FRENCH OPEN

Monday 23 May: As it happened

2011-05-24T10:22:00.001-07:00

9.30 pm: And there we go. "As it happens" becomes "As it happens" with Michael Berrer defeating Milos "star of the last four months" Raonic in four. And what a day we've had. Who would have thought that an unheralded Frenchman would win his first five-setter, first Roland Garros match and first success over anyone ranked above no.18 in the world by coming from two sets down against Tomas Berdych - last year's semi-finalist?

Tomorrow we have Rafa, Maria, Ana, Na Li, Andy and Robin so let's make a date to meet back here in about 13 hours' time. OK? Til then...

9.13 pm: One down, one to go. Marcel Granollers defeats qualifier Alex Bogomolov in four. Raonic and Berrer are locked at 3-3 in the fourth.
8.44 pm: So, what have we got left? Marcel "clay-courter" Granollers leads two sets to one over Alex "ex-husband of Ashley "Playboy" Harkleroad" Bogomolov while Milos "rocket" Raonic, who burst through the Aus Open qualifiers this year and went deep at Melbourne despite being ranked in the 150s at the time, is serving at a set apiece but 2-5 down to Michael Berrer.

8.31 pm: Heather Watson is through - 7-6, 6-1! British success! She'll have her work cut out against Kaia Kanepi next up mind, but that was a great performance from the Guernsey teenager.

8.21 pm: Caroline Wozniacki is through against Kimiko Date-Krumm in two games over the minimum. She'll now face (drum roll...) Aleksandra Wozniak! It's the Woz derby! Canadian Woz defeated Junri Namigata, 1 and 1. Sania Mirza also made it through to round 2, defeating Kristina Barrois 3 and 3.

8.07 pm: Poor Benny Paire couldn't quite outlast slick Vic. Victor Hanescu defeats wildcard Benoit Paire in four and will face the Djoker on Wednesday. Elsewhere Marcos Baghdatis, the Frenchiest of all Cypriots who trained just down the road for many a year, is two sets and a break up on Gil of 'Gal (Portu- of that ilk).

8.01 pm: Heather Watson saves set-points, takes it to a breaker and then steals it with a moonball followed by one that kisses the line. Bravo Miz Watson.

7.48 pm: Caro Woz bagels Kimiko Date-Krumm in the opener of a match moved to Centre Court, as befits a no.1 seed. However the match isn't really Chatriesque - more unforced errors than crisp winners. On no.5 meanwhile we have a battle royal - unheralded Frenchie Benoit Paire is locked in a fourth-set tie-break, fighting for his life against Victor Hanescu. More tie-breakage on no.6 between Stefanie Foretz and Heather Watson. Elsewhere Kaia Kanepi has defeated Sofia Arvidsson 7-5, 6-1 in the battle of the northern lights. The Estonian no.16 seed (who was ranked 100 spots lower this time last year and went through the qualies all the way to the Wimbledon quarters before losing to my little Pet Kvit) will face the winner of Stef - Heather.

7.15 pm: Gasquet wins in straight and increasingly comfortable sets. Ritchie is on form at the moment, and I wouldn't like to be either Bogomolov or Granollers, currently at 2-2 in the third but with the prospect of taking on the no.13 seed on Wednesday.

7 pm: Maria Kirilenko defeats Coco Vanderweghe, racing away with the second set after all the brouhaha in the first-set breaker which saw Coco ping a racquet off the dirt,

6.39 pm: Marion Bartoli is through in three sets! Well battled, Maid Marion. Next up she'll play qualifier Olga Govortsova, who defeated Agnes Szavay in three.

6.24 pm: Much clucking from Coq au Vinderweghe as she is called for a double hit, which gives Maria Kirilenko the first set in a tie-break. Ooh, and Marion is now a break up in the decider.

6.21 pm: Ritchie takes the first set, Marion the second. Allez les Bleus and no mistake.

5.58 pm: News from, or rather for the Great White North. Aleks Wozniak has breadsticked her way to the first set against Junri Namigata, but Frank "the dancer" Dancevic is two sets to one and 3-0 down to Simone "bello" Bolelli.

5.49 pm: Marion breaks back! 3-2 to Bartwoman. Another Frenchie, this one by marriage, Iryna Bremond (as opposed to Severine Beltrame who is no longer Madame Bremond...) is 4-0 up on Evgeniya Rodina. And Coco Vanderweghe is serving for the set against Maria Kirilenko in what would be a turn-up for the books. MaKiri is no.25 seed. And Coco Van is quite a dish ("As it happens", where the jokes never stop...)

5.35 pm: Ritchie and Steps is tight, 3-2 on service. Barto/Tatashvi-Li isn't. A set and a break up, the Georgian is. Marion is her usual bundle of bounces, trots, shadow swings etc but doesn't look to be moving around very well. Someone who is moving well is my little Pet Kvit - moving into the second round! Petra Kvitova defeats Greta Arn 6-2, 6-1 and the no.9 seed will face Zheng Jie, who defeated another Czech, Sandra Zahlavova 6-4, 6-3 earlier today.

5.12 pm: Ritchie Gasquet is getting under way against Radek Stepanek. The Frenchman has never bested Mr Nicole Vaidisova, though they have only met twice and never on clay. Ritchie beat Rog at Rome (for those of you needing practice pronouncing your Rs) 10 days ago en route to the semis, where that man Rafa beat him.
Elsewhere my little Pet Kvit took the opener 6-2, but ooh, take a look on Chatrier! After Aravane's demise, maybe her compatriot (and rival) Mademoiselle Bartoli will be following. Maid Marion is 4-1 down and being deuced up on service by unheralded Georgian and WTA no.106 Anna Tatishvili. Mazzer hurt her thigh in Strasbourg a few days ago and may be feeling the ill-effects thereof.

4.52 pm: Monfils is through, in four sets after bagelling the final set. He struggled early on - no doubt due to his lack of match practice after missing Madrid due to an allergic reaction to some cheese (I kid you not) and Rome through illness - but soon got into his stride.

4.46 pm: Monfils is on cruise control now, cruising and controlling, 4-0 up. Llodra isn't though - his opponent Steve Darcis has gone a diabolical 666, losing the opener 7-6 but taking the next two 6-3, 6-3. Mika is signed up to play mixed dubs with his erstwhile coach, the lovely Amelie Mauresmo - perhaps this will finally be the year that Ame wins Roland Garros...

4.36 pm: Here she is, my tip for the title, my little Pet Kvit. I say little, she's grown since last year and looks taller than me now so must have topped the six-foot mark. The no.9 seed is playing Greta Arn, who beat Sveta Kuz in Rome two weeks ago but is 37 places below her in the world. Kvitova, who trains at the same club as Mr and Mrs TBerd, is in the top 10 for the first time and is 6-0 on clay this year having won the WTA Premier in Madrid (and pulling out of Rome). She's 2-0 up already.

4.29 pm: 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) - that's how Roger Federer cruises into the second round, finishing Feliciano Lopez off with an ace. Smooth operator. He'll face unheralded Frenchie Maxime Teixeira in the second. A more heralded Frenchie however is Gael Monfils who has taken the third set 7-5 from boom boom Phau. If he wins, he'll play a local derby on Wednesday against rising star Guillaume Rufin.

4.14 pm: With a huge service, and after 3 hours 23 minutes, Stephane Robert defeats Tomas Berdych in five sets! He'll face Fabio Fognini in the second round after the greatest win of his career. He best win to date was over Ferrer when he was no.18. And he'd never won a five-setter! And never won a match at Roland. Wow.

4.12 pm: Mexican wave on court no.2 as Robert breaks! He has never beaten a top 10 player and never won a five-setter. And he's four points away!

3.56 pm: Robert saves a match point and takes it to 5-all. The crowd are going wild! He's permanently going to have to serve to stay in the match though from hereon in (unless he breaks of course!) Elsewehere Sabine Lisicki 6-0d the first set against the giant Uzbek Akgul Amanmuradova but it's 5-4 with service in the second. Fed meanwhile continues to stroll along the path to the second round. Feli crumbled for just one service game in the second and that was enough, so Rog now leads 6-3, 6-4, 2-3, under the watchful eye of Ms Vavrinec as was, Mrs Mirka Federer as is.

3.44 pm: Allons enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire may well be about to arriver ! Gael Monfils has - as I predicted, nyerr nyerr, upped his game and taken the second set against boom boom Phau, while Stephane Robert has just broken back, broken back in the fifth. It's Musketeer time out there - all for one, and one 4-all.

3.35 pm: Around the grounds - Juan Martin del Potro defeated Ivo Karlovic in four loooong sets and will face Blaz "ouster of Ernie Gulbis" Kavcic on Wednesday. Clay-court bandeet par excellence Igor Andreev defeated Florent Serra in three, to set up another French lesson in the second round, this time with JW Tsonga. Mikhail Youzhny needed the minimum three sets to take out Go Soeda (great name) of Japan and the no.12 seed will face Mikhail Kukushkin who defeated Germany's Dany Brany, sorry Daniel Brands. No.15 seed and breaker of French Davis Cup hearts Victor Troicki 4, 4 and 3d Julian Reister in a top-half-of-the draw match, while there were also wins for Alejandro (took Roger to five sets at Wimbledon last year) Falla .

3.15 pm: Fed sneaks a break midway through the first and serves out to make it 6-3. Robert meanwhile was obviously reading my blog and has taken umbrage. He's also taken sets three and four off Tomas Safarova. TBerd leads 2-1 in the fifth but blimey, what a match this is! Less good news for the French contingent elsewhere with Steve Darcis 5-3ing Mika Llodra and Bjorn "Boom Boom" Phau (one for the Black Eyed Peas fans there) taking the opener 6-4 over Monfils. I'm not worried about LaMonf though - he always comes here short of match practice then crescendoes as the tournament progresses.

2.53 pm: Around the grounds. Vesna Dolonts defeats Anne Keothavong in three tight'uns after Annie K had treatment at 4-5 in the decider. Vesna will face Schiavone next up. Vera Zvonareva beat Lourdes Domingues Lino for the loss of just six games and the no.3 seed will face the winner of the Lisicki - Amanmuradova match which has just got under way. Edina Gallovits defeated Angelique Kerber in three and will face an Aussie in the second round after Anastasia Rodionova ousted no.26 seed Nadia Petrova 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4. And finally no.30 seed Roberta Vinci defeated fellow Italian Alberta Brianti by the symmetrical scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. That's you all up to date.

2.48 pm: Some cracking tennis from Federer and Lopez already, Feli saving some early break points by out-slicing and out-dropping the Rogmeister. And Czech this out - Stephane Robert took the third and is a break up in the fourth over Tomas Berdych!

2.22 pm: Roger Federer - Feliciano Lopez. Out on Centre Court. Bring it on. Let's get ready to clicheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... Ah, but poor old Tommy is out on his Haas. Marcel Ilhan defeats Tommy Haas in four. The lucky loser will face Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Guillermo Garcia Lopez) on Wednesday.2.14 pm: Sara Errani takes out Christa McHale 9-7 in the third, having been 5-0 down! Wow! She faces Dani Hani on Wednesday in the second round.And Stephane Robert is shoving my words down my throat by leading TBerd 3-1 in the third! What do I know? (Don't answer that!)

2.05 pm: Novak Djokovic demolishes Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-1, 6-3. Whoosh. Less than two hours. I've been asked below in the comments why I think Rafa will have the edge on the Djoker over a five-set, seven-match tournament. Well if he can win all his matches in under two hours, I'm going to eat my words! I just think that Rafa has more five-set pedigree (but as is pointed out below by Tatjana, we all thought Rafa would beat him on clay and look what happened in Madrid and Rome? Djoker in straight sets. I'm sticking with Rafa for the moment but I'll happily bow to Tatjana when Nole wins the final 7-5, 6-3, 7-5).

2.02 pm: Wow. After coming back from 2-5 down in the first set, 18-year-old US of American Christa McHale (who battled her way through the qualifiers in Rome) went 5-0 up in the decider, then lost the next six to Italy's Sara Errani (whose eyes are as blue as Vera Dushevina's) before holding to stay alive. Sara's just broken to make it 8-7 however and will serve for the match, but there may be a twist or turn (maybe even both) afore the match is out.

1.45 pm: Dolonts (Manasieva as was) outlasts Keothavong (GB no.1 as was) in a second-set tie-break then breaks to open the decider. Ooh, then Annie K, in an orangey-clay-y-coloured dress, breaks right back at ya. DelPo meanwhile sneaks in the second break of the match in game 11 of the third set and takes the tertiary stanza (i.e. third set) to lead two sets to one. That's one hell of a match-up for the first round, that is. And TBerd is cruising, 6-3, 6-3 over French qualifier Stephane Robert. Steph's won one Grand Slam match in his life, at the 2010 AO. He's never beaten a top 10 player or won a five-setter. So he's unlikely to come roaring back here...

1.05 pm: Vera Zvonareva is 3-1 up on Lourdes Dominguez Lino. She's not much of a clay-courter is Bepa (Vera looks like BEPA when you write it in Cyrillic) but she has made the final of two Slams in her career (Wimbledon and the US last year, hence her ranking). She'll be interesting to watch this week (and hopefully she'll be able to keep her legendarily fluctuating emotions in check).

1.02 pm: Djoker takes the opener 6-2. Cruising. Dolents has broken so may take Anne Keothavong to a decider, and Marcel Ilhan has broken to lead 4-2 in the third set after Tommy Haas-ndsome won the second. Tomas Berdych - a semi-finalist here last year - is also just starting his match, more on him later.

12.54 pm: JMdP takes the second set 6-3 over Dr Ivo - a break of serve and a set in less than an hour, whoda thunk?! Nole meanwhile is cruising, 4-2 over De Bakker. It'll be interesting to see how Nole copes with five-setters (he's obviously played them before but 30 of his 37-0 start to the year were best-of-three. My money's still on Nadal for the tournament since it's best of five, and Nole might tie if someone takes him to four or five in any of the rounds leading up to the final. I also have Ferrer making the semis and not Federer...
Meanwhile Daniela Hantuchova has defeated Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-3. The no.28 seed will face 2010 Rome champion, lefty serve-and-volleyer Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez next up.

12.33 pm: Centre Court now has Novak "37-0" Djokovic versus Thiemo "same hotel as me here in Paris" de Bakker. This is their first meeting. TdB is 3-8 on clay this year - a year ago he was a real up-and-coming star but he seems to be stuck around no.70 in the world.
And ooh, Aravane is out. Bye bye Rezai. Irina Begu defeats Aravane Rezai 6-3, 6-3. The last game was painful to watch - Irina too nervous to serve, Aravane to nervous to return. We had a moonball rally (like the Gumball Rally, only with more air) and then Aravane sent a backhand about halfway down the net. Poor girl - she's mentally shot. Begu meanwhile will face 2009 winer Sveta Kuznetsova.

12.21 pm: Second winner of the day - qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives defeats lucky loser Anastasia Pivovarova 6-3, 6-0. More loser than lucky, was Nastya. Nuria faces Alize Cornet next up.

12.12 pm: First winner of the day - Francesca Schiavone routs Melanie Oudin 6-2, 6-0. The reigning champion will face the winner of Keothavong - Dolonts, with Anne having taken the opener 6-3. Apart from the game to take the first set where Franny suddenly lost her radar, she was on imperious form today. Gone in 60 minutes. What also took an hour was the first set between John Martin of the Pot and Dr Ivo, and the marginally taller of the two (Karlovic) took the breaker 9-7. Settle in there fans, that one's going the distance. These two are in Djokovic's bracket as well and the winner could face Nole in the third round.

11.49 am: Anne and Vera do the two-step. Keothavong leads 2-0, Dolonts (formerly Manasieva) breaks back to2-2, Anne breaks again to make it 4-2. I saw Anne's brother this morning while I was out jogging - James is an umpire, and I must have jogged past the umps' hotel as two minutes later, I saw the lovely Eva Asderaki. All I needed was a Kader or a Mo and I'd have had a full house.
Back on court, we have Begu breaking again to take the opener 6-3 and Tommy Hilfiger, sorry Haas, breaking back and serving at 3-5 (so Ilhan will still have a chance to serve for the set, but good to see recently-married Tommy getting back into his stride).

11.40 am: 6-2 Schiavone in the blink of an eye. The only game she struggled with was the eighth one, which went via thre deuces and four missed set points, and up until then she was looking very good out there. Will she kiss the clay again today like she started doing towards the end of her run last year? Probably a tad early for that. And it was almost another 6-2, this one's for Begu after she broke Aravane again, but Ms Rezai broke back straight away. Allez Aravane !
Another struggling big name is Tommy Haas, back after injuring but still struggling for fitness and 1-5 down to Marcel Ilhan, a perpetual fringe-top-100, always has to qualify type of player. Poor Tommy, who's now a US citizen, dontcha know?
The battle of the big-hitters on no.1 is going with service at the moment, 3-4, Del Potro serving, "Doctor" Ivo Karlovic returning. More on that one later.

