Djokovic: Thiem Match 'Best Performance' Of Tournament

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Djokovic: Thiem Match 'Best Performance' Of Tournament

Jun032016

The Serbian is one match away from a career Grand Slam after defeating Dominic Thiem.

Novak Djokovic is peaking at exactly the right moment at Roland Garros. The No. 1 seed produced his best tennis of the tournament in defeating No. 13 seed Dominic Thiem in their semi-final on Friday, putting him into his sixth consecutive and 20^th overall Grand Slam final.

The Serbian is one match away from a career Grand Slam after hitting just 15 unforced errors in a dominant performance that saw him drop seven games. Although he didn’t give Thiem a chance to take control of the match, Djokovic was full of praise for his young opponent.

“He carries himself very well on and off the court for his age. He’s a leader of a new generation, is very powerful, and has a lot of strength and variety in his game,” he said. “I managed to handle his heavy spin very well today, but I’m sure that, as I told him after the match, we’re going to see a lot of him in the future if he continues doing so well.”

A backlog of matches due to rain resulted in Djokovic and Thiem playing their semi-final on Court Suzanne Lenglen. Although it’s unusual for a semi-final to not be held on Court Philippe Chatrier, the World No. 1 said the atmosphere was exactly what he wanted.

“The crowd was actively participating in each point, which I find very exciting. In a big match like this, you always want to feel special on the court because you worked hard for that moment,” said Djokovic. “When the crowd is there in a packed stadium, when they get involved and support both players, that’s where you want to be. That’s why you practise.”

Djokovic will play No. 2 seed Andy Murray in Sunday’s championship match. A win would make him the eighth man – and the fourth in the Open era – to win all four majors. He would also become the first player to hold all four majors at one time since 1969, when Rod Laver completed the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Defeating Murray will not be an easy task, though. Djokovic survived an epic five-set quarter-final against the Brit at last year’s Roland Garros. The pair have split their two meetings on clay this year, with Djokovic prevailing in the final at Madrid and Murray getting revenge a week later in the championship match in Rome.

“He has improved so much on clay over the years. This season is a great example of that,” said Djokovic. “I think he’s one of the most dedicated tennis players on the tour. He always seeks to improve his game and get better.

As Djokovic enters his fourth Roland Garros final, he will have more experience to draw from than Murray, who has never before reached the final Sunday here. With both players first facing each other at age 11 and squaring off dozens of times since then in the juniors and pros, they know what to expect when they take the court in two days.

“If we knew back then that we were going to fight for the biggest trophies in this sport, I think we would both sign the document,” said Djokovic. “I’m sure it’s going to be a final with a lot of emotions and a lot of exchanges from the baseline because we have similar styles of play. I know his game; he knows mine. I’m sure we’re both going to give it everything on Sunday.”

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Thiem: Djokovic "Too Strong" In Semi-Final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Thiem: Djokovic "Too Strong" In Semi-Final

Jun032016

The Austrian is still viewing his two weeks in Paris with fond memories

Although he is disappointed to have not made his first Grand Slam final, Dominic Thiem has made plenty of strides forward during his two weeks at Roland Garros.

The No. 13 seed lost in straight sets to top seed Novak Djokovic in their semi-final on Friday. Thiem acknowledged that his opponent was “too strong” today, but felt his level of play didn’t reflect what brought him to the final four.

“I think he played really well today, but I also think that mostly throughout the match, I made it a little too easy for him and made too many mistakes,” said Thiem. “It’s tough against him. He doesn’t give you any presents and his return is unbelievable. If you have to play basically every game without the advantage of your serve, it’s going to be unbelievably tough against him.”

The past two weeks have been full of milestones for the Austrian. In addition to reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final, he will also make his debut inside the Top 10 of the Emirates ATP Rankings when next week’s standings are released. Thiem is projected to enter at No. 7.

“It’s very nice,” said Thiem. “It’s a big milestone for every player to break the Top 10.”

The Austrian is scheduled to kick off his grass court season at next week’s ATP World Tour event in Stuttgart. Perhaps most importantly, Thiem has regained both his confidence and top form that will make him a contender for another deep run in London.

“This was a very good experience,” he said. “I didn’t play well in Madrid and Rome and didn’t have a good feeling. Then I worked very hard in Nice and I got back my good feeling. I started to play very well again.”

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Murray doubted reaching French final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

French Open
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 22 May to 5 June
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and app.

British number one Andy Murray has said there was a time he thought he would never reach a French Open final.

The 29-year-old will face world number one Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final after beating defending champion Stan Wawrinka 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2.

“At the beginning of my career it was always a big struggle for me,” Murray told BBC Radio 5 live.

“When I was having problems with my back on clay I never thought it would happen for me here.”

Murray has now reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments, but up until 2013, the year he had surgery on a back injury, he had reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros just once.

