From Steve Law's London Perch
Written by Zach Kleiman   
Saturday, 05 June 2010 07:58
The French Open - Pace and Precision
by Steve Law

As we build up to the finals at the 2010 French Open, we have been privileged to see the very best and just maybe a little changing of the guard. The players that are making all the headlines are the Swede Robin Soderling and the Australian Sam Stosur.

Soderling is not a big surprise to us anymore after his meteoric rise up the ranks, which was ignited this time last year with his tremendous win over Rafael Nadal in the French Open.

Sam Stosur is a different story. Being built very much like Nadal, and being a true tough Ossie, the only surprise is that she hasn't reached these dizzy heights sooner in her career. It's great to see, great for her and Australian tennis, after all they are in dire need of something to shout about. Stosur's elimination of Justin Henin followed by the world #1 Serena Williams and then the destruction of Jelena Jankovic are indeed reminiscent of Soderling's achievements.

His wins against Nadal last year and then Roger Federer in this year's Quarter Finals have confirmed him as a true contender for the title. His belief has increased beyond all recognition, and his attitude, thanks to the dedicated work of his coach Magnus Norman, has changed from the inside out.  Norman's philosophy is all about changing attitude. Take care of the attitude, and the winning will take care of itself. Something Soderling has struggled with for some time. I can only hope that Andy Murray is watching, and taking note. After his thorough beating from the much improved Czech Thomas Berdych in the third round, I can only see a slippery slope for Murray unless he changes his mindset. Having seen him live in Madrid and on the tube from Paris, I am not joyful at the prospect of watching him in the coming weeks on grass. Still, being British means suffering, at least when it comes to tennis.   

So what of the upcoming Finals?
Italian Francesca Schiavone vs. Sam Stosur was a first round match 12 months ago in Paris. Incredible to think that a year on, they're fighting for the title. Only a crazy man would be betting on women's tennis right now.
I have to back Stosur to win, on the form that I've seen - but I think it may be in three, as Schiavone has impressed me with her physicality and desire. Darn, I think this means I must be crazy.

Spainaird Rafael Nadal vs. Robin Soderling. As much as Soderling is a genuine threat to Nadal, and for the first time I think Nadal is genuinely scared of a player, I believe Nadal will come through. The conditions are meant to be dry and warm, which will favour the Spaniard. So Nadal in four.

What's your predictions? Is there a new changing of the guard? Will the likes of Soderling and Berdych start threatening Nadal and Federer with their blistering precision hitting? Are Djokovic and Murray on their way down?


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