11.15 am: Schiavone breaks to open! World no.5 versus no.88 here. They've met twice on clay and share a win apiece, both in Fed Cup action. It'll be interesting to see how Franny does this year at Roland Garros - whether she can handle the weight of expectation as defending champion. She wasn't strong in Rome 10 days ago when the pressure of the centre court crowd got to her - she lost to Sam Stosur (whom she beat in the final here last year) in straight sets.
Someone else broken to open is Aravane Rezai, who is 2-0 down to Romania's Irina Begu. These two have never met before. Aravane was no.15 in the world seven months ago but has been through real turmoil with some family issues since then and various changes of coach, and she's down to no.41. I'd love her to have a good showing here - she won the Premier tournament in Madrid 12 months ago on clay after all.

11 am: Good morning one and all, and welcome to day two of the 2011 French Open! We eased ourself into the tournament yesterday but today it's all systems go. Schiavone, Djokovic, Federer and Del Potro - how's that for starters? My fingers are going to be melting by the end of the day! So to keep me company, get writing in down there in the comments section and let me know if you think there will be any upsets today. How about Lopez to beat Federer? Boom, right at ya, just like that. I don't think it'll happen but you never know... I'm looking forward to seeing Petra Kvitova later on on no.2 court - she could go all the way (you heard it here first).

Wozniacki leads top seed stroll on Day 2

2011-05-24T10:21:00.001-07:00

Just last week Caroline Wozniacki earned her first title on red clay in Brussels. This evening her devastating form continued on Court Philippe Chatrier as she swatted aside Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0, 6-2 with exactly one hour on the clock. The Dane, who has picked off four tour titles this year, has only faced 40 year-old Krumm once in her career. That was at Wimbledon in 2009 where she won the three set tussle. Today's encounter was a different story. Wozniacki may have been sporting heavy strapping to her left leg but it did little to hinder her movement. Meanwhile, Date-Krumm struggled with the 20-year-old's pace of shot and played a game riddled with unforced errors - she notched up 28 compared to Wozniaki's nine. Other seeds that moved comfortably through the draw included no.9 Petra Kvitova who secured a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Hungarian Greta Arn, while no.12 Agnieszka Radwanska earned a second round spot with a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory over Patricia Mary-Achleitner. Nadia Petrova became the highest seed to exit the women's event today when she bowed out to Aussie Anastasia Rodionova. Despite clinching the first set on a tie-break, the Russian was unable to sustain her form and lost 7-6 (5), 3-6, 4-6 in a match that spanned a staggering two hours and 21 minutes. The only other seed to fall at the first hurdle was no.31 Klara Zakopalova who lost to Yung-Jan Chan 5-7, 1-6.
Elsewhere, 6-3, 6-3 appeared to be the most popular scoreline of the day with five matches finishing this way including France's Aravane Rezai's. Her Roland Garros hopes were cruelly dashed on Suzanne Lenglen Court by Irina-Camelia Begu. "I'm really disappointed to have lost," Rezai said. "I would have liked to win this match but to me it's a great victory to be on the court and to fight the way I fought today and to stay positive from A-Z and throughout my practice as well."
Russian third seed Vera Zvonareva then followed suit by stepping out on the same court, where she defeated Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino with an identical score. India's Sania Mirza enjoyed a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kristina Barrois, as did Jill Craybas who defeated Grecian Eleni Dandilidou and Daniela Hantuchova, no.28, who overcame China's Shuai Zhang. However, Hantuchova wasn't overly impressed with her performance. "I know I could have played much better," she said. "At the same time, I just did what I needed to do today. It was a good test for me . I'm feeling very good, especially in practice, and also last week I was playing some good tennis. Hopefully my form can just go higher."

Match of the day: Rafael Nadal (ESP) (1) v John Isner (USA

2011-05-24T10:20:00.002-07:00

As he sets out to equal Bjorn Borg's record of six French Open titles, Rafael Nadal cursed his luck when Ana Ivanovic picked out John Isner's name at the draw. The trickiest of first round opponents, Isner may have no great pedigree on clay but his mighty serve and booming groundstrokes can trouble the best, on any surface, at any time.

Beatable Nadal?
Nadal has lost some of his aura on clay in recent weeks. Previously virtually unbeatable on the red dirt, the man with a 38-1 record in Paris has suffered successive straight-sets defeats to Novak Djokovic, first in the final at Madrid and then at the same stage in Rome. Those losses speak volumes, mostly of Djokovic's sensational progress in recent months, but also of Nadal's inability to overpower an adversary on clay, something he has been doing ruthlessly and relentlessly throughout his career.

The Majorcan's invulnerability on the surface has been built around his incredible energy and speed, backed up by the wicked top spin he puts on the ball, particularly on the forehand side. Opponents usually find themselves on the back foot, leaning back as the ball kicks up at them. They are often pushed back behind the baseline too, and in the case of right-handers, regularly end up retrieving the ball above chest height on their backhand.

When an opponent does get on the front foot and dominate a rally, Nadal's brilliant defensive skills, allied with huge reserves of energy often mean he chases balls down and turns the point around. That Djokovic, by stepping into the court, taking the ball early and taking more risks with his forehand managed to stop Nadal from dictating proceedings will give hope to others, starting with his first round opponent here.

Historic Isner
Isner is assured a place in tennis history come what may. Famous for his marathon three-day victory over Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon last year in 11 hours five minutes of play, Isner finally prevailed 70-68 in the fifth set, serving 113 aces in all.

That world record number of aces is the revealing stat from that freak encounter. Isner stands 6'9" in his socks and booms down massive serves from all angles at a height that makes him incredibly difficult to break. Clay's decelerating qualities would normally take the edge off his opening salvo, but less so this year. The new Babolat balls are bouncing higher off the Paris red earth, which has been baked harder than ever before in the drought-like conditions this year. Isner's favourite weapon should serve him well again here.

The American's game is not all about his service either. His forehand is crunching and his ability to get around the court despite his considerable frame remarkable. His fitness, as shown in that match with Mahut, has improved considerably and he is a cool customer too, not likely to crumble should he get his nose in front. Whether he can return well enough to carve out break points against Nadal remains to be seen, but an exciting match is definitely in prospect.

Del Potro, Djokovic move toward showdown

2011-05-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Novak Djokovic began Roland Garros the way he ended Rome, playing near perfect tennis and routing Thiemo De Bakker 6-2 6-1 6-3 in the first round.

Djokovic scored his 38th straight win since the start of the 2011 and is just one win form playing another Grand Slam winner after Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro took out Ivo Karlovic 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

The world no.2 would surely be favored in that match, but Del Potro, who reached the semis in Paris two years ago, has the weapons to hurt him on a great day. The question is, if the Serb continues to play at the level that has seen him take down five times Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal in four finals this year, including twice on clay courts, will Del Potro be able to stand in and fight off a man who is kissing the corners seemingly at will?

"It was a great first match for me at Roland Garros," said the now 24-year-old Djokovic. "I was serving, really, really serving and being very aggressive. Pressure is always there, over the years you learn how to deal with it. I know there is a lot of expectation because of the streak I have but I'm really happy the way I'm handling things right now on and off the court."

Del Potro was also impressive, not losing his composure after he lost the first set tiebreaker to the 6'10" Karlovic. He began to return with more authority, served and moved well for a man who is 6'6" himself and largely dominated play from the backcourt.

Del Potro, who made a last minute decision to fly to Roland Garros after sustaining a hip injury in Madrid, was pleased with his performance.

"It was really tough match," he said. "It's difficult to play against Karlovic, because you don't have many chance to break his serve, but I made a good match. I was focused in the beginning to the final, and I got through it. I had to be patient. I had to wait for the right moment. When it came, I managed to go for it."

Del Potro is seen more of a dark horse pick than a flat out favorite as only Nadal and Djokovic have consistently gone deep at the big events this year, but for the first time this year, he's thinking that maybe his level is good enough to be called one of the favorites. Del Potro has been tempering the expectations for his results as he spent most of 2010 out with a wrist injury.

"It's good to be part of a small group of favorites," he said. "Yet I am very much aware of my present condition. I need to take a rest. I need to recover from a physical standpoint. This is the most important."

Most of the other seeds got through on the day, but France's Stephane Robert shocked no.6 and 2010 semifinalist Tomas Berdych 3-6, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 9-7, while Belgium's Steve Darcis upended no.22 Michael Llodra 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 6-3.

France's Richard Gasquet played well in dispatching Czech veteran Radek Stepanek 7-5 6-3 6-0, and seeds Gael Monfils, Nikolay Davydenko, Janko Tipsarevic, Thomaz Bellucci, Mikhail Youzhny and Viktor Troicki also got through.

While three young American women all went down, US veteran and tenth seed Mardy Fish pounded his way past Ricardo Mello 6-2, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. Fish has never had much success at Roland Garros, but is in much better condition than he was two years ago, is a smarter player and believes he can stick in with anyone on any surface if he plays his game. That doesn't mean that he thinks he can win the tournament, but is does mean he thinks he can compete.

"It was pretty close to three hours, if it wasn't three hours," Fish said. "I felt fine. Physically it wasn't an issue. And it can't be an issue if you want to win some matches here. Not everything is going to go exactly according to plan on this surface. Right now [my goal] is to just get to the third round. I've never done that before her. Just by the changes that I've made and the sacrifices that I've made and the work ethic has changed, I set out to try to do some things that I've never done before at the French Open, win two rounds and put myself in this position and go from there. It doesn't sound like a mentality probably of a top 10 player, but it's mine here."

Contrasting careers encapsulated as Federer cruises past

2011-05-24T10:18:00.002-07:00

Rumours of Roger Federer's demise have been greatly exaggerated. The no.3 seed eased his way into the tournament in the most satisfying of fashions on Monday afternoon, finding a way past Feliciano Lopez on Philippe Chatrier Court with a minimum of fuss. The 16-time Grand Slam winner prevailed 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) in 1hr 59 minutes and can now look forward to a second-round encounter with French wildcard Maxime Teixeira.

The fans were treated to a vintage display from the Swiss legend, who was never troubled and went though his usual panoply of shots, from aces (12 in all) to outrageously sliced drop shots and everything in between. Lopez flattered to deceive, playing some lovely tennis of his own without ever managing to force Federer into a corner.

At the very peak of professional sport, the margins between the greats and the journeymen can be fine, at least to the untrained eye. To the casual observer there was little to choose between Federer and Lopez today. Throughout the match there were long stretches when it was hard to detect which player was arguably the greatest ever to have graced the game, and which was the nearly man, whose career has been spent around the edges of the top 30 players of his generation.

Both 29-year-olds are blessed with impressive physiques, exceptional athleticism and languid playing styles that are pleasing to the eye. Both are capable of firing crowd-delighting winners off either wing, from anywhere on court. They are sure and true overhead and fire aces left and right. Today, both were also guilty of the odd glaring error, the kind that would have the average club player hanging his head in shame.

What separated the two in the end was what has separated them throughout their parallel tennis lives, namely the knack Federer has of raising his game a notch at crucial times - nothing too much, just enough to knock his opponent off his stride and grab the momentum.

Whenever he needed a break in each of the first two sets and, inevitably, to round things up in the third set tie-break, the Swiss Maestro applied the pressure. Each time Lopez would find himself forced into a riskier shot than necessary, into an error, or watching as a Federer ace flew past. So it was in the tie-break, as the Spaniard handed Federer a match point with a double fault, a gift he gratefully accepted with, you've guessed it, an ace of his own.

Federer was clearly pleased with his display: "I feel relieved when I look at the score or the match after playing three tiebreaks in Madrid against him. It's definitely slower than Madrid. So I think Feliciano was maybe not getting the free points, you know, he was looking and hoping for. The important thing from my side was to be solid in my own serve, which I was all the way through from start to finish, and I thought I played a good match."

He may be down to no.3 in the world, but Federer is not about to let Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic disappear off into the distance without putting up a fight…

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: ''I’d go fishing with Rafael Nadal''

2011-05-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

Our "choose a player" feature reveals the fun, friendly side of the stars appearing at this year's French Open. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a favourite with his home crowd, is today's willing participant.

Which player would you choose…

To share a good bottle of wine with?
(Thinks for a while) Mika Llodra, he knows his stuff.

To take to your favourite restaurant?
Kei Nishikori, because my favourite restaurant is Minori in Paris. It's a great Japanese restaurant. I'll show him that French sushi is better than Japanese sushi (laughs).

To accompany you to the Cannes film festival?
Ana Ivanovic. She would be great arm candy.

To play in a film with?
David Ferrer. He'd play Forrest in Forrest Gump, and I'd play Bubba, his shrimp fishing friend.

To go out on the town with in Las Vegas?
La Monf' (Gaël Monfils), no question about it.

To play in a band with?
Dustin Brown, that would be great. We'd make beautiful reggae.

As master of ceremonies for your wedding?
Novak Djokovic, he would be great at that.

To take to a football match?
Jurgen Melzer. I played football with him in the United States, and he's really good. He loves it.

To go and see stand-up comedy with?
Andy Roddick.

To take fishing?
Rafael Nadal.

To open a bar with?
Marat Safin. Once night falls he's the guy to hang around with.

Sizzling Schiavone ousts Oudin

2011-05-24T10:17:00.001-07:00

Defending Roland Garros champion Francesca Schiavone began her French Open campaign with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 win over America's Melanie Oudin. The no.5 seed, who famously kissed the clay when she earned her first Grand Slam title here last year at the age of 29, produced a solid performance to see off world no.88 Oudin in a match that took just 62 minutes. The women are no strangers, having met on three previous occasions with Schiavone leading the head-to-head 2-1. However, it was the American who won their last encounter during the 2010 Fed Cup Final in straight sets. Today Schiavone was fresh for revenge and opened the day's play as she meant to go on despite the sweltering conditions on Philippe Chatrier Court. The Italian set the pattern of the match by breaking her 19-year-old opponent in the opening game and followed it up with textbook tennis.
Milan-born Schiavone served up deft drops shots, sizzling slices and ferocious forehand winners to wrong-foot Oudin, who frequently looked at her camp with despair. The defending champion soon raced into a 5-2 lead but then suffered a brief attack of nerves, failing to capitalise on four set points, one with a double fault, but eventually regained composure to close out the first set at the fifth attempt.
That momentary lapse of form was soon put behind her as Schiavone rattled through the second set without dropping a game, hitting 25 winners throughout the match compared with Oudin's six. And there was no doubt the 30-year-old looked comfortable on the red stuff. "[There was]a lot of adrenaline. I felt really happy to be there," Schiavone said after the match. "That court is fantastic, because it is compact. The court is perfect. Everything is going around you and it is like when you go home and your Mum does everything for you and you feel comfortable? I felt like this." Oudin is also convinced the Italian is a definite contender for the title. "She is serving well; she's moving well; she pretty much doesn't have a weakness on the clay. I can see how she won the French Open last year," she added.
Schiavone will face Vesna Dolonts in the second round as she bids to repeat her 2010 success, when she became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam. That victory also enabled her to become the second Italian after Flavia Penetta ever to rank in the top 10 and she became the first ever in the top five after this year's Australian Open.

Below-par Murray safely into second round

2011-05-24T10:16:00.001-07:00

Andy Murray moved into the second round of the French Open with a comfortable win over French qualifier Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 on Tuesday afternoon, but there were only rare flashes of magic from the no.4 seed who gave the distinct impression that he was treating his first round match as an experimental practice session, performing at well below capacity. The last time Murray played a match on clay was little over a week ago in the semi-final of Rome against Novak Djokovic. He may have lost but he was in scintillating form and after the match, admitted he had played his best tennis against the person he considered to be the top player in the world as the moment. Today was an altogether different affair. Opening proceedings in blustery conditions on a half-filled Suzanne Lenglen Court, Murray raced to a 4-1 lead from the off. His opponent, who at no.124 is 100 spots below him in the world rankings, was left bamboozled by the Scot's serve - he fired down 12 aces during the match - and appeared to struggle with his own forehand.
Prodon, whose only previous Grand Slam outing had been here in 2008 as a wild card, at least had the partisan crowd behind him, and it wasn't too long before Murray began to suffer momentary lapses of concentration. Loose games followed and very soon Murray had handed Prodon two break points - one courtesy of a double fault. A beautifully disguised drop-shot allowed the Frenchman to break back to 5-4, which whipped the crowd into a frenzy. But it only served to fire up a frustrated Murray who upped the ante in the very next game to break back and take the first set.
That momentum continued into the second, which Murray claimed in a mere 24 minutes, but by the third, the 24-year-old had gone back into experimental mode. If a shot failed to work, he would yell out in frustration, slamming his racket into his bag at the change of ends. The statistics were telling, with Murray hitting 25 unforced errors, just one fewer than his journeyman opponent. And while the end result was never in doubt, it raises questions about his ability to go the distance here, despite reaching the final of the first Slam of the year in Australia and also making the semi-finals at the ATP Masters 1000 events in Monte Carlo and Rome.
Speaking after the match, Murray described the encounter as 'scrappy'. "It was a tough match. There was no rhythm really. He didn't want to have any long rallies, so he was hitting a lot of dropshots, going for shots. He'd change the rhythm or change the pace of the ball a lot. I was annoyed with the way I was moving. I was hitting the ball from the back of the court, especially towards the end of the match, and served well, but didn't move particularly well. There weren't many good rallies, really, or anything, because they were all pretty short."
He added: "I was told going in he's very unpredictable, he does play a lot dropshots, changes the rhythm of the points a lot and is quite unpredictable. That's how it was. That's why it was a difficult match and just a quite frustrating one to play, because even though I was in front, all of the points were just really scrappy until the end when I went behind."
The no.4 seed now faces Italian Simone Bolelli in the second round.

