Roland Garros
May 31: Disappointing match: Anderson defeats Milos in straight sets, 75 76(4) 63. Anderson played solid tennis, especially receiving; keeping most of Milos' serves in play, winning 40% of return points. Meanwhile on this day every part of Milos' game was letting him down. Take out his 16 aces, he had 34 winners; but also 38 unforced errors. Full credit to Anderson who kept the pressure on consistently; he deserved the win today.
May 30: Milos is scheduled to play Kevin Anderson third-up on Court 7 (after Wawrinka vs Zeballos) so approx. 2pm Paris Time, 8am ET, 5am PT.
May 29: [Benoit Paire has defeated Marcos Baghdatis, so Milos Raonic is up on Court Susan Lenglen any minute now, about 8:30AM Eastern Time (10AM Newfoundland Time).] A good win for Milos today: tough, but good. Milos dominated for the first five games. But then Llodra stepped up his game, won the second set, and played even through the third. Fortunately, Milos found another gear to start off the tie-break: took three quick points and went on to win the set. He carried that momentum into the fourth set, which he won with two breaks. Overall a good, aggressive match, as evidenced by 75 winners, more than balancing out 42 unforced errors; 33 points won out of 46 (!) times at net; 39% receiving points won. Both Llodra and Milos served well, but Milos won the match on his return game: 75 36 76(3) 62. Next up: Kevin Anderson, probably Friday.
Matthew Cronin: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2013-05-29/201305291369848427284.html <<
May 28: Milos is scheduled to play Michael Llodra tomorrow: Wednesday, May 29, approx. 1pm or 2pm Paris time, approx. 7am or 8am ET, 4am or 5am PT. Watch it on TSN2: http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/story/?id=424171 <<
Also up tomorrow, about an hour earlier, will be Vasek Pospisil, finishing his rain-delayed first-round match vs Horatio Zeballos. Milos on RG-TV: http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multimedia/2013-05-27/013ee58638f800000b3f.html <<
May 26: The steak seems to have worked for Milos: he had two sets, at least, of "red meat" aggressive tennis, before backsliding a bit to lose the third; but he took the fourth set in workmanlike fashion. Next up, probably Wednesday, will be Michael Llodra, who also took four sets to get past his first-round opponent, Steve Darcis.
May 25: Milos just tweeted "steak tonight" -- he and Xavier Malisse are first-up tomorrow on Court 1; will be shown live on TSN2 at 5am ET, 2am PT, repeating at 3pm ET, noon PT.
>> http://www.tsn.ca/tennis/story/?id=423975&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed# << [Don't miss the link on the right "French Open: Ready to Roll" where Milos talks about Malisse and the coaching change.]
May 24: Milos has drawn to the third quarter, with David Ferrer, in the bottom half, with Roger Federer. (Nadal and Djokovic are in the top half.) Milos' theoretical (no upsets) path to QF would be 1) Xavier Malisse (ATP#54) 2) Michael Llodra (#56) 3) Kevin Anderson (#25) 4) David Ferrer; if he could make it past David, Roger Federer would likely be waiting for him at SF. Malisse is a tougher opponent than we would have hoped for in round one, but Milos should be able to handle him. Overall, probably not a bad draw.
>> http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/scores/draws/ms/r2s2.html << Updates daily.
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June 2nd, 2013 - 02:06
At this point in Milos’s career we all know he has the tools to be in the top 10 but with a new offensive minded coach that will help Milos hone those skills to his advantage it still comes down to I KNow I can Do It.Instead of I Hope I Can Do It particularly in the tough few critical points which is usually the difference between victory and defeat.
I’m sure you will all agree that Milos can give any of the top 10 a tough close match if he is playing his best.
The difference will always boil down to those few critical points that you see the top 4 almost always winning to scrape through a tough match.
Good coaching helps but in the end it’s what develops between the ears ,call it confidence or will to win or whatever.But until Milos finds that degree of mentality reserved for champions he will be close but not breaking the door down as he puts it.
I feel positive he will be there soon.
June 4th, 2013 - 00:20
I agree, he has every tool necessary, including some that most top-10ers can’t match. It’s a matter of stringing those tools together consistently and keeping that level up throughout entire matches.
I also agree that it’s a mental edge that he needs to sharpen to achieve that consistently high level we know he’s capable of.
June 4th, 2013 - 22:00
From the Telegraph (Simon Briggs in Paris):
So while we saw all the trademarks yesterday – the thunderous serves and forehands, the tank-like rumbles to the net – we did not see him give up his usual quota of cheap points. “After a while I realised it was tough staying alone because there are many things you have to manage as a tennis player,” said Tsonga, who spent 18 months without a coach before teaming up with Rasheed in November. “You have to be on time for practising every day. You have to eat correctly. You have to sleep well. You need the life of a champion.”
