PARIS -- The first two days of the French Open are in the books. Fans were treated to equal parts drama (Malisse-Massu, Acasuso-Santoro), history (Nadal) and general malaise (yours truly).
Chilean workhorse Nicholas Massu and uber-talented Belgian Xavier Malisse kicked Monday's proceedings off at 11 a.m. local time. The two engaged in a knock-down, drag-out war worthy of Instant Classic status. The match provided as many momentum swings as the Mavericks' entire series victory over the Spurs. Massu raced out to a two sets to love advantage -- a lead that can seem as insurmountable as scaling Everest. Malisse, seemingly down and out, stormed back to take the next two sets and level the match.
After three hours on the court, one set was going to decide the outcome.
Tennis players will tell you that a fifth set is roughly 45 percent psychological, 45 percent physical and as little as 5 percent about the tennis. This one proved no different. Malisse went up 4-1, with two breaks. That's like J.J. Redick at the line with his team up two and eight seconds to play. Improbably, Massu willed himself back into the match. Ultimately, an exhausting 4 hours, 25 minutes after setting foot on the court, the Chilean persevered for an 8-6 win in the fifth.
The final set illustrates how uniquely entertaining tennis can be. The mano-a-mano chess match between two physically beaten athletes, without the benefit of coaches or halftimes, makes for incredibly entertaining psychological drama.
At the same time Massu and Malisse were deciding the outcome of their match on Court 3, Argentine clay-court specialist Jose Acasuso and French maestro Fabrice Santoro were engaged in a nail-biting fifth set on court Philippe Chatrier (center court). For those of you who have not seen Santoro play, his unconventional style, seemingly more suitable to ping-pong than tennis, gives hope to every weekend hack who thinks he can go out and win Wimbledon. In a game that has evolved into being all about power, Santoro is pure finesse. He orchestrates points, in a losing effort Monday, much like a conductor leads his symphony.
The simultaneous fifth sets had fellow players entranced. The men's locker room is set up with about 15 closed-circuit televisions, next to and on top of each other, so players can follow the progress of all of the matches on the grounds. For about 45 minutes, the area in front of the TVs might as well have been Grand Central Station. Marat Safin, David Ferrer, James Blake, Roger Federer, etc., all sitting shoulder-to-shoulder watching the conclusion of Malisse-Massu on one screen and Santoro-Acasuso on another. Some 40 players and coaches marveling at a drop-shot, lob combination by Santoro with a chorus of "OHHHHHHHH" one minute, and simultaneously shaking their heads in sympathetic understanding for Malisse the next minute.
Conversely, the area in front of the TV screens was decidedly barren during the presentation of a commemorative plaque honoring Rafael Nadal for setting the record for consecutive wins on clay. In no way was this a reflection of what guys think of him as a person. By all accounts, Nadal is a good guy.
I just don't think fellow players cared to see a visual reminder of another player's dominance over the rest of the field. To a man, I think all players privately think that Nadal's streak is amazing. We all know the guy is an absolute warrior. However, active players don't want to reflect on the historical significance of the feat nor do they actually need to witness Guillermo Vilas and the French Tennis Federation celebrate the accomplishment. I suppose the only reason I am reflecting on it (see my second blog for more comprehensive reflection) is because ESPN has asked me.
Do you think the guy in the on-deck circle wanted to put into historical context Orel Hershiser's 1988 consecutive scoreless innings streak right before his at-bat? If he didn't have a psychological disadvantage before, he certainly would have after having to say, "This guy is the most dominant pitcher since Sandy Koufax."
On a personal note, the 2006 French Open was not one of my finer moments as a competitor. I had been nursing a couple of injuries the last few weeks so I came in at less than 100 percent. My opponent, an Argentine quite comfortable on the clay, made me pay dearly for my less-than-ideal preparation. Unfortunately, I did not provide the throngs of fans at Roland Garros with any great memories … this time.
I am certain, however, that my fellow players will carry the load and provide many more magical moments over the next 13 days.
