FRENCH OPEN 2017 MEN'S FINAL

Here we are, at the close of another Men's Final at the French Open at Roland Garros.
Enjoy the play by play, in the moment commentary of what exactly happened when!

Official French Open site with all the news!

THE MEN'S FINAL 

We have Stan Wawrinka versus tennis clay court expert Rafa Nadal.  Rafa wins the coin toss, and will serve first. 

SET 1

Nadal dominates on his first service game, has Stan on the run and takes the first set at 40-0.  Does this action portend a winning match for Rafa? We shall see!

Stan opens for his first service game, even the sounds of these guys playing is to be beholden to their prowess and expertise.  Rafa wins the first point at 0-15, then hits long.  15-15. Ace!  Stan the Man knows what to do, when. 30-15 here.  Rafa nets the ball, 40-15, love this score.  Stan serves wide and out, second serve.  Stan corners Rafa deep in the backhand court, jams Rafa, and takes his first service game. On serve, 1-1.

Thirty minutes in to the match, no surprise, both players are on serve, at 2-2. Most games have gone to deuce, and both players are strong enough to face adversity, then obliterate it to hold. Rafa serving now, 40-30, and aces his second serve to hold. 3-2, Rafa.  

Here is the break for Nadal, and he gets it.  

That is what tennis is all about, breaking serve of thy opponent. Now. Rafa Nadal serving at 4-2, just what Stan Wawrinka does not want.  30-15 now. 40-15 now.  Nadal is dictating the points. Fault. Lefties love serving from the deuce court.  Nadal is no exception. We have a nice, powerful open body stance that gives us instant power and an angle our minds understand. Nadal wins the point easily; after his angled serve he runs to his backhand court and angles a winner to Wawrinka's backhand court.  5-2, Nadal.

Stan is serving to stay in the set. He can come back, but will he? Or, conserve his energy for the second set. Let us see!  A miss hit by Wawrinka, but now 15-15. Fault, nerves.  Ball in play, and Nadal out hits him at 15-30 now.  Fabulous serve, Nadal nets the ball, 30-30.  A chance!  Ball in play, all go to Nadal's bludgeoning forehand, at 30-40 now.  Stan Wawrinka is now hitting to Nadal's backhand, not much room in the court, and hits long. 

First Set goes to Rafa Nadal, 6-2.

SET 2

 Rafa Nadal opens the set.  30-30 now. Stan is playing smart.  Drop shot keeps him competitive.  Nadal is not to be denied, dominates at 40-30, now wins the opening at 1-0.

Nadal breaks Wawrinka for a second time, 2-0 now, and Nadal is serving. 30-0. Stan Wawrinka can get back in to the match. One point at a time.  Passing shot, 40-0.  Fault.  Okay, Stan gets the point, 40-15. Here comes that side of the court we  lefties like.  Heavy serve, Stan returns and Nadal puts it back at Wawrinka's feet at the baseline for a winner.  Game Nadal, 3-0 now.

Stan is serving. Keep the mind in check and just play the game.  Stan runs to the net and gets the point!  15-0. Stan now angles the point! 30-0 now.  Here is a player not to be denied.  40-0 now!  Love Stan Wawrinka.  Come in on your serve, change it up says John MacEnroe.  40-15 now.  Fault.  Let.  Stan hits to Nadal's backhand a few times, then pulls Nadal wide in AD court then Nadal hits a wide forehand. Game Wawrinka! 3-1 now.

Nadal is serving now.  30-30 now.  Fault.  Wawrinka hits wide, 40-30 now. Fault.  A rally and Nadal out hits Wawrinka who now has an unforced error.  This has happened before,  Stan's chance is to shorten the points.  believe me, I have been there.  if you are losing and another player is out hitting you, the match will not change and you will lose big time.  As a defender against this playing tactic, you have to put your ego aside and find a way to avoid the long rallies that a player like Nadal feed off.  Game Nadal, 4-1.

An hour in to the match now.

Wawrinka is serving, what will he do?  30-0 now. Big serves, go Wawrinka!  Nets the ball, 30-15.  Nadal hits out, 40-15.  Nadal is moving Stan side to side but Stan is going for the slide, angles a shot to backhand of Nadal at 99 miles an hour, return from Nadal and Nadal hits a winner to the sideline, 40-30.  Stan fights for the next point and gets it. Beware the fabulous shot because you have a high probability to miss the next one, even the great champions play in to this life folly as well. Sois sage. Be wise. Game Wawrinka! 4-2, advantage to take the set is still to Nadal.

Nadal is serving. Tight rally, Nadal is really moving Wawrinka around the court, 15-0. Now 30-0 with a winning volley. Stan hits a drop shot, Nadal runs up and hits the ball straight in front of him, easily passing Wawrinka to get the point.  40-0. Nadal gets the game now! 5-2.

Wawrinka serves.  Nadal is dominating, running Wawrinka back and forth on the baseline.  0-15.  15-30.  30-30, Nadal hits out. No real winners from Wawrinka, but an ace here, 40-30. Returns to Nadal's backhand a few times, then hits deep to AD corner and comes in to put away the weaker ball, game Wawrinka!  5-3 now. A chance.

