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Ahead of the French Open, we asked Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan to answer five key questions about this years tournament at Rol
Ahead of the French Open, we asked Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan to answer five key questions about this years tournament at Rol
in Anregungen für Homepage 09.03.2019 03:53von jokergreen0220 • 1.230 Beiträge
Ahead of the French Open, we asked Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan to answer five key questions about this years tournament at Roland Garros. Authentic Patrick Kerney Jersey . World No 1 Novak Djokovic resumes his pursuit for that elusive first Grand Slam title as part of a fiercely competitive draw in Paris, including Britains Andy Murray, nine-time winner Rafael Nadal, and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.Barry Cowan answers the big talking points... Murrays Roland Garros record A look at how the British number one has fared in Paris Will Andy Murray be happy with the draw?The key was always going to be where Rafa was. Its great news for Andy that Rafa will not be in his side of the draw, but I think its also great news for Djokovic that Nadal will be in his side. Meeting Rafa before the final would work out in his favour, I believe.The rankings dont lie. Andy is the second best player in the world at the moment and hes shown that with his performances on the clay in the past few weeks.Wawrinka is an unknown quantity. We didnt know which Wawrinka would turn up last year - he was in no form going in - and look what happened. I think Rogers days of winning the French are gone. Its a real pity that his run of Grand Slam appearances should end due to injury, but it was going to end at some stage. French Open draw details Stepanek first for Murray Can Murray take positives from recent wins over Djokovic and Nadal?Yes, absolutely. He can obviously draw confidence from last weeks win over Novak in Rome, but could also take huge positives from the way he played Novak in Madrid and Rafa in Monte Carlo. He has consistently played great tennis, but hes going into the French Open having never made the final. It would be an all-new experience, but hes been able to pass new experiences throughout his career. Why not this time? Highlights from the Rome Masters Final as Andy Murray faced Novak Djokovic in a repeat of the Madrid Open final a week earlier Will Novak Djokovic end his wait for a French Open title? Djokovics Missing Major Can Novak finally win at Roland Garros? Yes, it think he can do. Hes a better player than he was last year, but theres more mental baggage than last year. He had to experience that final defeat to Wawrinka when he was the best player in the world and wasnt able to win it. No matter what sport it is, whenever you go in as favourite and dont get over the finish line, it can get harder.I think its good that he plays Rafa before the final. Playing Rafa in the semis, its playing Rafa with their recent head-to-head record. Playing Rafa in the final, all of a sudden it becomes a huge monster, because youre playing against a guy who has won it nine times and Novak has never won it. Djokovic has yet to win the French OPen title Can Nadal win the tournament for a 10th time? Nadals La Decima Rafa in form as he seeks another French crown You can never overlook a guy who has won it nine times. Hes playing great. I thought that quarter-final against Djokovic in Rome was amazing quality, it was phenomenal. The only difference between the two was Djokovic having won so many big titles in recent years, whereas Rafa hasnt really.His last few appearances at Grand Slam havent been great, so hell be looking to put the record straight on that. But hes in as good shape as hes been in a long time.The weather also could be key as if its quick in the second week, then that will definitely help him.Who could emerge as a surprise contender? Nick Kyrgios is one of the names who could surprise the big guns Two weeks ago, I would have said Dominic Thiem. He defeated Roger Federer and looked set to make a breakthrough at the Rome Masters, but the occasion got to him in the quarter-final and he was beaten easily by Kei Nishikori. Ive got no doubt that he will be a player who reaches the latter stages of a major tournament in the future. There is also Nick Kygrios of course. You cannot rule this guy out and he could break through and win a slam at some stage. Im not going to say its going to be these two weeks, but hes a player who can beat anyone on any given day. Outsiders assessed The surprise names to keep in mind Also See: Mens first round draw details Womens first round draw Djokovics missing major Nadals La Decima Authentic C. J. Prosise Jersey .com) - Driphus Jackson had three touchdown passes, including two in a 