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.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP

Here we are, once again at the start of a new year of terrific tennis!  Who is committed to great tennis?

link to the Australian Open!

We know a few players who are.... [drum roll, please] 

THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

HUGE congratulations to Serena!!!

WOW! This lady has made HISTORY!!!!!! She is the only women's player to have earned 23 Grand Slam titles in the Open Era, surpassing Steffi Graf.
  
AND, reached this milestone facing off against her older sister, Venus Williams. And look at how gorgeous Venus looks, she has held up so well as she struggles to manage the autoimmune disorder, Sjogrens Syndrome. Please click here to read about Venus's special journey to stay well.

Now, in straight sets, Serena tops her sister Venus Williams 6-4, 6-4.

sister love Scott Barbour/Getty Images

 Here is a 9 minute Youtube featuring highlights of the match, enjoy~

THE MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

Congratulations to Roger Federer!!!  He has not played a slam since last year at Wimbledon.  

And, Today Roger Federer wins his 18th major title, the greatest, the Greatest of All Time. 

18 time Grand Slam winner, Thomas Peter/Reuters

 Here is how it happens~

SET !

Roger handily takes the first set, breaking Nadal midway, to lead at 6-4.  Roger is dictating the pacing here in this set, easy returns, nothing too dramatic, keeping away from Nadal's punishing forehand rallies by setting up the points and getting to the net. Roger likes to win the first set, and here he does.  Although Nadal opened serving, by getting one break and holding serve you will take the set, and so Roger did.


SET 2

Well, Nadal's punishing forehand has found its way, regardless of Roger's song out there on the court!  Midway in the set here, Nadal breaks Roger early and has a lead at one point of 3-0! A nice place to be, and finally Roger pushes back but not enough at 5-2 now.  At least get some games when the going gets tough.  You can definitely see Roger is pacing and managing his energies here. He did win the first set, he has banked his win, his insurance for the future here.  Roger just dictates on his serve, at 40-15 now.  Really backs off Nadal, game Federer. Nadal is serving at 5-3, anything can happen here, folks! It is not a done deal the set will close here. 15-0. 30-0. Well, maybe. Nadal the punisher, Federer the artist. 40-0. Game, set Nadal. 1-1 now.

SET 3

Commentators the Brothers MacEnroe, are so on with their thoughts and observations, thank you! This is great, Roger opens the set serving. He loves this, you can tell with his ease, in seconds at 40-0 here. Nadal's inside out forehand, not so quickly, Roger! Roger serves from deuce court wide, a rally and a shank, 40-30 now.  A serve and volley on second serve, no go, at deuce now.Roger makes an error netting the ball, at break point now, pressure. Ace. Deuce. Another netted ball, every one makes mistakes! Another ace! Back to deuce. A rally and at net Roger nets the ball, AD out.  Let serve.  Ace again! Same spot.  Back to Deuce.  A four ace game in all. Okay, Nadal hits a long ball at baseline, opportunity! Fault. Both men are working so hard.  Nadal is after Roger's backhand, relentlessly, and Roger uses that bak hand hitting early for a low slice that Nadal nets. Game Federer!! And just the first game....

Wow again, Roger is using his angles really well and wins with a short cross court angle. Nadal has been netting balls some more. Serving at 15-30.  A lefty ace form the ad court. Love it!  30-30.  Wow, Roger wins the rally with a down the line shot after his shorter angles. The crowd loves him!  Break point. Fault.  Breaks Nadal! Nadal nets the ball, Roger is attacking by keeping his cool and hitting the ball early.

Roger has the heat and aces his first serve in the third game. Another winner down the line. Smoking hot!  Ace!!!! 40-0 now. In seconds.  Ace!!! Loves this AD serve.  Roger leading the set at 3-0.

Nadal is up to serve here, he needs a game in this third set. Both players have banked a set, so, not too much pressure, but certainly Roger has the upper hand with momentum here.   Federer holds his momentum at 15-30 Nadal serving. Roger attacks with a volley form the service line angled for a winner in ad court. Wow.  Okay, 30-40 now, Nadal fights back!  Great serve, 40-40 now.  AD Federer, huge forehand to the line.  Lefty AD Ace to the T. Fabulous, Deuce.  Roger hits long. Roger has fast feet!! He gets to a tough ball and returns for a winner! he is attacking everything. Way to go! Ace! AD Nadal!! Roger takes the ball early for another winner! deuce! Nadal wins a huge rally, Roger has to get the early point. Nadl serves and volleys, Nadal holds! He gets in the set at 3-1 now.

Roger serves and volleys on the first point creates an error for Nadal, 15-0.  So quick! 40-0. He has Nadal on the run and takes another game! 4-1. So much is in the shot making.

