We’ve dusted off our berets and have the champagne on ice as we bring you all the action from this year’s French Open at Strathfield Sports Club. Despite some inclement weather the top seeds have been making their way through the draw with relative ease. While the Aussies are struggling to make an impression there’s sure to be some exquisite tennis in Paris from the world’s top players. Here’s our weekly wrap of all the sport we’ll be showing on the big screen so you don’t get caught out!
Friday afternoon we’ll be kicking things off early when the Waratahs take on the highly fancied Crusaders. The NSW side will be desperate to turn things around and keep their faint finals hopes alive after last week’s disappointing loss to the Rebels. However the hostile Canterbury crowd won’t be the only thing against the Tahs, as they have not beaten the seven-time champions in their last ten encounters.
It’s a shortened round this weekend in the NRL with State of Origin right around the corner, though we’ll still have a game on four consecutive nights, starting with the Bulldogs taking on the Dragons tonight. While both sides will be without their Morris twin who were both selected for NSW, there’ll still be plenty of stars on show as each team tries to force their way into the top-eight. The Dogs have won four of their last five after a slow start to the season, while the Dragons are a much more potent force with new recruit Josh Dugan at fullback.
Turning to Saturday and all three footy codes will be in action with the Rabbits taking on the Knights, Reds facing the Rebels and Swans playing Essendon in the AFL. It will very much be a case of “viewers’ choice” as we let you decide who we’ll be cheering for. There will be more of the same on Sunday, combined with a replay of the Lions versus Barbarians match and the Netball Championship.
As mentioned we’ll have all the action from Roland Garros as the world’s best tennis players battle it out on clay. Rafael Nadal will be looking to claim a record eighth French Open title as he continues to go from strength to strength since his return from injury. While on the women’s draw world number one Serena Williams will be hoping she continues her unbeaten win streak and go all the way in Paris for the first time since 2002.
Of course the game everyone’s looking forward to this week is Origin I, where come Wednesday night the Blues will be hoping to break the Maroons stranglehold on the interstate rivalry. It will be Laurie Daley’s first game in charge of NSW as he goes up against his former Raiders teammate Mal Meninga, who is yet to taste a series defeat since taking charge of Queensland. If you’re not heading out to the stadium, join us at the Club where the atmosphere will hopefully be just as exciting!
Damien Bellemore