The clay court season is now drawing to a close, with the second Grand Slam of the year – the French Open has begun. It’s widely expected that World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will take the crown, giving him a chance at the all-elusive calendar slam.
The Serbian World No. 1 has yet to win the French Open, beaten at the finals of the only clay-court slam three times – twice by King of Clay Rafael Nadal and once, last year, by Swiss ace and World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic has been in his typical blazing form this year, winning the Australian Open to begin the year, but has had little success on clay. With Rafael Nadal taking title wins at the Monte Carlo Masters – a tournament Djokovic crashed out of in his first match, losing to 55th-ranked Jiri Vesely.
After sitting out the Barcelona Open, which Nadal won his 9th title at, Djokovic returned to win the Madrid Masters title, but was taxed somewhat on his way there. Last week, the Serb faced World No. 3 Andy Murray in the finals of the BNL Internazionali d’Italia or the Italian Open (the Rome Masters), but did not look to be completely self assured. After a near-loss in the semi-finals to a blazing Kei Nishikori, with Djokovic not only dropping a set but almost losing the final set tiebreak, the Serb eventually lost in the final to Andy Murray, who took a straight set victory with a visibly agitated Djokovic struggling until the end.
Here’s a look back at the 5 biggest upsets in the history of the French Open:
Robin Soderling beats Rafael Nadal, 2009
At the French Open of 2009, Soderling ousted Rafael Nadal – who had been unbeaten at the tournament since his professional debut in 2005.
The Spaniard, widely considered the greatest clay court player in the history of tennis, had a 31-match unbeaten streak at Roland Garros, and had already won three clay titles that calendar year.
Soderling, whowas seeded 23rd at the tournament, would oust Nadal 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 to eventually progress to the finals that year. He would eventually lose to Roger Federer, who with that win completed his career Grand Slam.
Robin Soderling beats Roger Federer, 2010
Swedish ace Robin Soderling had already risen to prominence before 2010, and at precisely the same tournament.
The following year, Soderling again played a blinder. The Swede that year had the best year of his tennis career, reaching a highest 4th ranking. He would also replicate the success he had at the previous year’s French Open – and two years in a row, pulled off shock upsets and slaying giants.
This time, Soderling’s victim was reigning champion Roger Federer. The Swedish ace had already defeated Federer that year – after being a set and a break down. He would win that match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
Stan Wawrinka beats Novak Djokovic, 2015
Worl No. 1. Blazing form. Renewed vigour and a new coach. Novak Djokovic well and truly had everything going for him, and it would not be remiss to believe he was all set to take the title.
Djokovic had beaten defending champion and five-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in straight sets, and in his third finals attempt at the Coupe de Mousquetaires, looked to be able to broach that ‘jinx’.
Unfortunately for Djokovic, Wawrinka was in the form of his life and had every intention of stopping the Serb in his tracks. The Swiss pulled out all the stops with his flier of a one-handed backhand, and denied Djokovic the only major tennis trophy he has not won so far.
Could this be the year Djokovic finally breaks his Roland Garros curse? His form and fitness say yes, but his recent performance says no, so time will tell.
Chris Woodruff beats Andre Agassi, 1996
Former World No. 1 Andre Agassi was seeded third at the 1996 French Open, behind top seed Pete Sampras and reigning champion Thomas Muster. He had been in good form that year, but had struggled in the first round at Roland Garros against Spanish qualifier Jacobo Diaz, taken to four sets.
He was up in the next round against unseeded American Chris Woodruff, who could best be described as a journeyman; Woodruff was skilled, but did not have much by way of success in his tennis career.
The eight-time Grand Slam winner played such a patchy, error-strewn second-round game that Woodruff beat him 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3, 6-2. He was so disappointed following the loss that he refused to attend the post-match ceremony, and was fined for his behaviour.
Tathiana Garbin beats Justine Henin, 2004
Belgian ace Justine Henin was reigning champion at the 2004 French Open, having in 2003 beat compatriot Kim Clijsters to the title. After beating French wild card Sandrine Testud in straight sets in the first round, Henin, the tournament top seed, played Italy’s Tathiana Garbin – who was unseeded – and proceeded to shockingly suffer a straight-sets loss to the then 86th-ranked player.
Garbin had a number of wins over top players over her career, among them Flavia Pennetta and Agnieszka Radwanska, but Henin remains her biggest victory.
Henin’s second-round ouster was the earliest ever exit by a women’s reigning champion at a Grand Slam.
