For the second straight year on Court Philippe Chatrier Dominic Thiem took aim at Rafael Nadal, the King of Clay and 11-time champion at Roland Garros. Again he failed to steal the crown.

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Nadal claimed a remarkable 12th French Open title and kept his perfect record alive when contesting a final at Roland Garros. The final score was 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in a tick over three hours.

Nadal said this this title was extra special, “Yes, not only this year – last year was a tough year too.” he said.

“I was only able to finish seven tournaments during the whole year. and finished, like, World No.1. Give me a chance to win here last year and in Wimbledon, I was very close. The US Open I had to retire, too. So a lot of issues, and then at the end of the season (issues) with the knee. Then I had to do surgery on my foot.

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“And this beginning of the season, the level of tennis has been positive, but again, some issues, no? Like in Indian Wells, like Brisbane, like Acapulco, too….too many issues the last 18 months. So that’s makes these last few weeks very, very special.

“All the things that I went through probably give me that extra passion when I am playing, because I know I will not be here forever. So I just tried to be positive, to be intense, and to be passionate about what I am doing.”

In the final it was Nadal that took the opening set gaining two service breaks to one for Thiem. This came despite the Austrian serving at 81%.

Nadal hit 11 winners to seven in the opening set. He got the key second break of serve in the 8th game.

In the second set Thiem won his first ever set against Nadal when he broke late in the first set. Nadal set up the break point after playing a great drop shot to counter Thiem’s drop shot.

The break was converted when Nadal hit a dipping forehand shot with Thiem at the net. The attempted volley sailed long. Nadal then served out the opener.

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After that is was all Nadal. The Spaniard broke three times in the third set and twice in the fourth set to claim the title.

Nadal hit 38 winners to Thiem’s 31, the unforced count was 38 for Thiem and 31 from Nadal.

So after Nadal’s early struggles during the clay season, that’s if you call semfinal losses a struggle, he has again won the title that matter most.

Australia’s Ash Barty started her 2019 WTA season with a cruise on Sydney Harbour with four Grand Slam champions. Today in Paris she added herself to that honour roll.

Barty cruised to victory against Czech player Marketa Vondrousova, claiming the title 6-1, 6-3.

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A long drought has ended in Paris with Margaret Court being the last Australian woman to claim the singles title back in 1973.

Barty dominated from the start, racing through the first set. In the second set, Barty started making more unforced errors, but the Czech player could not take advantage.

Both players served well, but it was a more composed Barty that controlled the points.

Vondrousova attempted to break Barty’s rhythm as she played a few drop shots, but Barty on most occasions was able to win the point.

Barty is the first Australian to win a grand slam singles title since Samantha Stosur won the US Open in 2011.

With the win, Barty will sit at no. 2 on the singles rankings after starting the year at no. 15. She is just 136 rankings points away from the top spot.

Barty had 26 unforced errors to 22 but also hit 27 winners to 10.

Vondrousova needed to be a lot more aggressive in this match. She showed glimpses of what was possible but seemed to play within herself.

All credit to Ash Barty, a true champion. 

In an unexpected semifinal it was Australia’s world no. 8 Ashleigh Barty facing US teen sensation Amanda Anisimova.

Barty was on fire early and she had two break points at 15-40 in the second game. Good defence keeps her in the point before Anisimova hits a bad shot to lose the game. 

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Barty held comfortably, then had three break points against Anisimova in the next game. She converted when she answered a drop shot with a drop shot that left Anisimova standing still.

The score was now 4-0 with Barty hitting her fifth forehand winner to lead 15-0. Anisimova hit a great drop shot to get to 15-15.  Barty held to race out to a 5-0 lead in little more than 12 minutes.

Anisimova managed to hold serve in the next game to see Barty serving for the set at 5-1 and with 17 minutes having elapsed. 

Meanwhile in the other semifinal it was 2-1 with Konta up a break and holding advantage. 