Nadal is serving for the set, out-playing Wawrinka. A tough spot to be in for Stan. The crowd wants a match!  Cheering! Now Stan is moving Nadal around, but then nets the ball trying for an angle. 15-0.  Stan moves Nadal around and Nadal hits long.15-15, a chance for Wawrinka now.  Another long rally, Wawrinka hits long, 30-15 now.  Long rallies are not the friend of Stan Wawrinka today. Tactic: Nadal is now all over the net and gets the point. 40-15 now.  This is a crucial moment. Hold on now, Stan destroys his racquet, throwing it to the ground!  It is bent at its throat. Hmm, perhaps a bit too prescient that Stan has been choking during this match. The Chair Umpire gives Stan Wawrinka a 'warning' for 'racquet abuse.' Okay, Nadal dominates some more at 40-15. Ace! There is no peace for Stan thus far. 

Set to Nadal! 6-3.

SET 3

About 90 minutes in to the match now.  Interesting, as compared to the women's match where Halep was up in the second set at 3-0 and we all intuitively thought she would win (and ultimately she did lose the match as we know), there is none of that sentiment or feeling here on the part of Nadal who is leading in won sets here. He is just playing the match, and the crowd wants a match.  They are getting some, but no conjecture here that Nadal is the 'winner,' he is simply playing tennis. Nadal has the momentum winning two sets thus far and we do not care, we just want tennis, and I would bet he wants tennis too.  

It is not about the 'winning,' the effort here is about the tennis. You have to let go, and simply- play the game as it is meant to be played. When the game likes you, it will reward you. Food for thought for our own matches.

Stan Wawrinka opens the set serving, 0-15. A rally, Nadal dominates at 0-30.  Wawrinka cannot out- hit him.  He has been trying these 90 minutes to not much avail.  0-40.  For our information, a commentator states that Nadal has only played a 5th set twice here at Roland Garros.  A tough statistic to pole vault over for Wawrinka.  Tactic: Nadal has Stan on bended knee and hitting backwards from the baseline, Stan gets back an okay return only to have Nadal return an inside out forehand for an angled winner to the deuce service box.  Game Nadal, 1-0.

Nadal is serving. 15-0. Nadal is playing. Nadal shows his stuff- he corners Stan in the deuce court then comes in and drop shots to the AD court for a winner. 30-0.  Nadal comes in again for a second time, 40-0.  Another long rally albeit a fast one and Nadal shows more of his talents by hitting a down the line winner to the deuce court.  Tennis rewards Nadal on playing the game as it should. Game Nadal 2-0. There is no holding back here on the part of Rafa Nadal, he loves this game and it shows.

Wawrinka is serving. We want Stan's great tennis! 15-0. Both are at net, Nadal shows his stuff with another down the line passing shot. 15-15 now.  Wawrinka gets a winner! That is it, shorten the point against Nadal. 30-15.  Not to be denied, Nadal gets the next point, 30-30 now.  Stan is serving and volleying, risky but a good choice considering the tempo of this match. He gets the point, 40-30. Comes to the service box again and gets the point! Game to Wawrinka! Come in again! 2-1 is the game score now. Anyone's match!

Nadal is serving. Routine shot making. 30-15 now. Stan moved all around the court to get that point, shorten that point instead!  Okay, we are at 30-30 now, even hitting from the baseline and Nadal misses.This tactic is risky for Stan even though it worked this time for him.  Nadal gets the next point, hitting early to the corners. 40-30. Tactic: Nadal is not taking any chances on how to play his game, and running Stan has worked quite well so far. Stan cannot keep up this pace of running from one side to the other, even though his slide on clay is good. Nice down the line shot from Stan! Shorter point here again. 40-40. Learn from this. Deuce!!  Advantage Nadal now. This is where it all happens, at Deuce. Wide serve, Wawrinka hits the ball back to Nadal (try not to put the ball back on your opponent's racquet) and an even wider Nadal return swings Wawrinka to the opposite AD corner and Wawrinka hits long, having time stolen from him. This game is about stealing time and who can steal it first, 3-1, Nadal.

Wawrinka is serving now. He is down 1-3 games. Not too bad, he can catch up. Belief. Play the game. Fault.  Stan moves Nadal to opposite corners of the court and in two seconds wins the point. This is how Stan must play to beat an impossible baseline player like Nadal. Keep the points short. Not so easy to do. 15-0. Another 2 seconds, 'Stan goes big early and connects,' says Commentator Mary Carillo and wins the point. At 30-0 now. Tactic: Nadal stands so far back in the court from the baseline so that he can use his inside out forehand. Stan is so good he gets the inside out forehand shot, but not good enough. Nadal next comes to net for a winner, 30-15. Really review this strategy. Nadal set up the difficulty to his opponent with the inside out forehand, then as his opponent struggles to return this difficult shot, Nadal positions himself at net to put the ball away. 

Let's continue now. This will prove to be a crucial game. Stan is serving at 15-30. He is down 2 games, early in the 3rd set. Fault. In this next point Stan dominates at the net but Nadal passes him off the forehand wing!! 30-30. Ace! Just what Stan needs right now. 40-30. An advantage, a chance for Stan to close the game, a window of opportunity. In this next point Stan nets the ball off a slice backhand (this shot will prove his un-doing). 

