Author Archives: Jesse Pentecost
A Monumental Accomplishment
French Open, Final (3) Nadal d. (4) Ferrer, 6/3 6/2 6/3 Rafael Nadal has defeated David Ferrer in straight sets in the French Open final, thus becoming the first man in the history of tennis to win the same Major … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
No Feeling Like It
French Open, Semifinal (3) Nadal d. (1) Djokovic 6/4 3/6 6/1 6/7 9/7 The final of this year’s Roland Garros will be contested by Rafael Nadal, who defeated Novak Djokovic in five supple and eventually thrilling sets, and David Ferrer, … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
The Sound of Inevitability
French Open, Quarterfinals It was probably naïve to believe that the drama, excitement and quality that so enriched the first four rounds of this year’s Roland Garros would be sustained all the way through to the end. Such things are … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Heraclitus’ Children
French Open, Day Seven Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and David Ferrer both progressed to the Roland Garros quarterfinals today, defeating Viktor Troicki and Kevin Anderson in respective straight sets, but that wasn’t the story of the day. Nor was it Roger Federer’s … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Earnest Intentions
French Open, Days Four and Five Earnest intentions to summarise the French Open’s second round has been undone by the Paris weather, unusually gloomy as the City of Light plunges from a frigid spring into a nominal summer. The tournament’s … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Alert But Not Alarmed
French Open, Days Two and Three The 2013 edition of the French Open is now three days old, and its first round isn’t yet complete. Yesterday’s rain is only partly to blame, since it barely distended a schedule that was … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
Subsidiary Interests
French Open, Day One The 2013 French Open is under way, having as usual commenced one day early, on Sunday. This has allowed some lucky players to go home even earlier than usual. I’m patriotically obliged to mention that three … Continue reading
Filed under Grand Slams
‘Dreadful, indeed, is the lion’s lair…’
Rome Masters, Final (5) Nadal d. (2) Federer, 6/1 6/3 Rafael Nadal today won his seventh Rome title, in the process claiming his twenty-fourth Masters trophy and establishing a favouritism for Roland Garros so clear that to go on denying … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Fascinating Problems
Rome Masters, Semifinals (5) Nadal d. (6) Berdych, 6/2 6/4 (2) Federer d. Paire, 7/6 6/4 Roger Federer today defeated Benoit Paire in crooked straight sets, simultaneously reaching his first final of the season, and ensuring he achieved the least … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour
Minor Miracles
Rome Masters, Rounds One – Three Of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments unevenly studding the ATP calendar, Rome’s Internazionali BNL d’Italia is my favourite. For one thing, the location is perfect, and perfectly peculiar. Whatever the Foro Italico’s provenance – … Continue reading
Filed under ATP Tour