19-second span in the opening quarter, to guide Rice to a 30-6 rout of Fresno State at the Hawaii Bowl. Authentic Russell Wilson Jersey . Orlandos Glen Davis tried to get in the way, only to be driven back into the padding under the basket as the Pelicans forward slammed home a windmill jam. http://www.cheapseahawksjerseysauthentic.com/ . -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia.UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The Carolina Hurricanes have so much success against the New York Islanders, they can even beat them with their eyes closed. Well, at least Jordan Staal can. Staal and Brett Sutter scored 57 seconds apart in the second period, and the Hurricanes topped the Islanders again, 3-2 on Saturday night for their third consecutive win. Staal broke a tie with his ninth goal with 6:48 left in the second. Sutter stretched the Carolina lead to 3-1 with 5:51 to go with the second of his NHL career and first since his debut on Dec. 23, 2008 -- a span of 50 games. Staal was left uncovered in front as the puck was in the Islanders end, and Patrick Dwyer got it to him for a slam-dunk goal. "I just gave a quick yell, and Patty just threw it in an area and was fortunate enough to get it to me," Staal said. "From there I just closed my eyes and shot it as hard as I could." That put the Hurricanes in front 2-1, and they werent caught again thanks to the stellar play of Anton Khudobin, who made 38 saves. Khudobin improved to 4-0, including wins in back-to-back games. He is showing fine form after sitting out 32 games this season due to injury. The Hurricanes havent missed injured top goalie Cam Ward, and others such as Sutter filled in well to cover for players on the shelf. Carolina might now be without captain Eric Staal, who left the game with an injury and didnt return. His status for Sundays game against Nashville isnt yet known. "We had a couple of big games from a few different guys, and then just steady hockey from everyone else," said Jordan Staal, Erics brother. "There is not a whole lot of mistakes being made. We stuck with what we do." Manny Malhotra staked the Hurricanes to a 1-0 lead when he scored for a third straight game, connecting at 6:57 of the second with his fourth goal. John Tavares answered 44 seconds later with his 17th for the Islanders, and Thomas Vanek scored with 24.2 seconds remaining, but New York had a season-best, three-game winning streak broken. The Hurricanes improved to 23-5-5 in the last 33 meetings with the Islanders and 16-2-4 in the past 22. Carolina is certainly not intimidated by Nassau Coliseum as the Hurricanes aare 11-1-2 there in their past 14 visits. Cheap Seahawks Jerseys. "Its funny how it matches with team vs. team," Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said. "Theyve got a good hockey team and theyre a good skating team. We kind of feel like that is our style, as well." Khudobin improved to 4-0, including wins in back-to-back games. Evgeni Nabokov stopped 27 shots for New York. Carolina took its first lead when Andrew MacDonald had the puck taken away behind his net by Dwyer, who made a quick pass out front to Malhotra for the goal that left Nabokov shaking his head. The edge later grew to 3-1 after another turnover by New York, this time in the neutral zone. The Hurricanes quickly transitioned to offence, and Jeff Skinner fired a shot that was stopped by Nabokov, but Sutter put in the rebound. "We have some bad breakdowns," Tavares said. "We made it too easy for them. We didnt make them earn it." Tavares finished a give-and-go with Vanek following a Carolina turnover to briefly get the Islanders even at 1. New York had chances in the first as prized rookie Ryan Strome was denied on a good save by Khudobin during a power play. He threw his head back in frustration as he is still searching for his first NHL goal after 10 games. Vaneks goal made it close, but it wasnt enough. "At the end, when the score was 3-1, I knew they were going to come," Khudobin said. "They were shooting everything and everywhere." Kyle Okposo, who scored the overtime winner on Thursday against Chicago, deftly darted and weaved through the Carolina zone with 2:41 left in the first. He got Khudobin down on his side, but fired a drive into the prone goalies glove. "We gave them all three of their goals," Okposo said. "We had a lot of chances, had our opportunities thats for sure. But you have to give credit to their goaltender." NOTES: Okposo had a career-high, eight-game point streak snapped. Vanek has an eight-game point streak. ... Forward Riley Nash both missed their second straight game with injuries. ... The Hurricanes have outscored opponents 50-38 in the second period but have been outscored in the first and third. ... Skinner has 10 points in six games. ' ' '
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