Nadal Survives and Top Seeds Advance at 2011 French Open

After almost the greatest upset on a clay surface, people around the world are still talking about how world number one-ranked Rafael Nadal escaped by the skin of his teeth in five sets against young American John Isner. This had been the first time in Nadal’s career that he was faced with a five set match at Roland Garros. What really had people buzzing was after Isner rallied to take the second and third sets in tiebreakers to give the former Georgia Bulldog a two sets to one lead over the five time champion. However, Nadal was not to be subdued as he quickly took care of the fourth set, and maintained focus throughout the fifth set to give him the match.  Aside from that major scare, all the other top men and women were able to advance to the next round of the draw. There were several straight set victories coming at the hands of top seeds including Great Britain’s Andy Murray, Austria’s Jurgen Melzer, Russia’s Maria Sharapova, Belgian’s Kim Clijsters, while Sweden’s Robin Soderling and Spain’s Fernando Verdasco were able to put away their opponents in four sets.

Coming into day five of the French Open, so far on the men’s side, we have 2009 French Open champion Roger Federer advancing into the third round after defeating local Frenchman Maxime Teixeira in straight sets. Perhaps France’s favorite son, Gael Monfils was able to book a spot in the third round as well, after a four set win over Guillaume Rufin, also from France. Spanish grinder and the number seven seed David Ferrer kept up his winning ways in convincing fashion over another local French favorite, Julian Benneteau, in straight sets. Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro was also victorious in straight sets as well.

On the women’s side, so far to come through in today’s action is last year’s finalist from Australia, Sam Stosur, along with the 2009 champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia. The top seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark had to struggle a bit before putting away Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak in a second set tie-breaker. Play continues with last year’s champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy, and France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, both expected to make their way into the third round. Novak Djokovic looks to continue his dominance today as well looking for his 39th consecutive victory to start 2011.