Sharapova proves she is a real contender

2011-05-24T10:15:00.001-07:00

Currently showing her best ever form on red clay, Maria Sharapova cruised past Mirjana Lucic 6-3, 6-0 in the first round and proved that she is a true contender for the Roland Garros title for the first time. The three-time Grand Slam champion barely missed a shot in running off the last ten games of the match, serving big, tearing apart Lucic's second services and hitting the corners with both her forehands and backhands.
The former French Open semi-finalist has been to the second week of the tournament on a few occasions, where she would eventually tire and get run over by faster opponents who could move her around. But after winning Rome 10 days ago with three notable wins over no.4 Victoria Azarenka, no.1 Caroline Wozniacki and 2010 Roland Garros finalist Sam Stosur, the Russian has proved that is she can control the court and has improved her footing enough to win on any surface.
"I started [Rome] off really well, and I felt like I continued with that. Even though I lost the first set to Azarenka, I felt like I adjusted well, and I did that really well throughout the tournament. If something wasn't quite working, I always had a plan B and was able to find a way to win."
Sharapova seriously struggled to regain her no.1 form after her 2008 shoulder surgery, occasionally playing at a very high level but also growing frustrated with the inconsistency of her once effective service as well as her forehand. Only five of her 23 titles have come since that surgery and only two, Tokyo and Rome, were at prestigious tournaments.
She has only reached one Grand Slam quarterfinal since returning to the tour in May 2009, at Roland Garros a month later when she lost to Dominika Cibulkova. But for the most part, she has kept her head down and now ranked No. 8, is showing more self-belief and consistency.
"I don't think any road is particularly easy," she said. "If you don't have the tough days and don't go through adversity, I don't think that the good ones and the wins mean as much as when everything seems to be going your way. I've put a lot of work in, and starting from the off-season, I had a tough period at the beginning of the year, being sick for a while and having to wait to play a tournament. But I trained really hard. I don't think I had that work ethic last year. At some points I didn't push myself as much as I wanted to, but that motivation has really kicked in this year, and I hope I keep going with that."
Sharapova took a risk in January, separating from her long-time coach and friend Michael Joyce to work with Swede Thomas Hogstedt, who once coached Na Li and Tommy Haas. She also brought in a new hitting partner this spring - former ATP player Cecil Mamiit - but it was her willingness to try to institute Hogstedt's technical changes with her service and forehand as well as some strategic moves that have opened the gate to improvement.
"You just try to get the best possible thing for you, and add or sometimes take away things that maybe you feel are ultimately going to make you better," she said. "The most important thing is just realizing that it's never just going to come together in a matter of minutes. It's always going to take time. Adjustments ultimately hopefully will get you to a better place, and it was a tough change for me. I had the same sort of routine and the same stuff for so many years, but in a way it was refreshing and new."

Djokovic: I am not invincible

2011-05-21T22:54:00.001-07:00

He may seem that way to the rest of the tennis world, but Novak Djokovic insists he will not begin his quest for a first French Open title feeling unbeatable.

The Serb's stunning form has been the major talking point of the 2011 season, with his first-round match against Thiemo de Bakker at Roland Garros offering the chance for a 40th consecutive victory.
His run has brought him seven titles, including the Australian Open and four Masters 1000 victories, all of which were achieved with final wins over Rafael Nadal, the man he could succeed as world number one this fortnight.
Djokovic, though, is trying not to think about the numbers, because that inevitably prompts the question of when the run will be brought to an end.
The second seed said: "I don't feel unbeatable, nobody is unbeatable, even though I have had an incredible run that keeps going.
"I've said in the last couple of weeks that I'm really not trying to think about the run, or I'm not trying to think about when this run will end, because that will mean that I'm thinking about losing.
"This is not my priority, not my mental approach. I always try to be positive on the court and then take one match at a time and think about only winning that certain match. I think it's the right attitude, and it's been going well."
Questioned about Djokovic's form, his rivals have put the transformation largely down to an increase in confidence rather than any great advancements in his game.
One thing the world number two, who celebrates his 24th birthday on Sunday, has changed is his diet.
Djokovic has cut out gluten after discovering he is allergic to the protein, and he said: "It is a part of the puzzle, let's say.
"I decided to give it a try because of the allergies and my health, the heat problems that I had in the past. So I have tried different kinds of things and I wanted to see if that works, and it has."
The growing rivalry between Djokovic and Nadal has left 16-time grand slam champion Roger Federer as something of a forgotten man.
The Swiss has certainly had an indifferent start to the season by his high standards, reaching only two ATP World Tour finals and losing to Jurgen Melzer and Richard Gasquet on clay.
Federer, though, is happy not to have the spotlight shining so brightly on him and believes less pressure could help him spring a surprise in Paris.
He said: "I have never been the overwhelming favourite going into the French Open because of Rafa's great record here over the years.
"I think this is definitely a year for me where I can come into this tournament with a little less pressure than the last six or seven years.
"Last year I was the defending champion. The years before that I was trying to win Paris for the first time. So I've always had that big cloud hanging over me.
"This year maybe more is expected from Rafa and Novak, and that could be a good thing for me and more pressure for them.
"If at Wimbledon I was not among the top four or five favourites, then it would be a big change. But, at the French Open, it's always more or less the same."
Federer will certainly not be taking his progress through the early stages of the draw for granted, however, after drawing Feliciano Lopez in the first round.
The pair had a titanic second-round clash in Madrid earlier this month that featured three tie-breaks and a match point for world number 41 Lopez before Federer eventually prevailed.
The third seed said: "It's interesting. We have known each other for a very long time, since we were juniors. I'm surprised I'm going to play against him because I thought he was seeded, but sometimes you are a bit unlucky. He's a dangerous player."
The highest seed in action on the first day of play will be Spanish world number seven David Ferrer, who faces Jarkko Nieminen. Following that match on Court Philippe Chatrier will be French favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga against Jan Hajek while 14th seed Stanislas Wawrinka plays French qualifier Augustin Gensse on Court 1.

Sania: I find clay difficult to play on

2011-05-21T22:53:00.001-07:00

Just before the 2011 French Open, Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza shares her expectations and experiences with ESPNSTAR.com.

By Sudheer Mahavaadi
Q: How do you rate your chances in this year's French Open, which you missed last time?
Sania Mirza: It's no secret that I am least comfortable on the clay court surface. My game is more suited to faster courts. Also, I have not grown up playing on red clay, unlike the Europeans and I find it difficult to move on this surface.
However, I don't think the surface negatively affects me in doubles play. I am excited to be playing my 23rd Grand Slam in singles and looking forward to improving my record on clay.

Q: How would you sum up your season so far?
SM: I've moved up almost a hundred places in singles rankings since December 2010 and won two important doubles titles. So, it’s been a great year so far, for sure!
Winning the Premier Mandatory doubles tournament at Indian Wells was definitely the icing on the cake!

Q: Fitness remains your key issue. Do you feel frustrated at times?
SM: Yes, it can be frustrating, at times but one can only continue to work hard and hope for the best!

Q: How are you approaching the Grand Slams coming up? Will you focus on the “paired” events more?
SM I've always tried to balance my singles with doubles events and I will continue to do that!

Q: As a sporting couple, how do you and your husband Shoaib Malik boost each other when the chips are down?
SM: As professional sportsmen, we both understand the pressures of performing in the spotlight at the highest level and are better geared to handle ups and downs that are a part and parcel of sport as well as life.

Q: Do you see any Indian girl coming through the ranks and make an international impact?
SM: Unfortunately, no name comes to my mind as of now. It will take a big effort on our part in the right direction to produce a top-50 player.

Q: What kind of inspiration you get from players like Sharapova and Clijsters who have made comebacks and performed well?
SM: I think its remarkable, specially for Kim Clijsters to have won Grand Slams after becoming a mother!

French Open: Tough draw for Somdev

2011-05-21T22:52:00.003-07:00

India's Somdev Devvarman and Sania Mirza have been handed out a tough draw in their respective singles category at the French Open, starting on Sunday.

Somdev Devvarman is set to face Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, while Sania Mirza has been drawn against Kristina Barrois of Germany at Roland Garros.
Ranked 66, Somdev will face an uphill task against World No 36 Ljubicic, who reached the semifinals of the French Open in 2006 and made it to the third round last year.
Somdev has never played the former World No 3 Ljubicic before but he can take heart from the fact that has been in good form this season, having made it to the pre-quarterfinals at Indian Wells, where he lost to World No 1 Rafael Nadal.
This would only be the second appearance in the Roland Garros main draw for the 26-year-old Indian.
World No 74 Sania is also not expected to have an easy outing against Barrois, ranked 59, who had reached the final of the Estoril Open in April.
In her four appearances in French Open, Sania have cleared the second round only once in 2007.

Murray fit and ready to go in Paris

2011-05-21T22:52:00.001-07:00

Andy Murray declared himself fit and ready to continue his encouraging form on clay at the French Open, which gets under way in Paris this weekend.

The world number four has struggled to match his results on other surfaces on the red stuff but semi-final appearances at the Masters events in Monte Carlo and Rome, where he pushed Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, were a significant step forward.
Murray's hopes of at least matching his best performance at the French Open, a quarter-final appearance in 2009, were also boosted by a kind-looking draw on Friday.
The Scot will first face French qualifier Eric Prodon, with the match to be played on Monday at the earliest, with another qualifier guaranteed in the second round.
Milos Raonic and Alexandr Dolgopolov are potential dangers in the third and fourth rounds but Murray would surely have settled for being in the same quarter as Jurgen Melzer, while Nadal is a probable semi-final opponent.
The fourth seed, who confirmed his decision to miss an exhibition match on Thursday was simply a precaution after a heavy schedule, said: "I feel good. I have been playing well on the clay, better than previous years.
"I feel like I've been training well. Physically I feel like I'm in good shape and I have been moving well, too. I'm looking forward to the start of the tournament.
"You've got to be very focused during the French especially, because one bad set or a couple of bad sets and you can get yourself fatigued early in the tournament."
The standout British performer so far has been Heather Watson, who qualified on Friday for the main draw of a grand slam for the first time with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Stefanie Voegele.
The 19-year-old, who will face French wild card Stephanie Foretz-Gacon in round one, is the first British woman to win a final-round qualifier at Roland Garros for almost 30 years.
She credited a new-found calmness and a vow never to throw a racquet again following a bad-tempered loss in Rome a fortnight ago for her success.
Watson said: "I saw pictures of the racquet-throwing in Rome and it looked terrible. It was very unprofessional and that's not my goal. There's bigger things going on in the world to get mad at than tennis and a few points."
Britain's other two representatives in the women's singles were also handed favourable draws, with Elena Baltacha taking on American qualifier Sloane Stephens and Anne Keothavong facing Russian Vesna Dolonts.
Among the top seeds, the pairing of Nadal with giant American John Isner was the stand-out tie. Djokovic will meet Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker while Roger Federer takes on Feliciano Lopez.
In an open-looking women's field, top seed Caroline Wozniacki faces Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, Kim Clijsters meets Anastasiya Yakimova, defending champion Francesca Schiavone takes on Melanie Oudin and Maria Sharapova is up against Mirjana Lucic.

Murray: Don't worry about my fitness

2011-05-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Andy Murray allayed fears about his fitness and declared himself ready to face home qualifier Eric Prodon in the opening round of the French Open.

The world number four set alarm bells ringing when he cut short his practice session at Roland Garros and then pulled out of an exhibition match against Michael Llodra at Paris Country Club.
Murray's camp were keen to stress his inaction was merely a precaution and at his pre-tournament press conference he insisted his only problem was aches and pains caused by a heavy schedule.
The 24-year-old said: "I was just a bit stiff and sore. I trained hard in London for three or four days after Rome. I trained most of the day on Wednesday and then came over on the Eurostar, and then I practised first thing yesterday morning to warm up for the exhibition.
"I didn't feel great. I think it was maybe my body just saying to take it easy for a day or so because I have been working very hard. I made a decision not to play the exhibition. I'm practising this afternoon. I should be fine."
If Murray needed a boost then he certainly received it at Saturday's draw. After taking five sets to come through a nightmare opening round against Richard Gasquet last year, the Scot should have a much easier time of it against world number 118 Prodon.
Another qualifier is guaranteed in round two, with Simone Bolelli playing Frank Dancevic, and it is not until the third round that Murray is likely to be tested.
That could come in the form of rising Canadian star Milos Raonic, who has rocketed up the rankings to 28th this year after reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and then winning his maiden ATP World Tour title in San Jose.
If the seedings work out then Murray would meet Viktor Troicki in round four but the Serb must first get past Alexandr Dolgopolov, who gave Murray such a hard time in Australia in January.
The Scot is in the same quarter as eighth seed Jurgen Melzer, who reached the semi-finals last year but is surely preferable to Robin Soderling, David Ferrer or Tomas Berdych. Murray has beaten Melzer five times in a row.
A first semi-final appearance in Paris would probably pit the British number one against defending champion Rafael Nadal but, although he has never beaten the world number one on clay, their recent meeting in Monte Carlo was a significant step forward.
Murray pushed Nadal to a deciding set in their semi-final before he was hampered by a wrist injury and, perhaps even more impressively, he then came as close as anyone to ending Novak Djokovic's unbeaten start to the season in Rome.
"I feel good," said Murray. "I have been playing well on the clay, better than previous years. I feel like I've been training well. Physically I feel like I'm in good shape and I have been moving well, too. I'm looking forward to the start of the tournament.
"You've got to be very focused during the French especially, because one bad set or a couple of bad sets and you can get yourself fatigued or tired early in the tournament. You need to be switched on right from the start."
Murray, meanwhile, hailed the achievement of 19-year-old Heather Watson in qualifying for the main draw of a grand slam for the first time.
He added: "It's good for British tennis. She's done very well this year. I don't know her that well but I saw her playing one match at the Orange Bowl a few years ago and I thought she was good.
"She has good balance on the court and is very solid. She's obviously doing well now in the seniors and it won't be very long before she's in the top 100 and hopefully higher.
"It's great that she's managed to qualify here on probably a surface that she hasn't played too much on."

Sharapova wary of Clijsters threat

2011-05-21T22:50:00.002-07:00

Maria Sharapova named world number two Kim Clijsters as the player to beat in a very open women's singles draw at the French Open.With both Serena and Venus Williams missing through injury and world number one Caroline Wozniacki never having won a grand slam, Clijsters, who is looking for her third successive major title, is clearly the standout name.

The Belgian, though, has not played since March after a combination of injuries, mostly recently a serious ankle problem that she sustained at a wedding.
It will also be Clijsters' first appearance at Roland Garros since she reached the semi-finals in 2006 after she was unable to compete last year because of a foot injury.
The 27-year-old has shown in the past that she does not need a huge amount of preparation to be a major danger, however, most notably with her stunning US Open win in 2009, which came only a month after she had ended a two-and-a-half-year spell in retirement.
Sharapova said: "It's always difficult to not play for a few weeks and come back as a grand slam being your first tournament, but she has a tremendous amount of experience behind her.
"She's been able to do really well when she's taken time off, so you can never count her out. It might take her a few matches to get into form but that's normal when you haven't played for a while.
"She's a great champion, she's won the last couple of grand slams and is number two in the world. She's certainly the one to beat here."
Sharapova remains one of the marquee names in women's tennis despite her infrequent appearances at the business end of major tournaments these days.
The Russian has not won a grand slam title since the Australian Open in 2008 but her form going into the French Open, most notably her victory at the prestigious tournament in Rome last weekend, has offered hope she could yet be a major contender.
However, Sharapova, who plays former Wimbledon semi-finalist Mirjana Lucic in the first round, was reluctant to speculate on her chances.
The 24-year-old said: "My job is to go out and play tennis and compete, and I was really happy with the way last week turned out. I played great tennis, I had some great matches and wins over good players, especially on clay.
"So it's definitely a confidence booster. I'm just hoping to take this form and bring it over to Roland Garros."
Sharapova beat Australia's Samantha Stosur in the final in Rome, and the eighth seed from Queensland, the runner-up to Francesca Schiavone at Roland Garros last year, also expects Clijsters to be a big danger.
Stosur said: "Even though she has been out for a little while, you can't discount anything that she might be able to do. She was able to win the US Open without too much preparation, so you have to think of her as a threat.
"She's a great player and a great champion, and people like that don't play the tournament unless they're feeling ready."
Stosur was the favourite in the final to win her first grand slam title 12 months ago but the occasion seemed to get the better of her and it was Italian Schiavone who seized her chance.
The 27-year-old insisted she looks back on the experience as a positive one, adding: "It was nice to come back to Paris and nice to come back to Roland Garros and walk through the door and see the Aussie flag on the centre court.
"It didn't bring back any bad memories. I've tried to erase all those and now it's only good ones."
Stosur meets Iveta Benesova in round one while other notable ties include Wozniacki's clash with Kimiko Date Krumm, who at 40 is twice the Dane's age, and Schiavone taking on American teenager Melanie Oudin.