Back to Deuce, the wild card here, anyone has an equal chance of winning the game. The long rally, Nadal dominates and corners Stan, but Stan gets lucky and Nadal nets the ball from the service area. 'Luck is part of the game,' as I say.  Advantage Stan Wawrinka. Now Nadal hits a winner down the line, he is fighting hard to get this game. Back to Deuce!  Stan comes up to net and takes a chance on a serve and volley at Deuce! It pays off to get the shot! AD Stan Wawrinka!  Fault.  Nerves, pressure, and even though we all know this human side of the game, it is there, it will never go away, for anyone!. Now Stan misses after another 4 ball rally (no more long points!). Deuce.  Fault.  Tactic: okay, this is fun~ Rafa coming up to net, Stan coming up at the same time, cat and mouse! Stan gets the better angle and wins the point! This strategy is what Stan needs to do more often. The crowd cheers! We all love Stan and understand how tough it is out there. And then we get the fun theatrics, smart crowd here at the French Open! Advantage goes to Stan! Pressure still. There is even pressure in winning a point, and managing the aftermath of a point won. Fault. On his second serve, Wawrinka has Nadal on the run but nets a tight overhead.This crucially missed shot will again be a negative in this game for Stan. Tennis is very hard, especially at these levels. You cannot afford mistakes. Your opponent will jump on that opportunity. Back to Deuce. Fault.  Another second serve and a 4 ball rally where Wawrinka hits long.  Advantage goes to Nadal.  On this next point, rather uneventful (be careful of the lull here, folks) Stan hits long, and this crucial game, which will prove that Rafa has indeed broken Stan in the gladiator ring here, goes to Rafa Nadal, 4-1.

Nadal is serving. He loves the game. The clay court. 15-0. Easy. Nadal has Stan on the run as Nadal runs to the net to put away a winner. Stolen time. This is how you play tennis, folks. 30-0. Now 40-0.  Quick points, this is how Nadal really likes it too. Nadal is moving Wawrinka around again as Nadal is a third time at net. Nadal gets the point, gets the game. No thinking about winning, this is thinking about playing good tennis.

Stan Wawrinka is serving at 1-5 games. Fault.  Nadal runs, runs, runs up to the net and puts away another winner. 0-15.  Nadal hops on his feet, split stepping. Fault. Next, a 4 ball rally and Stan hits long, 0-30.  This is a very tough spot to be in, and Stan Wawrinka decides to serve and volley. Stan gets to the net and now 15-30. Stan's risk taking has paid off for that point. Each point matters. Next, Nadal hits to the alley corner, very wide deep shot, and Stan misses. 15-40. Match point!  Fault. Nadal hits his return long! Even champions will feel the nerves. 30-40 now. Another long rally in this important point and Wawrinka uses his slice backhand for a drop shot and instead nets the ball (twice now in the match). Nadal wins!

In 2 hours and 10 minutes, Rafa Nadal wins his 10th French Open! CONGRATULATIONS RAFA NADAL! Welcome back, Champion! 6-2, 6-3, 6-1, straight sets!!!

So happy, and Rafa Nadal won by out -hitting and out-playing Stan Wawrinka, another great champion. After many accolades on the sportsmanship and talents of Rafa Nadal, Commentator Mary Carillo shares with us that Nadal wears his sneakers a half size smaller-so he can better 'feel the ball.' I understand that, no one needs big feet that get in the way so you cannot run!

Here is Rafa Nadal sitting on his BIG TEN win!

And here are the Champions, Stan and Rafa~

 You may also want to experience the play by play for the women's final, please see FRENCH OPEN 2017 WOMEN'S FINAL. 


Keep moving those feet!!

FRENCH OPEN 2017 WOMEN'S FINAL

Here we are, so soon at the close of another French Open at Roland Garros.

So much has happened, of course!  Winners, losers, lovers in Paris, disappointments, joy and laughter. Strength, collapsed legs, spirit, grit. Admit it, this is why we love this game. It has it ALL.

Official French Open site with all the news!

This year weather conditions have been the wind, as opposed to last year with rain.  Most players like to hit against the wind, this way they can put more into their shots.  Makes sense.

Some Background

I am especially tuned in to Romanian Simona Halep (5'6") this season. I saw the entire quarterfinal three set match versus Elina Svitolina (5'9"), and believe that the events that transpired there have served to propel Halep to her place in the Women's Final. 

We have heard this before, but it is belief that has gotten Halep to the Final.  All these players are good, so what sets one player apart from another? Belief, firstly.  Knowing the game, secondly.  Knowing what to look for.

In that first set in the women's quarterfinal, Halep was down 0-5. Then, she crawled back point by point and the set closed in Elina's favor at 6-3.  No matter.  What did this do for Simona? Plenty.  She found grit and determination on the court. Belief.  Ironically I was in that exact situation several weeks ago against a USTA player who will advance to 4.0 level.  I am a 3.5 singles player, not there yet for 4.0. In my match, at 0-4, I too began to observe her weaknesses, her blasting forehands were beginning to break down, and I took advantage to win some games, also closing my first set at 3-6.  I know what it is like out there on the court, and it is tough.  

What Simona did next was win the next set in a tiebreaker, and the third set she bagels her opponent at 6-0!  Who knew??  I personally am not there yet, I lost my match being outplayed, but the happy ending to this story is that there is strength in belief and that is what Simona Halep, and her coach Darren Cahill teach us mere mortals. Now we have to get out there and do it. 

Back to the Present

25 year old and number 4 player in the world Simona Halep wins her semi-final and thus stands once again on the clay for the Final against 20 year old number 47 in the world player Jelena Ostapenko (5'10") of Lativa.

