The French Open Heavyweights
This year’s French Open again posts a very impressive line up of contenders for the coveted clay court crown. It again shapes up as a big battle to who will make it to week two and also the quarters without being upset early in the tournament by an unknown player hitting fairy tale like form. Here is a rundown of the heavy weights.
Rafael Nadal (Spain): The four time champion flexes his every single muscle in his two arms on every backhand and forehand that he rips round the court. The monstrous athlete covers every angle, ball and mentally shuts down only a week after the grand slam is finished.
Roger Federer (Switzerland): Recently defeated Rafael Nadal on a clay court at the Madrid Open so has to give him a big boost in mental confidence. However, over five sets, he has the game to overcome anybody of lesser value but may not match it up to the clay court specialists who are looking to take him down.
Andy Murray (Britain): Andy Murray has yet to be able to make the second week at this grand slam. He has the game to do it, but always struggles to defeat the clay court specialists at this grand slam. He has an all court game but just needs to be more patient when ripping into the shots and working each point.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia): Cool and calculative, he has the game to match it with anybody. However, his body cannot withstand the continual grind of grand slam tennis and often has to call on trainers to assess injury concerns. Will be looking to score big at the French Open.
Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina): Very fast around the court and has won titles in 2008 to make him one of the dark horses into this tournament. He is clearly waiting for his turn and continually improving his game to increase his competitiveness.
Fernando Verdasco (Spain): Found form at the Australian Open and stretched Rafeal Nadal to five sets. He has excellent groundstrokes, and if nerves do not strike him down the second time round when he makes it to the second week, he could also be holding his first grand slam.
