Shock!

This post was originally wriiten for Wednesday but because Blogger said it couldn't fulfill my request I had to retype it today.
What a shock it has been this week and it has mainly been because of Justine Henin's retirement. Personally I don't understand the reason unless she thinks she won't get back to the best of her form and thinks she will eventually drop I don't know why she has decided to leave. The timing is the most awkward of it all as it is just before Roland Garros - a title which she has dominated in recent years. I would have thought she would say I quit after Roland Garros. She's such a great player that I wish her well but I feel dissapointed that the game is losing one of their best players. Now besides the Williams sisters who are on and off in the tour I don't have anybody who are in my extreme favourites. Now that Justine has gone Roland Garros will be wide open, the problem is I don't see anyone being favourite for the title who deserves it. Sharapova must be very happy now as she has an even stronger chance to win another Grand Slam. To be honest I think Maria has come to the tour at a great time as it is kind of in between the change of times where the old leaves us and the new are coming in, she is at the top of her game at this point so she has the chance to win many GS. Overall I think the tour has lost a great player who I admire so much and I think the hole would take time to replace - just hope the Williams won't retire soon as I'll need to find another favourite and Nicole is filling that spot yet. Currently the person most likely to ascend the thrown is Maria Sharapova as I never really disliked her she was just an on and off for me and currently I like her more than most of the top 10.
Well back to the tournament and what an interesting week it has been! Well I think this is the best time to post as both tournaments are at their QF stages. Firstly the loss of Ivanovic was unexpected for me especially against Pironkova who must be on top of the moon. I was really hoping Victoria could achieve another QF placing but sadly she retired.
The next part didn't interest me as much as I never really liked Chakvetadze as I think her performances don't reflect in her rankings (she's ranked too high maybe top teens). However I seem to be liking the Bondarenko sisters maybe they will fill in for the Williams after they retire! Alize Cornet did very good also by beating Svetlana Kuznetsova who I thought would be on route to play Serena Williams after her thrashing of Olga Govortsova. However noe best of all is that Serena has a generally easy route to tackle to get to the finals, besides Serena I don't want to see anyone else in the finals really as I want a Williams final as I haven't see that recently.
The toughest match left will definitelt be Venus against Jelena and I definitely hope Venus will rise above her. I also congratulate Maria Kirilenko here for reaching the third round and also Flavia Pennetta for getting to the second round. On the last quartet it is Patty vs. Sharapova, my gut instinct was that if Bartoli was to play Schyder that she would lose and that came true - even though it was a tough scoreline of 4-6,6-4,7-6(7). Well Maria definitely doesn't look on form so maybe the Williams final will not be that difficult to achieve. One thing I have to say is that I'm losing faith in Nicole, even though I know I should stick with her she isn't producing enough for me to stay positive, this time around she lost to Ekaterina Makarova. If she really isn't feeling well I think she should give herself a rest even if it means missing Roland garros as at current rate she isn't even going to make it past Round 2!
Well the mens game has seen the dominant three reprise their roles in the QF's and probably the SF's but their were definitely some shocks in this draw.
Firstly I have to comment how all the Top French players currently seem to withering away (this does not include Alize Cornet I'm talking about top 20). Tsonga looks like a one hit wonder and hasn't been able to do anything special after the Australian Open whilst Richard Gasquet is suffering a similar fate. Mikhail sadly lost out which was a shame as he was doing so well last year. Also I'm quite shocked that Ferrer didn't make it to the QF's as I never though Verdasco would get their. Davydenko also suffered a defeat to Kiefer causing Federer to not play a seed until he reaches the final! Just like Djokovic last week. Richard sadly lossed to Seppi which I feel dissapointed about as he's going down the drain again.
Blake sadly lost to Tipsaveric who lost to Montanes, however that gives Djokovic and easier task so I'm happy. I also congratulate Safin who made R3 which I never thought he would, It's great as he beat Berdych and nearly beat Moya (if it wasn't for as always his weak last set). However it's interesting as the week before I said I have lost hope for Safin but now he plays better - maybe I should lose hope in him more often! Anyway sadly Murray had to lose in his birthday (I think it is anyway) However nobody expected him to beat Nadal.