]

I love tennis chicks.

Then you love me. I should post some of my match pics. j/k!

[Guest]

As if safin could be odds on...Fed, Coria, Nadel, Gaudio.One of them.

[renaedawn 1]

As if safin could be odds on...Fed, Coria, Nadel, Gaudio.One of them.

He could have been had he played well after the Australian. But, alas, he did not.Definately Nadal if he can get by Federer.Gaudio was a time and place thing. He definately won't win again.

[fryer98 30]

Here's a pic of her:

I'd hit it.

[renaedawn 1]

Here's a pic of her:

I'd hit it.

She's a little young for you at 19 but you'd probably look cute together since she's 6 foot tall. Do you speak Russian? Ah, who am I kidding - she speaks enough English. And she's made over $700k on the tour in the last 2 years. Who needs to talk, right?

[fryer98 30]

She's a little young for you at 19 but you'd probably look cute together since she's 6 foot tall.    Do you speak Russian? Ah, who am I kidding - she speaks enough English.  And she's made over $700k on the tour in the last 2 years.  Who needs to talk, right?

19? That's RIGHT in my age range!!I'd actually prefer if I couldn't communicate with her. :shock:

[JaysonWeber 0]

Ashley Harkleroad... American Bred... Enough SaidWe can't count Sharapova because she's just ridiculously sexy. But Ashley is top on my American list, my buddy got a picture of her at the US Open 2 years ago... im PISSED

[fryer98 30]

Ashley Harkleroad... American Bred...  Enough SaidWe can't count Sharapova because she's just ridiculously sexy.  But Ashley is top on my American list, my buddy got a picture of her at the US Open 2 years ago... im censored

She would KICK YO AZZ! (and you would like it.)

[mark33f 0]

Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Gaston Gaudio Tim Henman David Nalbandian Carlos Moya Among first day winners

[renaedawn 1]

Marat Safin.Winner today.Round 1 down. Whew!

[dms26 3]

She's a little young for you at 19 but you'd probably look cute together since she's 6 foot tall. Do you speak Russian? Ah, who am I kidding - she speaks enough English. And she's made over $700k on the tour in the last 2 years. Who needs to talk, right?

19? That's RIGHT in my age range!!I'd actually prefer if I couldn't communicate with her. :shock:

Is Sharapova 18 yet? I saw her when she was 14 in Bradenton, guess I should have gotten her autograph.

[renaedawn 1]

Is Sharapova 18 yet? I saw her when she was 14 in Bradenton, guess I should have gotten her autograph.

Stats on Sharapova:Nationality: Russia (yeah, right. She's as American as I am)Birth Date: 19 April, 1987 Plays: Right Current Singles Rank: 2 Current Doubles Rank: 202 High Rank for singles: 2 High Rank date for singles: 11 April, 2005 High rank for doubles: 41 High rank date for doubles: 14 June, 2004 Career titles for singles: 9 Career titles for doubles: 3 Career matches won: 107 Career matches lost: 34 Year to date matches won: 27 Year to date matches lost: 5 Career prize money: $3,606,720 USD Year to date prize money for singles: $854,652 USD