ROLAND GARROS, FRANCE

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs. [14] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)

This is the second consecutive day that the schedule has been significantly disrupted by rain and no one is happy.  The tournament directors are probably wondering how they will be able to get back on schedule for a Sunday finish, if that is at all possible now.  The players are emotionally depleted with going on court, coming off court, waiting to go back on court or not.  How can this not disrupt their game?  Roberto Bautista Agut took the first set  6-3 from Novak Djokovic, but has completely lost his focus and dropped the second set 4-6.  Now he is danger of losing the third set, no doubt more anxious than the number one seed.

It is not easy to beat Djokovic.  Time and again we have seen him drop the first set only to come roaring back to defeat his opponent. When you have never defeated your opponent, you want to play without interruption to maintain your focus.  These delays are destroying Bautista-Agut’s concentration and eroding his confidence.  Time to think is not benefitting him at the moment.  Whether or not play resumes, I do not think Djokovic will relinquish his advantage.  He has too many weapons at his disposal and unlike his opponent, Djokovic is still capable of elevating his game.

WEATHER AIDED UPSETS

[2] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) lost to [102] Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) 6-2, 3-6, 3-6.  Frustrated by the weather and not particularly keen about clay, Radwanska seemed to lost interest in the match.  This is the first time Pironkova has defeated Radwanska on clay in five tries.

[6] Simona Halep (ROU) lost to [21] Samantha Stosur (AUS).  On the verge of serving for the first set, the rain came and destroyed Halep’s focus completely.  On return, Halep was not the same while Stosur seemed re-energized and she went on to win 7-6(0), 6-3.  This is the third time that Stosur has defeated Halep at Roland Garros.