[Hope 1]

done for the yr, but here are my thoughts;

MENS:

does mutant win? does teenage sensation Rafael Nadal (with FIVE ATP clay court titles under his belt, two of which are Tennis Masters Series Events) win IN HIS FISRT TRY? does Coria follow Juan Carlos Ferrero's footsteps and wins AFTER a loss in the final in the previous year? Is there an American who can make some noise here, maybe make the quarters? Gaudio repeats? Safin reborn?

in this current decade ALL 5 Roland Garros champions have been of Spanish descent and only 1 repeat winner in Brasil's G Kuerten.

TOP HALF OF THE DRAW-- MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more danger lies here than in the bottom. Gaudio, Mutant, Nadal, Gasquet, Moya, Nalbandian, F Gonzalez--will the winner of the top half have anythinig left in the tank for the finals?? Awful draw for mutant. A potential mutant vs R Nadal semi finals looms; can you imagine if these two were to meet? my goodness.

top quartet; LOADED with talent; mutant, Moya, Nalbandian and F Gonzalez, throw in Chela, And Henman for fun. Mutant is in potential trouble here. After a cakewalk in the first round he WILL be tested every round the rest of the way. His HORRIFIC record at Roland Garros may play on him; 6 times entered has NEVER gotten to a semi finals, 0-6, doesn play well with him surviving this quartet. Three of those yrs he has lost IN THE FIRST ROUND. Mutant is 41-7 last 3 yrs on clay, 9-1 ytd; an impressive STEAMROLLING performance at Hamburg 2 weeks ago, having NOT lost a set including wins over Coria and Gasquet. He is 2-0 vs Coria h2h both wins ON CLAY. His tourney looks like this;
vs Sela first round-- easy win here
2 rd-- vs Almagro-- Nicolas is a clay courter, enuf said
3rd round- F Gonzalez. He has owned Fernando. Will not be easy, can go down right here
4th rd-- C Moya- ouch
qtrs--D Nalnandian--ouch
if these potential players meet him 'as planned', it's gogin to be incredible if he survives this quartet and certainly history is agasint him.

quartet favs-- mutant, Moya, Nalbandian
dangers-- F Gonzalez

first round match-ups to eye;

D Nalbandian vs M Baghdatis-- David is a poor man's Marat Safin; becoming increasingly imposible to predict. He has lost he's last two clay court matches (first round exists!!) to Santoro and Soderling (lol). He can be VERY dangerous in this tourney and can certainly reach the qtrs with this draw. Wait to see how he's playing, if on, jump on board.

P Starace vs T Henman-- the Brit can exist right here. Tim STUNNINGLY reached the semi's here a yr ago after failing to get bye the THIRD ROUND in 8 previous trips. He IS NOT getting to the semi's this yr, he's NOT gogin anywhere at Roland Garros in 2005; stay away from him but once he plays a real threat bet agsint him. He will not beat Nalbandian in the 4th rd if they were to meet, WILL NOT.

A Martin vs C Moya--gee, what a nice first round opponent for the 1998 RG Champion They met three times a yr ago, Carlos won them all. WILL BE A TOUGH TEST FOR HIM HERE, Alberto with current form could win here. Dont be fooled by his embarassing loss to Safin at Hamburg; he needed a break and the score reflected that. Stay away from betting ON Moya, unless he shows great from in the first two rounds (i dont think that will be the case)--danger parlay material, dont use him.

I have NO IDEA who will win this quartet and have their name in place for the semi's. NO BET TO WIN QUARTET; mutant will have a huge number here and simply not worth it

back with the bottom half of THE TOP DRAW

[Hope 1]

bottom quarter--LOADED!!!!!!!!! who gets to the semi's? AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL luck for Gasquet and Nadal as they will meet in a third round match-up One has to go down here , the one who survives this MASSIVE battle will still have plenty of work to do. In this quartet lies;
Nadal, Gaudio, Verdasco, Ferrer, Gasquet, Grosjean, Novak and Pavel. IMHO if Nadal gets by Gasquet NO ONE stops him, he will have a date with destiny in the semi's. He RIPPED Gaudio the last time they met 6-3,6-0 at Monte Carlo--they may meet in the qtrs. Nadal is 31-2 ytd on clay, ABSOLUTE SICK. A wicked forehand that he can score winners from anywhere on the court, an ever improving serve and he is the game's number 1 returner of serve. He has beaten Coria TWIce this yr. He has NOT beaten mutant, but they have not faced on clay and he had Federer on the ropes up two sets to love 5-3 in the tiebreak 3rd set and let it slip at Miami. He is a BETTER MAN FOR IT. His pending third round match-up vs Gasquet will be a war. They met at Monte Carlo and Nadal came thru (a fatigued Gasquet i might add) 6-7,6-4,6-3. Richard can hit winners from both sides, makes him so dangerous-this kid may have the most lethal one-handed backhand in the game today--Gasquet IS FRENCH and the fans will be HEAVILY backign their 'hope'; this match is a cant miss, may go the distance, 5 sets, and will the winner be a broken man afterwards?

