Genies & genius released on Court Philippe-Chatrier
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates another victory Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over Britain's Cameron Norrie during their men's singles match on day 9 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on Monday. | AFP
Majors have that magic effect of elevating not only the level of tennis of Top dogs, in their respective quests to win either their first (Alexander Zverev), their fifth (Carlos Alcaraz),or their 25th (Novak Djokovic) title, but also propelling underdogs to perform beyond all expectation.
Roland Garros too, has delivered: French Wild card & No 361, Lois Boisson, your proverbial Cinderella, who prior to this event had no clothing sponsor and was on the verge of declining her invitation to the French Open 'ball' on account of a knee injury, yet pumpkins aside, managed to arrive, in the nick of time.
She then proceeded to come from a set down, against World No 3, Jessica Pegula, in Round 4 to beat the stunned American, 3-6,6-4,6-4. No fairy godmother hovered above. Instead she had the divine force of a raucous French crowd willing her to win.
Her carriage ride continued into the Quarters, where she upset, 6th seeded Russian, Mira Andreeva in straight sets, 7-6(6),6-3, to earn herself a Semis berth. The fact she then suffered a loss to 2nd seed Coco Gauff was insignificant, in the eyes of the French.
Boisson has made Tennis history in becoming the first WTA wild card, literally sprinkled in red fairy dust, to reach the Last-Four endearing herself to Paris, sponsors and the world at large.
Then in the ATP Draw, we had the hugely talented, yet incorrigible Russian born, Kazakhstani, Alexander Bublik, refusing to take life or tennis too seriously: 'I'm perfectly normal,' he quipped, when asked in a pre match press conference, his laissez faire attitude towards his profession.'
It's everyone else who is abnormal-' because they won't go out and relax and have a drink mid Major....There must have been a magic potion in that drink, because Bublik, who's never progressed beyond Round 1 at Roland Garros, suddenly slayed Top 10, Alex De Minaur from Two sets down- 2-6, 2-6, 6-4,6-3,6-2 to reach the Last 16, where he followed it up with an even more impressive 5-7,6-3,6-2,6-4, victory over World and five and fast rising, Britain's Jack Draper.
"This has been the happiest day of my life.' The emotional Kasakh declared in his post match interview. Sadly World No 1, Jannik Sinner, burst Bublik's euphoric bubble in the Quarters, 6-1,6-2, but the indelible, if erratic genius of the man, who drop shotted Draper into capitulation( 20 odd in total) conjured up undoubtedly the match of the tournament.As for major contenders, the biggest heavyweight upset, was dished out by none other than three-time former champion and GOAT, Djokovic, to World No 3, Zverev, the latter heavily tipped to lift the 'Coupe De Mousquetaires'. ' I think at the moment he's a bit underrated..'
An understatement from the German, while swallowing his bitter 4-6, 6-3,6-2,6-2 Last 8 loss to the Serbian icon.
Despite a lack lustre season, let's not forget Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the Australian Open Quarter Finals, in another epic match which according to the victor 'should have been the Final..'
And he arrived at Roland Garros brimming with confidence, having secured his 100th Singles title in Geneva. Zverev added- 'This is the best he has played all year.'
The best of Djokovic's shotmaking included- uncharacteristically- 26 winning volleys out of 36 forays to the net- definitely a very necessary string, this entrenched baseliner has finally added to his bow.
The question remains, can the Serb now take out the World Nos 1 & 2, Sinner & Alcaraz, back to back having eliminated No 3, in his quest to notch up that coveted 25th win.
No other Major champion has achieved this 'treble' to date, yet perhaps we should not rule out a fairytale ending, on a court conducive to so many promising beginnings.
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