After a drop shot that caught Barty well short, Anisimova had her first break points at 15-40. Barty saved one before hitting long to concede the game. 

Vondrousova broke Konta to level the scores at 2-2. 

Barty hit a shot into the net to see Anisimova claim her third straight game to again have Barty serving for the first set, this time the score was 5-3. Barty was struggling to land a first serve.

Anisimova was not finding her groove and she was hitting with power and depth. Barty served an ace to got to 30-15 and then played a drop shot that Anisimova chased down then hit a shot on the line for 30-30

Big hitting forced an error from Barty to see Anisimova hold a break point, but Barty hit some deep shots to force an error from the young American, it was now deuce. 

A Barty shot that was just over the baseline saw another break point for the American, and when Barty hit a forehand into the net a transformation had taken place. Games were back on serve with Anisimova serving at 4-5. 

The American was now in control.

In the other semi Konta broke again to lead again.

Barty hit a shot wide to give Anisimova two break points, another missed shot from Barty and it was six games in a row for Anisimova. She would step up to serve for the first set at 6-5. 

Barty was looking shell-shocked and looking for answers. 

Anisimova hit a shot into the net to start the 12th game. In the next point the American hit a big forehand  to level at 15-15. A shot tagged the line from Anisimova that saw Barty miss the next shot. 

The American was now two points from the set at 30-15. Barty pushed the American back and won the next point. At 30-30 a missed drop shot from Anisimova gave Barty a break point, but a big serve got the score to deuce.

Some aggression from Barty saw her work her way to the net to put away a smash for another break opportunity. But Anisimova attacked the net and hit a winner to get back to deuce. 

Barty played shots at the body of Anisimova and forced an error for another break point, but a backhand into the net wasted that chance.

Perhaps nerves were taking hold of the players, Anisimova badly missed a shot to give Barty yet another break point. 

Barty played great defence to keep the ball in play and Anisimova snatched at a shot to hit into the net to send the first set into a tie breaker. 

Barty took the first point. Suddenly the Australian was looking more energised and she got a mini-break for 0-2 with Anisimova serving. Anisimova won the next point for Barty to serve at 2-1. 

The mini-break was conceded when Barty sliced into the net.

Barty hit a forehand winner for 3-2. A shot just over the baseline from Anisimova gave Barty another mini-break to go ahead 4-2. 

A looping second serve to Barty was missed wide for 4-3 with Barty to serve two. 

A shot hit well wide by Barty saw her advantage slip again. It was now a huge point at 4-4. 

With some big hitting from both players it was Barty that cracked, hitting a drop shot well short.

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Anisimova was now up 5-4. Then a forehand winner from the American 17-year-old saw her raise her arms to celebrate a huge comeback to win the set. 

It was a crushing moment for Barty after having held a 5-0 lead early in the first set.

Anisimova won the first game of the second set and then broke for a 2-0 lead.

Barty got on the board at 3-1 and then earned a break point in the next game which she converted to get back on serve at 2-3. 

Konta failed to serve out the first set again Vondrousova and like Barty she was made to pay when she failed to take the first set. The Czech player broke twice to win the first set 7-5. 

Barty held serve to complete a run of 3 games to level the score at 3-3.

Anisimova was starting to make more errors and Barty found herself at 15-40 and looking at two break points. She hit wide on the first, but then Anisimova didn’t get down to a shot and lifted it wide to concede her fourth straight game in the second set. 

Barty held and suddenly she was back in control with Anisimova serving to stay in the set at 5-3. 

Barty won the first two points to move to within two points of winning the second set. A double fault from the American gave Barty three set points.

The Australian converted the first of her break points to claim the second set. A great comeback from Barty who won six straight games.

Now what would happen?

Anisimova took the first point of the deciding set, and the second. Anisimova earned a break point before seeing Barty hit an Ace.

A good wide serve, followed by a down the line shot got Barty to Ad, but then she was late on a forehand and dragged it wide for deuce. 

