Postcard From Paris

I have to say, I'm really very glad that if my beloved Roger Federer had to go out early in Paris, at least he was joined by another member of the Big Four. Andy Murray fell victim to Radek Stepanek today, after totally destroying him in the first set.

I know Murray won Valencia and all, but I just haven't been so sold on him for a while - especially since the US Open. That loss he took there was - well, not stupid, because Cilic played absolutely lights out - but... unfitting, I guess. Outside the Slams, sure, a loss to Cilic ain't anything much: Mighty Marin could beat just about anyone, given his day. But in the middle of a Slam? Murray should be winning those if he wants to become a legitimate Slam contender.

Wow. So did not mean to derail that into The Trials and Tribulations of Andy Murray and Why He Is Just Not Good Enough Right Now.

The other two members of the Big Four, Nadal and Djokovic, progressed - pretty serenely, in Djokovic's case, not so much in Rafa's. It's really mean of me, but I'm just hanging for Rafa to crash out here... because I'm a Roger girl and after winning the French and Wimbledon, it would seem totally unfair if he didn't get the year end #1. Not that Rafa isn't made of awesome, because he totally is, but this is a Roger year. A Roger year, damn it!

Oh well. Roger can make up some points in London. He crashed out in the round robin stages last year, so... and yeah, of course, Rafa didn't play at all, so there are many, many points he could make up. We'll see, I guess.

Speaking of London, I hear on the grapevine that one Andy Roddick is out injured. This is a huge, huge shame, because he deserves his spot there after his awesome Wimbledon showing. However, what does this mean for the people in Paris at the moment scrambling for a spot - the Verdascos and Soderlings and suchlike? It would likewise be a real shame if Soderling missed out, especially after his good win over Davydenko today...


Today's Results

BNP Paribas Masters (Paris)

Rafael Nadal def. Tommy Robredo, 6-3 3-6 7-5
Novak Djokovic def. Arnaud Clement, 6-2 6-2
Gael Monfils def. Julien Benneteau, 6-46-3
Marin Cilic def. Fernando Verdasco, 3-6 6-3 6-4
Radek Stepanek def. Andy Murray, 1-6 6-3 6-4
Robin Soderling def. Nikolay Davydenko, 6-3 3-6 6-4
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga def. Gilles Simon, 6-2 6-3