1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,867 Speaker 1: from newstalks 'b'. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:15,547 Speaker 2: All safely advanced to the last sixteen that the French 4 00:00:15,587 --> 00:00:19,267 Speaker 2: Tennis Open, including the men's top seed too much points 5 00:00:21,547 --> 00:00:28,387 Speaker 2: Canter that is imperious beast near roll Gas the world 6 00:00:28,467 --> 00:00:32,907 Speaker 2: number one looking sharp see wins for the loss of 7 00:00:33,107 --> 00:00:36,627 Speaker 2: just three games. Our man in Paris is Craig Gabriel, 8 00:00:36,667 --> 00:00:38,307 Speaker 2: who joins us. Now, before we talk about any of 9 00:00:38,347 --> 00:00:42,067 Speaker 2: the matchups overnight, Craig, can we start with the conditions? 10 00:00:42,067 --> 00:00:45,107 Speaker 2: As I understand it quite hot, quite humid today. 11 00:00:45,827 --> 00:00:48,627 Speaker 3: Yeah, pretty warm and humid. There's a lot of the 12 00:00:48,667 --> 00:00:51,107 Speaker 3: players who are feeling it. The temperature was in the 13 00:00:51,947 --> 00:00:55,107 Speaker 3: high twenties yesterday, I think it was yesterday day before 14 00:00:55,387 --> 00:00:58,507 Speaker 3: they went up to thirty, so a lot of them 15 00:00:58,547 --> 00:01:02,307 Speaker 3: were using ice packs around their necks, under their arms. 16 00:01:02,907 --> 00:01:05,987 Speaker 3: So you know, most of them have made a comment 17 00:01:06,147 --> 00:01:10,187 Speaker 3: on the conditions being very human and not the easiest 18 00:01:10,187 --> 00:01:10,827 Speaker 3: to get through. 19 00:01:11,187 --> 00:01:12,827 Speaker 2: All right, Well, I guess the idea is to stay 20 00:01:12,867 --> 00:01:14,907 Speaker 2: out there for as short a time as possible. Which 21 00:01:15,147 --> 00:01:18,307 Speaker 2: top seed Yannick Sinner did throw and strike sits? How's 22 00:01:18,347 --> 00:01:18,707 Speaker 2: he looking? 23 00:01:20,267 --> 00:01:25,107 Speaker 3: Yeah? Well, I mean I'm thinking that he should have 24 00:01:25,147 --> 00:01:28,227 Speaker 3: gone for the triple bagel, gone for love, Love, and Love, 25 00:01:28,307 --> 00:01:31,667 Speaker 3: and it was Love one and two, so very impressive. 26 00:01:31,787 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 3: But he did warn I don't think that that's what's 27 00:01:36,067 --> 00:01:39,107 Speaker 3: going to happen every match, and he used the comparison 28 00:01:39,147 --> 00:01:43,147 Speaker 3: to Rome. He absolutely wiped the court with Caspar Rude 29 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:45,347 Speaker 3: over there. I think that was like sixty one six 30 00:01:45,467 --> 00:01:48,827 Speaker 3: love and Casper's top ten, and then the next match 31 00:01:48,867 --> 00:01:52,307 Speaker 3: he played got tight. So he says, you know, that 32 00:01:52,467 --> 00:01:56,147 Speaker 3: is very very likely and quite possible and you know, 33 00:01:56,227 --> 00:01:59,347 Speaker 3: could very well happen. So while he was pretty pleased 34 00:01:59,387 --> 00:02:01,627 Speaker 3: with this because it's given him less time on court, 35 00:02:01,707 --> 00:02:04,947 Speaker 3: so it keeps fresh if there's you know, he made 36 00:02:04,987 --> 00:02:07,907 Speaker 3: it clear, this is what's going to happen every match. 