Barty had game point, but Anisimova hit a great angled shot to keep the game alive. Another good first serve got Barty a game point. Barty would hit long to go back to deuce. 

It was now Anisimova that made an error, hitting over the baseline to give Barty yet another game point. A good first serve saw Anisimova hit short on the return. Barty stepped in to hit a winner and take the early lead. 

Anisimova held, then broke Barty. The Australian broke back straight away

The rollercoaster ride continued with Barty now going on a run of two games to lead 3-2. 

Barty broke again to lead 4-2. After a few tense moments Barty was able to win her next service game to stand just short of a French Open final.

Barty had three match points at 0-40 in the next game. She wasted two. Could we see another comeback from the American?

Barty was in control of the point, but missed a shot just wide to see the score at deuce. 

A good first serve forced an error from Barty for Anisimova to go up Ad, then she won the game to put the pressure on Barty who had to serve for her spot in the final. 

Good hitting from Barty worked Anisimova out of position to hit a winner and take the first point. 

Anisimova then had a brain fade to play a poor drop shot to see Barty take control with another point and 30-0. An Ace and it was triple match point for Barty.

A big return kept Anisimova in the match. Then a drop shot winner from Anisimova put more pressure on Barty, but the Australian kept her composure and hit a shot down the line that the American would not get back.

Barty was in the final where she will face another teenager as just before Barty claimed her three set victory, Vondrousova had defeated Konta 7-5, 7-6(2).

Australia’s Ashleigh Barty has rocketed into her first Grand Slam semifinal after defeating USA’s Madison Keys 6-3, 7-5. This follows her Australian Open quarterfinal effort in January.

The match was completed in one hour and nine minutes, one minute longer than it took for her semifinal opponent to defeat the defending champion.
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Another American, Amanda Anisimova defeated Simona Halep 6-2, 6-4 to book her spot in her first Grand Slam semifinal against Ash Barty.

At this year’s French Open there will be a first-time Grand Slam champion as the four players are all yet to taste success at this level.

In the other semifinal former Australian and now British player Johanna Konta takes on Czech player Marketa Vondrousova.

Barty when talking about her tennis comeback said: “It was always the goal to come back and try and put myself in a position where I’m competing against the world’s best.” The 23-year-old has definitely ticked that box.

Two years ago it was Keys that easily defeated Barty in a round one encounter at Roland Garros. Earlier this year Barty showed she had come a long way since then, defeating Keys in straight sets during a Fed Cup tie.

Barty is one of the form players in 2019 having reached the Sydney International final, a quarterfinal at the Australian Open, claimed the Miami title and now has put in her best performance at the French Open.

In the match against Keys, it was Barty that was in control earlier in the sets. Barty had just one break point opportunity in the opening set and took advantage of that. She would go on and take the first set.

Just what makes Barty so good was on display at 2-2, 40-15 in the first set.

Keys hit a big forehand that pushed Barty well to the back of the court. Barty stretched and retrieved a ball that many would not, she tossed up a shot that Keys hit a drive volley from close to the net.

Barty read the shot and was there to hit a lob deep into her opponent’s court. Keys ran and hit a shot down the centre of the court. Barty replied with a drop shot, then Keys hit a drop shot. Barty was there and she played an angled backhand winner.

Reading the play and hitting the right shot is what Barty is all about. She also has one of the best backhand slice shots in the game.

Barty, the world no. 8 broke Keys in the 8th game after coming from 30-0. After the break she was ahead 5-3 and Barty served out the set.

In the second set it was again Barty that was first to break, that coming in the 7th game. This time with Barty serving for the match, Keys would hit back.

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Barty would again break her opponent to again serve for the match at 6-5. Barty, this time would not let that opportunity get away from her. The Australian served out the match to love.

Barty moves a step closer to becoming the first Australian to win the French Open since Margaret Court claimed the title back in 1973.

