Roland Garros - Men's First Round
Arnaud Clement d Alex Bogomolov, Jr. - 62 36 46 76(2) 54 A ret.
Alex cramped and couldn't serve to save match point and gave up.
Thus handing Arnaud a nice veteran win.
This is Arnaud's 15th and last French Open. His W/L is 11-15.
His best result was a 4th round showing in 2003.
It's the only Slam where he failed to get to the quarterfinals.
He will next face the winner of 23 Stepanek/Goffin.
Of course, I'm pulling for my old favorite.
Allez Arnaud, allez.
My boy was a wildcard at ATP 250 Marseille this week.
He lost his 1st round singles match to countryman Nicolas Mahut.
But he's still in the dubs with Lukas Dlouhy.
They are set to play the top seeds in the 2nd round tomorrow.
Arnaud was a Sf-ist at a challenger in Bergamo last week.
That showing bumped him up 16 place to his current ranking of #155.
At 34 he will not be around much longer.
Photos: Getty Images
Roland Garros - First Round
WC Arnaud Clement d Filippo Volandri - 63 16 76(9) 64
Now you knew I couldn't let this go by unmentioned.
In 14 appearances at RG this is his 7th trip to the 2nd round: 2-4.
In fact, he's played this tournament more than anyone else in the draw.
He'll next face Michael Berrer - H2H: 1-1. Win. Ab. Bull.
Allez: Let's here it for my old guy.
Photo: Reuters
If you follow this blog you know that I j'adore Arnaud.
Here he is signing autographs during today's big exo on Center Court.
Arnaud has slipped to #160 but was granted a wildcard into the men's draw.
This will be his 14th appearance at Roland Garros: 9-13 W/L.
His best result was 4th R in '03 - last year he lost his opening match.
Battle of veterans: His 1st R opponent is Filippo Volandri: 0-0.
Totally winnable! Allez Arnaud.
Photo: From Roland Garros Twitter
Auckland ATP 250 - 1st Round
W/C Arnaud Clement d Xavier Malisse - 46 62 75
Yea so, I'm the last person in the world still following Arnaud.
It's the mad crush that won't die.
When I went to bed last night Arnaud had dropped the 1st set.
I figured all was lost. I mean Xavier was a finalist in Chennai last week.
Then I awoke to a very pleasant surprise - a come-from-behind win.
I'd forgotten about the old 'finalist one week/1st round loser the next' curse.
Good thing cuz Arnaud has runner-up points to defend and at #75...
Well, you get the grim picture.
He'll play fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (no H2H) in the 2nd round.
A Qf (or better) finish might not sink his ranking. Let's do this Arnaud.
UPDATE: Arnaud lost.
Photo: Getty Images
At 32, Arnaud is inching ever closer to retirement.
So I plan to follow him intensely during 2011 - and beyond.
Yea, some called it stalking. But honestly, it's just called a harmless crush.
***
Arnaud is currently ranked #78.
Last year in Brisbane he lost in the 1st round to doper Wayne Odesnik.
This year he'll open against a qualifier. He's in the Mardy Fish quarter.
Ouch: Next week he's defending runner-up points in Auckland.
An early loss will drop him out of the top 100.
See... ouch.
R3 Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra d Nenad Zimonjic & Viktor Troicki -
36 67(3) 64 75 64 - EPIC.
Great win for Arnaud this late in his career...
Captain Guy Forget called his performance, "a lighthouse in the fog."
The last 5 finals have been won by the winners of the doubles point.
Remember: The team of Clement & Llodra won Wimbledon in 2007.
Also 'memba: Serbia did come back from 1-2 in the Sf's against Czech team.
If you regularly read this blog than you know I'm totally gay for Arnaud!
Eff it. Here's one more. Cuz he done me sooooo proud:
Photos: Reuters/Getty Images
The fun begins tomorrow in Belgrade. Live on Tennis Channel in the States.
R1 Janko Tipsaervic (Serbia) vs Gael Monfils (France)
R2 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Gilles Simon (France)
R3 Zimonjic/Troicki (Serbia) vs Llodra/Clement (France)
R4 Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Gael Monfils (France)
R5 Janko Tipsarevic (Serbia) vs Gilles Simon (France)
Photos: Taken from the Davis Cup website
Guy Forget: We wish we would have a big stadium like this in France. It's very nice. I think it's made for big moments like this one.