But the world number two made the final four in 2014 and 2015 – going out to Djokovic last year – and has been in impressive form on clay this season, winning 18 of 20 matches on the surface.

“Reaching the French Open final is definitely not something I thought I’d do,” he said.

“Last year I started to have the belief that I could do it. It’s great credit to my team to get my body healthy.”

Facing an old foe

Djokovic, 29, who has won every Grand Slam except the French Open, holds a substantial 23-10 lead in his career head-to-head with Murray, but the Scot won their last meeting, beating the Serb on clay in the final of the Rome Masters.

BBC Radio 5 live commentator and 1987 Wimbledon winner Pat Cash suggested the damp conditions in Paris this week may favour Murray.

“I don’t know who the conditions will suit, Novak plays well on all the courts,” said Murray.

“It probably means there will be long rallies, you have to be patient in these conditions. It’s not easy to hit winners.”

Djokovic has reached three of the last four French Open finals, and lost them all.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a final with a lot of emotions and exchanges from the baseline because we have a similar style of game,” he said.

“I know his game he knows mine – I’m sure we’ll both give it our all.”

Teaching a French legend?

Murray was seen chatting with former Manchester United and France striker Eric Cantona after his semi-final victory.

And it seems Murray may have arranged himself a teaching job for later in the summer.

“We mainly spoke about football. Not too much tennis,” said Murray.

“He said he’s just had three tennis lessons. I told him if he’s ever around the Wimbledon area I’d take him for a lesson at Wimbledon.”

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Murray reaches first French Open final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Andy Murray v Stan Wawrinka
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 3 June Time: Not before 14:00 BST
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and app.

Andy Murray outplayed defending champion Stan Wawrinka to become the first British man to reach a French Open final since 1937.

The Scot, seeded second, won 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-2 and will face world number one Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s final.

Djokovic beat Austrian 13th seed Dominic Thiem 6-2 6-1 6-4.

Murray, 29, matches the achievement of Britain’s last finalist Bunny Austin – and will now hope to equal Fred Perry’s victory of 1936.

He also becomes one of only 10 men since the open era began in 1968 to have reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

“I’m extremely proud,” said Murray. “I never expected to reach the final here, I always struggled on the clay. I hope I can put on a good match on Sunday.”

Murray ends Wawrinka’s reign

Wawrinka, 31, had won their last three matches and came out firing on all cylinders, but once Murray had saved a break point in a lengthy opening service game he steadily assumed control.

A backhand smash gave Murray the break in game three and he served superbly under pressure to fend off three break points before sealing the set after 50 minutes.

The brilliant shot-making that had helped Wawrinka upset Djokovic in last year’s final was increasingly matched by errors as Murray’s terrific movement made winners hard to come by.

Wawrinka looked a forlorn figure when Murray broke to love early in the second set, and a second break soon followed as the Briton buzzed with energy on a dank afternoon in Paris.

Murray closed it out with another winning first serve and looked on the verge of victory with a break point in the third, but Wawrinka hit a big serve down the middle and raised his level as the set progressed.

It still appeared that Murray was the man in control but from 5-4, 40-15 he lost four straight points and Wawrinka roared in delight as he clinched the set.

There was no sustained comeback from the champion, however, as Murray regained the initiative in the fourth set with an immediate break.

An unplayable drop shot followed by a stunning lob showed the confidence of the former Wimbledon and US Open champion, and he broke serve for a fifth time on his way to a comprehensive victory.

“To play at that level in the semis of the French Open is very pleasing,” added Murray. “There was a lot of pressure there today.”

Wawrinka said: “I think that Andy played really so well today. He was the strongest on the court.”

Analysis

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller

“This was a pitch perfect performance from Murray, who has turned himself into the complete modern clay-court player. He was not the only one who thought a place in the French Open final might be one of the few career goals to escape him.

“Wawrinka’s opening salvo was ferocious and yet crucially it was Murray who had the break of serve by the first change of ends. The drop shot was used expertly, and judiciously, and more than often he found just the right moment to steal into the net. Murray’s serve was commanding, and Wawrinka’s chipped returns ineffectual.

“Knocking out the champion has allowed Murray to dominate the headlines, but Djokovic tuned up perfectly for Sunday, too. He has played on each of the last four days, but offered his opponents very few crumbs of comfort.”

Djokovic too strong for Thiem

Top seed Djokovic looked in superb form as he saw off Thiem in straight sets to reach a fourth French Open final.

The Serb, 29, dominated against a player in his first Grand Slam semi-final to move within one victory of completing the set of all four major titles.

Their semi-final was played on the second show court as organisers looked to get the schedule back on track after persistent rain in Paris.

“The atmosphere was fantastic,” said Djokovic. “It’s the first time I have played a semi-final on the Suzanne Lenglen court.

“I played the best tennis of the tournament so far. I am now in the situation where I always dream of being each season, in the final of Roland Garros.”