“When I had my time off, I think it was just a gradual progression of missing the competition, missing what I loved. I love this sport, and I’m very lucky to be in the position I am now. With an amazing team around me, we’re enjoying it, having a lot of fun, having some amazing results,” said Barty who played cricket during her time away from the game.

“Oh, it’s incredible. I felt for myself and my team, we have approached this clay-court season a little bit differently to others. Have really enjoyed it, embraced it. Have been playing some pretty good tennis,” stated Barty, who is surprised her first major semi-final has occurred on clay.

“Ultimately, I feel like when I’m able to play my game style and my kind of tennis, I can match it with everyone regardless what surface it’s on.

“It’s about going out there, getting exposure to it, trying to get as many matches as possible. I feel like I’m learning every single match. Super excited. And the fact that we’re still here in the last few days is incredible.”

“It’s amazing for WTA tennis. I think the way that Amanda must have played, I didn’t see it today, but the way she must have played must have been incredible,” Barty said ahead of her first meeting against Anisimova.

“It’s clean slate for both of us and exciting opportunity for all four of us that are in the semis. It’s just an amazing situation to be in.

I have done a really good job of switching off this week and enjoying that quiet time, enjoying the other sports and interests that I have that are going on around the world at the moment to make sure it’s not always just about tennis, not always about me, always keeping contact with my family and keeping that very normal.” explained the No.8 seed.

“I think it’s just been a really relaxed, quiet tournament in my mind. I’m in a position now where I just get to enjoy the next few days.”

The semifinals are to be played on Friday in Paris

Ashleigh Barty (8) AUS vs Amanda Anisimova USA

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Johanna Konta (26) GBR vs Marketa Vondrousova CZE

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Australia’s Ashleigh Barty has backed up her Australian Open quarterfinal result with another quarterfinal appearance, this time in Paris at the French Open.

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In her best showing at Roland Garros after only previously reaching the second round, she defeated USA’s Sofia Kenin 6-3, 3-6, 6-0.

Barty got off to a solid start in the opening set as she raced out to a 4-0 lead. Barty was serving at a high percentage and did not make many errors.

After being two breaks of serve ahead Barty saw Kenin hit back and win a few games late in the opening set before Barty closed it out.

The second set was the reverse of the first set. Kenin got the early break and was hitting with more authority. Barty had a few opportunities to break back in the second set but Kenin held her nerve and levelled the match at a set apiece.
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In the third set it was suddenly Barty that took control. Kenin was not moving as well and started making more errors as Barty cruised towards a quarterfinal spot.

Kenin had no answers and Barty won the deciding set 6-0.

Barty was just behind Kenin with winners throughout the match, it was 28-25, but the unforced errors were 17 for Barty to 29 from Kenin.

Next for Barty is Madison Keys who defeated Katerina Siniakova 6-2, 6-4.

Two years ago it was Keys that defeated Barty at the French Open in the opening round. Earlier this year Barty levelled their head-to-head tally at 1-1 when she defeated Keys in a Fed Cup match on hard courts.

With the win, Barty jumps to world no. 5 on the live rankings. She can sit just below Naomi Osaka at no. 2 if she can go all the way and lift the champions trophy.

Australia’s Ash Barty had not advanced past the second round at the French Open at five previous attempts.

This year she reached the third round and has now moved into new territory as she booked a second week of tennis in Paris.

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This came after defeating Germany’s Andrea Petkovic 6-3, 6-1 in a match lasting exactly one hour.

“It took a little while to get used to the conditions, a little bit with the light, the spin of the court,” Barty said, in her post-match press conference. “Obviously, the weather here can change how the courts played dramatically. So I think it took some time to adjust. But once I got my feet used to the court, it was much better today.”

“When I’ve been able to execute my game, I’ve been able to win some matches in business-like fashion, but they’re certainly not easy matches, that’s for sure,” Barty stated. “I feel like I’m playing well and being able to execute to make the score lines look a little easier than the match actually is.”

Next for Barty is a match against the conqueror of Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin from the USA.

