• Plays of the Day

'It was worth it'

ESPN staff
May 27, 2011
Gisela Dulko celebrated the birth of her niece and nephew with a win over Sam Stosur © PA Photos
Enlarge

Twin success
Gisela Dulko showed no signs of fatigue as she stunned last year's runner-up Sam Stosur. The Argentine got little sleep as she sat by the phone waiting for news that her brother's twins Myla and Teo were born in the early hours of the morning. After her win, Dulko paraded a towel, with the words written in Spanish: "Para Myla y Teo. Valia la pena." (For Myla and Teo. It was worth it). "Yesterday night I was awake really late," Dulko said."You know, it was very emotional, because I would have loved to be there, but I'm here. And I tried to do my best today, and that's why I did this towel for them."

Making a noise
Novak Djokovic's mouth-watering clash against Juan Martin del Potro was switched from the main Philippe Chatrier court after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Stanislas Wawrinka's five-set epic took over four hours to reach a conclusion. Play got underway, but Djokovic was distracted by loud noises coming from outside the stadium. Fans who had tickets for the main court were not permitted into Suzanne Lenglen, and screamed to be let in to watch the action. Ironically, when the spectators were allowed in after the first set, Djokovic went on to lose the second.

In the Shade
The weather seemed to play a part in Stosur's downfall. In blustery conditions and with storm clouds gathering, Stosur lost the first set. The rain did not materialise, but under cloudy skies Stosur opted to remove her sunglasses and she promptly stormed through the second set. She secured a break at the start of the final set, the sun came out and the eyewear was restored. Prompt a fightback from Dulko that sent Stosur packing. ESPN is not suggesting that the shade swapping caused her downfall but it was certainly an interesting passage.

No back number
Roger Federer may never again dominate tennis like he did in the middle half of the previous decade, but the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will know not to underestimate the Swiss great. He has slipped under the radar into the French Open, but will now be in the thoughts of his rivals following a dominant display against Janko Tipsarevic. There were cute drop shots, neat volleys and powerful groundstrokes. There will be tougher challenges for Federer than the one posed by Tipsarevic, but he looks primed to go deep into next week.

Contrary to appearances, Jelena Jankovic was rarely stretched by Bethanie Mattek-Sands © PA Photos
Enlarge

Brave Berrer baits moody Murray
Michael Berrer has risked the wrath of third-round opponent Andy Murray after admitting the world No. 4 is a bit grumpy. Murray is not the happiest chap on the court, but Berrer could be in for a backlash after his comments. "I think he's a very moody player when things are not going his way," he said.

Up or not up?
Daniela Hantuchova caused the biggest shock of the tournament so far from when taking out Caroline Wozniacki. The Slovak produced a display bristling with power, which coupled with excellent shot-selection proved too much for the world No. 1. Wozniacki is a fighter and at a set and 4-1 down she threatened a revival. A break of serve was secured courtesy of a controversial moment. Wozniacki chased down a drop shot but did not appear to get there before it bounced twice. Hantuchova thought so and protested to the umpire, but the break was awarded. Hantuchova has suffered from mental lapses in the past and it could have opened the door, but she steeled herself to claim arguably the biggest win of her career.

Then there were deux
Not since Yannick Noah in 1983 has France boasted a men's singles champion at Roland Garros, but the French trio of Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have been proudly flying the le tricolore in Paris. The Three Mousquetaires all looked firmly on course to reach the last-16, but Tsonga fell at the last. The No. 17 seed was flying after winning the opening two sets, but Stanislas Wawrinka produced a remarkable comeback to beat Tsonga in five.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close