37 00:02:08,147 --> 00:02:12,147 Speaker 2: Alexander Zverev, the third seed and beaten finalists last year 38 00:02:12,307 --> 00:02:15,147 Speaker 2: also through How did he look in his straight seats? One? 39 00:02:16,347 --> 00:02:21,267 Speaker 3: Yeah, relatively good, because Sasha zvere has been very up 40 00:02:21,307 --> 00:02:23,387 Speaker 3: and down this year. Since reaching the final of the 41 00:02:23,427 --> 00:02:26,867 Speaker 3: Australian Open. He's won one title. Yeah, all well and good, 42 00:02:27,107 --> 00:02:30,387 Speaker 3: but most of the other tournaments he's played he's gone 43 00:02:30,427 --> 00:02:34,427 Speaker 3: out very early, and he's admitted that it's really been 44 00:02:34,507 --> 00:02:37,547 Speaker 3: It had really been bothering him and he was concerned 45 00:02:37,587 --> 00:02:42,227 Speaker 3: about it. But today no such issues for him and 46 00:02:42,867 --> 00:02:45,907 Speaker 3: he was through six, two, seven, six, six to one 47 00:02:45,947 --> 00:02:47,827 Speaker 3: against Flavia Kobli. 48 00:02:48,147 --> 00:02:52,267 Speaker 2: He said afterwards, I note that he expects Carlos al Karez, 49 00:02:52,267 --> 00:02:54,147 Speaker 2: who beat him, of course in the final last year, 50 00:02:54,187 --> 00:02:56,027 Speaker 2: to be in the final again. Is it there's no 51 00:02:56,067 --> 00:02:58,107 Speaker 2: one on that side who can stop him? Is he right? 52 00:02:59,507 --> 00:03:02,427 Speaker 3: Well? Pretty much, yeah, but you never know what can happen. 53 00:03:02,667 --> 00:03:07,227 Speaker 3: And seriously, so this is these are these majors, anything 54 00:03:07,347 --> 00:03:12,627 Speaker 3: is possible. So yeah, he's absolutely right in that Alcaraz 55 00:03:12,707 --> 00:03:16,627 Speaker 3: is the defending champion, is the favorite for the title, 56 00:03:16,707 --> 00:03:19,707 Speaker 3: but you don't discount anybody. 57 00:03:20,027 --> 00:03:22,347 Speaker 2: How has Alcarez looked to you in the first week. 58 00:03:23,987 --> 00:03:27,027 Speaker 3: Solid? I mean he's dropped one set, that was last 59 00:03:27,107 --> 00:03:31,827 Speaker 3: night my time, and he was down a break in 60 00:03:31,907 --> 00:03:34,307 Speaker 3: the fourth as well. I thought match was going to 61 00:03:34,387 --> 00:03:38,867 Speaker 3: go five sets against Damie Zuma, but he certainly recovered 62 00:03:38,987 --> 00:03:43,387 Speaker 3: very very smartly to close it out in for so overall, 63 00:03:43,547 --> 00:03:46,387 Speaker 3: I'd say Alcirez is looking very solid, all right. 64 00:03:46,427 --> 00:03:50,387 Speaker 2: The others who advanced safely, Jack draper Is through cam 65 00:03:50,467 --> 00:03:53,987 Speaker 2: Norius through there's been very few upseats and the means singles. 66 00:03:54,187 --> 00:03:58,067 Speaker 3: Craig, Yeah, oh but remember Casper Rud's gone out and 67 00:03:58,107 --> 00:04:00,467 Speaker 3: he's been a finalist here on two occasions, so that 68 00:04:00,627 --> 00:04:03,747 Speaker 3: was a couple of days ago. There had been the upsets, 69 00:04:03,787 --> 00:04:06,947 Speaker 3: but you know, off the ultimate big guns, know, things 70 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:10,027 Speaker 3: have been relatively smooth, you know. Saying about Jack Draper, 71 00:04:10,067 --> 00:04:13,627 Speaker 3: he beat this young Brazilian, this eighteen year old Jean Fonseca, 72 00:04:13,707 --> 00:04:17,427 Speaker 3: who's just a marvelous player, but so much to learn 73 00:04:17,467 --> 00:04:21,347 Speaker 3: and that's what's exciting. And to see him develop even 74 00:04:21,387 --> 00:04:24,947 Speaker 3: from the Australian Open to now he's come on gangbusters 75 00:04:24,947 --> 00:04:26,707 Speaker 3: and has already won a title in the in the 76 00:04:27,147 --> 00:04:30,547 Speaker 3: in that period and the way he was talking, you 77 00:04:30,547 --> 00:04:33,147 Speaker 3: could see how excited he is to keep on learning 78 00:04:33,187 --> 00:04:36,187 Speaker 3: and seeing new things and developing new things. But Draper 79 00:04:36,787 --> 00:04:39,027 Speaker 3: pretty solid. Two four and two. 80 00:04:39,547 --> 00:04:42,107 Speaker 2: Can we go to the women's singles. I see the 81 00:04:42,187 --> 00:04:44,627 Speaker 2: battle of the former Australian Open champions, in fact the 82 00:04:44,667 --> 00:04:47,907 Speaker 2: current champion Medicine case Sofia Cannon. They went the distance 83 00:04:48,547 --> 00:04:51,307 Speaker 2: Madison case. Where did she have the advantage? 