Nadal is clearly on the defensive, serving here in Set 3 and down 3 games.  Nadal dictates with is angles at 30-0 now.  Roger steps in attacking the serve, point to Roger! 30-15. 30-30 now.  Hits an other angle to Nadal's back hand, 30-40 now.  Break point for 5-1.  Has Nadal on his knees at the baseline, game Federer! Leading at 5-1 now.

Roger steps up to serve. Roger is attacking every ball that comes to his backhand.  0-15. Here come the rallies.  He is playing in to Nadal's strength. Not good.  15-15. Fault.  30-15, Roger at the net, ready, but Nadal errors hitting long.  Double fault, 30-40.  Fault.  Another short rally and deep angle to back hand court, deuce!  Ad Roger, serves to the T but out. Serves deep but nets a return, deuce. Fault, then hits long! Advantage, Nadal.  Serves to T again, Nadla hits high and long. Deuce.  Roger serves to the T, Nadal nets, advantage Roger for set point.  Fault. Pressure.  Wow!  Atacks with his one hand backhand hitting early, Nadal struggles to get to his own backhand while Roger gets to middle of the net, Nadal returns to middle of net and Roger uses soft hands to drop shot the ball for the set win.  2-1, Roger federer.

SET 4

All in all Roger is having a better day out there, more relaxed, more controlling the moment. Nadal opens the set to serve. 15-0.  30-15 now.  Roger is running so well, what are those sneakers he is wearing? So much of tennis is in the running, the leg strength. 30-30.  40-30.  "Roger stayed home," says a Commentator, 40-30, and now Nadal holds for the first game.

Roger is serving now. 30-0, quick points here.  Serves and volleys. Serves wide, and comes right up to the net, more the middle of the net than directly in front of the ball.  40-15 now.  Side to side rally and Roger hits another backhand winner from the baseline to baseline, no angle. 1-1 now.

Nadal serving and has a great volley he dishes out as a winner to deep corner of the court. 30-15 now.  40-15 now.  All quick wins. Ace! Very quick wins here, 2-1 in the 4th Set.

Roger Federer steps up, who will be the ultimate victor? A break!! Nadal leads at 3-1!  

He is up serving again, the crowd is wild, a lot at stake in this set! Nadal serving at 15-15 now, both players are tight and making errors.  Nadal corners Roger to force an error, 30-15 here. 40-15 now.  really cornering Roger. Federer's forehand is too good, he is creeping back at 40-30.  Wow, 40-40, Roger coming to net again.  Roger hits a backhand out, challenges, it was clearly out.  Wow again, Roger hits a forehand volley to teh open court for a winner.  40-40 here. An epic match, take two.  Advantage nadal, a longer rally....  Wow!!! Roger thought he had the short volley winner and Nadal beats him at his own game! Game Nadal, at 4-1 now in the Fourth Set. It is not over till it is over...

Roger Federer serves. What will he do? Conserve energy, or go for it? Or a combination thereof? 30-0 now.  30-15.  Nadal comes to the net to put away a weak high ball of Roger's, 30-30.  Rally time and Roger nets the ball. Break point for Nadal.  Ace! Not so fast! Deuce.  Roger serves and volleys at middle of net and forces an error to Nadal to hit long and wide.  Ace! Roger takes the game, Nadal still leading at 4-2.

Nadal up to serve.  Serves a body serve and Roger returns long. 15-0. 30-0. 40-0. Ace to the T, 5-2 Nadal. Is Roger conserving energy for the Fifth Set square-off?  Most likely.

Roger is up to serve.  He does not want to lose service, but will conserve to dictate the closing Fifth Set. Roger is replete with match experience, so much to really cause damage to an opponent despite his age.  15-0. Wow, an inside out forehand, 30-0.  30-15, an attack return from Nadal, a great short angle.  30-30, Roger hits long from the net.  Ace! 40-30. Fault. Rally, long and wide. Deuce.  Great serve Nadal cannot return.  Advantage Roger, a great wide serve Nadal returns too wide, game Roger! As predicted, 5-3, Nadal.

Nadal is serving for the set. 15-0. 30-0. HUGE serves! 40-0 here.  Takes the game and set!  Nadal serves to Roger's backhand and for the next 2 shots keeps on hitting to Roger's backhand and Roger nets the ball.

SET 5

Roger opens the set, we know he likes this. The planets are in alignment. Nadal takes the first point. 0-15. Fault. Rally. 0-30.  No long rallies, Roger!  Fault.  Roger serves and volleys and puts the ball away. 15-30. Fault. Nadal hits a early winner deep return, 15-40.  Roger hits seven shots to Nadal's backhand and wears him down, 30-40.  Fault.  More backhand attacking but Roger errors, game Nadal!

