BBC Sporttennis

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 18:27 GMT, Wednesday, 2 June 2010 19:27 UK

French Open day 11 as it happened

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)

To get involved, please use Twitter,606 or text us your views & comments on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). (Not all contributions can be used. Messages will be charged at your standard operator rate)

By Caroline Cheese

1925: And there we have it. Semi-final line-up: Soderling v Berdych and Melzer (MELZER!) v Nadal. Those are on Friday. Tomorrow it's the ladies, starting with Schiavone v Dementieva followed by Stosur v Jankovic. That's all on the BBC Red Button and the website for you UK dwellers. See you!

1917: Wowee. Jurgen Melzer comes from two sets down for the first time in his career to knock out the world number three and reach his maiden Grand Slam semi-final. The Austrian finds the energy to lift his arms aloft as a smile of joy and relief spreads across his face. Incredible stuff really. What a couple of days we've had at this tournament.

Djokovic 6-3 6-2 2-6 6-7 4-6 Melzer
Eek. Melzer starts with a nervy forehand into the net and then Djoko comes up with brilliant crosscourt forehand, which seems to dip onto the line. BUT NO! The umpire is out of his chair and calls it out! Djoko cannot believe it and he's urging the umpire to change his mind, which of course he doesn't. We move on to 30-30, and Djoko hammers a forehand over the baseline. Match point for Melzer. He's up to the net with an easy volley to put away - a Grand Slam semi-final begging... and he's DUMPED IT INTO THE NET! I can't bear to watch. I'll try though. Djoko wins a ding-ding at the net to make it break point. Melzer goes on the attack and forces the error. Deuce again. Djoko replies to a drop shot with one of his own, and Melzer pushes his response wide. Another break point. Melzer hammers another forehand deep into the corner. Back to deuce. Djoko's return goes out. Another match point. Great backhand by Melzer, but even better forehand by Djoko. The crowd are up and chanting their appreciation now. Deuce again. Yet another raking forehand by Melzer onto the sideline and it's a third match point. This time? YES HE'S DONE IT! Djoko puts the return long and Jurgen Melzer is through to his first Grand Slam semi-final at the age of 29.

Djokovic 6-3 6-2 2-6 6-7 4-5* Melzer
Boom. Melzer belts a magnificent forehand winner down the line to make it 0-30. Djoko back to 15-30 but Melzer digs out a super backhand to force the error and he has two more break points. Djoko saves both, leaving Melzer's break point conversion rate at three from 23. Ridiculous stat. Djoko has two game points, but Melzer is like a dog with a bone and his persistence is rewarded when a Djok lob drops long and he earns a third break point. HE'S DONE IT! The Austrian draws Djoko in, then bangs a backhand down the line which looks like it might go wide. Djoko seems uncertain too, but decides to hit it - dumping a volley into the net.

Djokovic *6-3 6-2 2-6 6-7 4-4 Melzer
Melzer can't buy a first serve, and though he jumps into a 30-0 lead, he is pegged back to 30-30... Ha. An ace! That's game point, and Melzer comes through with another delicate drop shot.

Djokovic 6-3 6-2 2-6 6-7 4-3* Melzer
Right. I'm going game by game. Hold to love the Djoker. Relief for the Serb.

1848: Djoko prods a brilliant backhand lob over Melzer's head to earn a break point. The Austrian responds with an outrageously bold drop shot. Has it been like this the whole match? Amazing... Djoko, who has been huffing and puffing his way through most of his matches in Roland Garros, doesn't actually look too bad, despite squandering a two-set lead. Melzer makes it 3-3.

1842: Hey, where you going? We've still got a quarter-final see through here. Djoko leads Melzer 3-2 on serve in the fifth set.

Rafa Nadal on whether he's the favourite for the title: "No-one's favourite, four players are playing well and we'll see what happens. I'm sorry for Roger [Federer] because he did amazing last year and he deserved the title more than anyone."

