Collapse - 5/23/2011

Date: 5/23/2011
Result: Roland Garros R1, Sara Errani def. Christina McHale, 6-7 6-2 9-7
Why it matters:
- McHale was so close.  Legitimately, problematically close.  She really shouldn't have lost this.  Despite the fact that coming in, few would've given her a shot in this match, once you put yourself in a winning position, it's all about closing.  And McHale has proven that she's not yet a closer.  Already falling 9-7 in the third once in her career, this was a chance to move past that.  Her massive 5-0 lead should've clearly been enough, but then to break back when Errani served for it at 6-5 only to choke a big opportunity away again is unforgivable.  McHale will have to look deep inside to stem this disturbing pattern if she wants to make a big jump up the rankings any time soon.
- The Italian has to be proud of herself.  She hung tough, and she pulled out the win.  But she also has to do some soul searching.  Being down 5-0 in the third against an inexperienced clay courter is a little shocking for someone who plays her best tennis on clay usually.  Errani is too small of stature to be able to take control of points in the same way McHale can, but why not take a page from Schiavone and close more often at net?  Just 13 net approaches in a long 3-setter is crazy, especially for a talented doubles player like Sara.

Honorable Mentions:
- Roland Garros R1, Marsel Ilhan def. Tommy Haas - 64 46 76 64 - With all due respect to Ilhan, especially because his stats were truly amazing, but Tommy Haas couldn't have asked for a much more friendly draw to reintroduce himself to the tour in Paris.  Fine, he's been a better grass courter over the years, so maybe this was a brief warmup before heading somewhere he can be more effective, but the truth remains that if he wants to get back to his previous ranking on tour, he'll have to be able to beat the Ilhans of the world.
- Roland Garros R1, Stephane Robert def. Tomas Berdych - 36 36 62 62 97 - This was a shocking result given how routine the opening two sets were.  Berdych didn't look like he wanted to fight for it, and his apathetic tennis was almost good enough anyway.  Further proof that although he's incredibly talented, but talent alone is insufficient in this day and age.  Great crowd support for Robert today.  It was pleasant to see the French crowd really pulling for Robert without getting against Berdych - sometimes when they become overzealous in favor of one player they feel that they need to also become antagonistic towards the other player (or vice versa).  That didn't seem to be the case today, only positive emotion for Robert.