Sports44 FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 Wary Djokovic on the brink of history

PARIS: can become just the eighth man to complete the career with a maiden victory, but the world number one steps into Roland Garros badly bruised by his Paris history. Djokovic, who turns 28 today, two days before the start of the season’s sec- ond major, is the overwhelming favorite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires and claim his ninth career Grand Slam title. Victory would take him alongside Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, and as a winner of all four majors. It would also take him halfway to a calendar Grand Slam, a challenge so daunting that only Budge (1938) and Laver (1962 and 1969) have managed to pull it off. Djokovic comes into Paris riding a 22-match winning streak, a season which has already seem him capture a fifth Australian Open as well as Masters titles in Indian Wells, Miami and on clay at Monte Carlo and Rome. However, the Serb has been in this situation before. In 2011, he entered the French Open as hot favorite but saw a 43-match win- ning sequence ended by Federer in the semi-finals. A year later, Djokovic was defeated by Nadal in a four-set final which was completed on the third Monday because of rain. In 2013, it was the Spaniard who again came out on top, this time in the semi-finals despite Djokovic having led 4-2 in the fifth set. Twelve months ago, Nadal claimed his ninth title as Djokovic wilted once more in the championship match. No surprise then to see Djokovic, whose overall 2015 record reads 35 wins and just two losses, trying to contain the hype PARIS: In this file photo, makes a return against Alize Lim, of France, during a first round match at the ahead of his 11th French Open. “I don’t think that I need to French Open tennis tournament in Paris, France. Serena Williams will be competing in the 2015 French Open tennis tour- gear up or do anything special in order to be successful at nament.—AP Roland Garros. I have been very close to that title before, played several finals,” he said after beating Federer 6-4, 6-3 to win a fourth Rome title last weekend. “I just need to con- tinue preparing myself for that event as I prepare for any Serena, Sharapova set other, try to keep the routine going and hope it will take me where I want to be.”

‘Life goes on’ for Paris showdown Nadal goes into the French Open with his astonishing record of nine titles, 66 wins and just one loss. But the 28- year-old defending champion has slumped to seven in the PARIS: The two biggest names and was physically. I am prepared enough to reach the final, but there are players world, his lowest ranking since 2005, the year of his maiden highest earners in women’s sport will to be ready,” she said after her win in in the draw who could derail them. Roland Garros title. Nadal heads for Paris without a set off on another collision course Rome at the weekend. Romanian made the European claycourt title for the first time in a decade and his when the French Open gets underway “I’ve definitely progressed on clay, final last year and took Sharapova all relatively humble ranking means he could come across the at Roland Garros on Sunday. Serena that’s no secret. It wasn’t an overnight the way, Petra Kvitova is the reigning likes of Djokovic, Federer or in-form as early as Williams is a 19-time Grand Slam win- success for sure. It was a lot of work, Wimbledon champion who is return- the quarter-finals. “I’m going to be ranked lower than ever ner, at 33 still the undisputed queen of physical and mental to get to that ing to form after a bout of exhaustion playing Roland Garros, so that will mean the chance to play tennis and the top seed. Maria stage.” An upset for Williams is not out and is enjoying a against very tough opponents,” 14-time major winner Nadal Sharapova has won two out of the last of the question as she has been vul- return to form that followed on from said. “At the same time, if I go to Roland Garros and I lose three titles in Paris, including last year, nerable in the past on the Paris clay her run into the US Open final last and I don’t play well, life continues. It’s not the end of the world.” and at 28 is in the prime of her glitter- and, after losing her 27-match unbeat- September. Federer completed the career Grand Slam with his only ing career. Should the seedings hold en run in the semi-finals of the Madrid There is also much interest in the French Open triumph in 2009. A five-time finalist, the 33- firm and the American plays the Open earlier this month, she subse- performances of two former golden year-old has endured steadily diminishing returns in Paris Russian in the final on June 6, howev- quently withdrew from the Italian girls and Eugenie with a 2011 runners-up spot followed by the semi-finals in er, past experience points to there Open with a sore elbow. Asked then if Bouchard. Belarusian Azarenka was 2012, a quarter-final exit in 2013 and a shock fourth round being only one winner. her decision could harm her chances seen as the heir apparent to Williams defeat to 12 months ago, Federer, who won Williams has not lost to Sharapova in Paris, where she crashed out at the in 2013 when she won her second the last of his record 17 majors at Wimbledon in 2012, since 2004 and leads their head-to- first round last year having triumphed Australian Open title and took the believes it would be foolish to write off Nadal. “It’s going to heads by an astounding 17-2, the last in Rome, Williams said: “I don’t think it world number one spot. But all that be best-of-five sets. We know how tough Rafa is physically of these coming in the Australian will. If I continue to play it could get ground to a halt last year when her and mentally. He is the favorite still to me. Novak at this Open final at the start of the year. The worse and I could have a situation on form collapsed due to injury and a point probably has to win, with the results he’s shown this outcome was the same in 2013 when my hands.” bout of depression and she has gradu- year. It feels similar to 2011 when he didn’t lose the whole the pair met for the first, and to date Williams will have motivation in full ally been clawing her way back up the year.” only time, in the French Open final as her win in Melbourne was her 19th world rankings this year. Bouchard World number three Murray has surprisingly emerged as leaving Sharapova no doubt hoping Grand Slam singles title, just three shy was the outstanding newcomer of Djokovic’s greatest threat. After failing to lift a claycourt tro- that someone can do her a huge favor of the Open-era record of 22 set by 2014 reaching the final of Wimbledon phy in 10 years of trying, the Scot suddenly won two in the by downing Williams in the early Steffi Graf. It would also leave her and the semi-finals of the Australian space of six days in Munich and Madrid. The 28-year-old has a rounds as did Spain’s Garbine halfway to becoming just the fourth and French Open at just 20 years old. 10-0 record on clay this year and was the first marquee name Muguruza last year. Still, Sharapova woman to achieve the fabled calen- Grand Slam success looked sure to fol- to practice at Roland Garros on Monday. Murray, who has believes she is hitting form at the right dar-year Grand Slam after Graf (1988), low, but this year she has found it hard twice been a semi-finalist at the French Open, losing in time and fancies her chances on clay, Margaret Court (1970) and Maureen to string two match wins together straight sets to Nadal in 2011 and 2014, withdrew from Rome Williams’ least-favorite surface. “I feel Connolly (1953). Williams and after reaching the quarter-finals in after one match to safeguard his Paris campaign.— AFP I’m in a much better spot to where I Sharapova will start as strong favorites Melbourne.—AFP