1840: Nadal is through to his fifth semi-final in six French Opens, which is quite impressive no? I'm not sure he'll be too happy with his level of play today though. A player like, say, Robin Soderling might have given him a much sterner test. Next up for Rafa: Djokovic or Melzer...

1836: Almagro has a glimmer at 15-30 but goes for an outrageous forehand winner which hits the net - and that turns out to be his last real chance too. Nadal earns a match point and though Nico saves it with a stunning backhand, he wallops another one out on Rafa's second match point, and Nadal is through to the semis, winning 7-6 7-6 6-4.

1829: Ah... That resistance is broken as Nadal breaks to love and will serve for the match in a few moments. Almagro allowed his level to drop there, and that's all it takes. Can't say I blame him though. He's probably thinking about his tea too.

1821: Almagro digging his heels in in this third set. Like I say though, I can't help feeling he's delaying us all from our tea. It's 4-4. Impressive resistance though. Melzer and a crumbling Djoko locked at 1-1 in the fifth.

Twitter
BBC 5 live's Jonathan Overend tweeting from Roland Garros: "Melzer levels at 2 sets all with Djokovic with a 7-3 tie-break. Incredible break point stats: Djokovic 4/5, Melzer 3/19."

1813: Some match on Lenglen. Melzer, having seen all those break point chances come and go in the epic eighth game, rattles into a 6-0 lead in the fourth-set tie-break against Djokovic. Djoko gets it back to 6-3 but Melzer finally clinches it 7-3 and they go to a fifth set. Djoko, who has been struggling with allergies and breathing problems, will be less than pleased, I should imagine.

Text in your views on 81111
From Somerset via text: "Yay!!! I love Lindsay! Woohooo. She's so nice. Did you just meet her? Does she play seniors now?"
Admirable enthusiasm, matched only by my own. I didn't meet her but I very much hope to. I don't think she plays seniors - she hasn't officially retired yet, has she?!

1808: Another crunching service game from Almagro and he leads 2-1 on serve. It's impressive but I can't help thinking it might be in vain. Melzer and Djoko go into a tie-break in the fourth set...

From Egalite on 606: "Djokovic won one of the longest games I've ever seen against Melzer. There was nine or ten deuces and about seven break points for Melzer."

A celeb has been spotted
1800: They're cancelling it! No, not really. Former world number one Lindsay Davenport is joining the BBC team... I hope that news pleases you as much as it pleases me. Top stuff. Now, Nadal had a break point in that first game but couldn't press home his advantage and it's now 1-1. Melzer leads the fourth set 6-5 against Djokovic and it's still on serve, despite the epic eighth game.


1758: Now, if you were with us earlier, you might remember I had to nip off for a Wimbledon meeting. Wanna know what I found out?

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery tweeting from Roland Garros: "Nadal does it again, too good in the tie-break, and this time I'm leaving the press box. If Almagro comes back from two sets down I'll..."

1755: With thanks to Manolo who just texted in, Nadal's rant at the umpire came after Carlos Ramos warned him about the time he takes between points and told him he didn't need to towel every time. Nadal hit back that he was going as fast as he could "at 1000km per hour". Not sure about that, Rafa...

1753: Almagro's coach appears tell him to breath and keep his chin up as he falls 5-2 down. It doesn't help. Nadal has been oddly below par today, except when it comes to tie-breaks when he's been almost impeccable. Maybe he just wanted some tie-break practice? Anyway, he takes it 7-3 and is a set away from the semis. Djoko has finally taken the eighth game of the fourth set and it's 4-4 on Lenglen.

1750: Nadal wins the opening point on serve and then immediately gets the mini-break with a devilish topspin forehand down the line, Almagro nowhere near. Another sensational forehand makes it 3-0, leaving the 19th seed angrily thrashing the air with his racquet. They switch over with Nadal leading 4-2.