Here we go, as it happened~

THE WOMEN'S FINAL

Both Halep and Ostapenko are sporting identical Adidas outfits, a great warm up shirt with elbow length sleeves, cute green and white colors and fitted tops.

SET 1

Halep wins the coin toss and serves first; she loses her first point.  Does the first point portend the outcome of the match? I often wonder about this, we shall see. 0-30 now. Tactic: Ostapenko is bold out there getting to net. 83% have been winning short points for Ostapenko. Ostapenko wins this first game, breaks Halep, 1-0.

Ostapenko serves. Cute green headband.  Tactic: Second serve and Halep returns down line for a winner. A tough shot to create and even tougher to get. 0-30. Nerves. Halep returns beautifully.  Ostapenko’s forehand breaks down more than her backhand. Fault. 0-40..15-40 now. This is a game, tough to relax! Game Halep, breaks Ostapenko. 1-1 now.

Halep on serve at 30-0. 40-0. Picking up points now!  Ostapenko hits long, back on serve, Halep leading 2-1.

Ostapenko serves, down 0-15. Halep has the momentum and ostapenko fights back, 15-15 now.  30-15 now.  40-15 now.  Ostapenko dominates! Serves to the T and Halep nets a backhand,  Smart tennis. 2-2 now.

Halep serves.  A rally and Ostapenko hits deep wide. 15-0.  Halep serves wide and Ostapenko returns down the line. 15-15. 15-30 now.  Broken Halep concentration. Halep on her knees, 15-40, and now Game Ostapenko, breaks Halep! 3-2.

30 minutes into the match.

Ostapenko has an advantage now, she is serving and up a game at 3-2.  This is what you want in tennis. Any open window.  Halep attacks her backhand and now 0-15.  Halep gives a lot of spin, Ostapenko hits a wide backhand out. 0-30, double fault!  Even the great among us suffer from nerves! Halep is attacking with big shots, Ostapenko returns even bigger shots but then nets the ball. Game Halep, breaks Ostapenko. 3-3 now. 

Halep serves. 15-15 now. Love Haleps smarts. 30-15.  40-15, aangled bad bh of ostapenko. Not so fast! Great Ostapenko backhand winner down the line.  40-30.  Playing the second serve ball. Deuce!  Fault. Another bh down the line! Ad ostapenko!  Fault. Pressure. Ostapenko hits wide. Deuce again. Ostapenko hits wide again. Ad Halep.  That Ostapenko down the line shot again, use what works! Deuce. Ostapenko nets a backhand drive. AD Halep.  Halep serves wide, Ostapenko nets the ball, game Halep! 4-3 now.

Ostapenko serving.  30-0 now.  Fault.  Double fault. 15-30. Winner, 40-15 now. Fault.  Ostapenko hits wide after a four ball rally. 40-30 now.  Nets the serve.  Halep recovers from a tough deep ball and o misses it. Deuce!  Fault. Second serve.  Wow, too good, another winner to bh to Halep. AD ostapenko.  These women are fighting! Bludgeoning shots. Incredible. O wins!

4-4 now. Ostapenko is in the game, relentless.

Halep attacks a ball but a bit wide.  Going for the lines, winner, 0-30 now.  Short points here.  Okay, 15-30 now.  A window.  Ostapenko hits out. 30-30 now.  Halpe has lost weight in these past two weeks, she looks great!  Okay, so strong, 40-30 now.  Halep serves to T. Fault.  Second. To the T. Deuce.  Fault.  Serves wide, then Ostapenko hits long, windy day now. Advantage Halep.  Serves to backhand, returns down the line,  rally, Ostapenko hits long again! What a fight for this service game! Halep is the victor, here, at 5-4 now.  Can she break Ostapenko for the first set?  This is what she wants, let us see how Halep manages the close of this first set.

In to the match 45 minutes now.  Know your timing.  This helps to manage the rest of the future match.

Ostapenko serving.  Fault.  More careful points here, Ostapenko hits long. 0-15.  Fault.  Wow! Tactic: Great rally and Ostapenko hits an inside out forehand to the backhand service box for a winner.  15-15 now.  Serve to T, then Ostapenko takes a risk drop shot but Halep picks up on it and angles for a winner off Ostapenko's racquet that ricochets wide.  15-30. A tight rally but Halep hits wide, 30-30 now.  Big points here now.  Fault, nets the ball.  Second, curves to box, a lot of spin and too much, Ostapenko nets the ball on a return, 30-40. Another short rally now, Ostapenko hits long! Has to be the nerves. Halep breaks O!

Simona Halep wins the first set in 50 minutes at 6-4.

SET 2

Halep opens the second set serving.  As a player this is what you want.  At the pro level most players win on their serve, so if you win on all serves and break your opponent once, you can win a set at 6-3.  That is how the scoring works.  If you do not open serve, and break your opponent once, you win at 6-4.  That is just how  the scoring goes.

Wow, Halep serving now, and down at 0-30 now.  Fault. Pressure.  0-40 now.  Ostapenko is not going down withput a fight!  0-40. Fault. Pressure.  Great dwt line return, 15-40 now. Fault. Mary Carillo says get more of first serves in. 30-40 now.  These are pros. Great serve to o forehand who hits long. Deuce!  Serves to T, a rally and O hits wide, Advantage Halep!  Nice serves to the T to os forehand who nets the ball! Game Halep!  Look how she came back from 0-40 to win this game. Short, tough and tight points. S,art tennis. 1-0.

