Novak crashes out of French Open

Not Djokovic, the world number one is safely through, dropping only five games in his opening match. But Austrian Dennis Novak who lost in straight sets to Alexander Zverev in the first round. Novak, I mean Dennis Novak, is the second-ranked player of his country, next to Dominic Thiem whose new found confidence from winning his inaugural slam at Flushing Meadows last month boosts his chance to finally grab a clay title.

Even if he lost the last two finals to Rafael Nadal, Dominic has the psychological edge, having beaten Rafa in the US Open semi-final en route to winning the crown. If it is any indication, the score line trend seems to favor him too. Two years earlier he lost in three straight sets but last year he stole the second set tiebreak, only to be drubbed 6-1, 6-1 in the last two sets. He could meet Nadal in a final three-peat and may go the distance. If he can’t dethrone the king of clay this year, he should be content with being the prince for now. He looks the part anyway.

But then there is another king named Novak. I mean Djokovic now, who is the only other man and the last man to beat Nadal in Roland Garros, and in straight sets. He has the mental edge too, he knows how to get inside Nadal’s head. And Rafa knows it. Roger Federer is not playing, but it doesn’t matter. He is not an overwhelming a threat to Nadal on clay than he is on grass or hard court. Last year he lost the semi-final to Nadal in straight sets. This year Rafa is as emphatic, easily winning the first round, to warn he guns for a record extending 13 clay crowns. Will it be lucky 13 for the king of clay? Could be, but it won’t be easy. Stan Wawrinka also stands in the way.

Among the women, I pick Simona Halep as the top favorite. She basks in the absence of Ashleigh Barty who opted not to defend her title and Naomi Osaka who just vindicated her maiden slam at the US Open earlier. But there is the resurgent Victoria Azarenka and a woman named Serena.

But then we will never know, it’s the French Open, the one slam notorious for producing unlikely champions, otherwise known as one-slam wonders who won out of nowhere only to disappear in thin air. I mean in the distaff side, remember Iva Majoli, Anastasia Myskina, Francesca Schiavone and recently, Jelena Ostapenko? Ashleigh Barty might even go their way. Not in the men’s division, luck has nothing to do with a dozen win. It’s mastery, simple and plain.

Another one bites the dust

 In the local front, another tennis veteran in Mandaue City sadly departed to the great beyond. Renato Macalolo-oy, whom we fondly call Boss Nats, bites the dust at 71. Rest in peace and be at peace with the thought that your son Randel carries your tennis torch. He may not have your lean and mean frame, but he definitely has the power game. Once he acquires more of your patience and wisdom, he will play like he is your son.