RG Diary Friday 27 May
Originally published on: 27/05/11 17:53
There was a chill wind blowing through Roland Garros today and two of the women felt it more keenly than their opponents. In just under an hour and a quarter, World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki was dumped out of the second slam of the year by an invigorated Daniela Hantuchova, 61 63. There were no excuses from the Dane though and only kind words for the skill of her opponent, but finding herself in Paris with time on her hands she’s not sure if she will stick around or head home “I really don’t like to be around a tournament when I’m not playing, because, I mean, it’s just you know, you feel like you’re supposed to be on the court and be playing”.
The other women’s seed that exited today was Aussie Sam Stosur, defeated by Gisela Dulko 64 16 63. Although the Argentine missed the birth of her nephew and niece last night she was pleased to take her place today in the last sixteen where she will meet Marion Bartoli who, after dropping the first set, defeated Julia Goerges 26 62 64.
Two seeds fell by the wayside in the men’s draw, Guillermo Garcia Lopez was defeated by Italian Fabio Fognini 46 63 63 61 and Mikhail Youzhny was defeated by Albert Montanez 61 76)(0) 61. But the cool conditions seemed to suit two of the French men with Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet winning their respective maches today against Steve Darcis and Thomas Bellucci. Despite winning the first two sets, the other French man in action today, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, was sent packing just before 8pm by Stanislas Wawrinka 46 67 76 62 63.
Roger Federer, seeded 3, had to play his second match on Court Suzanne Lenglen “I think they really did a wonderful job down at Lenglen. I think it’s a new players lounge, a new nursery, and new locker room. I mean, it’s really nice down there. I enjoyed my two matches down there. But I hope I can go back on center court, of course”. He made light work of his match today dispensing Janko Tipsarevic 61 64 63.
The tennis winds of change are blowing and so seen through Roger Federer’s eyes, today’s tennishead award for innovation at Roland Garros goes to Court Suzanne Lenglen. It’s been at least two years since Federer played on Lenglen and today it also became the stage for the much-anticipated third round match between Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro. The match scheduled for Court Philippe Chatrier was moved at 7.20pm local time because on centre stage, Stanislas Wawrinka and Jo Wilfried Tsonga were locked at 2 sets apiece. Spectators who had tickets for Court Philippe Chatrier were not happy with the re-scheduling and made their dissatisfaction known to the tournament organisers.
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