O serves now.  0-15. H has momentum. O on the hot seat. H hits ot Os forehand who hits out. 0-30 now.  Wow, too good, o hits an angles winner form service box. 15-30, fault, has h on the run, dominating, great strength, 30-30 now.  O takes a great ball form the air, a trademark of hers. Fault.  Wow, winner form Halep off seconds erve to crosscourt box deep in alley corner. 3-040. Halep is a machine out there and O is a smart player finding that opening on the court under pressure. Ace! Ad O now.  Rally and O hits long off her bh. 40-40, egalite.  Fault. H hits bh return to O fh who nets, Ad Halep now.  You get the sense Halep will win this match.  Maybe not so fast! Back to deuce.  She smashes a ball to service box backhand.  40-40 now.  A battle and Ad Halep now.   Both are expressive players. Wow, another short rally and Halep hits a rather routine shot to O standing at serviceline, ball right on O racquet and O hits wide. Game Halep! 2-0.

H serves now.  At 30-0 now, momentum Halep.  Another short rally, O hits wide again. 40-0. 40-15 nw. Fault. O has Halep on the run, 40-30 now. O is moving those feet!! Deuce now!  Ad Halep, short short points.  Halep on the run and recovers after each shot beautifully. She returns a low slice and O hits even lower into the net.  Great tennis here. Game Halep, 3-0.

This is just the lead a player wants, but not to be fooled, a great opponent can get back in the gam eat ant time in the set.

One hour and 10 minutes now.

O is serving. Fault, H attacks second serve and O returns long. 0-15.  H hits long after a short rally. 15-15 now.  Fault in the net.  Fault serving long. 15-30. No freebies please!  Tough out there.  Nice serve, easy to H and a short rally and O dominates, 30-30 now.  Fault.  H attacks with heavy deep returns returns but O hits a great shot spiing off H fh which goes out.  Another short point, 40 -40 now.  H hits a tight ball to O body who bhs thhe ball ni to the net. AD Halep, then O gets back to deuce. Whew! Pressure here. A T serve to the middle and H handles with ease. O hits into the net. Ad H. O has Halep on the run after serving to h bh, O is on the run too. Back to deuce!  Fault, double fault.  Ad H. back to deuce!  O is not gong to let this game loose.  Ad O!  Great palying! O angles H like crazy and gets the point! Gets the game!

H is serving at 3-1.  0-15 now.  Ball spins off O raquet and goes wide, 15-15 now. Too many mises form O, commentatire Ted says.  O runs to the net and puts away a winner. 1-30, now 15-40 now.  O hits wide.  30-40 now.  O gets a great ball, breaks Halep!  Not so fast, this could be a long match after all, never taste victory until the match is over, a worthy opponent will capitalize on this fallicy and come back and take the trophy form you!

1 hour and 20 minutes now.

Ostapenko is serving at 2-3 now. Ostapenko strategy! Run Halep with deep angels side to side of court! Then Halep nets the ball. 15-0. Fault. Halep attacks second serve, Ostapenko hits long, 15-15 now.  Fault. Halep attacking second serve with heavy deep balls to Ostapenko's forehand, then after 3^rd ball Ostapenko hits a forehand service box shot wide. 15-30 now.  Fault. Nerves. Second serve to Halep's backhand, a routine short rally, Ostapenko hits ball wide in backhand service box. 15-40 now.  Let serve. Too good, point to O, 30-40 now.  H hits long! 40-40 now!  Serve to T, fault.  Serve to wide a kick serve, H returns long! Ad O. Now game O! 3-3 now.

Halep is serving and 15-0 now. Errors on the part of Ostapenko.  Ostapenko gets this at 15-15 now but seems tired.  Tactic: Ostapenko is getting Halep on the angles, keeping her off position.  15-30.  15-40!  Fault.  Ostapenko hits long! 30-40. H serve to the T and Ostapenko returns wide, 40-40!  Fault to the T.  Wide serve and Ostapenko returns to wide alley! In! Ad Ostapenko.  Wide serve to the T. Second, Ostapenko is loaded for bear, Tactic: Halep is on her back foot and Ostapenko takes a chance and comes to the net and on second pop up of Halep puts the point away form the net. Great tennis! Ostapenko breaks Halep. 4-3 now.

Ostapenko is serving at 4-3 now.  Halep will be loaded herself to close out this match, to defend her turf. 15-30 now, lots of running.  Nerves, 15-40 now.  Too many errors.  Wide serve fault.  Serve to the T, middle shots in the court and Ostapenko hits long from a backhand at the baseline.Game Halep, breaks Ostapenko! 4-4 now!

Halep serving,  In two seconds, 0-15.  In another 2 seconds, 0-30.  Tactic: Serve to the T, Ostapenko angles it and Halep lunges but nets the ball.  Now Halep nets again!  Game Ostapenko, breaks Halep! 5-4 now.

One hour, 35 minutes.

Ostapenko is serving at 5-4, a great place to be on the scoreboard. Amazing angle shots of Ostapenko.  30-0. Ostapenko knows how to play against Halep now. Aggressive, no mercy, go for your shots! Believe! 40-0. Fault. Pressure to close. Tactic: Ostapenko serves wide in the AD court and Halep angles a return of her own, jams Ostapenko and Ostapenko nets the ball. 40-15 now. Do it again! Angle begets angle! Ostapenko dictates this ball then hits a winner down the line! Set goes to Ostapenko! 6-4.

