Convince The French Open Ends Encouraging American Victory
Packing a Frenchman opened as compelling as it is historical:
• Finally, a strong impetus to the USTA's development program. Bjorn Fratangelo singles title in boys have a direct connection to a radical change in U.S. strategy new.
Patrick McEnroe, the power to govern the younger players to keep clay courts are the answer instead of the basic methods of teaching. Takes note of the passage of the tendency of the patient, a defender - as opposed to all-out strikers - tip McEnroe motion to install a field behind the Arthur Ashe Stadium and major USTA training centers in Boca Raton, Florida, and Carson, in California, "we still want players to be aggressive," he said, "but if you can hit a lot of balls back to the court, it is unlikely you are going to make the top."
As it happens, 17 years, grew up playing field Fratangeli, and Pittsburgh - have not done in red clay of Roland Garros, but the gray clay Har-Tru, which acts as the American model. "There is not much difference between the two" Fratangeli said after his 2-6, 6-3, 8-6 victory in Austria Dominic Thiem and the boys' singles final. "People make too much of it."
Mats Wilander, pointing to Rafael Nadal as the ultimate showcase, said the USTA is underway. "Clay is where you learn to move," he said. "You can not fool the clay. On clay, which inevitably must be lazy. It's not as big a difference between Mardy Fish and Novak Djokovic in terms of hitting the ball, but Djokovic moves 10 times better."
One hesitates to predict the magnitude and Fratangeli - had never won a match at a Grand Slam junior level before - but he certainly fits the model of modern USTA. He trains every now and then to Boca Raton Jay Berger, one of America's most famous lines of development, and after winning at Roland Garros, thanked the USTA "everything they did."
Berger said Fratangeli scene in Paris "is a great player and will be top-50 really fast. This is an important step in his career."
Fratangelo - who will spend the season on grass playing futures events and try to improve his ATP ranking - was one of six American boys qualify for the draw for French Open. Marcos Giron of Thousand Oaks in Southern California, above, was the only other player to pass the second round (he lost in the third).
• Fascinating stuff for girls singles draw '. Caroline Garcia, a style of tract of land amaze observers and almost defeated Maria Sharapova in the second round, was beaten in the semifinals 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 by Ons Jabeur, who won the tournament. Jabeur is the first junior Grand Slam winner from North Africa (Tunisia), and I liked his comment after the final: "I do not want to play than girls, especially the Russian girls. I want to be different, so landing shots and volleyball and shooting everyone. "
Regarding American girls in Paris, not much to report. Three of them had the draw and Victoria Duval (Delray Beach, Florida) was a success, reaching the third round.
• One of the best writers in the industry, Christopher Clarey New York Times after seeing Sharapova committed 10 double faults in his loss of Na Li: "I've seen a few fights in my life where I was absolutely sure someone would double fault on match point. It was a. "
• Like Caroline Wozniacki not talk enough about Na Li is the most accomplished player in the world through the first two majors, was his father, Piotr, Danish Fed Cup captain, who suggested that the hook Li coach Michael Mortensen.
• I once asked a tennis insider how the classification system, accurately, and he answered. "Do not ask," suggesting that it is too complicated to deal with all I know is this: If Serena Williams has not played for almost a year, should be classified in the 103rd no 17. Strange, too, to see Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick, both in the Top 10 (The Fish is the ninth, and slipped a place Roddick No. 11).
• It is perfectly legitimate to argue that Nadal the best player of all time, but do not forget that Roger Federer has a 6-2 lead against Nadal at Wimbledon, 5-1 in the U.S. Open and 4-1 in the Australia Open.
• The lifetime of one-handed backhand. All you kids out there, see Federer and Francesca Schiavone, before joining the masses. You might well find an artist inside. And what about a comment Federer in the first week of the tournament? "I can not believe how much my back is now," he said.
• Approaching darkness is an essential ingredient in strange men's tennis tradition. When Pete Sampras beat Patrick Rafter in the Wimbledon final in 2000 to beat the longstanding record of Roy Emerson 12 major titles, he barely finished before it's too dark to play. Even dramatic element together in 2008, Federer-Nadal Wimbledon final, generally considered the greatest match ever played. And the French Open semi-final between Federer and Novak Djokovic became a classic, at least in standards this year because Federer was able to finish at 21:37
(It is amazing how the television image to provide a hint in the shade? Always seem middle of the day, if you're watching from home, even if the players approach the chair to complain that he can not see.)
• If you're an East Coaster furious disconcerting TV setup men in the quarterfinals, could have been worse. You could have the West Coaster like me. Federer took advantage of two sets, Djokovic, in real time, when the delayed television began at 11:00 our time. I do not know whether to leave Dick Ebersol insists still shots of NBC Sports, Ebersol but this was much like moving to address the Pacific time zone, leaving pathetic.
And not even start a game broadcast live on NBCSports.com. Sports are meant to be seen on TV, not a computer. ("Honey, you dare not put the coffin next to the keyboard!) I called streaming broadcast for a moment just to check quality, and it was awful, like watching a video game of the NFL 1968.
• Does anyone recognize Federer v Djokovic? What happened to the man who looked so confident and invincible during his 43-game winning streak? It was a totally different type: confused, hesitant, almost resigned to his fate. Now he has decided to skip the Queen to give his knee and his mind a break. Probably a good idea. It will come back strong at Wimbledon.
• Encourage: Show all court players of two who really know how to move on clay - Li and Schiavone - Competition in the women's final ... Marion Bartoli years to overcome the pain (despised by the French federation) to make a serious run for the crowds support brutally ... Gail Monfils closer smart tennis, sensitive, when it really counts ... John Isner throw a scare for Nadal, a real boost to the confidence of Americans ... Juan Martin del Potro Djokovic take a set before his third round match was suspended. If Del Potro continues his improvement and Andy Murray could only move the ankle injury, the stages of Wimbledon is exceptional.
• Counter: Consultation Nadal made remarks about the physical demands of a tour that lasts too long - and not knowing nothing will be done for her ... Albert Montanes not put away the cramps like a statue, Fabio Fognini in the fourth round, especially after the maddening Fognini jumped out of his date with Djokovic ... Bernard Tomic and Grigor Dimitrov Joing Milos Raonic first round extinctions among the "to do" set ... Melanie Oudin, needing a big win so badly, drawing Schiavone right off the bat ... Kim Clijsters seems strangely detached and worn as she lost to Arantxa Rus after leading 6-3, 5-2. John McEnroe and Mary Carillo suggested that each Clijsters leaning heavily against a full-time motherhood and looking doubtful for the Olympics in 2012.
