And so it was last Friday,
hubbie and I found ourselves in the pub - making the most of a rare opportunity
to enjoy a beer while both daughters attended a birthday party – enjoying the match
between Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray in the semi-final of the French Open.
I should have been cheering
for Murray but I wasn’t. Murray annoys me somehow. I enjoy watching his skill
but I don’t enjoy watching his character. He’s so serious and he gurns. And he’s
Scottish of course (having a very good Scottish friend I greatly enjoy the
friendly animosity these two nationalities have for each other – my friend
would never cheer for an English player at Wimbledon) And for me, Wawrinka is
far more watchable, in every way ;) He was rampant on Friday, trading blows
with Murray and digging in his heels until the bitter end. What a game it was. He
served with more potency than Murray, seven aces to one, and his defensive game
has greatly improved.
I cheered along with my Swiss
companions, and was over the moon when Wawrinka won, over five sets in four and
a half hours. Murray heads immediately for home to prepare to defend his titles
at Queen’s and Wimbledon, as well as the points that leave him unchallenged for
a little while yet at the top of the world rankings.
Unfortunately the 32-year-old
couldn’t grab a French Open victory by maintaining the same assault against the
incredible Rafael Nadal. He was demolished
at the last post in a brutal one-sided final on Sunday – the score: 6-2, 6-3,
6-1.
The triumph gave Rafael Nadal
his tenth French Open title which also earned the Spaniard a 15th Grand Slam
crown. His collection of Slams now stands just three behind his great Swiss rival
Roger Federer.
Ever the gentleman, Wawrinka
honourably praised his opponent: "There is nothing to say about today, you
were too good," he admitted.
"What you are doing in tennis is
unbelievable.It's always been an honour to play against you, two Grand Slam
finals now, congratulations to you for your career and your team."
