Getting The Job Done – By Cheryl Jones

Written by: Staff on 5th June 2013

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

Getting The Job Done - By Cheryl Jones

epa03732129 Maria Sharapova of Russia in action during her quarter final match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 05 June 2013. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

In a brief but succinct answer to the final question in her after-match interview, Maria Sharapova summed up the thought processes that pulled her through a tough match where she lost the first set 6-0. She had never before come back from a deficit like that. Today the final count was 0-6, 6-4, 6-3. Her opponent was Jalena Jankovic who didn’t appear to be a happy camper as she consistently growled at her coach/brother, complaining about her play and perhaps even her shot selection. Who knows? Maybe it was the wind. Whatever the origin of her anger, it was easy to see that she was extremely unhappy with her performance.

Jankovic, (along with Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, and several other highly ranked players), is another outstanding Serbian, who is primarily a fighter for her special cause – winning, Early in the second set, she seemed discombobulated, (for want of a better descriptive word), after Sharapova slipped back into her own comfort zone. After the match, Jankovic said, “It’s about competition. It’s about passion, about really enjoying yourself. Even though I’m sometimes getting frustrated I really enjoy being there and competing and putting myself into position to win these big matches in front of a huge crowd on a huge court.”

Jankovic has always worked hard, even though she has been hampered by injuries. Often she has tape and bandages in various visible locations on her arms and legs. Today was no exception. A band-aid company is missing a promotional opportunity by not providing sponsorship. In answer to questions about the various tapings, she explained that she was fine and what would work best for her would be the completion of her new home in the San Diego area. There would be a tennis court needing no reservations. That might be just the ticket for any tennis lover. She has paid the tariff and it will soon be her prerogative to hit on her own court at her leisure.

Sharapova plays as a Russian, spends time in Florida and lives in Huntington Beach. She will be on her toes tomorrow as she faces Victoria Azaranka in a semi-final contested simultaneously with the previously decided matchup of Sara Errani and Serena Williams. Sharapova will be wise to remember her final thoughts today, “Sometimes you just have to get the job done, and I did today.”

Getting the job done was a theme for the predicted winners today. Rafael Nadal rolled past a surprised Stanislaus Wawrinka who traversed new ground when he moved into the quarterfinal opposite Nadal who looks as if he is on a track to play on Sunday and break records galore. If he wins the title here for the 8th time, he will forge a new page in the record books. Other standards will follow, as he will have a springboard into the future that will take him to new heights as a competitor, but he’s been there before. He has always worked diligently to move through any draw to end up on the final slot in the roster. Roland Garros is “his” tournament. Having only one loss in all the competitive match-ups he’s sailed through is an accomplishment that could stand until the end of time. That is definitely the reason that he has to be vigilant at every turn. Making no mistakes is the credo that must be followed.

Novak Djokovic will be Nadal’s opponent in the semifinal round. Djokovic dashed the hopes of an aging Tommy Haas, 6-3, 7-6, 7-5. Haas is 35 and even though he would like to discount all the years he missed competing because of injuries and surgeries, he jokingly claims that he should only be 31. It was amazing to see him scamper about the court making shots that could still be the envy of promising youngsters who have their eye on making the professional game their “job”. Djokovic’s assignment here is the semifinal match that many agree should be the final. When he spoke of the hoped for title round against Nadal that couldn’t happen when the matchups were determined, he merely intoned, “The luck of the draw.”

Djokovic, who had recently lost to Haas, but on a hard court spoke of today’s match, saying he was impressed with the German (who is now an American citizen) because he hits with a one-hand backhand. It’s evidently a lost art, although a few still utilize it to their advantage. Haas is a master of quick. Now, though he must be dreaming of the grass courts of Halle to further hone his lawn skills before he heads to Wimbledon.

The other men’s semifinal will see a Spaniard, David Ferrer face French crowd favorite, Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Friday’s crowd will be entertained with some first class tennis. No matter who comes out on top of that contest, he will have the match of his life if he goes up against Djokovic or Nadal. Thundershowers are forecast for Sunday so there may be lightening in the sky that rivals the play on Courte Philippe-Chatrier.

The women appear to have a better chance of a dry time on Saturday, but it’s Paris and the weather is anyone’s guess. Tomorrow’s schedule calls for Azaranka to face Sharapova and Serena Williams will encounter a whirlwind whose name is Sara Errani. My prediction from the get-go has been that if Serena stays healthy – the championship is hers for the asking. Tomorrow will be one step closer to the answer to the question on everyone’s mind from the outset of Roland Garros 2013. It’s my job to wait and see.

Topics: Cheryl Jones, French Open, Jankovic, Maria Sharapova, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Russian tennis news., Serbian tennis news, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis News, Victoria Azarenka