1746: Absolutely nothing doing for Nadal there and it's into a tie-break we go. Can Almagro hold his nerve?

1743: Nicolas Almagro shrugs his shoulders and looks to the heavens after a quite miraculous backhand from his fellow Spaniard. Nadal is on the defensive but brilliantly turns defence into attack with an acutely angled double-hander onto the sideline. Almagro gets to deuce again but Nadal holds firm to take a 6-5 lead. Let's see what happens at this changeover... Meanwhile, Djokovic is STILL trying to hold serve at 3-4 in the fourth set. Sounds like a cracking match.

1737: Can Almagro take advantage of a rattled Rafa? Well, that's a good start, levelling up at 5-5 with some ease. On Lenglen, Djokovic is battling to hold serve at 3-4 down in the fourth set against Melzer...

Someone is having a tantrum
1734: Well, this is a turn-up. Rafa Nadal sits down at the changeover and launches into an angry rant at umpire Carlos Ramos. Not sure what it was about. Ramos said something and Nadal just lost it. Not something you see every day.

1730: Crikey, Almagro has a break point for the first time since Rafa's first service game. What does Nadal do? Serve-volleys of course. Luckily for him, his serve is one of those big swingers out wide and it's an easy put-away at the net. Almagro gets back to deuce again with a delicious drop shot, but Nadal edges into a 5-4 lead. Almagro will have to serve to stay in the set.

1727: Similar pattern to the first set as Nicolas Almagro shows no sign of crumbling, levelling up at 4-4. Can he keep it going though?

A celeb has been spotted
1720: I'm hearing rumours that Grace Jones is gracing Roland Garros with her presence... Not all that surprising actually, she's always knocking around Wimbledon. If true, she's picked a good day. Nadal continues to offer up treats for the Almagro forehand and the 19th seed is gobbling them up. No breaks in the second set though and Nadal leads 4-3. On Lenglen, Djokovic leads Melzer by two sets to one, and the fourth set is on serve with the Austrian in front at 3-2.

BBC Sport's Piers Newbery tweeting from Roland Garros: "As Nadal wins the tie-break, the press seats clear immediately. Not much faith in Almagro with a 0-6 record against Rafa."

1713: Hello again! I thought you were going to tell me who won out of Serena and Stosur? I'm on the edge of my seat here. I bet Serena came through in the end... Anyway, sounds like Nicolas Almagro is putting up a decent fight here, and as I look up he drives a sweet forehand down the line to make it 2-2 in the second set against Rafa Nadal. PS Please manually refresh and we can forget Chris Bevan was ever here.

By Chris Bevan

1709: Almagro might be a set down but his goose isn't cooked yet - he holds to love to level at 1-1 in the second set. Djoko? He's just saved a break-point at the start of the fourth set. Tense times... just as well Cheesy is back to steer this ship for the rest of the day.


From tarantoes on 606: "Nadal stepping up when he needed to with some very fine points."

1704: Interesting. Very interesting. Jurgen Melzer did take that third set against Djoko... the Serb still leads 6-3 6-2 2-6, but he might have a bit of a battle on his hands now to book his place in the last four.

1700: More and more flashes of brilliance by Nadal now. He may have started this first set very slowly but he has just finished it with a bang - putting away a sizzling backhand winner to take the tie-break 7-2. Is there any way back for Almagro? It doesn't look good, does it?

1659: Just the one mini-break early in this tie-break, and it goes to Nadal - who leads 4-2 at the changeover. Almagro is struggling slightly on serve (he didn't get any of his first serves in) but he is still hanging in there... for now.

1654: An easy hold for Nadal, and it's tie-break time on Chatrier... Rafa's first of this year's tournament. Meanwhile, Serena's back on court following her earlier defeat, teaming up with sister Venus in the semi-finals of the women's doubles - where they are up against Liezel Huber and Anabel Medina Garrigues.