Michael Llodra: It's always an honour to play for your country. I beat Djokovic in Bercy but Davis Cup is totally different than ATP events.
A journalist asked about Gasquet not liking Llodra which produced a kiss. Mmm, didn't a kiss get you in some trouble before?
Arnaud Clement: I'm ready for doubles. I don't know yet if I'm going to play, that's a question for the captain, but I'm ready to go on court.
Action begins Friday - live on Tennis Channel.
Handsy: What exactly is going on there Gilles?
Photos: Davis Cup & Gael Monfils Twitter pages
Gael tweeted this pic today, captioned: On our way back to the hotel.
Look! '07 Wimbledon doubles champs Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra.
Above you got your team captain Guy Forget with Richard Gasquet.
Below you have the top ranked Frenchman, Gael Monfils.
OK, twist my arm - another pic of Arnaud. J'adore!
And Gilles Simon. Hmm, 3 singles players for 2 slots. What's a Guy to do?
Photo: Getty Images/Reuters/Gael's Twitter
Look out Serbia - butter-up those croissents cuz here come the French.
Jo-Willy is injured & can't play. This could turn into Michael Llodra's hero tie.
Not sure about you - but I'm looking forward to this final next weekend.
Photos: Getty Images
Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Second Round
8 Fernando Verdasco d WC Arnaud Clement - 36 63 60
Odd match: It turned around on a late challenge from Fern at 1-3 in the 2nd.
The win kept Fern in the hunt for the tour-ending tournament in London.
He'll need a Sf showing & Andy Roddick will need to stumble before the Qfs.
Stranger things have happened.
The best news about Fern today was the haircut. Thanks Fern. 100% better.
It's so nice I'll show it twice:
Photo: Getty Images
Paris ATP Masters Series 1000 - Men's First Round
WC Arnaud Clement d Feliciano Lopez - 67(8) 76(7) 63
Michael Llodra d Potito Starace - 64 61
Wild stat: Arnaud never faced a break point in his match today.
Arnaud will next play Fern Verdasco: 1-1, Michael will play John Isner: 0-1.
Arnaud & Michael were once frequent doubles partners...
Even winning WImbledon together in 2007.
They hadn't play in some time until the Davis Cup Sf's - which they won.
They are playing dubs here in Paris...
Which is an obvious hint to who is playing doubles for France in Belgrade.
Aw, I love when they are together.
France defeats Argentina 5-0
4. Gilles Simon d Eduardo Schwank - 76(5) 67(6) 63
5. Arnaud Clement d Horacio Zeballos - 75 61
The weekend didn't just belong to Llodra - Clement won two matches too.
The French team will now be going to their 10th DC title - in France.
Their last title came in 2001 defeating Australia at Melbourne Park.
Common denominator: Arnaud Clement was part of that '01 team.
***
Serbia defeated Czech Republic 3-2
4. Novak Djokovic d Tomas Berdych - 46 63 62 64
5. Janko Tipsaveric d Radek Stepanek - 60 76(6) 64
Nice come from behind win for Serbia - dinner at Novak's!
This would be a great way to cap Novak's year - with a DC title.
I do love this photo of him:
***
USA defeated Colombia 3-1
4 Mardy Fish d Santiago Giraldo - 36 63 75 46 86
This keeps the US in the World Group for the Cup in 2011.
It also allows Patrick McEnroe to step down with a win.
Mardy is the first USplayer to win 3 matches since Pete Sampras in '95.
Not surprising -the Bryan Bros kept Roddick & Blake to singles for 10 years.
Photos: AP/Getty Images/Reuters
France defeats Argentine 3-0
3. Clement & Llodra (FRA) d Schwank & Zabellos (ARG) - 64 75 63
Nine-times the champion France advances to it 16th Davis Cup final.
They previously won in 1927-'32, '91, '96 & '01. Their last final was in '02.
With the big stars sidelined Michael Llodra stepped in and stole the tie.
***
Czech Republic leads Serbia 2-1
3. Berdych & Stepanek (CZE) d Dokovic & Zimonjic (SRB) - 36 61 64 61
How much you wanna bet Novak is playing singles tomorrow? Sorry Viktor.
