2020 ROLAND GARROS

Keeps it on serve at the 5th Stefanos

lol finally breaks in the 5th :-(

bah

For the first time in 13 finals, I’ll be fully behind Rafa on Sunday. Which means he’ll probably lose.

id been confident this whole tournament rafa was going to take it, over novak, but now that we're here im having doubts

Didn't get a chance to watch any of this today; would've been beautiful if Novak had lost from mp up, considering the 20-odd times he's come back from that position. A nice bookend to this late imperial phase (having lost from mp up vs Cilic at Queen's in June '18, before he started winning things again). I've completely made my peace with Rafa matching Roger's 20 Slams at this point.

I do wonder if the pandemic has extended the reign of the 30-somethings (US Open notwithstanding) a little. Obv Fed was out for the year, but Novak and Rafa slogging through a full spring/summer schedule may have worn them down a little for the Slams. Let's call it a day at 20-20-17, yeah?

I only realised today that each time I've seen the Big Three play in the flesh, they've all lost! Nadal to Davydenko, World Tour Finals group stage, 2009; Federer w/Wawrinka, Olympic doubles, 2012; Djokovic to Del Potro, Olympics bronze medal match, 2012 (and Fed was getting stomped on Centre by Murray for the gold at the same time). Cf. my dad, who managed to be serially disappointed by Pele, Stanley Matthews, Duncan Edwards... Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye... At least Eusebio didn't disappoint.

“It’s important to go through all the process,” he said. “You have to suffer. You can’t pretend to be in a final of Roland Garros without suffering.”

here we go..

Iga looking sharp already with her power, breaks Kenin well: 2-0

finally gets a point off the Iga serve: 40-15

3-0. This is domination.

This is power with beautiful shot selection (something Petra didn't really have) and Kenin can't do much about it.

Kenin now getting into the match. good returning and now two break back points

DF for a break back, excellent, this could be a really good final now..

Unexpectedly soft from Iga

V interesting, Kenin is competing well. She has no weapons but a good serve and all round game, she does not make errors, winning her games to 30.

3-3

another df: 30-30

terrific exchanges in the best game so far. Iga seeing deuce through: 4-3

40-40, so little between them

df Kenin, for a bp

incredible rally (19 shots), and Kenin makes it

one more bp with a bad ue, a lot of pressure

5th deuce

winner Iga, another bp

what a game, Iga to serve for the set!

3rd df, 15-30

some beautiful FHs now, 30-30

1 x sp

deuce, bad slip..

what returning!! we are back on serve!

15-30

15-40, 2 x sps

does it: 6-4!!

Very high quality first set. Swiatek visibly nervous while trying to serve it out but her overall composure and ability to think her way out of trouble are just so impressive.

Kenin is playing about as well as she could but lacks the firepower to match.

Iga is really being pushed to find her best tennis by Kenin.

So far she is coming up with the goods

And Kenin breaks early with an excellent return.

2x break back points

number one Iga fan is feeling nervous for her <3

I hate watching tennis when I’m rooting for someone. Why are my muscles tensing up like I’m about to hit the ball? More importantly, whyyyyyyyy are my palms so sweaty???? pic.twitter.com/0zDbaKrd5o

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) October 10, 2020

what a winner Iga: 1-1

A hold after 5 consecutive breaks of serve.

Kenin has time out for the physio.

she is patched up, comes back to serve and now its 15-40

Broken with ease, Iga 3-1

Iga just carrying on here, gorgeous drop shot at the end of a great rally, two handed BH winner, ace, this could be over shortly.

Kenin is being humbled here: 5-1. Nothing she can do, now to serve for the title.

lol Kenin manages to win a point in what seems like ages: 15-15

(3rd point 4 games)

1 x cp

FH winner to win!!

6-4, 6-1. No sets dropped by this teenager. Poland's first grand slam singles winner!