1649: A bit of pressure on the Almagro serve at 30-all, and he finds a tramline with his next backhand to hand Rafa a break-point. Almagro keeps attacking, though, and his approach pays off too - an explosive winner from either flank helps him hold and nose 6-5 in front. Meanwhile Melzer is 5-2 up on Djoko in the third set... but don't forget the Austrian is still two sets down.

1644: Ah, Djoko might have a bit longer to wait to wrap up his win - Melzer broke twice in quick succession and he now has the advantage. It's not all going to plan for Nadal either; as a couple of wayward groundstrokes see him trail 15-30 before he gets a warning for taking too long between points (the next one will see him docked a point). Rafa rattled? Not a chance. He takes the next two points and puts away a forehand winner to hold and level this first set again.

1640: Credit to Almagro, he's hanging in here... and possibly doing a bit more than that too. He holds again to lead 5-4 and Nadal will serve to stay in the first set next.

Text in your views on 81111
From anon, via text: "Almagro looks like he's forgotten his gym kit and has had to pinch some clothes from a ball boy. Doesn't seem to have affected his game though."

1635: Djoko's rolling along nicely, at two sets up and a break-up in the third, and Rafa is looking solid enough too - banging down an ace to level at 4-4.

1630: Hmmmm. Rafa's forehands are causing Almagro far more problems now and he is having to battle just to stay in most of the rallies on the Nadal serve. He holds to level at 3-3 - that's three games in a row - but will Almagro fold? Nope, not yet anyway... he responds with a convincing service game of his own and a nice little fist pump at the changeover shows that he still thinks he can win this set, even if most people probably don't.

1623: Djokovic has broken again at the start of the third set, and it would appear Melzer's time is almost up. Nadal? He's upped the ante, including a stunning running forehand that he puts away for a winner. That gives him a break-back point and, when Almagro puts a forehand long in the next rally, Rafa takes the game. We're back on serve in this opening set. The beginning of the end? Maybe...

1619: As our friends on BBC 5 live Sports Extra are remarking, Almagro's outfit of red shirt and black shorts does make him look rather a lot like a (very tall) ball-boy. Anyway, back with the action: Nadal holds with ease and is off the mark at last at 1-3.

From Adam Doherty on 606: "Almagro already very much on track to better his last meeting with Nadal at Roland Garros. He lost 1-6 1-6 1-6 to his Spanish compatriot in 2008."

1615: Well, Rafa is showing signs of life but the fightback hasn't quite started yet. Almagra has to save a couple of break-points but Nadal is still making a whole heap of mistakes and puts a forehand in the tramlines to trail 0-3.

1610: Oops. Apologies for not bringing you news of what's been going on over on Suzanne Lenglen. But, if you're a Novak Djokovic fan, you will be very happy indeed - he's just taken the second set to lead Jurgen Melzer 6-3 6-2.

1607: Blimey, what's this? Almagro comes out all guns blazing on the Nadal serve and catches the four-time French Open champion napping with some h-u-g-e returns. One word to sum up Rafa so far? Sloppy. He's broken in his first service game and Almagro leads 2-0... still, a long way to go.

From FedFan-Kim on 606: "Just realised Sam and Jelena Jankovic will play the semi-final - so no chance of the final I wanted. Oh well, still a first-time winner - very interesting."

1603: A decent start by Almagro: who holds serve very comfortably to love. The world number 21 has never been beyond the last eight at Roland Garros, having previously reached this stage in 2008, but he does like his clay.

1600: Right, here we go. Almagro (in red) to serve first against Nadal (in blue with a hefty dash of lime).

1557: Er, not sure what I was on about at 1551 but I've changed that now. Sorry. So, who do you fancy in this one? Me, I'm going with form... which is heavily in Rafa's favour as he has won all six of his previous meetings with his compatriot. I don't think this will take long either...

1551: Rafa and Almagro are out on Chatrier already, and about to start warming up - once Nadal has had a swig from each of his water bottles (one big, one small) anyway.