Murray paired with qualifier in France

2011-05-21T22:50:00.000-07:00

Andy Murray was paired with a qualifier in the first round when the draw for the French Open was made at Roland Garros on Friday.

It was significantly better news for the world number four than 12 months ago, when he faced supremely-talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet and had to fight back from two sets down before eventually triumphing in five.
Murray is in the same half of the draw as defending champion and world number one Rafael Nadal, meaning they could meet in the semi-finals, but his initial path looks relatively straightforward.
Murray is in the same quarter of the draw as world number eight Jurgen Melzer, who he has beaten in all of their five meetings, although he would be wary of the Austrian on clay after his run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year.
Notable draws in the men's singles saw Nadal paired with giant American John Isner and third seed Roger Federer up against Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, while Novak Djokovic will look to make it 40 matches unbeaten against Thiemo de Bakker of Holland.
The draw was also kind to Britain's two direct entries into the women's singles, with Anne Keothavong facing world number 101 Vesna Dolonts from Russia while Elena Baltacha will take on a qualifier.
That opened up the potential for an all-British clash, with Heather Watson playing her final qualifier against Stefanie Voegele.
World number one Caroline Wozniacki will take on Japanese veteran Kimiko Date Krumm, who at 40 is twice the Dane's age, while Kim Clijsters, playing the French Open for the first time since a semi-final appearance in 2006, meets Anastasiya Yakimova.
Defending champion Francesca Schiavone could have a tricky test in the shape of promising American teenager Melanie Oudin and Maria Sharapova takes on Mirjana Lucic, who in Strasbourg this week reached her first tour-level quarter-final for 12 years.
Meanwhile, Spanish world number 31 Tommy Robredo became the latest player to withdraw from the men's singles, joining Andy Roddick and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who yesterday pulled out with shoulder injuries.

Watson qualifies for French Open

2011-05-21T22:48:00.002-07:00

Heather Watson credited a new-found calmness and a pledge never to throw a racquet again for her success in qualifying for the French Open.

The British number three, who celebrated her 19th birthday, defeated Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele 6-4 6-4 to book a first-round meeting with French wild card Stephanie Foretz Gacon at Roland Garros.
Watson's only previous appearance in the main draw of a grand slam was a first-round defeat as a wild card at Wimbledon last year and Friday's victory makes her the first British woman since Kate Brasher in 1983 to win a match in the final qualifying round in Paris.
The Guernsey teenager said: "It feels great. The only other match I've won in a grand slam was in (qualifying) in Australia so this is big for me. I'm feeling very confident and happy with my performances so far."
Watson came into the match on the back of a second-round defeat at an ITF tournament in Cagnes-sur-Mer and a bad-tempered loss in qualifying in Rome, and she revealed those setbacks made her address her attitude on court.
She said: "Before Rome I played in Cagnes-sur-Mer and I lost a match where I had two match points, and I was devastated. That's because I wanted to win that match too badly, I wasn't able to put it away.
"Since then I've turned over a new leaf. I vowed never to throw my racquet ever again. I'm going to have fun and enjoy tennis. I loosened up in Rome but I got mad, so I'm just taking baby steps.
"I saw pictures of the racquet throwing in Rome and it looked terrible. It was very unprofessional and that's not my goal. There's bigger things going on in the world to get mad at than tennis and a few points."
Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong qualified directly for the tournament and Friday's draw offered Britain's women a great chance of posting a first win since Clare Wood beat Gigi Fernandez in round one in 1994.
Neither Baltacha, who will meet American teenager Sloane Stephens, nor Keothavong, drawn against Russian world number 101 Vesna Dolonts, are particularly at home on clay but Watson is beginning to really enjoy the red stuff.
"When I first get on clay I'm kind of all over the place and I don't know how to hit the ball but after a few tournaments I've really adapted my game," she said. "Now I'd probably say it's one of my favourite surfaces."
Friday's victory was the latest achievement in a superb season for Watson, who reached the quarter-finals of WTA Tour events in Auckland and Memphis and is rapidly closing in on a place in the top 100.
She added: "I always think I can do better than I have been doing. It's just a few extra matches that can get your ranking up.
"There's a lot of points to be won here and during the grass season. I love grass - clay and grass are very different but I feel like I can play well on both. I'm very excited."

Nadal unworried about Djokovic form

2011-05-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Rafael Nadal insists his recent defeats by Novak Djokovic will not affect his mentality going into the French Open.

The Spaniard is seeking his sixth title in seven years at Roland Garros but, for the first time since his maiden success as a teenager in 2005, there is a serious challenge to his reign as the king of clay.
Djokovic's incredible unbeaten start to the season has included four final victories over Nadal, including in successive clay Masters events in Madrid and Rome, putting him within touching distance of his rival's world number one ranking.
Nadal, though, played down the potential of a repeat here and instead chose to focus on a tricky-looking opening-round tie against giant American John Isner.
The humble 24-year-old said: "I can only play against him (Djokovic) in the final so, for me, if I am in the final, it will be a fantastic result.
"I will have a very difficult first round against Isner so I am focused on that. I always practise the same way, to be aggressive, to try to play my best tennis, and, if I can do that, hopefully I will have a chance to be in the final rounds."
The Rome match in particular - Djokovic's 39th win in a row and 37th of the season - saw the pair trading blows at a stunningly high level and Nadal insisted he took confidence out of that display despite the outcome.
He said: "In Madrid I didn't play well. Even if the score was closer, in my opinion, the level wasn't the same. In Rome, my opinion was different. The level was closer. The score was 6-4 6-4 but in the second set I felt I had big chances to win it.
"He's playing with extreme confidence all the time so what he did is really difficult to repeat another time. I just congratulate him for everything."
Djokovic struggled to live up to expectations after winning his first grand slam as a teenager at the Australian Open in 2008 and he did not make another final until last year's US Open, when he lost to Nadal.
That served notice of what was to come and the Serb has not looked back since breezing past Roger Federer and Andy Murray to win the Australian Open in January.
Nadal singled out confidence as the main reason behind Djokovic's success and insisted he always had the potential to put together such a series of results.
The Spaniard said: "Technically I don't think he's changed a lot of things. Probably right now he's defending better. But when you have this confidence it seems like you have improved everything a lot.
"Everybody knows how good Novak is and how good he can be, but it was the same a few years ago. Right now he's winning and, with the victories, your confidence is higher and higher every time."
First up Nadal must conquer the supreme serving talents of 6ft 9in American Isner, and the top seed admitted: "He's one of those players that you prefer not to have in the first round.
"His style of game is dangerous. His serve is unbelievable. I will have to be focused all the time. I have to be very focused with my serve."
Djokovic was drawn against Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker in the first round but his path looks potentially trickier than Nadal's, with Juan Martin Del Potro, Thomaz Bellucci and Richard Gasquet all in his section, while Tomas Berdych is a potential quarter-final opponent.
Roger Federer, who is also in the bottom half of the draw, faces experienced Spaniard Feliciano Lopez in the first round while other notable match-ups include Del Potro against giant Croatian Ivo Karlovic and Fernando Verdasco taking on Juan Monaco.

Roddick, Ferrero pull out of French

2011-05-21T22:47:00.000-07:00

Andy Roddick and former champion Juan Carlos Ferrero have pulled out of the French Open due to shoulder injuries.

World number 11 Roddick had skipped this week's lead-up event in Nice to try to recover in time for the Roland Garros tournament which begins on Sunday.
But organisers this evening announced that the American, who has never made it past the fourth round in Paris, would miss the event along with 2003 champion Ferrero.
Ferrero, 31, has played just two tournaments this year, both in his native Spain, as his ranking has slipped to 72.

No Roland Garros KO for Murray

2011-05-21T22:45:00.001-07:00

Andy Murray's camp insisted he was not an injury doubt for the French Open after he pulled out of an exhibition match in Paris.

The Scot was scheduled to play Michael Llodra in the Masters Guinot Mary Cohr event at Paris Country Club but withdrew at the last minute after feeling pain during practice.
With the second grand slam of the season starting on Sunday, the news set alarm bells ringing, but Murray's representative was keen to stress the move was simply a precaution and not the precursor to his withdrawal from Roland Garros.
A statement from the exhibition tournament organisers read: "Andy has withdrawn from the Masters Guinot Mary Cohr today as a precaution after sustaining a minor injury whilst training this morning.
"Andy would like to apologise to the fans and sponsors but hopes to play in the Masters Guinot Mary Cohr once again next year."
The 24-year-old, who missed both the French Open and Wimbledon in 2007 because of a wrist problem, did make a brief appearance on court to apologise in person and explained he felt pain while playing practice points and therefore decided not to take any risks.
He then returned to his hotel for treatment ahead of tomorrow's draw, where he will hope both that he is given a Monday start and that his luck is better than it was last year.
On that occasion Murray, whose best showing at Roland Garros was a quarter-final appearance in 2009, found himself up against supremely-talented Frenchman Richard Gasquet and had to fight back from two sets down before prevailing in five.
Gasquet is back up at 14th in the world so Murray will certainly not find him waiting in the first round again but there are plenty of clay-court specialists who will not be seeded and who would provide a significant hurdle.
The Scot, though, can boast semi-final appearances at the Masters events in both Monte Carlo and Rome in recent weeks and has every right to be confident of his own prospects.
After taking Rafael Nadal to a deciding set in Monte Carlo, Murray went as close as anyone to ending Novak Djokovic's unbeaten start to the season in the Italian capital before losing out in a deciding tie-break.
Meanwhile, British number three Heather Watson is one victory away from joining Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong in the main draw of the women's singles after beating Australian Sally Peers 6-3 7-5 in the second qualifying round.
It was the perfect 19th birthday present for the former US Open junior champion, who will qualify for the main draw of a grand slam for the first time if she beats Switzerland's Stefanie Voegele.
After taking the first set in 42 minutes on Thursday, Watson twice let leads slip in the second against her good friend Peers, also 19, before finally serving out the victory at the second time of asking.
The Guernsey teenager, whose only appearance in the main draw of a grand slam was a first-round defeat as a wild card at Wimbledon last year, has enjoyed a terrific season and is currently at a career-high ranking of 119.
Watson said: "I'm really chuffed and it's my birthday today so now it's time to celebrate, but not too much because I've got to rest up and get ready for my third round tomorrow."

Match of the day: Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) v Albert Montanes

2011-05-21T22:23:00.002-07:00

Perennial crowd favourite Lleyton Hewitt faces a stern test in his opener against clay-court specialist Albert Montanes. The 30-year-old Australian has reached at least the third round on each of his past five visits here, but he is returning from a foot injury and will have his work cut out against the experienced Spaniard, whose five titles in ATP World Tour events have all come on clay.
Recently described by legendary coach Tony Roche as the "toughest competitor I have ever seen", Hewitt underwent foot surgery in March and arrives at Roland Garros without any clay court preparation to speak of. A lesser player would find that sort of handicap hard to overcome, but those remarkable fighting qualities make the Australian a dangerous opponent.
Besides, the former Wimbledon and US Open winner is used to battling back from injury and upsetting the odds, no more so than last season when he came back from a four-month spell on the sidelines to reach the third round at the French Open only to fall to Rafael Nadal for the fourth time in five years. He then beat Roger Federer to win the Halle tournament on grass, before coming close to upsetting Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
Such an exceptional European summer would appear unlikely this time, but given his excellent record in Paris and providing that his foot holds up, Hewitt will be looking beyond Montanes for greater challenges ahead.
Ranked 37 in the world, Montanes arrives in Paris on the back of a disappointing European clay court season to date. While he made the quarter-finals in Belgrade, losing in straight sets to Feliciano Lopez, he suffered first round defeats at the ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome, losing to Richard Gasquet and Sergiy Stakhovsky respectively.
If he finds his range however, especially on his dangerous forehand, 30-year-old Montanes is a tricky customer on clay. Five ATP titles on the surface speak volumes of his pedigree, and like Hewitt he is well known for his never-say-die attitude. Fans heading to Suzanne Lenglen court could well be in for a treat on Sunday, as Hewitt and Montanes look to get their seasons back on track. The winner will move on to a probable second round encounter with no.19 seed Marin Cilic, with their confidence restored and hopeful of an upset.

Time is right for limping Clijsters

2011-05-21T22:23:00.000-07:00

Even though she has not played a competitive match in nearly two months and has consistently said that clay is the surface which she finds most challenging, no. 2 Kim Clijsters is many analysts' pick to win her first Roland Garros.
Not only is the powerful Belgian a media favourite, she is also considered the player to beat by one of her main rivals, Maria Sharapova, who won the red clay title in Rome last week.
"She's someone that's a great champion, who won the last couple of Grand Slams and is No. 2 in the world," said Sharapova, who is not coincidentally in Clijsters' quarter. "She's certainly the one to beat here. It's always difficult to not play for a few weeks and come back as a Grand Slam being your first tournament, but she has a tremendous amount of experience. This is not the first time that she's come back after having a long lay-off. She's been able to do really well when she's taken time off, so you can never count her out."
Clijsters has not played since the tournament in Miami as a week later, she tore ligaments in her ankle dancing at her cousin's wedding. Reports had it that the four-times Grand Slam champion's ankle buckled because she was wearing high heels, but that was not the case for the footloose and fancy-free Clijsters.
"A lot of people thought I was in high heels, but I was in bare feet, because I couldn't dance in my high heels," said the Belgian. "So then I landed on another girl's foot and I twisted my ankle. Then while I'm walking off, limping, somebody stepped on the outside of my little toe as well, and I still have a problem there. I was having a really good time until then!" she grinned.
Clijsters was considered doubtful for Roland Garros, but she pushed herself in rehab and now has a chance to win a title that has always eluded her, despite going deep on a number of occasions. In 2001 as an unknown 17-year-old, she swept to the final, beating fellow Belgian Justine Henin in a tight three-setter in the semis before falling dramatically to Jennifer Capriati 1-6, 6-4, 12-10. Two years later she reached the final again, but this time Henin turned the tables on her and crushed her 6-0, 6-4. She played the tournament twice more before she taking "maternity leave", going down to Lindsay Davenport in three sets in 2005 and to Henin again in the semifinals in 2006. She has not played the tournament since, as last year she was forced to withdraw with a left foot injury.
She many have felt a bit snake-bitten after the wedding, but did her utmost to make sure that she could have another go at the title, even though she will be playing with heavy strapping on her ankle. Roland Garros is a tournament she perhaps should have won in the past, and given that she has triumphed in three out of the five Grand Slams she has contested since returning after the birth of her first child in the summer of 2009, it is perhaps one she should win now - something that she is very aware of.
"It's very special," Clijsters said. "I was here last year to watch [fellow Belgian] Kristen Flipkens play. I had a practice on centre court yesterday, and it was a lot of fun and exciting. I felt like a little girl again - it was a nice feeling to have."
Given the fact that she grew up on clay, it is somewhat remarkable over her long career that Clijsters has won just three of her 41 titles on clay. She likes the purer bounce of hard courts, where she can pivot into a quick stop and pound her groundstrokes deep into the corner, rather than having to slide into her strokes. Part of her lack of faith in her game on clay is mental however, since the same combinations that saw her wins three US Open crowns and the 2011 Australian Open could fit nicely onto dirt, namely playing the angles, hustling on defence and working her way gradually into the court until she can get a ball she can let rip.
"I enjoy the challenge more now," the 27-year-old concluded. "I know why I never felt that comfortable - because of the movement - but I feel it's the same for everybody. I enjoy the challenge of trying to win every rally and trying to battle for each rally."

Tommy Haas: “I'd open a bar with John McEnroe”

2011-05-21T22:22:00.001-07:00

Our "choose a player" feature reveals the fun, friendly side of the stars appearing at this year's French Open. Germany's former world number two Tommy Haas is up first.If you were to choose another player…
To share a good bottle of wine with?
Andre Agassi
To take to your favourite restaurant?
If I'm with my wife and kids, I'd choose Roger Federer.
To go on a walk with in the forest?
I'd go alone, no need for company.