Nadal serves at 1-0.  Roger at net and misses, lots of hard balls form Nadal.  15-0. Nadal nets an error at net, lucky Roger! 15-15. Roger comes to net and saves a net ball to win down the line, 15-30. Roger chips a return backhand, then a long backhand, then returns short angle backhand for an early winner! 15-40. Two break points here.  Roger misses a backhand. 30-40.  Nadal fights back for deuce!  Both men are so determined.  Roger gets lucky again for a ball rolling over the net tape. Advantage Roger.  Nadal gets back. 40-40 again.  Nadal gets Roger again in the same spot on the deuce court.  Advantage Nadal.  Roger hits long, game Nadal!

Roger is serving now, down two games.  he knows the subtleties of the game, let us see how he works this.  15-0.  A brief rally,  The ball is in! 15-0. Nadal has two challenges remaining.  Serve and volley. 40-0 now.  Fault, serves to the T, Roger takes the game, stil down at 2 games Nada, 1 Roger Federer.

Nadal serves now, had a trainer come out during the switch over.  15-0. Roger hits long. 30-0.  Fault.  Double fault.  30-15.  Nadal has Roger on the run, but Roger turns the tables and has Nadal on the run, 30-30. Every point matters.  Great serve, a slow serve in to the  body, Roger nets. 30-40, a short rally, 40-40.  Roger is moving well.  Find a way to break back here, this is opportunity for Roger. Fault.  Roger gets up to service line for a line winner, using quick steps to get to ball early.  Misses a rally, back to deuce.  Roger hits long and advantage Nadal.  Great serve! Roger hits out, 3 games to 1.

Roger is up serving. Just hold serve. Aces are good.  Fault. Keep hitting deep to Nadal's backhand, and nadal hits wide. Nadal gets to net for a winner down the line.  15-15.  Roger places the ball where nadal is not. 30-15. Wide serve then hits to deuce court for a winner. 40-15.Fault.  Ace, game Federer! 

Nadal serves, at 3-2.  Loopy shots, Roger wins, 0-15.  0-30.  Another lead for Roger. 15-30.  30-30.  Nadal does not wait for the ball to drop. Nadal hits long, 30-40. One challenge left for Nadal. break point for Roger.  The crowd is wild!  30-40. Nadal serves and volleys! 40-40, deuce.  Advantage nadal, great serve!  Back to deuce! Roger hits a short cross court winner, another breka opportunity.  Wow! Roger breaks back! What a championship!

Roger is serving at 3-3.  Ace! Serevs a wide serve so angled! 15-0. Servs and volleys at middle of netto put ball away. 30-0. Ace! 40-0.  Fault. Ace! Wow, aces his second serve!
 Roger is leading at 4 games to 3.

Nadal serves.  0-15, a struggle here for Nadal, and Roger is moving those feet in quick little feather steps to put away an angle winner! 0-30. Fault. Double fault! 0-40.  This must be so tough for Nadal.  Is he tired? A great serve, a short rally, Roger pops out. 15-40. In the game.  A beautiful serve to the body. 30-40. nadal is a champion, watch out!  Fault. Roger shanks the ball out and high, deuce!  Fault. Wow! At least a 20 ball rally Nadal on the run and Roger places deep corner. Advantage Roger, he looks intense, understandably. A great serve! Deuce.  Wow, Roger is out-rallying Nadal!  Interesting... Advantage Roger now.  Oh my goodness, Roger hits an even tighter backhand angle and Nadal hits the net post! Game Roger leading at 5-3.

Roger is where he wants to be. Serving with new balls. Fault. Super return of Nadal. 0-15.  Nadal will not go down easily. Fault.  A deep rally and Roger hits long. 0-30.  Ace! Love those easy points. 15-30.  15-40.  Nadal was at net.....  Ace to the T. 30-40. Fault to net. Roger returns quicker, 40-40! Deuce!  Roger did the battle and got to deuce. great serve! Ad Roger! Championship point!  Fault, trying for the T.Challenge of serve by Roger, it is in! Anothre first serve, another challenge by Roger, it was out, second service. Roger hits out, deuce! keep the momentum, you have it Roger! Ace serving wide! Advantage Roger!  Second championship point, and Nadal has a line challenge- the ball is good and Roger wins!!

Roger Federer shakes hands with his opponent Rafa Nadal and kneels briefly on the court. A true knight. A true victor.  

How did Roger win? His service game, a big forehand, and a winning backhand, one handed. 

Seems to me, Roger sticks to a few basic principles, sound so simple?

Take a good look, a quick look at Roger's finest~

Roger's forehand, the best!