Sunday, June 02, 2013

Three pete Robredo

Winning a match coming from two sets down is a mean feat, doing it three times in a row on the Parisian dirt borders on the super human. Tommy Robredo has spent a large part of the last three years on the sidelines with injury. He was one of the Spanish armada who usually made the quarters line up at most big events before misfortune made him dump the racquet and take the sling. He could not have chosen a better stage to announce his come back. Winning in five sets after losing the first two against Sijsling, the crowd darling Monfils and now against Almagro has catapulted him into the lime light once again. He comes up against another fighter in compatriot David Ferrer in the quarters and  the fairly tale would be complete if he manages to go one better. The other parts of the draw have thrown up results as expected barring a few hitches. Rafa lost a set in the first two rounds against unknown opponents but then his top spin relies on heat and the cool climes of the French capital have not helped his kicking ground strokes. Roger had a slump yesterday that is becoming all too frequent only to revive back and make the last eight of another grand slam. Its been almost ten years since he has not made the quarters of a grand slam and his loss would have been apocalyptic for his fans. He plays on to build on that incredible record and faces Tsonga who has been his downfall on more than one occasion. This is probably a tougher quarter than the semi where he is expected to take on the running machine in Ferrer. Jo Wilfred is tough customer and with the crowd on his side should be the favorite in this encounter. On the other side of the draw, Rafa and Nole should face off in the semis and that is one mouth watering clash in the offing. Djokovic easily tamed the rising star in Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian's love interest though is still in the draw defending the title she won last year. Maria is on another collision course with Serena and unless one of the other ladies make an upset, we should see the old rivalry play out on Saturday again. 

A mention for Nico Rosberg who emulated his father in winning the Monaco grand prix. After three successive poles, he finally managed to put behind his tyre woes and win on "home" soil. While Mercedes battle the secret tyre testing charges, this should provide some balm to the beleaguered team. This may also be the start of the German outfit starting make inroads in the Red Bull and Ferrari stronghold on the points ledger. Now only if Hamilton can get his game together. The two red bulls captured the other two podium places and its in this consistency that they manage to go one up over others when the end of the season comes around. 

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