French Open Quarters and Semis

Men's quarterfinals and women's semifinals at Roland Garros have been lopsided disappointments despite the caliber of player remaining in the draws.

Ok, I’m the first to admit when I’m dead wrong, and the results of the men’s quarterfinals and women’s semi-finals have been major surprises to me. I expected some hard-fought battles in the brickyard of Roland Garros, and we’ve had routine routs.

Justine Henin and Ana Ivanovic Roll

There is no better example than Justine Henin’s crushing of Jelena Jankovic. The exclamation point of the first game served by Henin, a blistered backhand, inside out and Justine-side the baseline for a winner, heralded the hammering that Jankovic was about to take. Although a much more aesthetically pleasing match than Maria Sharapova’s meltdown under the heat Ana Ivanovic applied to her serve, the 6-2, 6-2 drubbing Henin administered was still a beat down.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Nikolay Davydenko Cruise

Sure, sure, Federer had his, “yawn, I’m bored” moment that lasted an entire set- can you really imagine Federer losing a set 1-6- against Robredo, but other than that, the winners on the men’s side barely got their sneaks dirty. Ok, ok, Canas battled like a hungry dog sniffing a bone…he just couldn’t find it! Davy-da machine-denko ran Canas till his tongue hung out, and sent him home in straights. Novak "The Djoker" Djokovic had half-a-mind to give Igor Andreev a set, but gave him only half-a-set each time in his 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 djestruction of Igor's hopes.

Rafa Nadaliates Carlos Moya

After Rafa Nadal coughed up his seven games in the name of friendship (6-4, 6-3 in the first two sets), he proceeded to drop a French bagel on his amigo Carlos. You could just see Carlos saying, “No Moya, no Moya.” How do you stuff a bagel down the throat of your best bud anyway? Couldn't you just throw him a measly game? Not Rafa man; he has no heart whatsoever…and that’s why he’s likely to run Roger “FedEx” Federer off the road to the “Greatest Ever” title that he craves so badly, and that I’d like to bestow upon him myself.

Best Player versus Best Competitor?

Just to be clear, Roger Federer is the best tennis-player I have ever seen play the game, and I am old enough to have seen Laver in the mid-to-late 60s. Rafa Nadal, however, may just be the best competitor I’ve ever seen…at least on clay. The guy has a will that reminds me of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tiger Woods, Monica Seles, etc. These individuals have iron wills that you can’t break with mere talent. You’ve got to bring talent and a will that’s just as strong. Roger’s got the talent. We’ll see if he has the will.

Dream Match-up Not Guaranteed

I’m getting ahead of myself though; aren’t I? Fed has to get past Davydenko and Nadal has to roll Djokovic. Djokovic has game, but I don’t think he’s quite ready to bring that serious all-out commitment that you have to have against Rafa, and definitely not on clay. I guess Nadal could have an off day, and that’s precisely what it would take for Novak to make Rafa go back to Spain in pain (couldn’t resist :)).

Lemme go on record here and say that Federer has to bring the same type of game against Davydenko that he needs against Nadal, or we’re gonna miss out on the Nadal-Federer final we’ve all been waiting for. Davydenko is more like Scottie Pippen than Michael Jordan though, so I’m looking for Federer to pull it out in four or five sets.

Justine and Rafa, King and Queen of Clay

Barring a brain lock from Justine, Henin is walking away with her 3rd straight French, and we will crown her “Queen of Clay” so that she can sit at King Rafa’s side as he accomplishes the same feat.