Critical news updates!
You know that picture that ran with my Racquet Reaction piece on the Murray/Chela match? I've learned this morning from none other than Neil Harman, my mole in the British sporting press, that Murray was not, in fact, trying to make himself vomit as a natural and appropriate reaction to the way he was playing against Chela early in the match. Apparently, he chipped a tooth while biting into a baguette earlier in the day. There really is no such thing as privacy for these players, is there?
And while we're on that post, I also described the Argentinian Torino automobile as a "common, conventional sedan." A number of comment posters took pains to correct this misapprehension (based on my impression fo the American car of the same name); the Torino of the Pampas was, in fact, a pretty snappy little sports car, but still no Lotus. . .
It's another gorgeous, cool day in Paris; weather-wise, this may be the best French Open ever, although that tentative forecast for thunderstorms on Sunday is making me a little nervous. Plenty of time to fret about that, though. That's about all I've got for you, news-wise. I'm on a real WTA roll here in Paris this week, and today I'll write about the Bartoli-Schiavone semifinal.
My take on today's matches: I see only two ways Maria Sharapova can beat Li Na. If Li makes significantly more unforced errors than in her last two matches, or if 'Pova pulls a Djokovic and plays against Li with the same precision and intensity that Novak has brought to his most recent matches with Rafael Nadal. Li is a great little mover, an enormous asset on clay.
The Bartoli/Schiavone match-up seems a little less clear cut. I think pressure really kicks in today for Bartoli because this is her national championships. If she can overcome that, she's got a pretty good shot. She also needs to keep Schiavone from playing puppeteer to Bartoli's puppet. But standing your ground is always easier said than done.