1547:
Spain
Spain
Right then, what's next? Only Rafael Nadal versus Nicolas Almagro... a match which means Spain will have a man in the semi-finals no matter what.

Text in your views on 81111
From Heather in Edinburgh, via text: "No Fed, no Williams sisters... did someone forget to tell these guys this was a Grand Slam?"

1542: It's been a tournament full of shocks but there cannot be many more, can there? Anyway... the departure of Serena Williams, the winner here in 2002, means we will see a first-time women's champion this year, no matter who picks up the trophy.

1538: Incredible stuff by Sam Stosur, who looked down and out earlier in that third set. She's in the semi-finals at Roland Garros for a second successive year, and will play Jelena Jankovic for a place in the final.

A shock result
1535: SAM STOSUR BEATS TOP SEED SERENA WILLIAMS 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 8-6 TO REACH THE FRENCH OPEN SEMI-FINALS

1533: Wow! At 15-30, the Aussie wins a thrilling rally with a precise crosscourt backhand that passed Serena at the net. That brings up break-point... and another brilliantly angled passing winner by the Aussie. Talk about timing: Stosur has just plucked two of the best shots of her life out of her locker and will serve for the match next.

1529: While I was saying hello, Stosur fell 0-30 down and Serena was two points away from the semi-finals. Slammin Sam is not quite finished in this er, Slam, however and two big serves get her back to 30-all before she holds out to level at 6-6 in the decider. Gutsy stuff.

1526: My, this is tense, isn't it? Give your page a manual refresh quick - this match might be over in a minute...

By Caroline Cheese

1523: Williams holds to love in double-quick time to take a 6-5 lead in the decider. Unbelievably, I now have some Wimbledon business to attend to so I shall hand over to Chris Bevan to deliver you the rest of the drama... Let me know who wins, OK?

1522: Sam Stosur confidently serves her way into a 30-0 lead, but then she crumbles in the most dramatic fashion. Williams edges back to 30-30 and Stosur completely miscues a forehand, and it flies into the crowd. It's match point for Williams, but Stosur stands firm. Amazing stuff. The Aussie makes it 5-5, finishing with an ace - which Williams generously acknowledges.

1516: Stosur wins the first point but no more, and Williams sits down with a 5-4 lead. The top seed is one game away from the semi-finals.

1514: We're up to two hours in this match, and Stosur sends Williams scurrying across the baseline with some more huge forehands. The American somehow scrambles one back, but not a second. Stosur cruises to a 40-0 lead, but she loses one point and then a second, when she balloons an easy short forehand over the baseline. However, on the third game point, Williams nets the return and it's 4-4 in the decider. This is the kind of situation Williams would normally take control of... we'll see.

Text in your views on 81111
From Harry on the Wirral, via text: "Revising for my French A Level and always thought deuce was a French word!? Apparently not!"

1506: Stosur slaps the net with a forehand. Poor shot, to be honest. And now Serena has a second serve to look at, pummelling it down the line to bring up two break points. Is this the moment for the top seed? Stosur hits the back of the baseline with a forehand, prompting gasps from the crowd, but it's in and Serena goes on to net a backhand before a big serve from the Aussie makes it deuce. Good stuff. Stosur holds to make it 3-3.

1501: Comfortable game for Serena and she heads to the chair leading 3-2 in the decider.

1458: Speaking of foreign words we have learned this fortnight, I'm still loving the Spanish phrase for 'play is suspended': partidos interrumpidos. There'll be no more of that though. Glorious sunshine in Paris as Stosur whacks a forehand down the line to make it 2-2 in the third set against Serena. The crowd are a bit quiet, I don't think they know what to make of it all. Stosur isn't playing as well as the first set, Serena is still not playing at her best.

Text in your views on 81111
From Kate in London, via text: "Loving the French vocab - personal favourite is passing shot... un passing-shot. Brilliant."