Tip: When you are on the defensive you have to know when to come in to the net to put a shot away to get those needed points. Easy to say, difficult to do.

SET 3

Halep opens the set serving.  Fault.  Halep hits long, 0-15. Ostapenko is loaded, Halep is neutral.. 15-15 now. Remain calm.  Ostapenko hits another down the line winner, 15-30.  Tactic: Another down the line line shot from the AD side of court! 15-40 now. Ostapenko tries again the doen th eline shot but nets the ball. 30-40 now.  A huge winner from Halep~ a passing shot that catches the baseline. 40-40.  Ostapenko is clearly going for the lines, but hits wide, Advantage Halep.  Ostapenko returns the next shot long. Hard to do: Halep gets the first game crawling back from 15-40 to win game number 1.

Ostapenko is serving at 0-1.  Coach Darren Cahill sits neutral in the stands.  Halep is such a warrior.  And Ostapenko gets the crazy shots, 15-0.  Fault.  Halep goes directly to attack the ball, a big swing and nets the ball. 30-0. Fault in the net.  Tactic: Second serve to the T, and Halep jams Ostapenko who nets the ball with a too tight backhand. 30-15 now. Ostapenko hits another winner down the line. Great defensive shot of hers which she converts to a winner. 40-15.  Ace! To the T. Game Ostapenko, 1-1 now.

Halep is serving. 0-15.  Tactic: Halep is now going for the lines! Gives it right back to Ostapenko.  Winner to the side wide, perfect. 15-15.  Rally, a crazy fault by Ostapenko.  30-15. Deep balls, then Ostapenko goes for a swinging volley from the shoulder for a putaway and instead nets the ball.  40-15.  Halep has fast feet, recovers from each shot, Ostapenko nets the ball, game Halep, 2-1.

One hour 45 minutes in to the match.

Ostapenko is serving.  Fault.  Halep returns wide angle, Ostapenko nets. 0-15.  Short rally, Ostapenko nets again.  0-30.  Fault. Slower balls, easy backhand from Halep, then Ostapenko hits long. 0-40. What is going on here? Next a wide nice serve, Halep nets a backhand. 15-40. 2 break points here. Halep returns a deep baseline shot to Ostapenko's backhand, and Ostapenko returns long! Game Halep, breaks Ostapenko! 3-1.

Halep is serving, Not a good start~ Halep is on her knees, while Ostapenko takes the shot to win the point.  0-15. Quick point, smart,15-15 now.  Halep has a wide serve then begets a wide angle and Ostapenko easily puts away a winner down the line, 15-30.  Another quick point, smart Halep,  now 30-30. Close match.  Halep curves a serve in, short rally, Ostapenko hits another winner down the line.  30-40, Tactic: Halep now crowds a second serve right at Ostapenko jamming her and the ball rightly so goes into the net. 40-40.  Halep misses a ball. Advantage Ostapenko. Stay positive. Ostapenko  hits another winner down the line. Game Ostapenko, breaks Halep! 3-2 now.

Ostapenko is serving.  Rally, Halep hits long, 15-0.  Halep needs to break Ostapenko in this game for a good set position. Halep hits a winner to the line service box, smart tennis. 15-15. Fault.  Middle shots, then Ostapenko goes for the line and misses wide. 15-30 now.  Wide T serve, out. Second serve and Ostapenko hits a great volley to pull Halep off court! 30-30. Great footwork on the part of both players, Great swing volley of Ostapenko. 40-30. 2 hours. Ostapenko hits wide, 40-40 now.  Ace to the T! AD Ostapenko. Playing the ball now. Tactic: Ostapenko hits another swinging volley from the shoulders to corner the shot in deep service box for a winner! Nice tennis! Game Ostapenko.  3-3 now.

Halep is serving, now 0-15. 0-30 now. Pressure is on. Tennis is a tough sport.  Ostapenko hits long, 15-30 now.  Halep must fight for each point.  Fault. Tactic: Ostapenko is clobbering the serves, while keeping the ball inside the lines, 15-40 now.  Ostapenko takes a risk to close the game and hits a short ball- Halep runs right up to put it away. 30-40 now.  Serve wide, and Ostapenko breaks Halep in an incredibly lucky shot that would have gone out, but instead the ball rips the net tape, pops up, and lands spinning inside the court for an impossible shot for Halep to return.  As I say, “Luck is part of the game!” Game Ostapenko, breaks Halep! 4-3 now.

Ostapenko is serving now.  Halep must stay positive, says Commentator Mary Carillo.  Rally, Halep nets the ball from her forehand. 15-0.  Ostapenko hits wide, 15-15.  Tactic: Ostapenko has Halep on the run, Mary says Ostapenko is playing to win.  Now Ostapenko hits a winner to opposite side of court and down the line.  With the score at 30-15, now Halep hits long, she is tight and the ball goes long. 40-15 now,  and ever so quickly Ostapenko wins the game, 5-3!

Halep is serving.  Ostapenko hits long.  15-0.  Halep nets the ball. 15-15.  Ostapenko hits a great shot, 15-30. Fault, nerves. Ostapenko returns wide, more nerves on the other side of the court, 30-30. Out of nowhere Ostapenko blasts a winner, match point! 30-40. Next, from the AD court Ostapenko returns a first serve down the line off a backhand long drive for a winner!  6-3 and Match Point, Ostapenko!

2 hour 10 minute match!