84 00:04:52,667 --> 00:04:55,187 Speaker 3: Well, I mean she was down to break in the 85 00:04:55,227 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 3: third set, so she really had to battle to come 86 00:04:57,707 --> 00:05:03,507 Speaker 3: back and four six six, three seven five against Sophia Kennan, 87 00:05:04,227 --> 00:05:06,827 Speaker 3: who's not one of my favorites by any means. So 88 00:05:06,827 --> 00:05:09,067 Speaker 3: I was very happy that Maddie got through that one. 89 00:05:09,387 --> 00:05:12,107 Speaker 3: But that's a good test for her and we'll see 90 00:05:12,107 --> 00:05:16,307 Speaker 3: what happens in the next round. But yes, so I 91 00:05:16,347 --> 00:05:17,987 Speaker 3: think she's gonna be pretty pleased with it, you know, 92 00:05:18,187 --> 00:05:22,307 Speaker 3: and the people around her, The other players like Jessica 93 00:05:22,347 --> 00:05:25,747 Speaker 3: Bogula who's one of her close friends, Coco Golf another friend, 94 00:05:26,347 --> 00:05:27,107 Speaker 3: all got through. 95 00:05:27,587 --> 00:05:30,427 Speaker 2: Coo Goff remembered her rackets this time, did. 96 00:05:30,307 --> 00:05:34,427 Speaker 3: She Yes, she's been doing that. Now, he's been doing that. 97 00:05:34,627 --> 00:05:38,347 Speaker 3: He's been remembering the rackets. He's probably not gonna live 98 00:05:38,387 --> 00:05:41,547 Speaker 3: it down. I'm sure that I remember Francis Tiaff were 99 00:05:41,587 --> 00:05:44,307 Speaker 3: doing the same thing at a tournament. Whether it was 100 00:05:44,347 --> 00:05:46,867 Speaker 3: that the US Open last year or earlier this year, 101 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:50,947 Speaker 3: I can't remember that. But yeah, there's pony situation when 102 00:05:50,947 --> 00:05:55,627 Speaker 3: it happens. I remember many years ago, Paul McNamee was 103 00:05:56,187 --> 00:05:59,787 Speaker 3: due to play John McEnroe in the first round of Wimbledon, 104 00:06:00,187 --> 00:06:03,187 Speaker 3: and you know how strict they are with the dress rules, 105 00:06:04,387 --> 00:06:09,707 Speaker 3: and McNamee had noticed this and Johnny Mack had put 106 00:06:09,747 --> 00:06:13,587 Speaker 3: blue shorts on instead of all white, and he walked 107 00:06:13,627 --> 00:06:16,227 Speaker 3: on court, took out his truck fuit pants and the 108 00:06:16,267 --> 00:06:19,307 Speaker 3: referee said, off the court, you go and change your shorts. 109 00:06:20,867 --> 00:06:23,347 Speaker 2: It's not Coga goffer forgetting her records, the sort of thing, 110 00:06:23,387 --> 00:06:25,267 Speaker 2: as you say, you only do once. I've just been 111 00:06:25,307 --> 00:06:30,067 Speaker 2: noting Arena Sabalinka's performances in the first week, craig Man. 112 00:06:30,187 --> 00:06:33,587 Speaker 2: She has been imperious, straight to its ones, right the 113 00:06:33,587 --> 00:06:39,907 Speaker 2: way through, seemingly untroubled. Is she the woman's favorite? 