Federer no lock in French final

Ben Hibou. Los Angeles — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:35:44 GMT

Can't you guys leave the tennis to ESPN so that we could watch live or replays and judge for ourselves, rather than wait for your tiny snippets that comes 24 hours after the facts. I believe NBC should be banned from sports broadcasting. Just like in the case of the Olympic games you cherry pick what the public is "allowed" to see. That's not fair play.

Federer no lock in French final

Adrian, Bassfield, Mississippi — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:19:38 GMT

I agree that Federer isn't a lock to win, but I certainly hope he does. He really, really needs to win the first set so that he can relax and play his game. Playing from behind puts him on the defensive and Soderling would love nothing more than to pounce on a defensive Federer. (I also want him to win the first set for purely selfish reasons. I want to be able to relax and enjoy the match. I think I was on the brink of a massive heart attack watching the semifinal match.) One more, Roger, one more! I know you can do it.

Federer no lock in French final

Andy, New York, NY — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:15:25 GMT

I wonder why people keep saying that Federer "needs" this win to be considered the "greatest of all time." The fact is that Federer, up until this point, has reached the French Open final four years in a row. Regardless of what happens Sunday, I say he has already amassed a far greater record at the French Open than Sampras and should already be considered greater than Sampras.

Federer no lock in French final

Jon, North Little Rock, AR — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 00:54:53 GMT

Soderling is playing the best tennis of his life, but I can't help but feel like Federer is going to step it up and go into "God mode" on Sunday. Surely nobody can imagine Federer giving up this incredible opportunity. Federer's game is also a problem for Soderling. Soderling hits the ball incredibly big, but he doesn't have the greatest movement, and Federer has always been able to expose this with his all-around game.

Then you also have to factor in experience. This is Soderling's first grand slam final. It kind of reminds me of last year's US Open final with Murray. Obviously, Federer has been there a ridiculous amount of times, and I think this will play a big factor.

I think Federer takes it in straights, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Swede pushed Fed to 4 or even 5 sets.

Federer no lock in French final

C. Vineyard, Houston, TX — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:16:10 GMT

One just gets the innate feeling that nothing or nobody can or will deny Mr. Federer's grasp onto all-time greatness on Sunday. He is accustomed to the pressure of greatness, he wants this, the French crowd is clamoring for him to proudly and finally hold the Coupe des Mosquetaires as his own. It appears his mental state is perfect - confident and unafraid, yet not arrogant or negative at the first sign of trouble. The drop shots he executed against del Potro in the semis were picture-perfect, his service impeccable against Monfils in the quarters, and his gutsy inside-in forehand in the third set of his fourth round match against Haas will stick out memorably in my mind. Soderling has been nearly flawless in his wins over Ferrer, Nadal, Davydenko, and Gonzalez, and will be a challenge. Roger in either four or five sets to achieve the eternal admiration of tennis fans worldwide.

Federer no lock in French final

dot shields (marshfield, wi) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:44:41 GMT

WHY, pray tell, did NBC not broadcast the Federer/Del Potro match today? For that matter, why did NBC only schedule three hours for the French Open's men's semi-finals? That was a ridiculous decision! Wasn't there a contract to broadcast the French Open "live"? Yet what we GOT today was 'just' the taped replay of the five-set Soderling/Gonzalez match. Altogether, this is/was a terrible dis-service to American tennis fans!

Federer no lock in French final

Jeanette Walowitz — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:12:25 GMT

Thanks, Ted for the spot on analysis of Soderling's seeming mastery of aggression and accuracy on clay. Still I couldn't believe it when Gonzalez let go of his secure hold on the match in the 5th. Although he recovered from the dubious line call, each time the Swede pushed him off the court he lost some energy & belief. Now, I love your love of the game which comes through even though you share the limelight with Johnny Mac; BUT I CAN"T BELIEVE WHAT NBC did to me and thousands of viewers nationwide. IT ruined my day and night when Days of Our Lives appeared instead of FED, with no explanation, not even a nod to all the devoted fans. Don't you think we deserve some acknowledgement? something... even if we didn't get the match as it was going on live??? How are we supposed to support a sport if the network doesn't? Still, thanks for your nuanced insights and for letting me at least AIR my complaints.

Still reeling

Federer no lock in French final

Andy Kill, Troutdale, Oregon — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:05:54 GMT

I've enjoyed Ted Robinson's tennis commentary since day one. Like Dick Enberg, one gets the feeling Ted is just as nice a guy off-camera as he appears to be on-camera. Always great camaradarie with his cohorts in the booth. I've been watching tennis on TV since the early '70s (Bud Collins and Donald Dell on PBS) and Ted is right up there with the best of them.

Federer no lock in French final

Jim Jones — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 06:02:22 GMT

Federer will win in straight sets. The final will be "sleepy" as week watch Federer surgically destroy a nervous Soderling.

Federer no lock in French final

Marcus Shaffie — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 17:10:47 GMT

Go ROGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Federer no lock in French final

Stephen — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:07:24 GMT

Yes, I agree with Ted robinson, soderling is going to pull it off tomorrow

Federer no lock in French final

Robert A. Oliver — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:40:02 GMT

Federer in three or four sets.....

He has a way of neutralizing power players......just ask Andy Roddick. He is 9-0 against this Swede on steroids........

By the way, tell NBC that they disrepect the game of tennis and tennis fans when they transmit key matches in videotaped form (i.e. Nadal vs Soderling)

What a travesty!!!!!!!!!!

Federer no lock in French final

Diana, Palm Desert, CA — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:38:55 GMT

Roger is making a nervous (but still absolutely loyal) wreck out of me. He takes us to the edge of the cliff, makes us nervously look over at disaster, and then brings us back with cheers and gratitude for his outstanding talent. He IS the best.

Federer no lock in French final

Betsy B, Tucson, AZ — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:48:48 GMT

Please NBC, give up your lame pretense of broadcasting tennis and leave it to ESPN where we can see all of the matches on the (gasp) days they were actually played! Who made you think that you know what we want to see?! Whomever made that decision on the Del Potro/Federer match for instance, must be someone who dislikes tennis and would rather watch a different sport instead. So please, broadcast the sport for which you have respect and let tennis fans watch what they want to see! I don't see football games shown in the "free samples" that tennis matches are! I can hear the uproar from here if NBC or any other channel did that!

Federer no lock in French final

Kat Miller, Austin,Tx — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:54:19 GMT

NBC should not have rights to Grand Slams unless they are fully capable of showing matches! Days of our Lives over 10 dramatic sets of Live tennis is dissapointing!
That being said GO ROGER!!!

Federer no lock in French final

Kris — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:49:10 GMT

My sentiments are with Federer. But my gut says Soderling is going to do something amazing tomorrow...like continue the dismantling of Rafa to Federer. Plus, it'll make a more interesting story. I'm just impressed that the guy who beat the indestructible Nadal is living in the moment and taking it for what it's worth. There is no reason for him not to destroy Federer either.

Federer no lock in French final

Michael M. Tsuji, New York, NY — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 13:39:30 GMT

Ted,

RE: Federer's Streak

Ask Mary Carillo about Chris Evert's semifinal streak. You will be surprised. If I remember correctly, Federer's will pale in comparison.

Federer no lock in French final

Mary Jordan, Washington, DC — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:40:31 GMT

I love watchintennis on NBC...i think Ted, John and Mary do a great job!!!!! THANK YOU for helping my broken heart by showing last years Wimbledon!!! BTW< I don't think that Rafa is faking a knee injury for the rest...Do yuou really think he would miss playing at Wimbledon, just because he lost at the French???????????