Date: 5/26/2011
Result: Roland Garros R2, Arantxa Rus def. Kim Clijsters, 3-6 7-5 6-1
Why it matters:
- This was legitimately painful to watch. Frankly, even the tennis Clijsters was playing when she put herself at match point was pretty poor. Of course she had some winners mixed in, but she was not playing at her top level. And the minute any semblance of form left her today, it was embarrassingly bad. It's not often to see a top player collapse so incredibly, especially against someone so inexperienced. But if anyone can do it, it's Clijsters. She proved that while she has probably the most complete set of skills of any player on tour, she still only has a plan A with no plan B. She attacks and dictates when possible and defends when she has to. Although those two concepts are opposing, they can be part of the same overall plan. Plan B means having something else to go to, like a mix-up play - she could've looped some shots (she could've done this earlier in the Australian Open final against Li - it maybe would've saved her a set), attacked by coming to net (instead of letting Rus have all the time in the world to retrieve), or start slicing. Clijsters' plan A is a four-time major winning plan, so it's hard to criticize it, but if she were willing to slow down and think rather than rush back to the base line to serve, she might avoid more of these horrible losses. See you in England, Kim!
- Rus ground this out by biding her time. She acknowledged she picked up the aggressiveness late in the match, but really she didn't do anything but watch Kim lose until the third set. In the third, she fed the blaze that engulfed Kim by starting to hit her own winners and increase her depth of shot. This was an intelligent way to play and she was admirably aware of how to get the most out of Clijsters. This could spur Rus on to greater things, including here in Paris as she's created a gap in the bottom eighth of the draw. But hopefully she'll just savor the win for a day or so.
Honorable Mentions:
- Roland Garros R2, Maria Sharapova def. Caroline Garcia - 36 64 60 - This collapse was as extreme in number, but it was more traditional: the inexperienced player fell apart when she sensed her chance to win, while the champion raised her game at the most important time. Sharapova's win ensures that there isn't a massive void in the bottom quarter of the draw for a very inexperienced major semifinalist (Wickmayer the only one who has ever been to one - US Open 2009), she's still a strong favorite to get through to that round. Garcia was impressive though. It's ok for someone her age to not finish - maybe even better - as she'll learn more from a loss than a win. Add her to the list of promising young players who are ready to make a mark.
- Roland Garros R2, Lukas Rosol def. Jurgen Melzer - 67 64 46 76 64 - This was an amazing partial collapse. Rosol had the 5th wrapped up early, and then let Melzer all the way back in and Melzer frankly should've gone up a break late in the 5th. Rosol proved it's possible for a giant underdog to go through the nervy patch that costs them a lead and still regroup and return to the courageous tennis that got them to the brink of victory in the first place. Melzer will be unable take advantage of what should've been an easy draw (similar to watch Sharapova would've left if she'd lost) - now Rosol, Chela, Falla, or Kubot will be in the quarterfinals. Go with experience and go with Chela.
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