To accompany you to the Cannes Film Festival?
Patrick Rafter
To go out on the town with in Las Vegas?
Andre Agassi. I've already done it once and, since he lives there, it was really fun.
To talk about life with and change the world?
Roger Federer
Never to train with? Ivo Karlovic
To play in a band with?
Gael Monfils
To take to a football match?Alex Waske
To interview if you were a journalist?Steffi Graf
To take fishing?
Max Mirnyi
To take to see your favourite band?
Philipp Petzschner
To play mixed doubles with?
Maria Sharapova
To open a bar with?
John McEnroe
To be your spokesperson?
Boris Becker
To go with to see a stand-up comedian?
My friend Glenn Weiner. He's only ranked no.391 in the world but I assume I can still pick him!

Getting to know… Sloane Stephens

2011-05-21T22:21:00.001-07:00

Smiles and easy conversation go hand in hand for Sloane Stephens. The Floridian with the sunny disposition has qualified for her first main singles draw in a major event. As luck would have it, not only is it a Grand Slam, it is also her favourite tournament. "Americans usually don't like clay but I like it a lot. Also, here, I have to share my good moments with my worst moments and that stays with you," explains Sloane. For example, this year "it's my high school prom, which breaks my heart. I am missing so many important events, but I guess the more I miss, the better it is for my career"
Patience and confidence
Two years ago, Sloane had to deal with the death of her father who had been absent from her life until she was 13 years old, and this has made her even more sensitive to missing important family events. "I am missing my brother's baseball games, which makes me sad but that's the way it has to be," she confides.
After studying at Evert Academy, she decided to concentrate on her tennis and is now coached by former pro Roger Smith, who like her is a doubles specialist like his (Sloane has three wins in the juniors at Grand Slams). She is new on tour and approaches everything with excitement, like talking to the media ahead of her first round tie against Elena Baltacha. She answers questions with humour and an ease that lets one imagine that she would be just as comfortable doing stand-comedy up on a stage as she is hitting her two-handed backhand on the French clay.
Straight-talking
Being confident does not mean that Sloane Stephens is not realistic. She is a fan of Kim Clijsters and the Williams Sisters, and the Belgian recently complimented the world no.138. Sloane simply talks about patience and hard work. "Fulfilling my potential may take time, but it will happen. There is a lot of pressure and expectation, but this is true for all the other young American players. Right now, no one really believes in us, and we know it. I also know that when I start having good results, the same people will say that they supported me from the start and they knew I could do it." She is travelling with her aunt, who she says is "my good luck charm because since she's been with me in Europe, I haven't lost."
Stephens certainly does not shy away from telling things like they really are. "I'm on a mission, but so are all of my friends because we all have to face the critics. In the US, no one believes in us and some have even questioned our work ethic. Some even say that there is no hope for professional women's tennis in the medium term..." said Stephens, firmly but without losing her trademark smile. "I'm really happy though," she continues, as well she might be after winning the 50,000 dollar tournament at Reggio Emilia on 15 May. She is reaping the rewards of a "really intensive week of work in Barcelona with Francis Roig (one of Rafael Nadal's coaches) in early May". Stephens has now entered the big leagues, but "one thing is certain, and that's that I'll be home on 4 July to celebrate the holiday with my family." In the meantime, she will have settle for going out to dinner with her aunt in Paris, with a thought for her father, as always since September 2009.

Roger and Rafa enjoy having a new favourite on the block

2011-05-21T22:20:00.001-07:00

Roland Garros may be basking in glorious sunshine but there is one chap in particular who is enjoying clear skies of another kind - world no.3 Roger Federer. The Swiss master may have notched up an impressive tally of 16 Grand Slams during his career, but he freely admits that a "big cloud" has always hung over him at the French Open. Of course, that cloud floated away when he lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2009 after losing to Rafael Nadal in the final three years in a row, and now, two years on, Federer is entering the tournament with what he describes as a "little less pressure" for the first time in seven years. "Last year I was the defending champion," he said. "The year before, and the years before that I was trying to win Paris for the first time."

Now all eyes are on Novak Djokovic and his incredible 37-match winning streak to open the season, not to mention the threat posed by five-time Roland Garros champion Nadal. "I think this year maybe they expect more from Rafa and Novak, and that could be a good thing for me and more pressure for them," Federer continued. "In the French Open I was never the top favourite. It's true I didn't have as much pressure here than in other tournaments, but this year I have even less pressure because Rafa wants to keep his title and Novak wants to win it."
Nadal meanwhile refuses - as is his wont - to accept that he is a favourite for the title, claiming that this "honour" lies firmly at the feet of Djokovic. "Even last year or three years ago when you told me 'You are the favourite', I didn't feel like this," the humble defending champion said. The Majorcan is under no illusion about the enormity of the task he will face in the first round against John Isner, the 6'9" American who helped create Wimbledon history last year with his three-day marathon first round win over Nicolas Mahut that took 11 hours, five minutes and finished 70-68 in the fifth set. "Thinking about winning the tournament before the start of the tournament is too arrogant for me," Nadal said. "I will have a very difficult round against Isner in the first round, so I am focused on that."
And what of his new arch-rival Djokovic - the man who has defeated him in four consecutive ATP Masters 1000 finals this year? "He's playing well and the confidence is high. For that reason he's doing everything well. So the thing is he's good and we can congratulate him for everything, because what's he's doing is very difficult," he added. Far be it from Nadal to rain on anybody's parade....

News from the French, part VIII

2011-05-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

Kleybanova outWomen's no.23 Alisa Kleybanova seed has been forced to pull out of this year's French Open due to illness. Her place in the main draw is taken by lucky loser Anastasia Pivovarova, who will face qualifier Nuria Llagostera Vives in the first round. With the draw having already taken place, it is too late for the seedings to change correspondingly, so there will be no no.23 seed in the women's draw.
Tsonga and Stosur to open proceedings
For the second year in a row, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has the honour of getting the men's tournament under way in the "Sunday Start", a concept which was introduced in 2007 with an increasing number of matches played every year since then. Tsonga will face Czech Jan Hajek, world no.121, on Philippe Chatrier. Before that however, we will have none other than Australian Sam Stosur, the 2010 finalist, taking on elegant Czech Iveta Benesova. David Ferrer and Stuttgart winner Julia Goerges will also play on Centre Court, while Jelena Jankovic, Lleyton Hewitt and Julien Benneteau are scheduled to play on Suzanne Lenglen.
Nadal versus Murray already…Court no.4 was taken by storm at 11 o'clock on Saturday morning when Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray decided to knock up together, to the delight of the many youngsters in attendance at what is Roland Garros kids' day. Novak Djokovic, Jelena Jankovic and Kim Clijsters all had training sessions on the outside courts, with "the Djoker" also living up to his nickname on Centre Court during his exhibition match with Michael Llodra, which ended up with the Serb taking over from Bob Sinclar and spinning the wheels of steel while the Bjorn-Borg lookalike DJ got to play a few points.
Bartoli scareAfter finally making the final of a WTA tournament in France for the first time in her career, Marion Bartoli was forced to pull out of the Strasbourg championship match against Germany's Andrea Petkovic after losing the first set due to a thigh injury. The top-ranked Frenchwoman and no.11 seed is scheduled to play on Monday, meaning that she and her team will no doubt be spending a nervous 48 hours between now and then.

News from the French, part VII

2011-05-21T10:04:00.001-07:00

Gimme five!
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic bumped into each other at their respective practice sessions on Philippe Chatrier court on Friday morning. The world no.2 and no.3 gave each other a friendly handshake before "Fed" had a hit-out with fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka while Nole practised with Japan' Kei Nishikori. Lleyton Hewitt, Gilles Simon, Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova were also out on court, with Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray expected later, with all eyes on the Scotsman to see whether he is still suffering the after-effects of the groin strain he picked up yesterday.

Mr and Mrs Sharapova
Recent Rome winner Maria Sharapova seems to be enjoying her tennis more than ever at the moment, no doubt due to the presence in her entourage of her fiancé, New Jersey Nets basketball pro Sasha Vujacic. She gave Roland Garros TV an exclusive video interview (which will appear soon on the site), and the Russian confirmed the persistent rumour, saying "Yes, we will be getting married soon".

Kids day
Famous French DJ Bob Sinclar will be the special guest at "Children's Day at Roland Garros" on Saturday 21 May. The DJ is going to transform himself into a musical designer of tennis matches specially for the occasion, which raises money each year for charity and features the tournament's top stars playing exhibition matches the day before the Sunday Start on the three show courts (Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen and No.1) starting at midday. Bob Sinclar will be putting on a show from 3 - 5 pm featuring plenty of special guests, with all the money raised going to Yannick Noah's chosen charity "Fête le Mur", "Tennis en liberté" and also to the FFT's clubs where the money will be invested in educational, social and integration projects.

Sunday start
The tournament directors have announced that the bottom half of the men's drawn and the top half of the women's draw will begin on Sunday for the now traditional Sunday start which was inaugurated in 2007 and has been growing in stature ever since. The featured matches will include French fan favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the second year running, with the no.17 seed taking on Jan Hajek. Lleyton Hewitt will also play on Sunday (against Albert Montanes), and his fellow Aussie and 2010 finalist Sam Stosur will also feature, against elegant Czech lefty and fancied outsider Iveta Benesova.

Round the world
The women's qualifiers have thrown up a wide variety of different nationalities making it through to the first round proper. The 12 lucky winners include Britain's Heather Watson (the first female player from the UK to qualify in 28 years), USA's Sloane Stephens (who will soon be featuring in an interview on rolandgarros.com as well as players from New Zealand, Taipei, Italy, Greece, Belarus, Canada, two Germans and two more Americans. The 16 men's qualifiers come from 11 different nationalities, four of them coming from France and perhaps more to come should there be any lucky losers.

Media day: What they said
Richard Gasquet (facing Radek Stepanek in the first round): "It's one of the most difficult rounds in the tournament! Radek has a lot of talent and experience and he knows how to play at Grand Slams. I'll need to be at 100% if I'm going to get through. I'm full of confidence after (getting through to the semi-finals at) Rome, and I'm going to be coming forward, dictating the points and trying to keep my fatigue levels down. That's what I need to be working towards in the future - it's what (my coach) Ricardo is telling me. Sébastien Grosjean keeps telling me to enjoy myself and be relaxed, no pressure."

Rafael Nadal (facing John Isner in the first round): "Just to be back at this tournament is a really special feeling. You remember a lot of things from the past years, so in general I feel a little bit like home, with all the people who work here in the locker room, in the players' lobby. Probably this year the favourite is Djokovic, but even last year or three years ago when you told me 'you are the favourite', I didn't feel like this, because when you arrive at the tournament, every round is difficult. Every match, every time you go on court you can win and you can lose. That's part of the game. So thinking about winning the tournament before start of tournament is for me is too arrogant. »

Novak Djokovic (facing Thiemo De Bakker): "I say he (Rafa)'s the favourite. I don't feel unbeatable - nobody is unbeatable, even though I had an incredible run that keeps going. I was saying in the last couple of weeks that I'm really not trying to think about the run that I have, or I'm not trying to think about when this run will end, because that will mean that I'm thinking about losing."

Andy Murray (who will play qualifier Eric Prodon in the first round): "I made a decision not to play the exhibition and practice at 4 pm. I should be fine. I think it was maybe my body just saying to take it easy for a day or so because I have been working very hard. I'm looking forward to the start of the tournament. You've got to be very focused during the French especially, because one bad set or a couple of bad sets and you can get yourself fatigued or tired early in the tournament. So you need to be switched on right from the start."

Aravane Rezaï (who will face Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania): "I'm slowly fighting my way back after a really tough start to the season. It's all good life experience though - what I'm having to go through. I don't really want to talk about my private life - I have a family I love very much and a playing career to think about as well. My main aim is to focus on my tennis and enjoy myself out on court."

Doubles wild cards
The tournament directors have handed out the following wild cards for the doubles tournaments:
Men's doubles:
1. MANNARINO Adrian - PAIRE Benoit
2. CHARDY Jeremy - CLEMENT Arnaud
3. MONFILS Gael - OUANNA Josselin
4. GICQUEL Marc - ROGER-VASSELIN Edouard
5. HERBERT Pierre-Hugues - RENAVAND Nicolas
6. RUFIN Guillaume - SIDORENKO Alexandre
7. PATIENCE Olivier - PRODON Eric

Women's doubles:
1. CORNET Alizé - RAZZANO Virginie
2. COIN Julie - JOHANSSON Mathilde
3. PAVLOVIC Irena - THORPE Laura
4. GARCIA Caroline - VEDY Aurélie
5. MLADENOVIC Kristina - PARMENTIER Pauline
6. FEUERSTEIN Claire - FORETZ-GACON Stéphanie
7. LARRIERE Victoria - LIM Alizé

News from the French, part V

2011-05-21T10:03:00.002-07:00

Del Potro fit for the French
To the delight of tennis fans around the world, Juan Martin Del Potro has confirmed that he will be able to take part in this year's French Open. The 2009 US Open champion injured his hip at Madrid and was forced to pull out of last week's ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, but on Tuesday night his Twitter account featured the glad tidings: "See you in Paris!" The rangy Argentinean will be seeded No.26 for the tournament. The news was less encouraging from Andy Roddick's camp however after he was forced to withdraw from the Rome doubles final due to a build-up of fluid on the shoulder. The big-serving American also pulled out of this week's Open de Nice Côte d'Azur in the south of France.

Maria is here
Fresh from her success on the clay of Rome, Maria Sharapova is now in situ at Roland Garros and enjoyed a hit-out on centre court on Wednesday morning. The Russian, who was sporting a t-shirt that was brightly coloured to say the least, had a short but intensive session and looked in good physical shape, despite having to stretch out her right leg every so often. French seeds Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon also trained on Wednesday, with "Gilou" enjoying a knock-up with Roger Federer during the afternoon, with the Swiss 2009 French Open champion opting for Suzanne Lenglen court after already testing out Chatrier. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Kim Clijsters meanwhile are still to come to the stadium.

Extra dry
Paris has not had a drop of rain for a good month and a half now, and the sun was beating down again on Wednesday, to the delight of the spectators attending the qualifiers. The weather forecast between now and the end of the week calls for more of the same, and temperatures could soar even higher at the weekend - to the chagrin of some but tennis fans will not be complaining!

Chakvetadze out
Russia's Anna Chakvetadze has been forced to pull out of the tournament due to illness, with her place in the main draw taken by Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko.

Men qualifiers: Bogomolov doing it the hard way
The top seed in the men's qualifiers is certainly taking what can only be described as a circuitous route the main draw. After being taken to a 9-7 third set on Monday, Alex Bogomolov Jr. again had to go the distance on Wednesday, this time overcoming experienced South African Rik de Voest 6-0, 1-6, 6-4. The Moscow-born American, known to his friends as Bogie, defeated none other than Andy Murray in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami two months ago, but up until then the 28-year-old was best known for being the ex-husband of WTA player-turned-Playboy model Ashley Harkleroad. He will now face Steve Darcis of Belgium for a spot in the main draw.

After defeating his American namesake Alex in the first round, Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov overcame no.4 seed Illya Marchenko in the second and is now one step away from the main draw, while perhaps the most prestigious match-up of the day saw top-ranked Canadian Frank Dancevic defeat Edouardo Schwank, the Javier (brother of David) Nalbandian-coached Argentinean who made the third round here three years ago and was no.48 in the world less than a year ago.

Women's qualifiers: Pivovarova with a point to prove
Anastasia Pivovarova is already looking well set to do justice to her no.1 seeding in the women's qualifying tournament. The Russian is currently ranked no.95 in the world and easily disposed of Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-4.
The public came out in force on Wednesday with plenty of youngsters enjoying an afternoon off school, but unfortunately the home players failed to live up to expectations (details to follow), although Claire Feuerstein was the exception to the rule, making it through to the second round. There was disappointment as well for Portugal's Michelle Larcher de Brito, who made it through to a third-round tie on Chatrier against Aravane Rezaï two years ago but has struggled since then. Poland's Urszula Radwanska, the no.18 seed and sister of world no.12 Agnieszka Radwanska, was also knocked out, by Luxembourg's Mandy Minella who has played club tennis in France for the past decade.

McEnroe hails the Djoker
John McEnroe, a man rarely inclined to praise any of the modern generation of players, nevertheless seems to be quite impressed with one Novak Djokovic. The Serb has won his first 37 ATP tour matches of the year and has Johnny Mac's all-time record of 42 - set in 1984 - in his sights. "The competition is much stiffer that it was in my day," the legendary lefty said. The players are fitter and more of them are capable of winning tournaments than you had back in my day. What Djokovic is achieving at the moment is incredible, his confidence is sky-high." Nole will have to make it to the final of Roland Garros if he is to beat McEnroe's record, something that the former world no.1 would "very much like to see. Almost all of the records I set have been broken, and that's the way it goes in tennis."

