Sports Update for June 3

Rolland Garros/ The French Open

Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Rafael Nadal: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5756335239

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Photo courtesy of Yann Caradec's Flickr Page - Gael Monfils: https://www.flickr.com/photos/la_bretagne_a_paris/5762681145

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/


So, Roger Federer is out at the French Open, having been eliminated by his fellow countryman, Stan Wawrinka.

He had evidently been playing very well to this point, but his hopes and dreams of possibly clinching a second French Open title this year (and possibly ever) have been eliminated.

Wawrinka won in straight sets, seemingly with a surprising degree of ease.

Also, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga raced out to a two sets to love lead against rising Japanese star Kei Nishikori, and looked to be cruising to a relatively easy victory. But then, Nishikori battled back to take the next two sets to force the fifth and decisive set. Tsonga held on to win in what proved to be a surprisingly tough battle to move on to the semifinal round.

Tsonga is the last remaining French player in the singles tournament.

Later today, of course, is the big match. Djokovic tries to hand what would be only Nadal's second loss ever at the French Open. This is going to be such a huge match, that it would probably be far more fitting if it was the final. Instead, it is a quarterfinal match, and if the winner, whether it be Nadal keeping alive his hopes of biting the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the tenth time, or Djokovic hoisting his first, will still have to get through two more matches after this incredible match!

The reason that they are meeting so early on in the tournament is that Nadal, obviously uncharacteristically, has dropped to his lowest ranking in over a decade. A lot of people were speculating that his best days were behind him, that his hard play and intensity had led to too many injuries, and these were catching up with him.

Maybe. But remember, this is Nadal. This is not the first time people have suggested this about Nadal. But it is the French Open now, and Nadal is still very much alive (at least for now). Plus, he is looking very good, once again. He should prove incredibly tough to beat, and until he actually is defeated and knocked out of the tournament, he is still the champion, and should be regarded as such, and given the respect that he has so clearly earned with his nine prior wins here - more than any other man has won any single Grand Slam championship in history.

That match is set for 10am ET (4pm Paris time), and should air on ESPN 2.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Photo courtesy of Nicole Yeary's Flickr page - Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Banner Ceremony: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chicagozen/5071476054

Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/



The Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning are set to start their Stanley Cup Finals series later tonight. They both should feel relatively rested, as it has been several days since either team has taken to the ice.

All of the questions remaining for this Stanley Cup Finals begin to be answered tonight with Game 1, when the Chicago Blackhawks travel to meet the Tampa Bay Lightning, and one team will strike first blood. Game 1 airs tonight at 8pm ET on NBC.