Must give Gaudio his due here.The Defending champ has a good draw. Will not be tested until the 3rd round. Novak or Mantilla, then Ferrer or Verdasco in the 4th round. IMHO the Argentinian with the smooth one handed backhand should reach the qtrs, then it's SHOWTIME!!!!!!!!!!

favs-- Gaudio, Nadal, Gasquet
danger looms with- Verdasco, Ferrer, Gorsjean
frauds- Novak

first round match-ups to eye on;

Grosjean vs Monaco-- dangerous opponent for the home town Frenchman here. He has NOT gotten past the second round at RG last 2 yrs. He was a semi-fianlist here in 2001

Stepanek vs Paradorn-- the Thai man exists in the first round

Fish vs Malisse-- X-man in 3 or 4. Get ready for the grass Mardy.

wonder if 5d will offer games lines on Gasquet, Gaudio and Nadal. Naither should lose a set (maybe Richard if the nerves get to him on home soil) STRONG STRONG games lines plasy on all three here; -8 games, no problem especially for Nadal. HE WILL DESTROY BUGSMULLER, wouldn't hesitate to take him -8 games -200; be brave 5d and put out a line

who get out of this quartet? Tough call. Gun to my head--NADAL!!!!!!!!!

top half is done. I'm 'hoping' for this semi-final match-up;

MUTANT VS R NADAL

[Hope 1]

BOTTOM HALF OF THE DRAW-- bet on; Coria to WIN QUARTET and Coria TO REACH FINALS, Coria furthest Argentinian In TOURNEY. Just an ideal draw for El Mago. He should be very 'fresh' come qtrs and semi's. Can he win it all? well, he WONT have to beat Nadal AND Mutant, so certainly yes. However, odds not in his favour as he is 0-4 collectively vs Nadal/mutant; he simply doesn't have anything in his game that can hurt these two, IMHO. His UTTER COLLAPSE at Rome up 3-0 TWO BREAKS vs an injured, tiring Nadal is more evidence to support that he cant win the big one, cant get rid of the demons.

top half of the quartet;

favs-- Coria, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Marat Safin
danger looms with- T Haas (great job at The World Cup!!, beat Gaudio!), Davydenko
frauds- Robredo

This is Coria and only Coria. Only will be tested in the qtrs vs J C Ferrero or M Safin. Safin ha SHOWN NOTHING since Melbourne, he doesn't have the patience for this 2 week marathon on clay.He has a fair track record here at RG. I was DEAD wrong about Ferrero in my 'preview for 2005'; he WILL NOT be a top 5 player again, IMHO. It's not that he 'has lost it' but moreso that there are better players around (Coria, Nadal, Mutant). Coria handled him easily at Monte Carlo, there is no evidence to support otherwise, if these two were to meet in the qtrs. El Mago has BUILT HIS ENTIRE YEAR TO LAND IN THE BALANCE OF THIS ONE TOURNAMENT; he wants it so bad he can smell it and this burnign desire may ultimantly due him in. Last yr's debacle in the final is a tall order to overcome; one of the biggest chokes in the modern sporting era. Is he tennis' version of G Norman? he hired a full time trainer that travels with him for '05. Coria's tounrey is looking like this;
1st round- K Carlsen- NO WAY 5d puts agmes line on it. If they do, take it. Kenneth should have declined RG, give someone who is deserving to play here. He simply has been awful on clay ytd. HE IS TOAST HERE, I mean TOAST!!!!!!!!!!!! -8.5 games, take it!!!!!LOL!!!!
2nd rd-Ginepri/Dvorak-- he moves on , VAMOS!!!
3rd rd- Melzer/ Youzny-- he moves on, still hasnt lost a set, VAMOS!!!
4th round- Haas, Costa, Davydenko- moves on, may drop a set, VAMOS!
qtrs-- Safin, Ferrero-- sorry just cant see him go down. Better form than both these players. OFF TO THE SEMI'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IMHO, i cannot fathom Coria not getting out of this, and this is the ONLY place for a 'tourney wager' as listed in the above.