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Kenin is currently ranked at no. 35 and the head-to-head sees Barty ahead 2-0 after the Australian won on clay in Charlston in 2018 and during the Fed Cup earlier this year, both matches won in straight sets.

“Serena is such a tough player,” Kenin said, in her post-match press conference. “I’m still trying to process what just happened. I knew before the match, I was ready to go. I was there to win a match. Of course she’s a true champion and an inspiration and she’s done amazing things for American tennis. I’m just really happy with this win. I played really well, and I’m just excited for my next match.”

Australia’s Ash Barty and Alex de Minaur, the top-ranked Australians have advanced to round two at the French Open.

Both won in straight sets. Barty defeated USA’s world no. 72 Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-3.
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de Minaur defeated USA’s world no. 89 Bradley Klahn 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

After having missed several weeks through injury it was a good win for de Minaur, his first since reaching the Quarterfinals in Acapulco.

de Minaur had lost four times in his first match at a tournament after returning from injury.
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Next up for de Minaur is Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Barty was cruising in her opening round match, she quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead before allowing Pegula to get back on serve.

The world no. 8, however, managed to break again and then serve out the set.

In the second set, Barty was able to break her opponent on three occasions but gave up one break of serve herself.

Both players hit 17 winners during the match, but Pegula let herself down with 23 unforced errors to 15 by Barty.

Next up for Barty is Danielle Collins from the USA. Collins ran hot at the Australian Open to reach the semifinals, she has however struggled since then.

Barty defeated Collins a few weeks ago in Madrid, taking the match 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 in round two.

Two other Australians saw round one action on day two. Astra Sharma lost 6-3, 6-3 to USA’s Shelby Rogers.
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Sam Stosur defeated Barbora Strycova 6-2, 7-6(3) to advance to a round two match against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova.
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World no. 5 Angelique Kerber had the honour of playing the first match on the new Philippe Chatrier Court at the French Open.

The 2018 Wimbledon champion faced young Russian Anastasia Potapova, the world no. 81.

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Sadly for the many Kerber fans she would be the first player to lose on the new court.

In the opening set the players would win two games at a time with Potapova jumping out to a 2-0 lead. Kerber levelled at 2-2, then it was 4-2, 4-4 and the Russian wrapped up the set 6-4 after Kerber failed to hold in the tenth game after being up 40-0.

The 18-year-old Russian had two break points in the second game and converted on the second when Kerber hit into the net.

Potapova, playing in just her third grand slam tournament was hitting the ball with great power and was hitting plenty of winners.

In the second set it was the Russian that jumped out to a 4-0 lead.

Kerber would break and hold to have a chance to make a comeback, however, it was short lived as Potapova held for 5-2 and then broke Kerber again to claim the win.

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Potapova was in complete control throughout the match as she hit 28 winners to 16. Both players hit 21 unforced errors.

For Kerber she was hoping to ease into the tournament with a win after a horrible preparation. She had suffered from a virus before turning her ankle during practice in Madrid.

Kerber had played just three clay court matches in April and May.

The good news for Kerber is that she can more time on grass as she prepares to defend her 2018 Wimbledon title.

Potapova looks to get her first ever round two win at a grand slam when she plays either Wang Yaf or Marketa Vondrousova.

The French Open is set to get underway on Sunday May 26 at Roland Garros in Paris.

12 Australians will take part in the singles tournament with six men and six women.

There were 13 players in the draw but Nick Kyrgios withdrew citing illness. He had been drawn to play against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie.

Alexei Popyrin the world no. 109 was awarded a wildcard to take his place in the main draw. He will be the only Australian in action on day 1 when he faces world no. 61 Ugo Humbert from France.

Ash Barty is a genuine contender for the women’s title. She goes into the tournament as the world no. 8. and if Barty goes all the way to claim the title, the Australian could be world no. 2.

