French Open Day 5

Rain, rain and more rain…matches at Roland Garros did not start until 3:30. Had a nice five-mile run in the rain through Paris and headed to the courts. Watched the beginning of the Dementieva match vs. Garrigues on court 2. What a court!!!!! Pedestrians walking the street can stop and peer over to watch the match. After the first set, I ran over to catch a few games of the Roddick match. I have now found where my credentials can get me into all courts. Watched a few games and rushed to court seven to watch the beginning of the Dlouhy, Paes match (team we practiced against) versus Brunstrom and Rojer. Our guys won the first set 6-3. They controlled the second set, but with a few rain delays, had trouble-holding momentum. At 6-5, Dlouhy and Paes held two match points that their opponents fought off with big serves (second serve ace on the line was one. The match was tied 6-6 when the heavens let loose. After thirty minutes matches resumed and I decided instead to watch the end of Monfils vs. Fognini which was 5-5 in the fifth (having been suspended due to darkness the night before). Had a great seat for that.  They both came out almost pushing the ball.  Fognini won the match 9-7. Monfils had been up 40-0 in the last game. Once completed, sprinted back to the Paes/Dlouhy match and saw that they were in the third. They had lost the breaker 8-6 (although they were down 6-4 in the breaker so I heard). They were down a break in the third but turned it around with big returning. At 5-5 both guys upped their level and energy. Paes at one point looked up and spouted “Time to get fired up” and then ripped a forehand return which was then followed by a fist pump and loud “come on!” Pretty awesome to see!!!!!  They won 7-5 in the fifth. Watched them play with Karel and Paes’s trainer Moose (formerly Sampras’ trainer and very cool guy). Finished up with Mats interviewing with the French local paper and a brief session with Andy Murray’s clay court coach. Hopefully tomorrow will be brighter skies!