Roland Garros Monday Diary

Ginepri’s Push-Up Performance: Robby Ginepri masked the embarrassment of a face-first fall in his match against Novak Djokovic by doing a set of push-ups before getting up to towel himself off on Court Philippe Chatrier.

“I felt a little stupid slipping and falling on my face, so tried to get the crowd back to my side,” said the 27-year-old American.

Djokovic joined French fans in their appreciation of Ginepri’s showmanship. “It was funny. You know, I like it,” said the World No. 3. “I tend to do some crazy stuff in the match, as well. It's what keeps me a little bit more relaxed... I think it was just finding a good way to make the people laugh in that situation when he fell down. He showed that he's very strong.”

Don’t expect a repeat performance, however. Ginepri lost the next two points to drop serve, and managed to win just three more games the remainder of the way.

“Maybe that took a little bit of my focus away doing that,” he said. “I'll probably never do push-ups again on court.”

A Long Time Coming: Austrian Jurgen Melzer won the boys’ singles title in 1999 at Wimbledon, but had been unable to match that level of success in Grand Slam men’s action, never advancing beyond the third round in 31 previous majors. Already assured of his best result at a Slam after upsetting Spaniard David Ferrer in the third round, the 29 year old continued his run at Roland Garros with a four-set win over Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili on Monday.

When reminded that he was the oldest player among the eight quarter-finalists, Melzer responded: “Well, to be the oldest player is not a special feeling. Reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, that's a special feeling. I mean, of course that it took such a long time to get here, but it feels it still feels great, no matter how old you are.”

Melzer is first the first Austrian to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals since Thomas Muster in 1998, and said of his countryman’s influence growing up, “Playing wise, we are like day and night, so of course I was not imitating his style because I just have a different game.

“But still, as an athlete, he was an idol. Growing up playing tennis you have a No. 1 in the world in your country; if that's not your idol, something is wrong with you,” he added with a laugh.

Roddick’s Text Tips: American Andy Roddick was denied a fourth-round match-up with good friend Melzer after suffering an upset loss to Gabashvili over the weekend, but made sure to give the Austrian some tips on playing his next opponent.

“We had a few text messages,” Melzer said following his win Monday. “He didn't tell me any miracles. I mean the way Andy plays, he gave him way too much room to hit his big swinging shots. Being a left hander is probably a little advantage to play him. And then, of course, I attacked a little more than Andy. That's what he suggested, that I should attack.”

Almagro Ready For Rafa: Spain’s Nicolas Almagro has lost to countryman Rafael Nadal in their six previous meetings, but is optimistic of his chances against the four-time Roland Garros champion. “If I thought he was unbeatable I'd pack up and go home. But not at all,” he said. “I know how to attack him. I've done so in Madrid, and at many times in the match. So I'll continue on the same track.”

He later added: “I know he plays a very good level of tennis, but I won't wait till I'm 40 to beat him. I hope I can win [against] him when I'm 24. But we'll see that on Wednesday.”

Stat Of The Day: Nadal earned his 200th match win on clay, after defeating Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in straight sets Monday to reach the quarter-finals. He said about the achievement: “Well, I don't really think that much about it, but it's really good... Now, I can tell you that from the year 2005 onward my statistics have improved, but I never really think about this very much.”

Since 2005, the 23-year-old Spaniard has compiled a 173-6 record on clay (200-16 lifetime), inclusive of a record 82-match winning streak between April 2005 and May 2007. He has a 19-0 mark on the surface in 2010.