82 – Bernard Tomic vs 46 – Taylor Fritz USA
Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament
55 – John Millman vs 5 – Alexander Zverev (5) GER
64 – Matthew Ebden vs 129 – Gregoire Barrere (W) FRA
69 – Jordan Thompson vs 28 – Felix Auger-Aliassime CAN
109 Alexei Popyrin (W) vs 61 – Ugo Humbert FRA
24 – Alex de Minaur (21) vs 88 – Bradley Klahn USA

Rankings for the men and women are to the left of their name

Women’s Singles

132 – Priscilla Hon vs 148 – Timea Babos (LL) Hun
8 – Ashleigh Barty (8) vs 72 – Jessica Pegula USA
47 – Ajla Tomljanovic vs 3 – Simona Halep (3) ROM
61- Daria Gavrilova vs 76 – Aleksandra Krunic SRB
96 – Sam Stosur vs 40 – Barbora Strycova CZE
92 – Astra Sharma vs 514 – Shelby Rogers USA

In the men’s draw, John Millman has the toughest opening assignment. The world no. 55 will face world no. 5 Alexander Zverev. The German goes into Paris after claiming the Geneva title on Saturday.

Millman will be hoping that Zverev is suffering a bit of a hangover after his title run in Geneva, but with a few days rest and a week of tournament tennis it will be a tough ask for the Australian, but an upset is possible.

In the women’s draw Ajla Tomljanovic, the world no. 47 has the unenviable task of taking on Simona Halep in a round one match, the Romanian is the defending champion and world no. 3.

Halep had a good run to the final in Madrid earlier this month where she lost to Kiki Bertens to miss taking back the no. 1 ranking. Halep then lost her first match in Rome to world no. 44 Marketa Vondrousova.

Tomljanovic’s best performance this season on clay came in Rabat, where she lost the semifinal to Johanna Konta. If Tomljanovic can play at the top of her game she is in with a chance of an upset.

Rafael Nadal first won the French Open in 2005. He has reached the final 11 times, and each and every time he has walked away as the champion.

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In 2018 he marched through the seven rounds dropping just on set. That came in the quarterfinals against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.

Rafa at the age of 32 isn’t slowing down, although there was a bit of a scare in the final when he suddenly left the court saying he couldn’t hold the racquet. After a few minutes of treatment, he was back out on the court and battling away.

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Dominic Thiem, Nadal’s opponent in the final had been the only player to defeat Nadal on clay in 2018, but that was over a best of three set scenario, today he was no match. Nadal after five championship points took the match 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

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As Thiem hit long on championship point Nadal stood at the baseline with his arms raised as he soaked up the moment.

Thiem tried all he could to do to pull off the impossible, defeat Nadal in a Roland Garros final, but Nadal just kept getting the ball back. He fought a tough battle.

Before Nadal burst onto the scene in 2005 it was the great Bjorn Borg that had won six Roland Garros titles in the 70s. Max Decugis had won eight before the open era. It is hard to imagine that one player would win the same Grand Slam title 11 times in the open era, but that is what Nadal has now pulled off.

Nadal was presented the trophy by two-time French Open champion Ken Rosewall.

Nadal began the match at full speed, scoring an early break against a nervous Thiem to open a 2-0 lead. The Austrian settled, and, much to the delight of the capacity crowd, broke back and eventually leveled scores at 2-2.

The remainder of the first set was a competitive, physical slug-fest until then 10th game when, trailing 4-5, Thiem made several errors and surrendered serve at love.

With the first set won, Nadal played even more purposefully and relentlessly, peppering Thiem’s one-handed backhand and breaking serve en route to a 3-0 lead. He maintained his advantage to win the second set 6-3.

Nadal was pressing to win the first game of the third set having several breakpoints but Thiem held off to save that game. The pressure was too much and Nadal was soon breaking Thiem’s serve to rush towards title no. 11.

With the title win, Nadal remains the world no. 1 as the circuit heads to the grass courts. Federer who sat out the claycourt season will return in an attempt to deny Nadal another Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.