114 00:06:40,427 --> 00:06:43,627 Speaker 3: I think there are a couple. Obviously she has to 115 00:06:43,627 --> 00:06:46,187 Speaker 3: be one of the favorites. She is the world number one, 116 00:06:46,547 --> 00:06:49,667 Speaker 3: She's won a couple of tournaments like this, a couple 117 00:06:49,667 --> 00:06:53,947 Speaker 3: of majors, the US Open and the Australian Open. And 118 00:06:54,827 --> 00:06:57,267 Speaker 3: you know you'd also throw an eagle Shroontek as a 119 00:06:57,307 --> 00:07:00,387 Speaker 3: four time champion over here, so you know, don't forget her. 120 00:07:00,827 --> 00:07:05,707 Speaker 3: And also trying to think I just me and Paulini 121 00:07:05,787 --> 00:07:11,347 Speaker 3: another one, but saber Lenka tomorrow will be playing Amanda 122 00:07:11,547 --> 00:07:13,587 Speaker 3: and a Samova. And when I was just doing some 123 00:07:13,667 --> 00:07:16,787 Speaker 3: resource this afternoon looking ahead to that match, I was 124 00:07:16,827 --> 00:07:20,267 Speaker 3: actually taken aback by the head to head. They've played 125 00:07:20,307 --> 00:07:26,467 Speaker 3: seven times and Saberlenka's only won twice, so you know, 126 00:07:26,667 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 3: we'll see how that one panther. I'd still go with Saberlenka, 127 00:07:30,427 --> 00:07:32,547 Speaker 3: but that could be a tight one. 128 00:07:32,987 --> 00:07:35,667 Speaker 2: Just to finish, Craig always like to get you know, 129 00:07:35,667 --> 00:07:37,707 Speaker 2: your as statement. You've been to all the Grand Slams 130 00:07:37,787 --> 00:07:40,467 Speaker 2: many many, many many times. How do you enjoy the 131 00:07:40,507 --> 00:07:41,107 Speaker 2: French Open. 132 00:07:42,627 --> 00:07:46,627 Speaker 3: It's it's it's a terrific event. It it really is 133 00:07:46,707 --> 00:07:49,707 Speaker 3: so stylish. It's I think it's just class I think 134 00:07:49,787 --> 00:07:53,787 Speaker 3: this tournament probably has the best looking merchandise of any 135 00:07:53,827 --> 00:07:58,347 Speaker 3: of the events. And it's just the whole layout. It's 136 00:07:58,387 --> 00:08:02,987 Speaker 3: just chic, you know, to use a French word, it's 137 00:08:03,027 --> 00:08:07,267 Speaker 3: just classy. And and you know the way the tournament 138 00:08:07,387 --> 00:08:11,987 Speaker 3: staff are retired at tired, not retired, are tired. And 139 00:08:12,427 --> 00:08:15,667 Speaker 3: you know, all the teams will have a certain type 140 00:08:15,667 --> 00:08:17,907 Speaker 3: of uniform and then the next team will have another 141 00:08:17,947 --> 00:08:21,147 Speaker 3: type of uniform and then they'll you know, they'll change 142 00:08:21,307 --> 00:08:25,507 Speaker 3: colors on days and stuff. So it's just it is 143 00:08:25,707 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 3: really glassy, seriously. So, I mean, Wimbledon is all tradition 144 00:08:31,547 --> 00:08:37,267 Speaker 3: and there and you know, their their merchandise as well English, 145 00:08:37,507 --> 00:08:38,867 Speaker 3: whereas this is French. 146 00:08:39,627 --> 00:08:41,547 Speaker 2: Very chic. As I say, Craig, thank you so much 147 00:08:41,547 --> 00:08:44,147 Speaker 2: for your time as always really appreciate it. No worries 148 00:08:44,627 --> 00:08:48,827 Speaker 2: Craig Gabriel from Roland Garross, where As Craig mentioned most 149 00:08:49,227 --> 00:08:51,347 Speaker 2: of the top players of throwcasts were about the only 150 00:08:51,387 --> 00:08:52,827 Speaker 2: one we've lost in the first week. 151 00:08:53,507 --> 00:08:56,667 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 152 00:08:56,787 --> 00:09:00,067 Speaker 1: to news talks it'd be weekends from midday, or follow 153 00:09:00,107 --> 00:09:01,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.