5. Rafael Nadal withdrew on Friday, May 27th, with a wrist injury. This fell his quest for his tenth French Open. On the heels of Federer’s absence from this tournament, fans are reeling from the rapidly changing face of the ATP. These departures have buoyed Richard Gasquet. He demolished Kyrigios and Nishikori; he’s scheduled to play Murray in the Quarterfinals.
4. Cornet demonstrated a total disregard for sportsmanship during her match against Tatjana Maria. She was treated a total of five times for what many summise was cramps. However, because you can’t be treated for cramps, she feigned hip, thigh and leg injuries. Maria plans on suing. The question is, does she sue Cornet, the umpire, the tournament or the WTA?
3. Abysmal whether terrorized the schedule all week. On Memorial Day, Monday May 30th all matches were canceled due to rain. This highlights the need for a roof and lights on the courts; they are not expected until 2020. It is unlikely that the finals will be played on time. Let’s hope the ATP matches are changed to three sets to better accomodate these curcumstances. Who really wants to see five set matches anyway?
2. Venus Williams has triumpantly arrived to the fourth round of a slam, and on her most difficult surface. She breezed through Kontaveit and Chirco in two sets, but stumbled in the second set with cornet, losing it 1-6. She stormed back in the third set to deliver a bagel. Venus ended the match on a play that announced her arrival on clay! Not even the warning for coaching stymied her. She later said, “I did have a conversation with the tour director afterwards, because I respect every person on the court and I want respect, too. I was pretty clear on that with him.” Williams’ next match is against Bacsinszky, who she has a winning record of 2-0.
1. Shelby Rogers is surprisingly into the quarterfinals. Ranked #108, she defeat K. Pliskova (17), Vesnina, Kvitova (10), Begu (25) and on Tuesday she will attempt to oust #4 seed Muguruza. May she cry all the way to the finish line. It will be nice to see a WTA Rising Star on the business end of a slam!
Bonus-Tennis Channel continues to showcase doubles. On Sunday, America’s siblings and doublists, Williams and Bryans, matches were televised. Unfortunately, the Williams sisters played two matches and lost to Bertens/Larsson in the second round 3-6, 3-6. The Bryans won in three sets against Stepanek and Zimonjic 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.
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