Congratulations Jelena Ostapenko! She is thrilled! Drops the racquet and cheers! The hand shake and the hug with Halep! Going back to her bench,  Halep is all business, she played so well!  

 Our new French Open 2017 women's champion is only 20 years old and 2 days of age. Runner up Simona Halep is 25, lots of playing to continue for the both of them, here they are~

Photo courtesy Getty Images

How Ostapenko won: Her swinging volley shots to the angled service box, her down the line shots, all sprinkled with a few strategic aces and solid determination.

US OPEN 2016 FINAL

We all know who the victors are for this year's US Open Championship in Flushing Meadows, New York.  A lefty German Angelique Kerber who is now number 1 in the world, and a warrior Swiss Stanlislas 'Stan Da Man' Wawrinka number 3 in the world, both relentless in their quest for perfection.

What stands out the most with these two players?  They each found their own game.  Such is the beauty of tennis- stay with this sport long enough and you will discover that you do have your own innate style highlighting your personal strengths and weaknesses. 

Let's look at the women's final and how Angelique does it~

photo courtesy sportal.co, link to us open 2016

 
First, let us take a look at the obvious. Get a good look at Angelique's physique. That is why I chose this photo.  Each element of her body is in unison with the other. She is practiced, folks, such power and discipline as hers is built over time, each day, each hour, each minute taken into consideration of the whole, of working that strength each day for even more power tomorrow.

Her eye is on the ball, no distractions, she is in balance and and knows where that ball is going once it is off her racquet. That is practice. Trust. Building your game.  

Another great asset of Angelique Kerber's is her ability to stay in the game, to stay with the ball, and never give up. Herein lies the strength of focus. And focus is not an easy attribute.  We may think it is, what is the big deal? Stay on task, piece of cake.  

But try under duress, when people are watching, when your ranking is at stake, when maybe your knee has a bit of pain and will not go away, when your breathing becomes tight and you know you have to breathe but it is tight from the stress of it all anyway.  Then what?

The key to Angelique Kerber's success~

Focus, you say? It is hard enough to stay in the point! Yet that is exactly what Kerber does and more, she turns the tables and moves her opponent around the court.  So much that you wonder how Kerber does it. And she does. Angelique Kerber is a champion. A focused champion.

Here at the US Open Championship this year, Angelique Kerber defeats 11th ranked Karolina Pliskova of Monte Carlo, Monaco in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Please click here for highlights.

photo courtesy Pete Staples/USTA, US Open 2016 Champion, link to afterward Q & A

And the men's final-

How in the world did Stan Wawrinka beat, yes beat, world number from the Czech Republic, Novak Djokovic? Djokovic still dominates with highest ATP points won so far as of September 21, 2016, with 14,040 points versus Stan's number three ranking with 6,260 points.  

How does David overturn the giant Goliath? Let's look at the numbers here first. Stan won in four sets, 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. You can tell all these games were close. And then of course there was the medical delay in the third game of the fourth set with Djokovic's toe issues. I won't get in to that, but suffice it to say the validity of this delay was questioned by seasoned tennis champion commentators and regardless of what the pundits think the delay was fine with gentleman Wawrinka.

I tuned into this match in the third set, and both dueling gladiators were going at it strength by strength. When these two champions play against one another, magic is in the air! 

These two have certainly met up before, please see my post in 2013, DUELING GLADIATORS  and as follow up, also in 2014 DUELING GLADIATORS II.  

So here we are in 2016 in the middle of set 3, dueling away, and Stan is getting every ball back, then going for his winner down the line. We know that is what he will do, everyone knows. That is Stan's simple game, and it worked. Get your opponent off balance, wrong-footed, then go in for your closing shot down the line. Again, sound easy? Piece of cake?

photo courtesy Howard Simmons/NY Daily News

 I love this photo of Stan, I have seen many just like it. It is classic Wawrinka with his eyes on the ball and his off-hand high in the air for optimum balance. He loves what he is doing.

How does Stan get himself into that 'easy' moment when he can dominate? See PROPER NUTRITION.  HARD WORK. These are quite informative links and a video to put you up close, in Stan's shoes.

The key to Stan Wawrinka's success-

Consistency, when you put the pieces together. Besides upping his game with running, and closing out AD serves when he needed to most.

Congratulations, Stan Wawrinka, you prove that  staying in the match and using what you know can turn the tide in your favor.

photo courtesy Darron Cummings/AP click for stats on the match!

THE TENNIS COURT

Eventually, you learn in this game that the tennis court has a life of its own.  It sits there, day in and day out, with a net, posts, lines, colors. Waiting, waiting for you, its players to bring it to life!

"The court never changes," a coach reiterates, over and over. Remember that, and act accordingly.  

It is the player that creates the change, that adds to the depth and breadth of the court to turn dreams into reality.  Get out there, and contemplate this.  You will be relaxed, not so tense this time as you consider the court. 

Forget about your opponents; they become the chess pieces, it is the chess board that dictates how the game is played.

You too can be that chess player on a tennis court.  

Practice, know your moves, there are standard ones~

Doubles play

• Serve and volley, get to the net, take the net and stay there!
• Move laterally with your partner, you will be glad you did
• Commit to your court position, never go backwards

Singles play

•  Keep your balls deep to the corners, then get to the service line for the put away
• Serve and volley when you are ahead, at 40-15
•  While at service line for volley, stay in front of the ball, be prepared for the angle shot return

Three Important Tips for Doubles and Singles play

• Never, ever, underestimate thy opponent, stay humble!
• Re-set your mind, your court position at the beginning of each point, the past is the past, stay in the present moment only
• Split step to get to the far away ball, the split gives you that extra momentum push for that extra step that you need for your return shot

 These nine tennis tips still take into account, you guessed it, the tennis court!

