ROLAND GARROS, Paris

[CR24] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. [CR56] Steve Johnson (USA)

Johnson stayed positive after losing the third set yesterday to Garcia-Lopez.  Even when Garcia-Lopez tied the match up at two sets all, Johnson maintained his positive attitude. He did not succumb to doubts and panicked. How was he able to do so given his 2015 season record? He stayed confident because he knew that he has put in the work off court. He remained confident because he is not only mentally fit, but now also much fitter physically.

Garcia-Lopez may have lost this match because he was mentally and physically depleted. He has played a lot of tennis coming into the French Open and he just seemed a tad flat.  The physical and emotional energy it took to come back from two sets down was too much for the veteran clay court player and he folded tamely in the fifth set.  All the hard work off court paid off for Johnson as he appeared the fresher of the two and he was relentless in his attacking style of play.  He was convinced that he could win and he did–6-3, 6-3, 6-7(1), 3-6, 6-3.  Does this five-setter hurt or help Johnson in the long run?