French Open Women's Finals Prediction

Francesca Schiavone vs. Na Li

I don't know who would've predicted this final, but it's intrguing.

The head to head stands at 2-2, so this match is hard to call.

I just don't see Schiavone having a bad day.  She wants to back up her title of last year and she is mentally tough.  I'm sure Li has learned from her Aussie Open Finals appearance earlier this year, but the little things seem to bother her in big matches.

Go with Frank Schiavone in 2 sets.

Bjorn Again: Frantangelo in Paris, That Is

He wins again, and is in the semi-finals of the French Open Juniors.

I'm talking about American, Bjorn Frantangelo.  He's an Italian-American whi grew up in Pittsburgh, but his father was a big Bjorn Borg fan in the 70's and 80's and hence his first name.

Here's an interview the USTA did with him earlier today and posted on USTA.com.  He's a guy you can really root for.

Here's a short clip of him playing earlier this year on hardcourts.  His game is very Roddick-like, so the results at Roland Garros are a bit of a surprise.  He's one to watch in the next 12 months.

French Open Men's Semi-Final Predictions

The top 4 seeds in a Grand Slam semi-finals.  Does it get any better than that?

Right now it doesn't, but there are some intriguing stories taking place this year in Paris.

Rafa Nadal is going for yet another French Open title and is looking to keep his #1 world ranking.

Andy Murray has dodged all sort of bullets in this event.  He's been like a cat with 9 lives, and I'm not sure if he has any left.

Roger Federer has proved a bunch of people wrong in getting this far, but he's made it here with relative ease.

Novak Djokovic is trying to wrestle the #1 ranking away from Nadal, win another Grand Slam title, and oh by the way, he hasn't lost yet this year.

Predictions:  Nadal and Djokovic.

Day 12: French Open Match of the Day - Li vs. Sharapova

Two big semi-finals in Paris on Thursday and the best of the two should be the Na Li / Maria Sharapova match.

Sharapova holds the career edge at 5-2, but Li has won the last tow meetings which were both on grass.

This isn't grass, but it's all the more reason I like Li in this one.  She's been good in Grand Slam events and I keep waiting for Sharapova's serve to go at some point.  I'd like to see Sharapova make this final, but I think it's going be Na Li.

Prediction:  Li in 3.  Hey that rhymes.

Day 11: French Open Match of the Day - Nadal vs. Soderling

Some think this match could be a blowout, but I tend to think it could last for a while.  Nadal isn't all that sharp and Soderling has beaten him here before.

I'm not saying that will happen again, but Soderling wil make him work.

Nadal has a 5-2 edge ove Sod and all but one match have been competitive.  I'm not sure what happened when Nadal beat Robin 6-1, 6-0 in Rome back in 2009.

Look for a close one, Nadal pulls it out, though.