After two weeks of world-class tennis action at Roland Garros, Reem Abulleil selects the most memorable French Open performances and moments including the Tsonga v Nishikori epic, David Ferrer’s complaints and Stan Warwinka’s class.
Best performance – Stan Wawrinka
Between his straight sets demolition of Roger Federer in the quarters and his four-set comeback win over heavy-favourite Novak Djokovic in the final, Wawrinka has given us a lot to choose from this fortnight. He fired 163 winners in his last three rounds alone and did wonders with his magical backhand.
Biggest flop – Grigor Dimitrov & Simona Halep
It’s one thing to come to Paris and flop in the first round one year – Wawrinka did that – but it’s another to do it two years in a row. Dimitrov didn’t have much to say after losing to Jack Sock in round one. While Sock had a brilliant French Open and is no slouch, it’s the way Dimitrov rolled over in straights that was more worrying.
Last year’s runner-up Halep crashed out in the second round to a player ranked No70 in the world and who had alarmingly beat her in the US Open last season as well. The typically crafty Halep had no solutions against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni and hasn’t been able to show us the same fire she had last year when she beat Serena Williams at the WTA Finals in Singapore.
Most gracious loser – Novak Djokovic
The Serb is always a class act in defeat. He refused to use fatigue or nerves as reasons behind his final loss to Wawrinka and paid full credit to his opponent. The prolonged standing ovation for him was possibly the most emotional moment of the fortnight as well.
Coolest point – Serena’s lefty forehand & Stan’s round the post winner
Shot of the year? @stanwawrinka #RG15 https://t.co/wKYUMuSIfZ
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2015
Seeing the right-handed Serena Williams swiftly move the racquet from her right to left hand mid-rally and fire a big forehand before continuing the back and forth once again as a righty was one of the most impressive moments from the world No1 in Paris. She called it “shot of the tournament” for her and we have to agree.
Wawrinka’s coach Magnus Norman tells me the Swiss does this shot all the time in mini-tennis and joked that “it’s not fair”. To do it in a friendly mini-tennis against your coach is one thing, but to pull off a round-the-net-post backhand winner against the world No1 in a grand slam final is another. Wawrinka’s backhand is one with boundless possibilities.
Most dramatic – Tsonga v Nishikori
This quarter-final witnessed both a literal and figurative collapse. After Tsonga sailed to a 6-1, 5-1 lead over Nishikori, a metal sheet from the scoreboard fell on a group of spectators and the match was halted for half an hour. What followed was a Tsonga meltdown as Nishikori stormed back. The match went to five sets but Tsonga eventually recovered to reach the semis.
Best attitude – Lucie Safarova
I wish Lucie Safarova would have won the French Open. She is a great player with a great attitude!
— Colby West (@colby_west3) June 6, 2015
The Czech almost played every single day throughout the two weeks and made the finals in singles and doubles. While others may complain about a suspended match that would have to be completed the following day, which would take away their day off, Safarova was out there blasting that lefty forehand of hers day in, day out. She seems to be one of the most popular players on tour with scores of her peers sending out messages of support in Paris and she made sure she left France with two trophies, a runner-up trophy in singles and a winner’s one in doubles.
Weirdest complaint – David Ferrer
In his quarter-final defeat to Andy Murray, David Ferrer repeatedly complained to the umpire about the on-court photographers. The surprising part is that throughout his entire career – David is 33 – the photographers have always been in the exact same place on court for his matches. Was a bizarre complaint from the usually disciplined and unproblematic Ferrer.
Best cheerleader – Guga Kuerten
The Brazilian legend was courtside for the doubles final where he was proudly on his feet snapping photos with his phone of his countryman Marcelo Melo who won the title with Ivan Dodig.
Cinderella story – Timea Bacsinszky
From working in a hotel two years ago to the semi-finals of the French Open, the Swiss’ story is the stuff of fiction. She almost had Williams in the last four too but the American found another gear in the decider.
Best quotes
Fabuleux #Wawrinka pic.twitter.com/eK03dl1Z1K
— Arnaud Cerutti (@arnaud_cerutti) June 7, 2015
“It’s funny because they won the French Open” – Wawrinka on his infamous plaid shorts.
“I call her rocket of the year” – Safarova on her doubles partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ surge in the doubles rankings from outside the top-300 to inside the top-20.
“The other day I brought Raclette cheese to the physios. I gave my word in Shenzhen at the beginning of the year” – Bacsinszky is a woman of her word.
“I would like to know what is the secret to be a machine, not to be injured, not to be sick” – Gael Monfils feels sorry for himself after struggling with a cold.
“There’s something to be said for bouncebackability, and I’m proud of myself for just getting out there every day” – Sloane Stephens has a special way with words. She makes them up.
“My dream was to play Roland Garros, not to win it, not to reach the finals. To me, the players that did that were mutants” – We’re not sure what Wawrinka is going on about there.
“I never tried to be brilliant, I always tried to be efficient” – Timea Bacsinszky keeping it real.
“We just run with it as best as possible. Like a surfer – I love surfing – I just ride that wave” – Rob Steckley, Lucie Safarova’s coach, clearly has a possible career at a different sport.