News from the French, part IV

2011-05-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

Rankings respected for the seedings
The tournament directors have published the lists of the 32 seeds in the men's and women's draws, which are based on the ATP and WTA rankings as of 16 May. Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki will therefore be the top seeds, while Spain's Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, no.33 in the world, is the lucky player who squeezes in as no.32 seed due to the withdrawal of David Nalbandian. The French have a sizeable contingent of seeds, namely Gaël Monfils (no.9), Richard Gasquet (no.14), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (no.18), Gilles Simon (no.19) and Michaël Llodra (no.23) in the men's draw and Marion Bartoli (no.11) in the women's. Due to the withdrawal of both Williams sisters, Klara Zakopalova from Czech Republic and Tsvetana Pironkova from Bulgaria have also made it onto the list of 32.

Razzano in mourning
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Virginie Razzano's long-time boyfriend Stéphane Vidal who had been suffering from a brain tumour. Razzano spoke in moving terms in an interview with L'Equipe newspaper of the man who had also been her coach. She has decided not to withdraw from this year's French Open, and will doubtless be able to count on the full and indeed emotional support of the French crowd.

Federer putting in the hours
Roger Federer trained for the second day in a row on Tuesday out on Philippe Chatrier court. The Swiss is the most conscientious of the top seeds, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic yet to arrive in Paris. Monfils came out onto centre court and had a quick chat with the 16-time Grand Slam champion, while Gasquet and Simon were also hard at work on the training courts, along with Lleyton Hewitt and Maria Sharapova. Plenty of big names are scheduled to arrive tomorrow to start getting reacquainted with the Paris clay, which according to those players who have already been practising here appears to be quicker at the moment due to the recent spell of dry weather and the new Babolat balls being used.

Kuznetsov ousts Kuznetsov
There were plenty of epic battles on the first day of the men's qualifiers, most notably the match between Steve Darcis of Belgium and Monaco's Jean-René Lisnard. It took three and three-quarter hours to separate the two, with Darcis edging the tie 6-7(8), 7-5, 9-7. There was also the "surname" derby between Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov and Alex Kuznetsov of USA. The chair umpire was obliged to use the players' first names during the match, which ended with a win for Andrey 6-3, 6-4.

Follow the draw on Twitter
The draw for the men's and women's singles will take place on Friday at 11.30 am in the FFT's tennis museum on-site at Roland Garros and will be carried out by defending champions Nadal and Francesca Schiavone. To find out as it happens who will be facing whom in the first round and beyond, follow the draw on the Roland Garros Twitter accounts.

Gonzalez forced to withdraw
Injury-plagued Fernando Gonzalez has been forced to withdraw from this year's French Open. The Chilean had a protected ranking of no.55 but is currently languishing at no.370 in the world. He underwent a hip operation on 4 October 2010 but has only played three tournaments in 2011 and was forced to pull out of the first round of the recent Challenger event in Bordeaux. Argentina's Brian Dabul will take his place in the main draw.

Women's qualifiers: young guns go for it
The women's qualifying draw will get under way on Wednesday, and as with the men's, there are 128 players all vying for 16 spots. Whilst there are a number of French players involved in the competition, as is to be expected at their home tournament, there is a variety of nations represented and plenty of names which, while they may not yet be well-known in wider terms, are certainly on the radar of the avid tennis fan.

Perhaps the two main stars of the future to look out for are Noppawan Lertchewakarn and Heather Watson. Lertchewakarn, from Thailand, is 19 years old and is the girl who took Laura Robson's junior Wimbledon title off her last year. She takes on Karolina Pliskova in the opening round and could then face Vitalia Diatchenko, who made the second round proper here at Roland two years ago, followed by Urszula Radwanska, sister of top ten stalwart Agnieszka.

Watson meanwhile, who hails from Guernsey in the UK's Channel Islands, has overtaken her compatriot Robson as the great young hope of British tennis. She was unlucky not to gain direct acceptance to Roland Garros this year, with her ranking of 119 not far below the cut-off point after she made the quarter-finals in Memphis. She also received a wild-card to Miami, which is almost her "home" tournament since she trains at the Nick Bollettieri academy in Bradenton.

She will face Ioana Raluca Olaru in the first round, with potential match-ups against Canada's Heidi El Tabakh and Stefanie Vögele in the following rounds, all of whom have Grand Slam experience.

News from the French: part III

2011-05-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

Roger arrives at RolandA very relaxed-looking Roger Federer had his first practice session on Philippe Chatrier court at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon. The 2009 winner took things very easy and had a light hitting session, with his fitness coach Séverin Lüthi and physio Stéphane Vivier in attendance. Richard Gasquet meanwhile was out on Suzanne Lenglen court hitting with up-and-coming French youngster Gianni Mina. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was scheduled to practice but did not end up coming out on court.
Kim coming to RolandKim Clijsters has finally confirmed that she will indeed play this year's French Open. "I will be able to take part as long as I have some very tight strapping on my ankle," said the Belgian, who has been out of action since the end of March. This will be the first time that the 2001 and 2003 finalist has come to Roland Garros since 2006.
Qualifiers - start your engines!The qualifying tournament for Roland Garros officially got under way on Monday evening with the draw for the men's singles. 128 players are involved, with 16 places up for grabs for those who can win three rounds.
The tie of the first round for those who like coincidences will be US youngster Alex Kuznetsov facing his Russian counterpart Andrey Kuznetsov… There will of course be plenty of homegrown interest with 17 French players involved, most notably Marc Gicquel who won the recent Challenger event in Bordeaux. The first matches will get started at 10 am on Tuesday 17 May, while the women's draw will be made at 6 pm that evening.

Sharapova develops feet of clay

2011-05-21T10:01:00.001-07:00

While the men's tournament was the same old same old (though how we are all coming to enjoy these Nadal-Djokovic battles), the WTA half of the combined event certainly threw up surprises, not least in the shape of the victor. It is almost clichéd to quote Maria Sharapova's description of herself as a "cow on ice" when it comes to clay, but she put any past travails on red dirt behind her with an accomplished display, cruising through the tournament with barely a hiccup and demolishing clay-courter and last year's French Open finalist Sam Stosur in a straight-sets final.

Sharapova feasted on Stosur's kick serve which reared up at a perfect height for the 6'2" Siberian to swing through, and though her movement was still ponderous at times, she compensated for that much in the way that fellow Bollettieri Academy alumnus Andre Agassi did on clay - by hitting with power and precision.

There has never been a better time for the world no.8 to mount a serious challenge at the French, with Kim Clijsters struggling to recover from an ankle injury in time for Roland Garros, the absence of the Williams sisters and the disappearance of the other Russian clay-courters off the radar (Elena Dementieva having retired, Dinara Safina likely to follow her and 2009 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova unable to return to former glories). Sharapova has three majors to her name, and victory in Paris in June would complete her career Grand Slam.

Top seed no.1 Caroline Wozniacki was taken apart by Sharapova in the semis, whose only struggles came against world no.4 Victoria Azarenka in a quarter-final tie that was truncated after the Belarusian hyper-extended her elbow after winning the first set. No.2 seed and defending French Open champion Francesca Schiavone meanwhile disappointed the Rome crowd, going down in straight sets to Stosur. A good showing at the Foro Italico, surrounded by home fans and the pressure that comes with increased expectations, would have gone a long way to dispelling the myth that the whirlwind from Milan is a one-Slam wonder. Instead, she is going to have to do it at Roland Garros…

News from the French (I)

2011-05-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wild cards announcedThe 8 wilds cards for the men's and women's singles draws have been revealed. As part of an agreement with the Australian and American Federations, Tim Smyczek (USA), Bernard Tomic (AUS), Irina Falconi (USA) and Casey Dellacqua (AUS) have all received invitations to the French Open. The other wild cards have all been given to French players. In the men's draw, the lucky participants are Arnaud Clément, Benoît Paire, Maxime Teixeira, Edouard Roger-Vasselin, Guillaume Rufin and Vincent Millot.

In the women's, Pauline Parmentier, Caroline Garcia, Kristina Mladenovic, Iryna Brémond and Stéphanie Foretz-Gacon have all been awarded a place in the main draw. The name of the remaining wild card in the women's draw will be announced shortly.
Nalbandian, Serena and Safina won't playDavid Nalbandian is the first high-ranking player to withdraw from the men's singles, and he joins France's Paul-Henri Mathieu, who announced his withdrawal some time ago. The Argentinean world No24 has recently suffered from a string of health problems and does not feel that he is physically strong enough to take part in the tournament. Juan Martin Del Potro is also unsure whether he will be able to play at the Porte d'Auteuil after tearing his left hip muscle in Madrid. In the women's draw, there is still a question mark over the participation of Kim Clijsters, but as yet she still features on the player entry list.

But Dinara Safina, finalist in 2008 and 2009, will not play. The 25-year-old Russian former No. 1 not only will miss the French Open, she is taking an indeterminate leave of absence from tennis to try to get rid of her chronic back pain. And Serena Williams was also forced out of this 2011 French Open due to the injury. The American former No. 1 has suffered a blood clot in her lung at the beginning of March.

Girls on top

2011-05-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

The loud one
Victoria Azarenka (Belarus, 21, WTA no.4)If Victoria Azarenka starts screaming out on court, run for cover. Just like Maria Sharapova, the Belarusian bellows every time she hits a ball, and the harder she hits, the louder she gets. Born in Belarus but now living in United States, she is coached by a team of French experts led by Sam Sumyk and has been in or around the top 10 since 2008.
In 2009, Azarenka won in Miami, beating none other than Serena Williams in the final, and made the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She was no.7 in the world at the end of 2009 but then went off the boil slightly and seemed to have real trouble coping with any defeats she suffered. Now she is more relaxed but still as strong physically and is looking to take her game to the next stage at the majors.

This seasonHer no.4 ranking is down to her success in Miami after a relatively quiet start to the season. She peaked in Florida, defeating Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva and Maria Sharapova, and then moved seamlessly from hard courts onto clay, winning the ninth title of her career in Marbella before following that up with a final appearance at the WTA Premier event in Madrid.

The up-and-coming one
Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic, 21, WTA no.10)She is six feet tall, the hardest hitter on the circuit and also one of the best movers. Petra Kvitova first made people sit up and take notice at Wimbledon last year when she made the semi-finals, and now she is starting to hog the limelight.
A while back, she seemed too nervous out on court to ever become one of the real stars of the game, but she has certainly put that behind her. She is a more accurate player now in particular when it comes to her own service, and having added a gritty edge to her game thanks to various Fed Cup campaigns, the lefty from Bilovec in the Czech Republic is now confident enough in her own abilities to let her talent speak for itself.

This seasonThe statuesque blond got 2011 off to a flying start, winning in Brisbane, making the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and putting in a faultless performance in the Fed Cup semis before adding the Open GDF Suez in Paris to her trophy cabinet. She then had an awful American hard-court swing but came back to Europe with a vengeance, winning in Madrid and making herself one of the (many) de facto favourites for the French

The girl most likely to...
Andrea Petkovic (Germany, 23, WTA no.15)Andrea Petkovic has got it all. She is attractive, intelligent, funny and multilingual with bags of personality. When the WTA asked its top players what their ideal Valentine's Day would be, all of them spoke of candlelit dinners on the beach. All except "Petkorazzi", that is. She would rather go to a gig and enjoy a beer or two. Not that she is rough and ready, far from it. She reads Sartre and Goethe, can hold court on any subject and is an expert when it comes to politics.

Getting back to tennis, she has the ideal physique and a fine tactical brain to go with it. In the past, she suffered some agonising defeats when victory was in her grasp (most notably against Svetlana Kuznetsova at Roland Garros last year) but this at least made her go back to the drawing board and start sorting out the mental side of her game, which in her own words is still a work in progress.

This seasonShe made the final at Brisbane and the quarters at Melbourne before proving what she is really capable of by reaching the semis in Miami, defeating Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic on the way. She came down to earth with a bump in Madrid, but Roland Garros - her favourite tournament - is very much her main objective.

Start of French Open 2011

2011-05-13T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. It’s a new start for my lost blog. Haven’t blogged for a long time, wasted time on other matters. Now it’s a good time to start my blogging on one of my favorite sport TENNIS. As you all French Open is a very big occasion, and the hero’s will be battling out their lives for the cup. There is every chance that Rafael nadal will claim the cup once again; it won’t be easy for him as he is not at his best at the moment. There are other players who should be watched for; like Novak Djokovic who is an excellent talent and at top of his form. But my heart really wants “The Roger Federer” to win the cup and increase his Grand slam tally. Hope he some how make it. So I will be updating you with all the latest action form Roland Garros through my blog. Hope you will enjoy it and follow the blog regularly. Cheers.

News from the French

2011-05-13T20:33:00.000-07:00

Monfils tests the clay

After being forced to withdraw midway through Madrid due to an allergic reaction to some cheese he had eaten then pull out of Rome suffering from a virus, Gaël Monfils was delighted to get some court-time under his belt at Roland Garros on Friday. The world no.9 and 2008 French Open semi-finalist immediately headed out to Philippe Chatrier and had a relaxed knock-up with his Australian coach Roger Rasheed.

Sanchez to make it five at the French

The final wild card for the women's singles has been awarded by the tournament directors to Olivia Sanchez. The 28-year-old Frenchwoman is currently no.136 in the WTA rankings, and this will be her fifth time in the main draw at the Paris slam.

Wild cards for the qualifiers

The tournament directors also announced the list of wild cards for the qualifying competition of the men's and women's singles on Friday afternoon.

For the men, French players Charles-Antoine Brézac, Nicolas Devilder, Jonathan Eysseric, Pierre-Hugues Herbert, Romain Jouan, Axel Michon, Gianni Mina and Albano Olivetti and Argentina's Agustin Velotti (who won the junior tournament in 2010) have all been given an invitation, while Séverine Beltrame, Audrey Bergot, Julie Coin, Claire de Gubernatis, Claire Feuerstein, Anaïs Laurendon, Irena Pavlovic and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (who like Velotti won the junior title in 2010) will be trying to make it into the women's main draw.

Federer frightened by intruder

2009-06-07T19:44:00.001-07:00

Roger Federer admitted feeling frightened when confronted by an intruder midway through his French Open final victory.

Federer was preparing to receive a serve when 15-0 down in the fourth game of the second set when a spectator, wearing a top bearing the word 'Switzerland' on its front, entered the court having clambered down from high up in the stand opposite the umpire's chair.

He ran up to Federer and brandished in front of the player's face what appeared to be a flag of Spanish football team Barcelona.

He then attempted to place his cap on the head of Federer, who retreated way behind the service line.

Security were embarrassingly slow to react as the man danced in front of Federer for a few seconds before running around behind the chair of a line judge, charging across the court and vaulting the net.

He was then halted in his tracks as he was tackled to the ground by a security guard.

That was the only thing that threatened to derail Federer's charge to glory but he admitted it was a "touch scary".

"I don't know what happened but all of a sudden I heard the crowd, I looked over and he jumped over the fence. That gave me a fright seeing him so close right away," recalled Federer, who has also been confronted by intruding fans at Wimbledon and in a tournament in Montreal.

"It's a good thing it's happened to me before. But it definitely felt uncomfortable once he came close to me."

Federer, who won in straight sets today, was able thankfully to laugh it off.

"Normally they always look at me and go, 'I'm so sorry I have to do this', because they always have some sort of reason for it!" he added.

"I remember the English guy (at Wimbledon) was actually quite funny.

"This guy here looked at me and I was not sure what he wanted. It seemed like he wanted to give me something. So I was okay, because I saw he wasn't pulling for anything stupid."

Soderling added: "It wasn't great to see. I think the security were as surprised as we were.

"It's very bad that these things can happen. It's a shame."

Neither the International Tennis Federation (ITF) nor the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have made an official comment regarding the incident but an investigation seems sure to be launched.

The incident instantly brought back memories of the on-court attack on Monica Seles by a German spectator at a tournament in Hamburg in 1993.

The American, at that time 19 and the world number one, was stabbed in the back by a deranged Steffi Graf fan while she was sitting at a changeover during a quarter-final match against Magdalena Maleeva.

When contacted by PA Sport, a spokesman at the police headquarters of the 16th arrondissement in Paris refused to reveal the name of the intruder.

According to the website of Swiss newspaper Le Matin, he has been arrested for 'entering the grounds of a sports event'.

The same source said he was a Spaniard who was born in 1975 and hailed from Barcelona.

Federer claims French Open title

2009-06-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer completed the career Grand Slam with victory over Robin Soderling at the French Open.

Federer won 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 to become only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam tournaments.

He also equals Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles and will now be regarded by many as the greatest player of all time.

French Open Men's Final in pictures

Victory over Soderling was rarely in doubt, the Swiss great racing through the first set and then fending off Soderling's attempts at a comeback in competitive second and third sets.

It was a fitting way for Federer achieve the feat - the 27-year-old producing a superb display to which we have become accustomed.

