My French Disillusion

After the early defeats of Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki, I have put all my faith in Victoria Azarenka, who became many people's top contestant for the Suzanne Lenglen cup. As the Belarus showed amazing form lately, winning two consecutive titles and losing just one match since Miami (i.e. to Petra Kvitova in the Madrid final), I genuinely believed this could be her year. Although she experienced some medical issues which forced her to retire from Stuttgart and Rome, she came out swinging at Roland Garros progressing to the quarterfinals without losing a set. She had played some Slam quarterfinals before, but for whatever reasons she couldn't pass this stage. Facing such a wide draw, I was really expecting Victoria to go all the way this time. Even though her opponent, Chinese Na Li, has beaten Azarenka in 3 of their 4 previous meeting, this was definitely Victoria's chance to break her habit. She failed to take it though, losing it in straight sets. Li, who is currently experiencing a surprising dream run on the French clay, looked solid throughout the match, breaking decisively in the 12th game to seal a 7-5 first set win. She recovered from an early break in the second to win it even more convincing, 6-2. Azarenka is left to meditate on yet another missed opportunity, while Li is turning a great season into an exceptional one.

 

Unfortunately, the series of disappointments didn't stop here. Turning to the women's doubles tournament, both my favourite duos suffered early loses. While Dulko & Pennetta's chances were hindered after the Argentinean retired from her singles match due to injury, Azarenka & Kirilenko looked set to capture a great claycourt season by winning their first Grand Slam together. Both teams lost in the quarterfinals stage, Dulko/ Pennetta to red-hot Elena Vesnina & Sania Mirza, while the latter to experienced Lisa Raymond & Liezel Huber. After their great performances, I would have liked the hot duo to get a much deserved Slam. They should fancy their chances at next week's Wimbledon, where they can finally fulfil their dream. This defeat makes Azarenka my biggest disillusion of this year's French Open. She started the week with such great odds both in singles and doubles, but she failed lamentably.

The men's doubles tournament added up to the disillusion, as the top seeds Mike and Bob Mike suffered a shock semifinal defeat at the hands of Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal and Argentinean Eduardo Schwank. After a tight first set which was won 7-6 by the South American duo, the Bryans looked to have regained control storming to a double break 3-0 second set lead. It all came tumbling down though when the Americans lost focused, allowing their opponents to take 6 consecutive games. It marks a rather disappointing end to what has been an excellent claycourt season for the Bryan twins.

photos (top-down): AP, FFT, AP