French Open 2021. Back on Schedule, More or Less.

Men's Draw: Djokovic's Quarter: Federer vs. Cilic 2nd round: I haven't seen Cilic play in years now at a major. No idea what to expect, given the long layoff for both players. I'll say Federer in 4, but no idea. Cecchinato vs. Tsonga 3rd round: I hope Tsonga wins, but will go with Cecchinato in 3. Federer vs. Anderson 4th round: I'd take Anderson in 3, given the lack of match play Federer has had. Hope I'm wrong. Maybe if he gets this far, that's enough match play for Federer to win a big match? Ok, I'm taking Federer. Federer in 3. Djokovic vs. Federer QF: This would be cool to see. Djokovic in 3, this year. Maybe another year, I'd pick Federer. Nadal's Quarter: Nadal vs. Monfils 4th round: Nadal in 3. It would be nice to see Monfils with a deep run somewhere again. Nadal to the SF. Thiem's Quarter: Thiem vs. Zverev QF: I have to take my guy Thiem, even if I'm wrong. Thiem in 5. Medvedev's Quarter: Querrey vs. Isner 1st round: Isner in 3. Isner vs. Tsitsipas 3rd round: Tsitsipas in 4. Hope I'm wrong. Tsitsipas vs. Medvedev QF: Tsitsipas in 4. I could be wrong. Djokovic vs. Nadal SF: Nadal in 3. Thiem vs. Tsitsipas SF: Thiem in 3. Nadal vs. Thiem Finals: I'll be optimistic, and say Thiem takes a set. Nadal in 4. Women's Draw: Barty's Quarter: Barty vs. Gauff 4th round: Barty in 2. Karolina Pliskova vs. Kristnyna Pliskova 4th round: Won't happen, but just in case, Karolina in 2. Barty vs. Karolina Pliskova QF: Pliskova in 3. Kenin's Quarter: Swiatek vs. Kenin QF: Swiatek in 3. Sabalenka's Quarter: Kerber vs. Serena 3rd round: Maybe this is a good match. If so, anyone can win. I'll take Serena....

I can't believe that Thiem is already gone losing in 5 sets in the first round.

On the flip side, "rival" Zverev came back from 2 sets down.

Very good for Zverev, though not sure what it means for his longevity in the tournament. Shocked that Osaka withdrew- it's sad and hopefully she will get the time off and mental break she needs. Surprised that Muguruza and Andreescu are out as well. Good to see Federer win his first match- definitely missed seeing him play.

I missed Andreescu losing.

For Federer's match, Istomin definitely helped him out. Had trouble serving, and made too many errors.

However, I've always liked Federer on clay because it gives him a chance to use more of his tools.

He used the drop shot a lot today, and I like seeing the different things he can do.

I wish the ITF would have asked Osaka what they could do to make the press conferences more comfortable for Osaka.

It seems like things escalated too quickly on both sides.

But yes, hopefully Osaka finds happiness soon in her life again.

Well Federer has withdrawn- probably smart of him to focus on Wimbledon. Serena lost- she looked a step slow today. Swiatek looks dominant.

Medvedev vs Tsitsipas should be one heck of a match!

I was disappointed in Federer's withdrawal.

He had been playing great this tourney.

He got into competitive matches and mentally made the right decisions to win those points.

I guess they don't have the 3 week break between now and Wimbledon, and he wants to play Halle, which is right after the end of the FO.

Still though, I liked what I had seen every match, and wanted to see him keep playing. He has so many different ways to win points, that his creativity comes out on this surface in certain ways that you don't see on other surfaces.

Yes, I'm looking forward to Medvedev vs. Tsitsipas too. That's my most anticipated QF match.

Nishikori has the best 5 set win % in ATP history, among active players, when it gets to a 5th set.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/roland-garros-2021-day-8-preview-sunday-zverev-nishikori

However, time after time, he comes up with duds later in the tourney after these. Wish he could stop having so many of these duds after big wins.