1454: Williams hops up onto one leg to celebrate a thumping ace down the middle. That's 40-30 and a backhand right onto the baseline and finally the top seed leads - 2-6 7-6 2-1.

1450: And Williams breaks right back to make it 1-1, chasing down a drop shot and pushing it down the line. Jankovic's win will bring Novak Djokovic and Jurgen Melzer to Lenglen. Third seed Djokovic hasn't exactly been in convincing form, while Melzer is playing in his first Grand Slam quarter-final. The winner is likely to play Rafa Nadal, if he can beat fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro later.

1446: Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic defeats Yaroslava Shvedova 7-5 6-4 over on Lenglen. That leaves just one semi-final spot up for grabs, and there's still no knowing which was this one's going to go. Serena's serve is still misfiring, and Stosur has a slightly surprising break point - Williams chucking in her ninth double fault to gift it to the Aussie. Weird.

Text in your views on 81111
From Easily Pleased in Wales, via text: "Just discovered the 'test your French tennis vocab' page Caroline. Laughing at what 'men's singles' is in French. Hours of fun. Oops, sorry, back to the live text."
Un simple messieurs...

1441: Wayward backhand from Stosur gives Williams four set points, and she only needs the one. Fabulous response from the world number one - and probably proves exactly why she's a 12-times Grand Slam champion. Into a third set we go. On Lenglen, Jankovic leads 7-5 5-4.

1439: They change ends with a pumped-up Serena Williams leading 5-1... Looks like we're heading for a decider.

1436: A second love service game in a row for Serena. It's tie-break time. Where's your money?

From anon via text: "Re 1426: Soderling in disguise, Stosurling."

1432: And how she deals with that pressure... Stosur races into a 40-0 lead, is briefly pegged back by a return winner from Serena, but comes through to 15. Brilliant. Serena will serve to stay in the match again, trailing 6-2 6-5.

1430: Williams finds an acute angle on the forehand, whipping it crosscourt to get to 30-0, and she holds to love for the first time. Big pressure on Stosur now. All square in the second set at 5-5. Yaroslava Shvedova leads by a break and 4-3 in the second set on Lenglen after Jelena Jankovic took the first set.

1426: Just as I was beginning to think she was Robin Soderling in disguise, Sam Stosur finally shows some sign of nerves. The Aussie's first double of the match gives Williams a 0-30 lead, but then the American errs on a backhand. Stosur gets back to 30-30 - but then a wild forehand attempt from an impossible position gives Williams a break-back point. It's typical Serena-style battling, the top seed crushing a short ball to get back to 5-4. Can the American rediscover her serve though?

1422: Seven doubles for Serena now, which is a horrible stat for her. Williams saves one break point with an almighty first serve. Stosur has a second serve to look at on the second but goes for a big return which clatters the net. Here's another chance though... AND THIS TIME SHE TAKES IT! Stosur will serve for the match.

1419: Sorry 4-3 Stosur leads... manually refresh please.


1415: But Stosur is showing absolutely no sign of crumbling. Her serve has been magnificent and she hasn't faced a break point in this second set, which she leads 4-3. Lenglen update: Jankovic leads Shvedova 7-5 2-2. The winners of these two matches will meet in tomorrow's semi-finals, after Schiavone v Dementieva.

1410: This looks like an easy service game for Williams as she rolls into a 40-15 lead, but then yet another double fault holds her up - not for long though. It's 3-3 in the second set, Serena doing her best to just dig in and see what happens.

1404: Massive shout of "YES" from Serena as she nails a first serve out wide, but then she ruins her good work by planting a fairly easy backhand in the trams. Back to deuce, and now she puts away a volley before levelling up at 2-2 in the second set. All a bit of a struggle for the top seed though.

1359: Red Button duo Sam Smith and Mark Petchey are eagerly awaiting your questions. Text 81111 or tweet me and I shall pass them on. Love service game for Stosur and she's 6-2 2-1 up against Serena Williams. On Lenglen, Jelena Jankovic has taken the first set 7-5 against Yaroslava Shvedova.