Djokovic has now reached six consecutive Grand Slam finals and will try to win his 12th title on Sunday.

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Britain's Gordon Reid savours reaching French Open final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

British wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid enjoys reaching the French Open final courtesy of victory over world number one Stephane Houdet.

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GB's Reid reaches French Open final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

British wheelchair tennis player Gordon Reid beat world number one Stephane Houdet to reach the French Open final.

Scot Reid, 24, recovered from 3-0 down in the second set against the Frenchman to win 6-3 6-4 in Paris.

Australian Open champion Reid, the world number four, will face Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez, the world number six, in Saturday’s final.

“It feels like I’ve got the monkey off my back at the Slams. I can play my own game,” Reid told BBC Sport.

“It means a lot to get to the final again. I’m really enjoying these matches and I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

Reid and partner Shingo Kunieda of Japan are in the doubles final and will be bidding to retain the title they won last year.

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Serena to face Muguruza in final

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Andy Murray v Stan Wawrinka
Venue: Roland Garros, Paris Dates: 3 June Time: Not before 14:00 BST
Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on selected matches on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and app.

Serena Williams remains on course to win a 22nd Grand Slam title after beating Kiki Bertens to set up a French Open final against Garbine Muguruza.

The American top seed was well below her best, but beat unseeded Dutch player Bertens 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.

Spanish fourth seed Muguruza impressed in a 6-2 6-4 win over former finalist Sam Stosur of Australia.

Both matches were watched by sparse crowds on another cold, grey day as Paris suffers severe flooding.

Williams, 34, is aiming to tie Germany’s Steffi Graf on 22 major singles titles, which would put her two behind all-time leader Margaret Court of Australia.

“If I get there it will be great,” said Williams. “The only thing can I do is just play to win the tournament and that’s it.”

Williams out of sorts but into final

Defending champion Williams had made a host of errors in her quarter-final and was unusually inconsistent again as she faced an opponent making her Grand Slam semi-final debut.

Both women went into the match with injury doubts – Bertens struggling with her calf and Williams reportedly playing through a thigh problem.

Bertens, ranked 58th, had plenty of chances in the first set against a sluggish Williams, earning seven break points and two set points, but Williams came back from 4-2 down to clinch it in an unpredictable tie-break.

Two dreadful volleys, one of them on set point, illustrated Williams’ lack of form but experience dragged her through, and she came back from a break down to take control of the second set.

Muguruza makes short work of Stosur

Saturday will see a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final after Muguruza swept aside 2010 runner-up Stosur on a barren Court Suzanne Lenglen.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Venezuela, raced into a 4-0 lead and took the opening set in 32 minutes.

A sixth double-fault by Stosur gave Muguruza a 5-2 lead in the second set but she faltered with victory in sight, playing a poor service game, before closing it out at the second opportunity.

Muguruza is the first Spanish woman since Conchita Martinez in 2000 to reach the final in Paris.

“Emotions can sometimes be bad when you make a final,” said Muguruza. “Sometimes you just have to stay calm, prepare yourself as best you can and play with no regrets.”

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Christie relishing 'amazing' WTA debut

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Teenage British tennis star Freya Christie says making her WTA main draw debut on home territory in Nottingham is an “amazing” opportunity to show she can compete at the highest level.

The 18-year-old is in her first season as a professional and has been given a wildcard for the Aegon Open at the Nottingham Tennis Centre on 4-12 June.

“I can’t wait,” Christie told BBC Sport. “It will be a great experience.

“It’s amazing it will be at my home town as well. I hope I can compete.”

The first round gets under way on Monday, with the draw taking place on Saturday.

Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and British top three Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Naomi Broady are all confirmed – as is former British number one Laura Robson.

“I don’t mind who I play,” said Christie. “Anyone is a challenge in this draw but the bigger the challenge the better.”

Christie was part of the Great Britain Fed Cup squad that travelled to Israel earlier this year and reached the semi-finals of the ITF Incheon Women’s Challenger – a $25,000 ITF Pro Circuit event on hard courts in South Korea – last week.

The Hucknall-born player has also won three ITF Pro Circuit doubles titles since November last year and was runner-up in the singles of the Aegon GB Pro-Series Shrewsbury event last year.

“It’s my first year out of juniors and I feel like I am making good progress,” she added.

“It’s a big step – all the players are top 100 so they know what they are doing and have good experience.”

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Freya Christie makes Nottingham 'hometown debut'

Posted: Jun 03, 2016

Rising British tennis star Freya Christie’s WTA main draw debut at the Nottingham Open will mix familiarity with the unknown.

The 18-year-old, who first started playing at the Nottingham Tennis Centre at the age of five, is in her first season as a professional and is appearing in the main draw for the first time.

“I am probably here more than at home,” Christie told BBC East Midlands Today. “This is my training base when I am not travelling. It’s amazing my first WTA main draw is at my home town.”

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