Roland Garros

The highlight and grand finale of the trip is Roland Garros. The tickets that we got are for the Philip Chartrier Court for Monday and Tuesday of Week 2. (i.e. 2nd day of Round of 16 and 1st day of Quarter-finals).

Monday featured Djokovic vs Verdasco, Hewitt vs Nadal, Clement/Llordra vs ??/??. [ok, as with most tennis fans, i don't really care about doubles.] Tueday featured Ivanovic vs Kutsnetsova, Henin vs Serena Williams, and Federer vs Robredo. Can't complain about the line-up as every match featured a player of interest. Only regret is not seeing Sharapova in action with her trademark shrieks. =(

The most memorable match has to be Henin vs Williams. For me, it was a David vs Goliath story, with pint-sized, lion-hearted Henin against Williams with the Nadal-sized arms. Like most of the crowd, i was rooting whole-heartedly for Henin and having fun do it, booing at Williams when she disputed line-calls and even clapping at her errors when the points got tight. =P

For 1.5 sets, i really tot that Williams is going to turn-ard anytime, reduce her errors a bit and blast Henin away. It was disappointing when Williams collapsed in the last half-set and just gave the match to Henin, contrary to a tight 3-setter i was hoping for.

Another highlight for me was getting up close to the players, watching them warm up in the practice courts. We had the privilege of catching Jankovic, Vaidisova and Chedvakadtze in action. Jankovic was immediately recognisable form far with her distinct Pan-asian exotic features. For Vaidisova, even up close, it took us some time to recognise that it was her probably because her features are not distinct from a typical blond lady. Jankovic had displayed more positive body language through-out the practice and, SK and I went on to predict correctly that she would prevail in her match against Vaidisova. Too bad that there are no booths at Roland Garros where we could place such bets. =P

2 surprises as i roamed around the grounds during break-time:

Mary Pierce interviewed along major alley. Not as big in person as i thought she is.

Dojokovic interviewed by ESPN at the staircase.

Other roam-around pictures.

Other match photos.