The Czech Republic is seeking it's 2nd straight final - they lost to Spain in '09.
Serbia, a young nation, is trying to advance to its 1st final.
***
And in the World Group Play-Offs
The US leads Colombia 2-1
3. Fish & Isner (USA) d Farah & Salamanca (COL) - 64 64 67(5) 63
You get the feeling Isner is playing tomorrow instead of Querrey?
Maybe Fish can clinch the 1st match & PMac'll give Ryan Harrison a 1st taste.
Photos: Getty Images & Reuters
Well, of course Arnaud is gonna cheat to the camera. I expect nothing less.
France leads Argentina: 2-0
1. Michael Llodra (FRA) d Juan Monaco (ARG) - 75 46 75 63
2. Gael Monfils (FRA) d David Nalbandian (ARG) - 64 26 64 63
Note: Argentina has never come back from 2 match dwon in DC play.
With Novak out owing to flu Janko steps in to rescue the day...
Serbia and Czech Republic are tied 1-1
1. Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Viktor Troicki (SRB) - 46 62 64 64
2. Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) d Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 75 62 26 76(5)
One wonders: Can the Serbs get to their first final without Novak playing?
*****
And the US squad is in Colombia trying to stay in World Group play...
USA is tied with Colombia 1-1
1. Mardy Fish (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) - 46 61 64 36 64
2. Santiago Giraldo (COL) d Sam Querrey (USA) - 62 64 75
Hind-sight: Even before Querrey played I thought Isner was a better choice.
Sorry guys, I wasn't around much today. And only have time for this quickie.
I'll be fully focued tomorrow - jut in time for the rain. I hate rain delays!
***
US OPEN - SECOND ROUND MATCHES
1 Caroline Wozniacki d Kai-Chen Chang - 60 60
Caro has lost a whopping 2 games in 2 matches. Uh, steamrolling.
Arnaud Clement d Eduardo Schwank - 63 5-5 ret.
The old boy wins again. It's his 6th time to the USO 3rd round: 4-1.
2 Roger Federer d Andreas Beck - 63 64 63
Roger is looking for his 7th straight USO final. He's won 5: '04-'08.
4 Jelena Jankovic d Mirjana Lucic - 64 36 62
Two matches - two 3-setters. Ouch.
Beatrice Capra d 18 Aravane Rezai - 75 26 63
USA's Bea won the second WTA match of her career. This years Believe?
Richard Gasquet d 6 Nikolay Davydenko - 63 64 62
Gasquet keeps giving us hope... Lot's of decent wins this season. Nice.
5 Robin Soderling d Taylor Dent - 62 62 64
Surprisingly, this is only Robins 9th trip to a 3rd round at a Slam: 4-4.
Kei Nishikori d 11 Marin Cilic - 57 76(6) 36 76(3) 61
5 hour match and they both looked like they were going to drop dead.
Photos: Wozniacki - Getty Images. The rest - Reuters
US Open - Men' First Round
Arnaud Clement d 16 Marcos Baghdatis - 63 62 61 64 75
Out of gas: I wrote last week that Marcos shouldn't be playing in New Haven.
Score one for the old guys - at 32, Arnaud is an old man on tour these days.
He'll improve is #68 ranking as he lost in the quallies a year ago.
Arnaud last beat a top 20 player at a Slam - the US Open in '02: Grosjean.
He'll next face Eduardo Schwank - H2H: 0-0.
Photo: Getty Images
Arnaud Clement (below) lost a tight 3-setter to American Tim Smyczek.
Chris Guccione (below) won when Gilles Muller withdrew with injury.
Dmitry Tursunov (below) won today as he is coming back from injury.
Nick Lindahl (below) was alo a winner today.
You've been hearing his voice for some time on TC - this is Doug Adler:
Arnaud Clement Given Special Career Award After His Final Match at Roland Garros
Roland Garros - Men's Second Round
David Goffin d Arnaud Clement - 36 76(2) 06 62 61
In 15 trips to RG Arnaud's best result was the 4th round in 2003.
He ends his run at Roland Garros with a career W/L of 12-15.
Also, in doubles he was a Sf-ist in 2001.
Nice touch FFT.
Photo: Reuters
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