French Open Betting / Barry Millns / 30 May 2008 /

Tennis commentator Barry Millns speaks of the talent that the likes of French stars Gasquet, Tsonge, Mauresmo and Bartoli possess, but wonders if the pressure of playing in front of the Parisian crowds is what hinders their progress

It is difficult to escape echoes of the past whenever you enter Roland Garros. Court Philippe Chatrier, Court Suzanne Lenglen, the Place des Mousquetaires and the enchanting museum are constant reminders of the history of the place.

For the current generation of French players it is a lot to live up to. They undoubtedly have abundant flair but there is also an underlying sense of frailty in the midst of so much national expectation - just look at Amelie Mauresmo or current French No.1 Marion Bartoli and their latest early exits.

When Marcel Bernard won the men's singles title here in 1946 it marked the ninth victory by a Frenchman in 16 tournaments since the event first went international in 1925. Since then Yannick Noah, in 1983, is the only Frenchman to win his home Slam, while on the women's side only Nelly Landry (1948), Francoise Durr (1967) and Mary Pierce (2000) have done so.

Considering that the French system continues to produce world class players in great numbers (13 men and 10 women currently in the Top 100) that is a very disappointing return. In fact, Noah's success at Roland Garros 25 years ago is the only major title won by a Frenchman in the Open era.

The wealth of talent French players bring to the court is plain for all to see. Looking back a generation to Noah and his contemporaries, Guy Forget and Henry Leconte, all were expressive shot-makers who could light up a match with a simple stroke of elegant beauty and genius - far more artistes than artisans.

That style and spirit continues today in the likes of Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils (currently trading at [520] to be crowned champion on Sunday week) and new sensation Jeremy Chardy [950] who upset 6th seed David Nalbandian. But while the latter two have given French fans something to cheer so far, in the absence of the injured Gasquet and Tsonga, only the most optimistic of fans would expect either of them to go deep into the second week.

Gasquet, the most naturally talented of them all, is for many the greatest cause for concern. Ever since he was pictured on the front cover of a French tennis magazine at the age of nine, he has been touted for the very top of the game and when he is 'on' who could argue with such expectation.

Blessed with what many consider to be the best backhand in the game, his play can be truly jaw-dropping in its flamboyant execution, as we saw in his famous quarterfinal victory over Roger Federer three years ago in Monte Carlo and again last year against Andy Roddick in the last eight at Wimbledon. But for all his God-given talent, Gasquet is a young man at times tormented by mood swings and lack of self-belief.

His poor attitude in France's recent Davis Cup quarterfinal away to the United States resulted in widespread condemnation and his subsequent early exits from Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg did nothing to dispel the disquiet about his lack of form and mental fragility. Splitting from coach Eric Deblicker came as no great surprise and while new coach Guillaume Peyre will try to bring the best out of Gasquet on his return from injury, the sense is that significant change can only come from within such a complex personality - and may not do so.

In Tsonga's case, the need for knee surgery has ruled the Australian Open runner-up out of Wimbledon as well as the French Open. It is the latest injury to plague the powerfully built 23 year-old and while his attacking style and bubbly personality lit up Melbourne Park in January, the long-term fear is that with such a big physique his body will always be prone to breaking down - just like the similarly built Australian Mark Philippoussis.

Teenage starlet Alize Cornet [65], one of only two Frenchwomen to reach the third round this year, is the latest to sense the size of the task facing her and her compatriots. Speaking after her second round win Cornet said: "More and more I understand why it's so hard for us, the French, to play here, because it's so special an event, so special."

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