Djokovic Hopes Run Continues at French Open

     The second Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2011, the French Open, begins Sunday in Paris. Much of the attention will be on Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who is a remarkable¹ 37-0 this year and is looking to dethrone defending champion(冠军) and five-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal of Spain.

    In recent years, nine-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal of Spain has been virtually unbeatable on clay, with only eight losses in his past 201 matches on the surface. In fact, one of his nicknames is “King of Clay.”

    However, this season has been owned by another player, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who is undefeated on all surfaces. The 23-year-old Serb has moved up to number-two in the world rankings and enters the French Open with the best start to a year since American John McEnroe began the 1984 season 42-0. Although for world number one Nadal - who has lost to Djokovic in two consecutive² clay court tournament finals - the true test of a champion is winning on the big stages.

    “The most important thing is be confident with myself, be happy with how I’m doing. I’m doing everything that I can," said Nadal. "The big champions in my opinion is not totally when we are able to win every week, it is when they are able to wait for the right moment. And I am waiting."Djokovic has every reason to be confident; winning all seven tournaments he has entered, including the Australian Open in January, his second major title. This year he is a combined 7-0 against Nadal and 16-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer of Switzerland, both of whom have given Djokovic troubles on the court in the past. The charismatic Serb credits his recent form to Serbia’s Davis Cup win last year.

    “Everything started from Davis Cup," said Djokovic. "All these years I’ve been in a learning process, working hard and waiting one day for everything to come together. I’ve been winning major events before, but I didn’t have this consistency³ and I didn’t have the right mental approach when I play big players, against Roger or Rafa, just because I didn’t have a lot of self-belief and confidence that I could win against those guys,” said Djokovic.

    Djokovic, who will rise to world number-one if Nadal fails to win the French Open, is reluctant to assume the role as the favorite, insisting that the Spaniard’s overall dominance on clay sets him apart.

    “Let’s be clear. He’s the king of clay," stated Djokovic. "He’s the best player ever to play this game on this surface. Especially, you know, he has been so dominant⁴ on clay courts.  Yes, I have won against him twice, which is, I think, an incredible achievement for me and gives me a lot of confidence coming up to the French Open. But it’s only a couple tournaments this year and he has been so dominant on this surface for many, many years,” stated Djokovic.

    Other contenders on the men’s side include Britain’s Andy Murray, who pushed Djokovic to the brink⁵ of defeat in the semifinals in Rome, and Federer, who despite a recent fall-off in form, is always dangerous at the Grand Slams.

    As for the women, former world number one Maria Sharapova of Russia has emerged as a favorite after winning the recent Rome tournament on clay. She won’t have to deal with top Americans Serena and Venus Williams who are both sidelined with injuries. With her improved fitness on clay, Sharapova has a good chance to win the only Grand Slam that has eluded⁶ her.

    “I’ve always said that with every year I felt better and better on it because when I first came on the tour I wasn’t exactly the strongest girl on the tour," said Sharapova. "I didn’t have the strongest legs. I never felt like I recovered as easily from matches, going from one tough match to another.  And with every year, I felt like I’ve really improved that,” said Sharapova.

    Current number one, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, looks to silence her critics and win her maiden⁷ Grand Slam. Defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy will be aiming for another magical run.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

3 consistency   

n.一贯性，前后一致，稳定性；(液体的)浓度

参考例句：

• Your behaviour lacks consistency.你的行为缺乏一贯性。
• We appreciate the consistency and stability in China and in Chinese politics.我们赞赏中国及其政策的连续性和稳定性。

4 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

5 brink   

n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿

参考例句：

• The tree grew on the brink of the cliff.那棵树生长在峭壁的边缘。
• The two countries were poised on the brink of war.这两个国家处于交战的边缘。

6 eluded   

v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到

参考例句：

• The sly fox nimbly eluded the dogs. 那只狡猾的狐狸灵活地躲避开那群狗。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The criminal eluded the police. 那个罪犯甩掉了警察的追捕。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

7 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。