His serve was outstanding - he faced just two break points in the entire match and was never broken - the famous forehand rock solid, while his use of the drop shot - so often the one weakness in his game - baffled his Swedish opponent.

Federer got off to the best possible start, breaking serve in the very first game as he found top gear immediately.

Soderling looked a little nervous but Federer's level was so good he stood little chance in the early stages. He never allowed Soderling to dictate, as he had done so often during his dream run at Roland Garros, one which had seen him beat Federer's nemesis Rafael Nadal, the four-time defending champion.

The opening set was over in just 23 minutes, Soderling losing his serve three times.

The second set was much closer - a rare moment of concern coming when a spectator invaded the court and bizarrely dangled a flag over Federer - and no breaks of serve meant a tie-break was required to separate the players.

Had Soderling taken it, perhaps Federer would have stumbled. As it was, he was never given a hope.

Federer played a near-perfect tie-break, winning it 7-1, serving four aces from his four service points.

When Soderling dropped serve at the start of the third set the game looked up for the 23rd seed and although he forced break points in games four and 10 - as Federer served for the match - the Swiss stood firm.

Upon clinching victory when Soderling found the net, Federer sank to his knees in sheer delight and was soon overcome with emotion.

He got up to receive the trophy from Andre Agassi, the last man to win all four majors, his place in history assured.

Roger Federer Factfile

2009-06-07T19:42:00.001-07:00

A look back at newly crowned French Open winner, Roger Federer's career.

1981: Born August 8 in Basle, Switzerland.

1998: Wins junior singles and doubles title at Wimbledon in the year he turns professional.

1999: Wins first ATP Challenger title with victory over Max Mirnyi in Brest.

Youngest player, at 18 years and 14 months, to finish season in top 100.

2000: Loses in last 16 of French Open to Alex Corretja. Loses in first round of Wimbledon to Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

2001: Loses to Corretja again in quarter-final of the French Open at Roland Garros.

Ends champion Pete Sampras' 31-match winning streak at Wimbledon with five-set victory on Centre Court before losing to Britain's Tim Henman in the quarter-finals.

2002: Wins ATP Masters Series title in Hamburg, but loses to Hicham Arazi in the first round at Roland Garros.

June - Seeded number seven at Wimbledon, but beaten by qualifier Mario Ancic in the first round.

2003: Loses in last 16 of the Australian Open to David Nalbandian.

June - Loses in first round of French Open to Luis Horna of Peru.

Wins grasscourt ATP International Series event in Halle, Germany.

Wins Wimbledon singles title, beating Mark Philippoussis in straight sets in the final.

Beaten in fourth round at US Open by David Nalbandian.

Ends season by winning Tennis Masters Cup and is ranked number two in the world.

2004: January - Defeats Marat Safin in the Australian Open final to win his second grand slam.

Takes over as world number one.

June - Beaten by Gustavo Kuerten in the third round of the French Open.

July - Beats Andy Roddick in four sets to retain Wimbledon title.

September - Thrashes Leyton Hewitt 6-0 7-6 (7/3) 6-0 to win first US Open.

2005: January - Loses Australian Open semi-final to Safin after five-set epic.

June - French Open semi-final exit to Rafael Nadal.

July - Beats Roddick in straight sets to retain Wimbledon title.

September - Beats Andre Agassi in four sets to retain US Open crown.

2006: January - Wins second Australian Open title.

June - Loses in French Open final to Nadal.

July - Wins fourth consecutive Wimbledon title with four-set defeat of Nadal.

Extends unbeaten run on grass to a record 49 matches.

September - Wins third straight US Open title with four-set defeat of Roddick.

2007: January 28 - Does not drop a set on the way to winning third Australian Open and 10th grand slam title. Bjorn Borg was the last man to complete such a feat in 1980.

February 26 - Sets new record of 161 consecutive weeks as world number one, beating the 30-year-old mark of Jimmy Connors.

March 12 - Bid to break Guillermo Vilas' ATP Tour record 46 straight victories ends with an injury-hit defeat to Guillermo Canas at the Masters Series event in Indian Wells. Federer had won 41 straight matches to that point.

May 12 - Parts company with coach Tony Roache after his longest tournament drought since becoming world number one.

May 20 - Finally beats Nadal on clay at the sixth attempt to win the Hamburg Masters, ending the Spaniard's record 81-match winning streak on the surface.

June 8 - Reaches French Open final, beating Jack Crawford's 73-year-old record of seven consecutive grand slam finals. He also breaks McEnroe's record of 35 consecutive sets won in grand slam events by winning 36.

June 10 - Loses French Open final to Nadal for second straight year.

July 8 - Beats Nadal in five-set epic to win fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, equalling the record of Borg.

September 10 - Beats Novak Djokovic in straight sets to win fourth successive US Open crown.

2008: January 25 - Loses in straight sets to Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals ending his record streak of grand slam final appearances at 10.

June 8: Thrashed 6-1 6-3 6-0 by Nadal in the French Open final, Federer's heaviest grand slam defeat and the first time he had lost a set 6-0 since 1999.

July 6: Denied a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title by Nadal, who beats him 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-7 (8/10) 9-7 in a Centre Court classic.

August 18 - Knocked off world number one spot by Nadal, ending his 237-week reign at the top.

September 8 - Beats Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2 in the US Open final to claim his 13th grand slam title.

2009: February 1 - Nadal beats Federer 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 3-6 6-2 in Australian Open final.

February 17 - Pulls out of ATP event in Dubai and Switzerland's upcoming Davis Cup tie against USA with back injury.

April 16 - Suffers first career defeat to countryman Stanislas Wawrinka in third round of Monte Carlo Masters - an event in which he has lost in final to Nadal in each of last three years.

June 7 - Moves level with Sampras' record of 14 majors and becomes only sixth man to complete career Grand Slam by beating Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 in French Open final.

Comment: You deserve it Roger!

2009-06-07T19:40:00.002-07:00

Roger Federer becoems only the sixth man in history to achieve the career Grand Slam. A true champion?

Roger Federer was a broken man four months ago after losing an epic Australian Open final to Rafael Nadal, but any tears today would have been of unconfined joy after he cemented his place in tennis history.

The 27-year-old beat Swedish surprise package Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 6-4 in the French Open final to move level on 14 major victories with Pete Sampras and become only the sixth man to achieve the career Grand Slam.

"It's up to the fans to judge whether it was the best ever," says the modest and unassuming Federer, who married childhood sweetheart Mirka in April and will become a father for the first time later this year.

He was hailed by Andre Agassi as "the best I've ever played against" after he beat the American in his last professional match in the 2005 US Open final.

He today joined the elite group of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Agassi as the only men to clinch all four major titles.

Agassi, the only other man to achieve the feat in the Open era, believes today's triumph confirms Federer's status.

"It ends the discussion of where he fits in the history of the game," said the 1999 Roland Garros champion.

"It's not so much a question of Pete. If it wasn't for Nadal, he probably would have won a handful of these things, so nobody would underestimate where he deserves to fit in this game.

"This is going to mean so much to him, to have that hole filled. I think it will change his life."

Having lost the three previous finals at Roland Garros to Nadal, Federer must have wondered whether his time would ever come on the Paris clay.

But he has time and again proved himself to be a formidable figure in the face of adversity.

Federer in 2007 equalled Bjorn Borg's record of five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles, defeating Nadal in five sets to also draw level with Borg and Laver on 11 grand slams.

His run of five successive Wimbledon titles came was ended last July by Nadal, who compounded the Swiss' misery by relieving him of the world number one spot the following month.

"It was a fair battle, which was tough with the rain delays," the Basle-born player said after Nadal's 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory at SW19.

"There were some great points and I think we both stayed tough until the very end.

"In tennis unfortunately there have to be winners and losers, there are no draws. But it was probably my hardest loss by far. It doesn't get much harder than this."

Demoted to second in the ATP rankings after an amazing 237 weeks at the top, Federer responded to his summer disappointments by beating Great Britain's Andy Murray in September's US Open final to move within one grand slam triumph of equalling Sampras' mark.

That quest was cruelly thwarted by Nadal on February 1, however, as the powerful Mallorcan battled out a thrilling 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2 win to become Australian Open champion.

Federer was reduced to tears by his Melbourne Park heartache, saying during an emotional post-match speech: "God, this is killing me."

He went on to pay tribute to his rival, who stepped up to the podium to console the beaten finalist in a show of great sportsmanship between the two best players on the planet.

Federer got through the presentation ceremony, but must have been left to ponder whether he had witnessed the changing of the guard with Nadal - five years his junior - now holding three of the four slams.

But he added a steely determination to his grace and elegance on the court to counter that fear and get himself back on the grand-slam trail.

Without an obvious flaw to his game, Federer's greatest strength is perhaps his composure in the face of immense pressure.

It is difficult to imagine a more complete player - or a more worthy addition to the esteemed group of career grand-slammers.

Federer's major titles

2009-06-07T19:40:00.001-07:00

Roger Federer joined Pete Sampras on a record 14 grand-slam titles with his French Open victory.

Here, PA Sport looks at the Swiss star's journey to greatness, from winning his first Wimbledon crown to securing that elusive Roland Garros title:

1. Wimbledon 2003 - Federer, 21, produces a near-faultless display to beat Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (7/5) 6-2 7-6 (7/3) and claim his first grand-slam title. He had previously failed to get past the quarter-finals at a major.

2. Australian Open 2004 - Federer celebrates becoming world number one by outclassing Marat Safin 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 6-2 in what proves to be a one-sided final.

3. Wimbledon 2004 - For the second year in succession, Federer is brought to tears after winning Wimbledon, digging deep to come from behind and beat Andy Roddick 4-6 7-5 7-6 (7/3) 6-4 in a stuttering display.

4. US Open 2004 - Federer becomes the first man in history to win his first four grand-slam finals - and the first man in 16 years to claim three Majors in one year - with a 6-0 7-6 (7/3) 6-0 rout of Lleyton Hewitt, his first victory in New York.

5. Wimbledon 2005 - Federer completes a hat-trick of titles at SW19 with a devastating display to defeat Andy Roddick 6-2 7-6 (7/2) 6-4, labelling his performance "flawless" and the best in his life.

6. US Open 2005 - Federer dashes 35-year-old Andre Agassi's hopes of a fairytale victory in New York, defending his title with a 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7/1) 6-1 win.

7. Australian Open 2006 - Federer recovers from a poor start to sink unfancied Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 5-7 7-5 6-0 6-2 for his second title in Melbourne.

8. Wimbledon 2006 - Federer takes his winning streak on grass to 48 matches by beating arch rival Rafael Nadal 6-0 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (2/7) 6-3 for a fourth Wimbledon crown.

9. US Open 2006 - Federer become the first man in the Open era to win three successive titles Wimbledon and New York in the same years by downing Andy Roddick 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1, moving past Agassi and Fred Perry in the list of grand-slam winners.

10. Australian Open 2007 - Federer becomes the first man since 1980 to win a grand slam without dropping a set as he sees off Fernando Gonzalez 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 6-4 for a third title in Melbourne.

11. Wimbledon 2007 - Federer emulates Bjorn Borg by winning a fifth straight title here, beating Nadal for the second year in succession in an epic five-setter - 7-6 (9/7) 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 2-6 6-2 - that lasted close to four hours.

12. US Open 2007 - Federer was given a tough test by Novak Djokovic but won 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (7/2) 6-4, despite trailing by a break in each set. It was his fourth consecutive title in New York.

13. US Open 2008 - Federer recovers from his Roland Garros and Wimbledon heartbreak months earlier to win a fifth straight title at Flushing Meadows, beating Britain's Andy Murray 6-2 7-5 6-2 in the final as a second seed.

14. French Open 2009 - Federer grabs the elusive title at Roland Garros by beating surprise finalist Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4. The Swiss had lost the three previous finals to Nadal.

Soderling: Roger was too good

2009-06-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

Robin Soderling hailed Roger Federer as the greatest player of all time after losing to him at Roland Garros.

Federer romped to a 6-1 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 triumph over Soderling to clinch the only major which had eluded him in a glittering career.

The Swede, who beat Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko en route to the final, said: "I had the two best weeks of my career. Roger is a really worthy winner. To me he is the best player in history so he really deserves to win here at the French as well."

When asked whether the second-set tie-break had been the turning point, he replied: "It's tough to say but he played better than me today.

"I had a few chances but he came up with some extremely good shots at important moments.

"I'm still happy. I had a great tournament. Roger was too good for me today."

Addressing Federer at the presentation ceremony, Soderling added: "You really gave me a lesson on how to play tennis today.

"For me you're the greatest player in history so you really deserved to win this title."

Federer said on BBC1 moments after his win: "The victory was a huge pressure for me today.

"It's one of the best days of my life. Tennis is just my life."

Marat key to Safina downfall

2009-06-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Dinara Safina must be ruing the day her brother talked fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova out of quitting tennis.

Kuznetsova was at such a low ebb during the spring of last year that she contemplated retirement, at the age of 22.

Marat Safin, a leading player on the men's circuit, talked her around and just over a year on, she is the new French Open champion having beaten Safina - Marat's younger sister - with surprising ease yesterday in straight sets.

Kuznetsova is rejuvenated and ready to launch a new bid to become world number one for the first time. But it could all have been so different had she not decided to move training bases from Barcelona to Moscow.

"It's been a tough time for me," she said.

"I lost in Rome (in May last year) and I left for Moscow. I was saying I don't want to train, I don't want to think about it (tennis), I don't want to go back to Spain.

"I said a few times I want to quit tennis. I said it, but I never felt it.

"I said it to Marat a few times. I said, 'Marat, I don't know, maybe I should not play'. He said, 'Are you crazy or what? You have unbelievable opportunities, you just have to play'."

She ended up leaving Spain, after further advice from Roger Federer, at the end of last season and the decision has paid dividends.

Her strong clay-court campaign in 2009 ended with yesterday's win over top seed Safina.

Kuznetsova was the outsider coming into the match but after the first few games in cold, slow conditions on Philippe Chatrier court it became clear it was again not going to be big-hitting Safina's day.

Safina has now lost all three of her grand slam finals and her propensity to clam up on the big occasion is starting to become a serious issue.

She has lost two straight French Open finals as well as the Australian Open final earlier this year, all without winning a single set.

"Tomorrow is another day; I'll be fine," insisted Safina after her 6-4 6-2 defeat.

But deep down she will be furious at having passed up a great chance to authenticate her position as the world number one.

Kuznetsova, the US Open champion in 2004, has never been at the top of the rankings, but still has two grand slam titles in her collection.

Playing without fear and simply for enjoyment is bringing the best out of the 23-year-old, who admitted she can retire a happy woman having won her favourite two Majors.

"Everything's great. I'm just doing the thing I love - it's my passion and it's my job, this is it," she said.

"I cannot wish for more. I'm just looking forward to new battles."

Kuznetsova will climb from seventh to fifth when the new rankings come out, and can now head to Wimbledon with renewed hope of a first success at SW19.

Flawless Federer storms to historic first French crown

2009-06-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

The tennis gods brewed up a storm around Roland Garros on Sunday afternoon as they prepared to welcome a new member into their midst. Roger Federer repelled the rain, thunder, and a certain Robin Soderling to take his rightful place among the immortals of the game.

The Swiss produced a near-flawless display, delighting his fans with the full range of shots that have made him arguably the greatest player of his era, to sweep aside Robin Soderling 6-1 7-6(1) 6-4 and seal his first-ever French Open title. The triumph enabled Federer to become only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam tournaments, and also saw him equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 majors.

The enormity of his achievement was evident on match point when Federer fell to the red earth of Roland Garros weeping tears of joy. Minutes later, Andre Agassi was on hand to present the Coupe des Mousquetaires and share in the Swiss legend’s delight as he held the trophy to the air, 10 years after the American had sealed his own career Slam with a far more hard-fought win here over Andrei Medvedev.

Early stranglehold

Federer owed his victory to a brilliant performance, by far his best of the tournament, in which he took a stranglehold on the match from the outset and clinically dissected his opponent’s game.

Seemingly overwhelmed by the event, Soderling was unrecognizable in the first set from the man who had swept all before him – including four-time champion Rafael Nadal – in his run to the final. The giant Swede was simply unable to find any rhythm or indeed any semblance of the form he had shown throughout the tournament, not that Federer gave him the slightest chance to settle.

The Swiss is a past master at winning Grand Slam finals and his experience was made to tell as he immediately got into his groove. His first serve was strong (firing down 16 aces throughout the match), his shot selection astute and return of serve simply breathtaking. The Swede’s wayward hitting early on made it easy for him, but Federer needed no second invitation to rack up the games and put some daylight between himself and his opponent.

Federer mixed up his shots brilliantly, slicing on the backhand side before accelerating his forehand follow-up to knock his opponent off guard. While Soderling’s earlier adversaries, including Nadal, had to a certain extent played into his hands by trying to outhit the Swede in hard-hitting baseline exchanges. Roger was not about to fall into the same trap. Making full use of his superb drop shot, tricky slice and mid-court angles, he moved the Swede forward and back almost at will.