—-
This sounds like Milos but for a few minor details… Now that Milos and Federer are out I’m torn between Tsonga and Ferrer, hoping theirs is a good match.
June 4th, 2013 - 22:01
Link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/10099123/French-Open-2013-Jo-Wilfried-Tsonga-sees-off-Roger-Federer-in-straight-sets-to-reach-semi-finals.html
June 1st, 2013 - 03:50
As you say, it was disappointing. It’s always difficult for Milos when he is against a very good server. Now clay is not Milos’ favorite surface. I hope he will do better on grass. I think Ljubicic can help him a lot. Please, keep us informed about Milos’ decision on that issue. Thanks for the blog.
May 30th, 2013 - 18:27
I agree with Daniel and Tomaso. I think Ljubicic would be, if confirmed, a very good choice. He will comfort Milos in his choice for agressive tennis which is the way he feels tennis. They come from the same country, their family had to leave their homeland, they can talk in Serbo-Croat together. Ljubicic’s experience is not that far and his game was based on an outstanding serve. Just to check, I watched the way Ljubicic has beaten Nadal in 2010 Indian Wells Masters. I thought it was so impressive. But, of course, their association, if confirmed, will take some time to have a lasting effect on Milos’game. Just for now : go Milos ! Beat Anderson ! He can do it.
May 30th, 2013 - 10:06
Milos needs to hire Ivan Ljubicic as Full Time Coach. No doubt in my opinion. Ljubicic told Milos to be more aggressive on the Return and that has shown immediate dividends in his first 2 Matches here. Anderson will be tough as well but Milos can beat him IMO.
May 30th, 2013 - 15:27
I agree that Ljubicic seems to be a good fit for Milos at this point in his career. You know how, when you are looking for advice, but back-of-mind you know what you need to do… so you choose an adviser who will tell you what you want to hear?? I hope things work out. And very much looking forward to the match with Anderson.
May 30th, 2013 - 04:15
Congrats to Milos ! I am so happy with his new agressive mood and the way he keeps attacking the net. It is going to be tough with a good server as Anderson. But Milos can do it. Go Milos !
May 25th, 2013 - 17:47
The weather is fairly cold in France, just now. That should also help a Canadian as Milos ! Allez Milos !!!!!!!!!
May 28th, 2013 - 00:10
Hmm, but wouldn’t the cold air mean the ball is slower coming off his racquet on the serve (assuming warm air is thinner)? Bienvenue un autre fois Robert!
May 28th, 2013 - 08:41
Probably. Often two sides to the coin, I reckon.
May 29th, 2013 - 09:28
It’s about 8:30 AM Eastern Time here in North America- looks like the Benoit Paire finished off Baghdatis already so we await Milos. Will try to follow the score tracker but hopefully someone’s able to watch Court Susan Lenglin and let us know how Milos looks on court! ; )
May 25th, 2013 - 17:44
Back for the French Open and always a fan of Milos Raonic ! I am delighted he asked Ljubicic to help him as coach for the French Open. I hope they get on well. If Milos confirms Ljubicic in the job, it would be a major change for much more offensive tennis, in the wake of Sampras. I would welcome it so much. I don’t think Spanish like defensive tennis, suits Milos’ game, though he has improved a lot with Galo Blanco. Besides, Galo Blanco went on very well with Milos.
As for tomorrows match, I will cheer for Milos as always, though unable to be in Paris for the whole tournament, unfortunately. I find you a little pessimistic. After all, Milos has defeated Malisse in San José and having Ljubicic by his side, should give him some comfort. Anyway, go Milos ! (my other favorite is Dimitrov). I find the two of them are so good players and behave very well on the court. Go Milos ! We all support you !
May 24th, 2013 - 18:45
“On paper” Milos has the toughest draw in the 13-16 block; adding up ATP ranking points for opponents, first three rounds:
Milos: 54 +56 +25 = 135 [lower numbers = tougher opponents]
Nishikori: 94 +52 +33 = 179
Simon: 83 +107 +19 = 209
Kohlschrieber: 162 +81 +23 = 266
Fourth round is “academic” in my opinion, since all four players would be long-shots vs any of the top four seeds, including Ferrer.
May 25th, 2013 - 13:18
This is a very good point. First round versus Malisse is hard to swallow given his 1st rnd opponent in Rome, seems he can’t catch a break. Xavier Malisse’s glory days at the French Open may have been around 10 years ago (winning Roland Garros doubles in 2004, and making 4th rnd in 2002 and 2004), but the 32-year-old will be no push-over. First rnd will be an exciting match, by no means “in the bag” for either player.