1357: Serena Williams doesn't seem to have a Plan B - and to be fair, she doesn't normally need one. Two double-faults in the game help Stosur earn three break points... Williams saves the first but then a third double-fault is called - and then overruled by the umpire. Serena survives - despite a woeful smash which even I would be ashamed of - and ends a run of five games against.

1346: Wow. Stosur is playing some magnificent tennis here. The Aussie belts another sizzling forehand winner to set up three set points and she only need one, taking it 6-2. If Stosur continues playing at this level, I can't see how Serena will get back into this.

1342: After holding off the Williams charge in the last game, Sam Stosur uses her fearsome forehand to great effect to break serve for a 4-2 lead against the world number one.

It's bad news for a Briton
1341: British interest in the junior singles is over after Ashley Hewitt loses what looked (from the scoreboard anyway) like a tight match against 11th-seeded Argentine Renzo Olivo 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the third round. Oliver Golding and his Russian partner are still going in the junior doubles.

1337: Two break points for Sam Stosur to contend with in a gruelling game, in which Williams is in full onslaught mode. The Aussie saves both, the second with some world-class play. Serena is in control of the point, but then opts to come in. Stosur wallops a forehand at the American's toes and though Serena just about picks it up, Stosur puts away the short ball - and sits down with a 3-2 lead. Over on Lenglen, Jankovic has recovered the early break and is 4-3 on serve against Shvedova.

Twitter
Greg Rusedski on Twitter: "Great start Stosur and Serena match, could be match of day and if Stosur believes could be major upset. Still think Serena will squeak it."

1329: Yikes, I think that was a drop shot attempt by Serena - which landed halfway between the service line and baseline. No long-term harm done though and she comes through to make it 2-2. It's a decent match-up so far, both players hitting the ball terrifyingly hard.

1320: Sam Stosur rocks Serena Williams with a massive forehand, not an easy task, to earn a break point straight away , and it's a winner off the forehand side which earns her a second chance... Williams, though, bangs down two big serves to save both and makes it 1-1.

1316: According to Sam Smith on the Red Button, Serena Williams is playing in her 30th Grand Slam quarter-final, Sam Stosur her second. The Aussie is off to a good start though, holding her opening service game. Over on Lenglen in the other women's quarter-final, Kazakh surprise package Yaroslava Shvedova is already a break up over fourth seed Jelena Jankovic.

1312: First up on Chatrier today, it's an intriguing quarter-final between world number one and top seed Serena Williams and Aussie Sam Stosur. Stosur knocked out Justine Henin in the last round and was a semi-finalist in Paris last year. This match is live on the BBC Red Button, the BBC website (UK only) and BBC 5 live Sports Extra. To follow on that trio, Rafa Nadal v Nicolas Almagro. Super exciting.

The sun is out
1307: Big love for Paris today as it finally provides some half-decent weather. The official Roland Garros forecast even predicts "spells of sunshine". Spells of what? It all comes a day too late for Roger Federer, who struggled in the cold and damp conditions against an inspired Rockin' Robin Soderling. Match of the tournament for me, that one, but maybe there's better in store today?

1300: Hello there. I'm still stunned. Tomas Berdych through to the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time... Crikey, I just didn't think he had it in him.



Print Sponsor


see also
Melzer dumps out Djokovic in epic
02 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Nadal battles into semis in Paris
02 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Stosur stuns Serena in quarters
02 Jun 10 |  Tennis
French Open day 11 photos
02 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Federer proud of semi-final run
01 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Federer crashes out to Soderling
01 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Wozniacki dumped out by Schiavone
01 Jun 10 |  Tennis
Order of play
23 May 09 |  Tennis
Grand Slam women's singles latest
21 May 10 |  Tennis
Grand Slam men's singles latest
21 May 10 |  Tennis


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites