ROLAND GARROS, Paris

[CR13] Gilles Simon (FRA) vs. [CR36] Martin Klizan (SVK)

The first set was a struggle for both players, each tried to gain some momentum. Emotions ran high as both players got frustrated with their level of play.  Simon served for the first set but was broken. His anxiety level went up a notch as Klizan evened the match. Would Simon be able to remain calm and avoid the loss of the first set?  He struggled to hold serve, giving Klizan opportunities to take the lead; however, Klizan failed to convert.  As Klizan’s frustration mounted, he struggled to maintain his focus on serve. Those missed opportunities to take the lead weighed on his mind, creating a distraction that cost him his serve and the set.  The feeling of disappointment carried over into the second set and he was broken early.

Maintaining a positive attitude when you have never beaten your opponent is very difficult, the doubts increase even more when you failed to take advantage of your opportunities. The tendency then is to spend time in your head, pondering those missed chances, rather than remaining focused on court.  Klizan did that and it cost him the match.  Simon won 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

[CR2] Roger Federer (SUI) defeated [CR57] Marcel Granollers (ESP) 6-2, 7-6(1), 6-3.  Like Klizan, Granollers had opportunities; his inability to consolidate his lead ultimately resulted in his defeat.  Lost in the emotional onslaught of frustration and anxiety, it’s difficult to think clearly enough to realize, this is a five set match.  His lack of belief that he could beat Federer was also compounded by the niggling doubts about his fitness, he has been prone to cramping during intense matches.