The court allows you to play, to experience the above noted conditions~

• The more you know and memorize the lines of the tennis court, the more you can hit those deep balls to the baseline, to keep your opponents back, so that you can move in and forward for the put away!
• Knowing the lines of the court allows you to play instinctively, especially under pressure
• When you know the spatial relationships of the lines you can move much more freely, loosely, to alleviate tightness for that effective shot

Here is a great scenario from Dr. Brian Weiss's book Messages From the Masters, (you can find on Amazon), who has a patient hypnotized in the effort to improve his subject's golf game~

I once treated a professional golfer who was overly concerned with his scores. The more anxious he became, the more strokes he lost on the course [this applies to tennis, too!]. During a particularly deep meditation in my office, he left his ego behind and "merged" with the golf course. He began to understand golf as a metaphor for life.  The course throbbed with life; it became animate. "What did you learn?" I asked him. "That the course doesn't care what I score or how I play. It only wants me to enjoy it, to feel its beauty and its gifts. Its greatest wish is to provide pleasure and joy."

So much can be learned from this passage, whether a golf course or tennis court. The court respects the player; only the player needs to actually see to experience. To be respectful, in turn. Mindful of this passage, see what happens for yourself next time you step out on the tennis court.

And of course, the Bard, William Shakespeare, could have easily intoned in As You Like It (Act II, Scene VII), 'All the world's a [tennis court] "....

                Lacoste L!ve

Tote, anyone?

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2015

Here we go, the first Grand Slam of the year! I love the Australian Open, it gives you summer in winter, motivation to play even in the cold of our upper hemisphere, and keeps you on track as a great motivator to stay fit and well.

official site of the Australian Open

What strikes me the most these days is the advancing ages of our top players~ 

The ladies~

Serena Williams (1) is 33, Flavia Pennetta (12) is 32, Roberta Vinci (44) is 30, Venus Williams (19) is 34. The lovely Ana Ivanovic (5) is a mere pup at 27 years old.

The men~

Roger Federer (2) is 33, Australian Lleyton Hewitt (84) is 33, Rafael Nadal (3) is 28, David Ferrer (10) is 32, Novak Djokovic (1) is still a young 27.

So much can be said for nutrition, the right coaching, the right workouts. In fact, age is better! Age gives you the benefit of maturity, confidence, experience. Age becomes a timesaver. Thus, as long as you are strong enough, you can stay in the game.

Click here for a really informative article written 2 years ago, on the more pros than cons of aging in the game of tennis.

Novak Djokovic is gluten free, Roger federe is super lean as well, that's how he can glide like a feather, jump high, stay the course for a full 5 sets if need be.  Less weight to carry around!

We have seen so much of our tennis stars, that at this writing there really is not any new news!

So, let's talk about tennis observations, and what to look for when you are watching a grand slam.

How they hit the ball~

• First off, I have noticed that these great players do not even seem to be concerned of where their opponent is on the court.  
• They look at the ball hit their own strings, then look over their strings to observe the racquet position of their opponent. I have learned that watching the strings of your opponent's racquet gives you focus and prepares you for the next shot. 
• Then, these players are so practiced, they just hit the ball early and hard. Mostly that is all that it takes to get a point. If the point is long, well then that is how it goes; the hitting method remains the same, save for more surprises as in net play, overheads and great angle shots.
• Look at one player only when doing a review of their shots and game, this will give you a solid view of how they respond to the ball, how they control the point, how they recover form a tough shot. 

The fashions~

• Always a pleasure to see, especially the women! Lots of color, new clothes for a new year, it is exciting to see what they put together.  Usually Venus Williams has some stuff going on, watch out for her! And sister Serena likes to step out with something different, too.  Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic like to wear their contract tennis garb with advertisers Nike and Addidas, sometimes Serena will too, but it appears more often than not she mixes up her look.

• As for the men, Roger Federer is the one to watch, his clothes are so nicely tailored, usually Nike as well. And Novak Djokovic, he likes to be a bit different, to break the mold, so keep an eye out for his look as well.  And of course our favorite Rafa Nadal, he is so consistently so cute, I am sorry, I rarely notice what he is wearing I am so consumed by his game and boyhood charm :)

The beauty~

• Yes, this is a beauty blog, and I am so happy to have natural beauty company Jurlique as an affiliate, straight from Sydney Australia! Jurlique products are naturally farmed, organic, and totally Australian in their simple, quality presentation and naturopathic benefits. I especially like the rosewater mist, so pretty and gentle as a finishing cleanser; I prefer to use it at night, but certainly mornings are fine too. See what your preference is, experiment! And, a special offer, good now through January 31~  7 free samples with any $35+ purchase / Use offer code: SAMPLER at checkout.

Here is a fun Youtube of Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt playing tennis from speed boats in Sydney Harbor!

The Australian Open 2015 begins Sunday January 18 and concludes Saturday January 31. 

Click here for your television schedule and live stream information, provided by Sports Illustrated!

For the WOMEN'S FINAL, click here!

For the MEN'S FINAL, click here!