Nishikori was beaten pretty badly by Zverev, but it was nice to see him back. Zverev vs Tsitsipas.was a tough match- congras to the Greek for pulling through. Surprised that Sakari, who beat Swiatek, lost to Krejcikova. I've always known Krejcikova as a great doubles player, so it's pretty amazing to see her (or any player in recent history, in fact) in the finals for both singles and doubles.

Djoker vs Rafa- that was a surprise. Nadal's serve failed him- he had a lot of double faults, and Novak bounced back strongly after that first set. I was rooting for Nadal to get that #21- maybe he will take this loss as extra motivation to win Wimbledon.

Djokovic vs Tsitsipas- nothing against the joker but I hope the young guy wins. It's going to be against the odds, that's for sure.

Yes, I was surprised Sakari lost too.

Everything about the last 2 rounds of the Womens tourney has surprised me.

Nadal had a lot of chances in the 3rd, but didn't win. He also had a lead in the 4th. It's rare of him not to come through.

This match had a lot of swings.

I hope Tsitsipas wins too.

Since last year, Tsitsipas has insisted that he's not "next gen", but a "proper adult", and a "now gen" player.

He has a chance to show it.

So, what made it ok for the fans to stay in the stadium? I guess the French President was in attendance, and he said it was ok to violate the curfew? Or I guess he waived it.

I'm glad that happened. It's not like things are going to get more dangerous as soon as the clock turns 11pm.

Tsitsipas off to solid start.

On serve in the first, 3- 2.

Tsitsipas takes the first.

Likely headed to a 5th, Djokovic up 3 - 0 in the 4th.

That sucks that Djokovic came back- feel bad for Tsitsipas. But it just shows how tough it is to beat a champion at a grand slam- you have to be able to have the mental and physical ability to pull through a 5 setter. Congrats to Djoker- he is truly one of the best and may well become the best of all time THIS YEAR.

I think that was great to allow the crowd to stay during that Djokovic Nadal match. Smart move by the French president who has an election coming up next year, lol.

Amazing job by Krejcikova winning both he singles and doubles championship. First since Mary Pierce in 2000 I believe.

Yep, first since Mary Pierce.

I started the Finals not having a rooting interest, but then decided on Pavyluchenkova, since she was older.

Very disappointed that Tsitsipas couldn't win a 3rd set. He looked more dejected than any runner up I've seen in recent years.

I did like how he fought off one championship point. It's rare to see that.

What I also mean is that he WON the point when facing championship point, it wasn't a matter of Djokovic making an error.

Who knows how many more chances he'll get. I believe in his future, but you just don't know, and it might not be the same major or opponent. So the circumstances will be different.

When the match started, the way he played reminded me of Wawrinka's win.

I'm also disappointed Krygios skipped the FO because it wasn't his best surface. I like seeing athletes compete and take the challenge.

I love the longevity the Big 3 have.

Hope to see Andy Murray back at a major soon.

I still think Nadal has a chance to win a 2nd AO.

Going back to Federer's withdrawal, the last time he did something like this at a big event was when he beat Wawrinka in the 2014 World Tour SFs, then withdrew in the Finals against Djokovic.

That was as disappointing.

On one hand, if someone knows that they won't be able to play the next match, I'd rather have them get to match point, then retire, so the other player can continue and there won't be a walkover in the draw.

On the other hand, Federer has stated before that he takes pride in having NEVER retired during a match. His philosophy is that if he starts a match, he will find a way to finish it.

Which I also respect.

I don't know, it just seems like a lose lose situation. Federer never retiring during a match is great.

But then in these intense close matches, I also would have just liked to see the opponent advance, because I was looking forward to seeing the next round matchup.

If Federer had stayed in this tourney, and advanced to face Djokovic, maybe he could have played somewhat like Tsitsipas.

McEnroe told of a time when someone got match point in the SFs of a tourney, then retired, because they knew they wouldn't be able to play the Finals, and wanted there to have a match held for the Finals.