I 'hope' Coria does well. I 'hope' he can get rid of the demons. Second place is not acceptable for him.

GOOD LUCK EL MAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

first round matchup to eye;
T Johannson vs S Draper-- Scott Draper?? I thought he's playign on the Australian golfl tour,lol. No chance here, Thomas is in form. parlay material, gamesline.

Haas vs F Mayer-- the German fans will find their way to this match-up. Mayer is COMPLETELY unpredictable and he also has a tendency to 'throw in the towel' in matches that arent gogin in his favor. Stay clear from this match

N Djokovic vs Ginepri-- the American may go down here. If he doesnt he will get trashed by Coria in round two--back up the truck on the games line in that potential match

Kuerten vs Sanchez-- GUGA's last chance at glory? He is LOVED at Roland Garros, and rightfully so. A 3-time champion and SINCE 1999 HE HAS NOT LOST BEFORE THE QUATER FINALS; FANTASTIC past record at RG, HOWEVER, his current form is dreadful and his storied career appears to be comign to an end.

M Safin vs R Sluiter-- Marat can you blow this one? Sluiter has a win over Davydenko on clay in '05......

back with the bottom half of the quartet

[Hope 1]

bottom half of the quartet- AND AGAIN Roland Garros gives Andre Agassi a benign draw. SICK HOW SIMPLE THIS DRAW IS FOR ANDY AND ANDRE. NEITHER WILL WIN ROLAND GARROS, however. Weakest quartet BY FAR and no one here has a chance to beat Coria in the semi's, period.

favs- NO ONE all can be had
danger looms with- Andy Roddick, A Agassi, Canas , Volandri, Massu, Wawrinka, Acasuso, Max, F Lopez
frauds- all of the above.

not writing much up here as i dont have a clue who will win this quartet. In 4 attempts, Roddick has NOT GOTTEN PAST THE 3rd round in ALL of them--nice, dont ya think? He has a date with Mirnyi or Acasuso in the second round and may go down right there. We are talking about a player that lost to O Mutis last yr in the secodn round--unbelievable. Saw that match, he had no chance in that fifth set, panting out there.

first round matchups to eye on;

A Agassi vs J Nieminen- OUCH!!!!! Andre gets by this one, then who knows maybe the semi's for this 35 yr old living legend and past champion? Tough tough first round match-up, he'l have to be on right out of the gates.

A Clement vs A Popp-- the German on clay? what on God's name is he DOING HERE!!!! Clement in 3.

F Lopez vs P H Mathieu-- the crowd will be behind their man Paul here, potential for a great match. Should go 4, maybe 5. Stay clear of this.

A Montanes vs S Sargsian- th e Armenian hasnt played since Miami and he's beign asked to face a clay courter. Albert in 3 or 4. Sargis leads 2-0 in h2h, both matched played in '03.

G Monfils vs G Canas-- WOW WOW WOW. The defending JUNIOR Roland Garros champion in Gail Monfils makes his debut here as a pro, vs one tough hombre in Canas. HUGE fan support for the Frenchman here. Possible upset here, Canas has to be careful.

S Wawrinka vs N Massu-- unfortunate these two have to meet. Very good players here. Nicolas is starting to show signs of life as he sent Roddick packing at Hamburg. He can certainyl ne a threat in this weak quartet. Wawrinka is a Roland Garros Jr champion, he's very familar with these grounds. He went thro qualies and has 3 matches under his belt already. Would love to watch this match!!

I Ljubicic vs M Puerta-- mercy, another potential great match. Watch it in peace, stay clear of it.

As I said, no clear fav in this quartet. Coria if he gets out of his quartet should handle the winner of this bottom half without too much trouble.

Enjoy the tourney all!!!!!!!!!!!

ROLAND GARROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hope 1]

gl guys, fantastic cappers at this forum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tommy]

Good Read George :thanks:

You have to be grinding your teeth not to get back in it for this

I think its going to be one hell of a tourney. Of course Nadal, Fed, Coria will be the Favs, but I think its wide open for anyone to win! More so for the Womens side. You know who I will be rooting for on the Womens side She should be there at the end in doubles, not too sure about singles, Ok Im sure, she wont be there in singles


BRING ON ROLAND GARROS!!!!!!!!

VAMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSS!!

[naught33]

Great writeup George! Excellent info. I see this tourney though as being wide open, I think nadal has a great shot to win it, but I think a handful of players are capable of winning this yr, and I definately believe there will be at least 1 if not 2 surprises which make it to the quarters and even further. Don't count out AA if he can get past his first 2 or 3 matches. He can still do it, if he gets in good rhythm out there on the court.

[Hope 1]

naught i 'hope' your right. I'm a BIG fan of Andre. GREAT ambassodor for the game, class act on and off the court. Does so much for the kids in his native state of Nevada. I wish him well, one more thrill Andre????.......
vs Jarko first round-- he can lose righ there, no doubt
vs Andreev second rd-- another tough match, can lose right here. Going to expend a lot of energy in these first two matches; not good for those 35 yr old legs, in best-of-five matches
3rd round-Kiefer or Clement-- easier match then his first two IMHO, especially with Andreev
4th rd- Lopez, Canas, Mathieu--ouch ouch ouch
qtrs-can we have an all American match with Andy??.........probably not.
i'm routin for him thats for sure. The bookies are nuts if their goign to make him a big fav in these matches

ROOOOOOLAND GARRRRRRROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



friggen smiley typing is hilarious!!!!!! LOL!!!!!

[Hope 1]

NBC:

Saturday, May 28 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. live
Sunday, May 29 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. live
Friday, June 3 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. live
Saturday, June 4 9:00 am. to 12:30 p.m. live
Sunday, June 5 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. live

ESPN2:
Monday, May. 23 10:00 am to 3:00 pm live
Monday, May. 23 11:00 pm to 1:00 am
Tuesday, May. 24 10:00 am to 3:00 pm live
Tuesday, May. 24 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Wednesday, May. 25 10:00 am to 2:30 pm live
Thursday, May. 26 1:00 am to 2:30 am
Thursday, May. 26 10:00 am to 3:00 pm live
Thursday, May. 26 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Friday, May. 27 10:00 am to 2:00 pm live
Friday, May. 27 11:00 pm to 12:30 am
Saturday, May. 28 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Saturday, May. 28 11:00 pm to 12:30 am
Sunday, May. 29 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Sunday, May. 29 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Monday, May. 30 6:00 am to 3:00 pm live
Monday, May. 30 11:30 pm to 1:00 am
Tuesday, May. 31 6:00 am to 3:00 pm live
Tuesday, May. 31 10:00 pm to 12:00 am
Wednesday, Jun. 1 6:00 am to 8:00 am live
Wednesday, Jun. 1 8:00 am to 2:00 pm live
Thursday, Jun. 2 1:00 am to 3:00 am
Thursday, Jun. 2 8:00 am to 1:00 pm live
Friday, Jun. 3 12:30 am to 3:30 am
Friday, Jun. 3 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Friday, Jun. 3 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Saturday, Jun. 4 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Sunday, Jun. 5 2:00 pm to 3:00

unbelievable tv coverage here. 6:00am LIVE inthe secodn week, wow.

[Tommy]

Gotta Love it George I wish they were showing all the matches, live NFL Ticket or something. Then Id be in heaven Dammit I need the Tennis channel

[naught33]

yeah sucks that we don't get to see all the matches, didn't they used to show the matches on cnbc or something? i forget. yeah i dont have the tennis channel either, sucks

[Buckery]

Great info as usual my Canadian compadre

'Hope' to see you back soon

[Buckery]

Originally Posted by naught33

Great writeup George! Excellent info. I see this tourney though as being wide open, I think nadal has a great shot to win it, but I think a handful of players are capable of winning this yr, and I definately believe there will be at least 1 if not 2 surprises which make it to the quarters and even further. Don't count out AA if he can get past his first 2 or 3 matches. He can still do it, if he gets in good rhythm out there on the court.

For me, no way Agassi goes anywhere here. Too many quality guys playing amazing tennis on the surface this year. Coria, Nadal, Gasquet and Federer are the ones to watch for. Personally I think Moya might be losing a little lately and David Nalbandian is a coin flip whenever he's on the court.

You saw it at the Masters event, Coria killed Andre with the dropshot. Too many weapons here against the Americans. I love watching Andre but all are over their heads here.