It was complete disappointment at the French Open for Croatians all around this week. Except for Petra Martić.
Maybe the baguettes were too hard in Paris. Maybe they didn’t have the right bottle of red for the Croatian players in the hotel wine cellar. Nonetheless, Čilić, Ćorić, and Vekić are all going home after their first round matches.
Marin Čilić was absolutely obliterated by the draw as he came in as an unseeded player. The 2014 US Open champion had to face #3 Dominic Thiem in the first round. Thiem, coming off his first grand slam title in New York two weeks ago, made easy work of Čilić; winning in straight sets. Borna Ćorić, who was ranked #24 at the French Open and coming off his first quarterfinal grand slam appearance, lost to unranked Norbert Gombos in four sets. This is definitely not going to help their rankings going into 2021.
#26 Donna Vekić lost to qualifier Irina Bara in straight sets during their first round match. Only Petra Martić, ranked 13 at the French, won this week. She defeated Japan’s Misaki Doi 7-6, 7-5 and will now face unranked Russian Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.
If the Croatians are going to have a crap tournament – the French is the one to do it at. It has to be the least sexiest grand slam of the four; being played on clay. But come on! Three first round exits?! Two by ranked players.
Need to do better here. What do they think this tournament is? UEFA Nations League???
Funny how Iva Majoli seems to be an afterthought when I think of our athletic achievements.
Tennis is gay
Iggy no comment?
Modric was fkng great today.
Let’s not put Cilic in there for the ‘flop’ headline. A) Given opponent and B) First two sets could have very, very easily gone either way.
(If you actually watched . . . )
Luka Modric—8:
Gave Courtois a run for his money in being named MOTM. Found creative outlets to move the team forward and linked up well with Benzema and Jovic throughout the match. Finished with four keys passes, six dribbles, 92 per cent pass completion and hit the post. Who would’ve guessed this guy is 35?
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bayern-munich-want-hoffenheim-striker-kramari%C4%87-record-offer-necessary/view/news/371756