Comments on: FRENCH OPEN: “GRAND FAVORITE” ROGER FEDERER SLIDES BY ACASUSO

By: freakyfrites

freakyfrites — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:26:21 +0000

HI Mark! It wasn’t that bad, except for the when he was down 1-5 in the third. But Roger played some good tennis – it’s not just that Acasuso freaked out. It was a well played match and I’m sure Roger wasn’t fibbing when he said it was fun.

By: freakyfrites

freakyfrites — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:24:18 +0000

HI whynotme! Great “on the ground” reporting! It’s funny that the Argentines would come cheer on their guy but still have no faith in him. I guess you are confirming C.F.’s comment, above – he’s just a known choker.

You are so lucky to be there! Please keep us posted on what you see and have fun!

By: cindy

cindy — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:02:12 +0000

its too bad that Ben Affleck look alike is a choker.!what a waste!

By: rae

rae — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:18:10 +0000

Why are you apologising for your English? As far as I can see it’s practically word perfect. I took French at school and there is no way I would be able to write like that in French now.

By: lk28

lk28 — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:32:36 +0000

I worry about that baby if Mirka has to watch many more matches like this one. The adrenalin rush must be really something!

By: whynotme

whynotme — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:53:48 +0000

I was on Chatrier today (in the last row) to see Roger play and I was truly worried all the time, because Acasuso actually played really great during those 3 first sets, and he didn’t let Roger dictate the points at all. So I was starting to text every tennis fan I knew something like “OMG I’m scaaaaared”, but an Argenitinian who was sitting next to me just laughed at me, and kept saying even after the 2nd set and the double break that never on earth would Acasuso win this match, because he would obviously choke at one point. And I didn’t believe him (fans like to be worried apparently !) but I was so surprised (and relieved !) to see that it was actually what happenned !! Poor Acasuso, that’s a tough reputation… And apprently Argentinians don’t like him very much because they blame on him the loss of the Davis Cup…

ps : Sorry for my English, I’m French !

By: dootsiez

dootsiez — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:31:48 +0000

Fed didn’t play a shabby match in hindsight. Could’ve done with some better use of breakpoints, but Acasuso was taking it to the Fed. Nerve racking stuff. I thought we were headed down a Tipsarevic/Berdych path again. Also reminded me of the match against Feli Lopez at the USO two years ago for some reason.

But you know what, it’s good for Fed to get some workout now rather than in week 2. he’s been playing too many of the Karlovic’s/Stepanek’s during the clay season.

Mirka’s expressions during the match was PRICELESS. I was going through pictures of the match and laughing at all her pursed lips and raised eyebrows! Poor thang …

By: JFK

JFK — Thu, 28 May 2009 22:11:08 +0000

Roger, stop giving me heartattacks!! I’m so glad he pulled out a win. And I love that pic of Mirka. GO ROGER!

By: Mark Nielsen

Mark Nielsen — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:20:06 +0000

I was in school and followed the game on slamtracker and it was nerve wrecking. But how was his game, was it all bad? because the statics was actually pretty good with almost double up on winners and a very good first service percent. And I have just read on Roland Garros that Acasuso played the game of his life.

By: TennisVagabond

TennisVagabond — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:15:12 +0000

Scary stuff, and gives ammo to the Fed haters and conspiracy theorists. My take: choking opponents is a dividend from being so dominant so long.

By: freakyfrites

freakyfrites — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:56:24 +0000

Ah, very well said, C.F. Roger did look vulnerable, but at the same time, he played some brilliant points. Same with Acasuso. Very up and down, indeed. Hope Roger’s back doesn’t bug him after that long fight.

And it will be interesting to see how the crowd treats Roger when he plays a Frenchman. We know how Safin fared. . .

Thanks for the South American report on Acasuso!

By: C.F.

C.F. — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:17:18 +0000

I don’t think he’ll be such a “grand” favorite against frenchman Mathieu.

I was here at work during the match, torn between wanting to get my work done (and, surprisingly, I made it) and wanting to punch whatever happened to be within my arms reach.

I hated how vunerable Fed’s game seemed at times, but in the end I was very pleased that when his amazing skill seemed to be off on vacation, the man had a lot of heart and courage to dig himself out of that hole. Of course, it’s Acasuso, and we South Americans are very used to his headcase-y ways. Twitter was basically filled with “ok, when is Chucho going to choke? Because you know he will.”

Still, it’s good to know Roger “was not afraid to die”. Not being afraid to die is probably what ended up saving his life.