2020 ROLAND GARROS

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!

Can you imagine the feast we are in for? Osaka, Andreescu, Iga. Fucking hell.

I love it. And Kenin as my favourite villain too lol.

I kinda like that she makes the most of what she has. She makes sure you are at your best, or else she beats you.

Just tuned in to the final and Nadal’s already up a break lol. Not particularly invested in whoever wins this, although for symmetry’s sake I suppose I lean slightly towards Novak:

Djokovic = 18, Nadal = 19, Federer = 20

Not watching it as I had other plans. Hope it's fun

serving for a bagel

fwiw nadal has had to work p hard here