[Truc]

It's all about Jo in the French media, of course. He just means his back feels fine and it was tough, but a great fight for him, coming back from an injury.
"C'était dur, d'autant qu'avec Jo, on sortait tous les deux de pépins physiques. Le match s'est joué à rien, c'était un beau combat, a commenté le vainqueur. Mais je me suis rassuré sur mon dos, c'est bien pour la suite."
http://www.laprovence.com/articles/2...ine-Tsonga.php

Not as much "pusher" BS as usual in General Messages, I'll take it as a sign some people noticed he was hitting the ball pretty well yesterday.

I have the video of the 3rd set, if anybody missed the match and wants me to upload it.

[Truc]

And all the articles about Superbol are VERY laudatory, it will be tough today!
I didn't watch his match, but Patience means Bolelli was so overwhelming that he just wanted to get out of the court and was really wondering how he was going to win at least one game. ^^

[Truc]

In l’Equipe today:
Il a mené 2-0 au deuxième set mais a laissé Simone Bolelli revenir trop vite au score. Gilles SIMON, battu 6-4, 6-4 par l’Italien qui monte, ne disputera donc pas les huitièmes de finale à Rome pour la deuxième année de suite :« Je ressens pas mal de frustration car, à aucun moment, je ne l’ai senti plus fort que moi. Mais entre sa confiance actuelle et mon manque de jus du jour (il avait fini à minuit la veille son match en trois sets contre Tsonga), ça a fait la différence. Je suis déçu parce qu’il y avait un bon match à jouer contre Roddick au tour suivant... »

He was leading 2-0 in the 2nd set, but let Bolelli come back to quickly: “This is pretty frustrating because I never had the feeling he was stronger than me. But his actual confidence level and my lack of energy (the match against Tsonga ended at midnight) made the difference. I’m disappointed because there was an interesting match to play against Roddick in the next round…”

[Truc]

Exactly how I feel. I’d be perfectly fine with that loss if Superbol had played out of his mind, like many people were predicting before the match, but there clearly was room for more for Gilles yesterday.

Anyway, still glad about his tournament because his win over Jo is one of the most exciting matches I’ve seen of him, and even if it was Jo’s first match on clay, I’m sure it means a lot to him to beat one of his better-ranked fellow Frenchies.
Nobody knows when he won a match after saving MP for the last time?

[Brego]

Originally Posted by Truc

Nobody knows when he won a match after saving MP for the last time?

I can't think of a match that he had to save MPs. It may be a first.

When Gilles started the second set against Bolelli I thought he had a good chance of winning it. But then he started struggling physically and that was that. Gilles gifted the match to Simo IMHO.

[Truc]

His draw in Hamburg:
MURRAY Andy [GBR] (15) vs TURSUNOV Dmitry [RUS]
MALISSE Xavier [BEL] vs SIMON Gilles [FRA]
Q vs STARACE Potito [ITA]
NADAL Rafael [ESP] (2) vs BYE

[Brego]

Well until the 3rd round (Rafa) it looks promising.

Last year he went out in the 2nd round but took out Davydenko in 3 sets in the 1st round.

Allez Gilles.

[tedlesurfeur]

Originally Posted by Truc

His draw in Hamburg:
MURRAY Andy [GBR] (15) vs TURSUNOV Dmitry [RUS]
MALISSE Xavier [BEL] vs SIMON Gilles [FRA]
Q vs STARACE Potito [ITA]
NADAL Rafael [ESP] (2) vs BYE

His first round match is sooo manageable, even his second round match. I hope he had time to rest because he will definitely need his whole energy for the second round, especially if it is Murray
Dima is just not a clay court player. Murray seems tougher to beat on that surface, and yet Dima had good results in Barcelona.. he's even ahead of Gilles at the Race.. what do you think ?

[Truc]

He plays tomorrow already:
Court M1 starting at 11:00 CEST
Julien BENNETEAU (FRA) vs. Boris PASHANSKI (SRB)
followed by
Jaan-Frederik BRUNKEN (GER) vs. Flavio CIPOLLA (ITA)
followed by
Xavier MALISSE (BEL) vs. Gilles SIMON (FRA)

At least I'll be sure to see him, but he better win, I want him to be around a little bit longer!

[Scotso]

What an easy draw for Gilles, especially the third round.

The title awaits, babycakes

[gambit84]

I'm sure he'll make Xavier crazy with all his passing shots

yes, it's true: good draw. Hope in a good form

[gambit84]

good win in two set on Malisse. Glad Fran has seen him won

[jitterbug]

Good win!

[Brego]

Great win for Gilles.

Look forward to your take on the match Fran.

[Scotso]