Stormy weather

The first set was over in the blink of an eye, 6-1, wrapped up in just 23 minutes. The only thing that could knock the world No2 off his stride was the on-court intruder who briefly unsettled his concentration at 2-1 in the second set. Federer lost that game, and with storm clouds beginning to hover over Philippe Chatrier court, the momentum gradually began to shift. Little by little, Soderling righted his ship, steadying his serve and finally hitting the booming forehands that had proved so devastating earlier over the previous fortnight.

The rain gained in intensity through the middle games of the second set, and with a delay looking more of a possibility, both players looked for the break that would give them a huge psychological advantage to take into the locker room. The drizzle eased off however, and Federer’s serve kept him out of trouble heading into the match-shaping tie-break.

Brilliant tie-break

The No2 seed then seized the moment to demonstrate why he is, for so many, the greatest player of all time. He banged down four aces no less, a forehand winner and a magnificent drop shot en route to a 7-1 success that earned him a two-set lead and definitively turned the match in his favour.

In a hangover from the tie-break, Soderling immediately dropped his serve in the next game – a crucial moment as the No23 seed actually looked the more dangerous player as the third set wore on. On the few occasions that he drew Federer into a long rally, Soderling would invariably pull out a winner, but the Swiss refused to be distracted from his game plan, throwing Soderling off his rhythm with kicking second serves when his first service began to falter and sending passing shots down the line whenever the Swede came to the net.

The Swede earned his first break point of the match at 1-3 and then again had a chance to break back at 4-5, 30-40 when Federer was serving for the match. Had he taken either of those two points, the outcome of the match may have been very different.

Fitting denouement

As it was, the end was what most neutrals had been hoping for, and suitably moving. Soderling mishit on break point, Federer coolly dispatched a volley to take himself to championship point, and then a big serve proved to be enough as Soderling netted the return. Federer fell to his knees, the crowd rose to their feet and the thunder rumbled overhead…

Federer displays greatness in winning first Roland Garros

2009-06-07T19:33:00.000-07:00



This time, Rafael Nadal was not lying in wait in the final, but Roger Federer perhaps faced down a more formidable opponent – history. In a remarkable performance given the weight of the occasion, Roger Federer won his record-tying 14th Grand Slam title 6-1 7-6 (1) 6-4 win over No23 seed Robin Soderling of Sweden. In winning his first Roland Garros title, Federer achieved the one goal that had eluded him, taking the world’s most important clay court title with a sterling performance. He served as well as he ever has on red brick, nailing 16 aces including four in the critical second set tiebreak. He dominated with his forehand, moved fluidly, knifed his backhand and kept the Swede guessing all day long. While Soderling came out of the tunnel extremely nervous, he fought hard in the last two sets but could never impose his quick-fisted style. “Every time I played Roger, after the match I always said ‘I played so bad today’. Now I learned that it's not that I played bad, he makes me play bad. So that's what's so difficult playing against him,” said Soderling, who fell to 0-10 against Federer. The Swiss world No2 was shaking with nerves in trying to close the match out as he knew that while the champion’s cup was within his grasp, it could also be snatched from him. He stood up to be counted however, serving well enough and keeping his ground strokes true, and as he usually has throughout his storied career, he answered the call. While Federer’s three main rivals – four-time champion Rafael Nadal, No3 Andy Murray and No4 Novak Djokovic – fell before they had a chance to tango with the great Swiss, Federer still put down strong challenges by Jose Acasuso (four sets), Tommy Haas (five sets), local favourites Paul-Henri Mathieu (four sets) and Gael Monfils (three sets), No5 Juan Martin Del Potro (five sets) and finally Soderling, who had eliminated Nadal. The Swiss managed to clear the final hurdle even though he knew that had he failed to win the title, he would have been criticized for not taking care of business when the other elite players had been vanquished. Playing with that kind of pressure match in, match out is perhaps the hardest challenge, and Federer met it head on, using his wealth of experience and a tremendous amount of guts and variety to win the title. “He’s never shown us with pressure that he won’t step up,” said 1999 Roland Garros champion Andre Agassi who presented Federer with the winner’s trophy. “He had to deal with this one guy named Nadal who has been his Achilles heel, but every time it was thought he would not step to the plate again or that the achievements and the records would get the better of him, he’s always risen to the occasion.” Federer had been seriously tested this year, losing a heartbreaking final to Nadal at the Australian Open, suffering a back injury and taking losses to Murray at Doha and at Indian Wells, to Stanislas Wawrinka in Monte Carlo and to Djokovic and Miami and Rome. He returned to form in Madrid, scoring his first win over Nadal in five matches and when he arrived in Paris, he felt that he could negotiate the rough waters. He may have been roughed up along the way, but his spirit was not broken. “That's the true test of a champion and it's so fitting that he won here,” Agassi said. “He deserved it, earned it, he's come across in a generation where he was the second greatest clay courter for five years and dominating everyone except one guy. You can call it unlucky or say he stepped up to the plate and he dealt with his challenges and achieved it.” There were those who thought that Federer did not have a Roland Garros title in him, especially after Nadal crushed him 6-1 6-3 6-0 in last year’s final. But Federer himself never lost the faith and earlier this year took six weeks off to focus on his fitness and also put in hundreds of practice hours on clay courts. He has improved on the surface, adding a nifty drop shot that earned him dozens of points during the tournament, and seems more confident sliding into his ground strokes. The world No2 became only the sixth man to win all Grand Slam titles and just the second, after Agassi, to win majors on all four surfaces (both Agassi and Federer won Australian Opens on Rebound Ace before the tournament switched to a more traditional hard court two years ago). Whether he is the greatest player ever will be debated well into the next decade, but he is certainly a major part of the conversation now and at the age of 27, might well have a few more majors left in him. After all, Sampras won his 14th crown when he was 31. Perhaps the last word should be left to Federer’s opponent on Sunday. “I’ve never played anyone playing that fast,” said Soderling. “He's a great player. He doesn't have any weaknesses at all. He really deserves to be called the best player of all time.”

2009 French Open men's singles final in figures

2009-06-07T19:31:00.000-07:00

1 Roger Federer won his very first Roland Garros title at the age of 27.

2 Roger Federer had never before won a Grand Slam after twice being taken to five sets. In this year’s French Open, the Swiss beat Tommy Haas 6-7 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2 in the fourth round and Juan Martin Del Potro 3-6 7-6 2-6 6-1 6-4 in the semi-final.

6 Roger Federer became only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam tournaments after Fred Perry (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 3 Wimbledons, 3 US Opens between 1933 and 1936), Donald Budge (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 2 Wimbledons, 2 US Opens between1937 and 1938), Rod Laver (3 Australian Opens, 4 French Opens, 2 Wimbledons, 2 US Opens between 1960 and 1969), Roy Emerson (6 Australian Opens, 2 French Opens, 2 Wimbledons, 2 US Opens between 1961 and 1967) and Andre Agassi (4 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, 1 Wimbledon, 2 US Opens between 1992 and 2003). Like Agassi, Federer won on four different surfaces.

8 Roger Federer is one of eight players to have reached at least four Roland Garros finals. Like all his predecessors, he has now won the title.

10 Roger Federer has now won all ten matches he has played against Robin Soderling.

11 Roger Federer won the French Open on his eleventh appearance here. Just like Andre Agassi in 1999.

12 Robin Soderling will move into 12th position in the world rankings on Monday. Wins over David Ferrer, Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez will take him into his highest placing ever. Roger Federer stays at number 2 in the rankings.

14 Roger Federer equalled Pete Sampras’ record number of Grand Slam triumphs Sampras won 2 Australian Opens, 7 Wimbledons and 5 US Opens between1990 and 2002. Federer has won 3 Australian Opens, 1 French Open, 5 Wimbledons and 5 US Opens between 2003 and 2009.

25 Roger Federer is the 25th different winner of Roland Garros since the start of the Open era in 1968.

41 Roger Federer hit 41 winners (including 16 aces) in the final, and 24 unforced errors. Robin Soderling hit 24 winners and 24 unforced errors.

59 Roger Federer won his 59th career title today. He is eighth in the Open era list behind Andre Agassi with 60 titles.

1 060 000 Roger Federer pocketed the tidy sum of €1,060,000 and 2000 ATP points, while Robin Soderling earned €530,000 and 1200 ATP points.

Mladenovic sweeps to girls’ title

2009-06-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

France’s Kristina Mladenovic cruised to victory in girls’ singles final, dominating Daria Gavrilova of Russia 6-3 6-2.

16-year-old Mladenovic became the 14th French player to win the juniors title at the French Open as she despatched her opponent in a little over an hour on Suzanne Lenglen court in front of a sizeable crowd. The French girl won the tournament with flair, not dropping a single set along the way, and the former European under-14 champion plays an exciting brand of aggressive game.

The match was a contrast in styles, with Mladenovic leaning on her strong serve and forehand, while Gavrilova played more defensively, varying the height and angles of the ball. The 15-year-old Russian, coached by Patrick Mouratoglou, was too passive however, and let her opponent dictate too many points.

“Kiki” as Mladenovic is known did not have it all her own way in the final, however, and found herself two games down before she was barely out of the locker-room. Boosted by enthusiastic support of her fan club, mostly made up of members of her brother’s football team, Mladenovic got her focus back to break twice and take the first set 6-3 in 33 minutes.

Mladenovic was 2-1 up in the second set when Gavrilova fumbled a smash and crashed to her knees. The trainer strapped up her painful knee but the Russian could not drag herself back into contention – Mladenovic controlled play and again broke twice to sail to victory, bagging the second set 6-2.

The French girl celebrated her first big win by blowing kisses to her friends and family in the stands, and then climbed up to kiss Georges Goven, her coach, and Dragan, her father. After lifting her trophy, she kept on top of her emotions just long enough to thank her loved ones. “Thank you to everyone who supported me!” she smiled, “and special thanks to the person in navy blue with his head down [Goven]. I’m so happy to have won this tournament!”

Already ranked No338 in the world, Mladenovic is hoping to follow in her the footsteps of her idols Elena Dementieva and Mario Ancic by breaking into the top 100 by the end of the season. Her attacking game and powerful serve (clocked at 200 km/h in her first-round match in the main draw against Magdalena Rybarikova) will play integral parts in helping her dream come true, and perhaps she will even follow in the footsteps of Amélie Mauresmo or Alizé Cornet, both of whom won the juniors here at Roland Garros.

Sweden’s Berta takes the boys’ title

2009-06-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Sweden’s Daniel Berta defeated Gianni Mina of France in a 90-minute, three-set epic to claim the French Open boys’ singles championship on Sunday. The 17-year-old French youngster was unable to match the achievement of compatriot Gael Monfils five years earlier, going down 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on Suzanne Lenglen court.

Everything seemed set fair for home favourite Mina to enjoy the most important match of his fledgling career, but his Swedish opponent remained calm throughout and handled the pressure far better. With his punchy forehands and backhands, Berta is able to find the lines just as well as his older compatriot Robin Soderling who played the men’s final later in the day.

Mina launches fight-back

Berta, who trains with Team Catella run by Soderling’s coach Magnus Norman and with whom he practised three times this week, pocketed the first set 6-1 in just 25 minutes. It was then a case of “now or never” for French youngster Mina, who took the bull by the horns, breaking Berta’s first service game and clenching his fist in celebration as his army of supporters roared him. Just like his lookalike Gael Monfils, the No11 seed Mina was rock-steady at the baseline, playing long, powerful shots and keeping his errors to a minimum.

Caribbean-born Mina served out his remaining games to take the second set 6-3. "I knew he was going to fight back,” said Berta after the match. “I was expecting it because he has a tendency to start his matches badly. I just stayed focused.”

The Swedish youngster hung tough in the decider then broke and held what were to be the last two games as Mina lost concentration and started racking up unforced errors.

“I’ve really made progress over these two weeks,” said a disappointed yet realistic Mina afterwards. “I gave it my all. It’s a real shame that I didn’t win, but I’ll be back next year.”

Berta preparing for the big time

This was the first Grand Slam title for Berta, coached by Aloïs Beust and who acted as hitting partner for the Swedish Davis Cup team in their clash against Israel earlier this year. “I’ll finish the season in the juniors then I’ll go onto the men’s circuit,” the 16 year-old said after the match, and he will no doubt be hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Kent Carlsson (1984), Stefan Edberg (1983) and Mats Wilander (1981), who all won the junior title in the French before embarking on impressive careers on the men’s circuit.

Roger Federer is overcome with emotion as he wins his 14th Grand Slam title.

2009-06-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer drops to his knees as he wins the career Grand Slam!

2009-06-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer played an amazing three sets on Sunday, winning the final in under two hours.

2009-06-07T08:46:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer assumed his status as favourite by beating Soderling in three sets.

2009-06-07T08:45:00.002-07:00

Roger Federer

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Roger Federer and Robin Soderling pose for the cameras before their historic final.

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Roger Federer steps confidently out on court.

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Svetlana Kuznetsova celebrates her win

2009-06-07T08:42:00.002-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova

2009-06-07T08:41:00.002-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova

2009-06-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova

2009-06-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

What a lovely couple! Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi have a kiss for luck.

2009-06-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

Dlouhy and Paes take their first Roland Garros title

2009-06-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

No3 seeds Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes captured their first ever men’s doubles Grand Slam title together with a 3-6 6-3 6-2 win over the unseeded pairing of Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman.

The Czech/Indian team had to overcome adversity when Paes was hit square in the eye by a Norman volley at the net early in the encounter. He and Dlouhy were already a break down, and by the time that the Indian had regained his composure (and put ice on his injury), Moodie and Norman – who defeated Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram as well as the No2 seeded Bryan brothers on the way to the final – were already a set to the good.

Dlouhy and Paes are made of sterner stuff however, and had overcome no less a pairing than No1 seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimomjic in the semis to prove their pedigree. They took the second set 6-3 and then raced away with the decider, breaking twice and then serving out to love, Paes banging down an ace to seal the deal before rushing into the crowd to embrace Martina Navratilova, with whom he won the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2003.

L to R: Leander Paes, Lukas Dlouhy, Dick Norman & Wesley Moodie

2009-06-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova

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The two women's finalists pose for the cameras.

2009-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Kuznetsova finds herself, and first Roland Garros title

2009-06-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Not everyone believed that Svetlana Kuznetsova could win another Grand Slam. Some days, even the 23-year-old didn’t believe it herself.

But the Russian picked herself up by the bootstraps a couple of months ago, told herself not be so hard on herself and that she was capable of making of her own decisions on court and off.

As a result, she put together a brilliant Roland Garros campaign and won her second career major with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over top seeded Dinara Safina.

Just like she did when she walked out on Ashe Stadium in 2004 to face Elena Dementieva in the final and won her first Grand Slam at the US Open, Kuznetsova knew she would be able to put all of her negative thoughts back in her head and focus.

“I came out there and said, ‘Everything's great,” she said. “I'm just doing my thing I love. I'm enjoying. It's my passion, what I'm doing. It's my job. And I cannot ask for more.”

And that she did, playing ambitiously, executing a nearly perfect game plan that had Safina guessing all day along and never hesitating when she had to close the match out.

It was she who looked like the world’s best clay courter, the one who wasn’t looking at her coach every shot, who trusted herself, who knew that she had a date with destiny.

It wasn’t the Kuznetsova who gagged against Anastasia Myskina in 2004, to Justine Henin in 2005, and who was stepped on by the relentless Belgian in the 2006 final.

“I said I just gonna keep trying and keep working and keep doing this,” Kuznetsova said. “This is finally my trophy. I'm really happy, and nobody one can [take that away] from me. I have won Roland Garros and I have won US Open. I have it now.”

Safina needed this major to defend her top ranked status, and played an incredibly shaky second set that ended with her on the verge of tears and cracking her racket on the ground after the loss.

“It was the pressure I put on myself because I really wanted to win. I just didn't handle it,” Safina said. “I was a little bit desperate on the court, and didn't do the things that I had to do. Didn't stay tough mentally.”

That player might have been Kuznetsova, but she had already been through some important mental wars during the tournament, knocking off the tricky Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets in the fourth round, coming back from a break down in the third set to repeal 10-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in match where she was admittedly nervous, and battling past the hard hitting Australian Sam Stosur in another close three-setter in the semifinals.

Her coach, Larisa Savchenko, whom she hired just before the clay court season, said that a more relaxed approach was key.

“If we’re calm, we’re calm,” said Savchenko “ When she’s smiling, we're smiling. She’s a great player. She was ready for situation.”

But it took nearly five years for 23-year-old Kuznetsova to find her top level again. After winning her first major, she’s been very up and down, and perhaps more down than up. Since winning the 2004 US Open and coming into Roland Garros, she had reached 21 finals, and only won six of them, not the mark of a consummate closer.

Last year, she was so upset with her play that she started telling her friends she wanted to stop.

“It's been very tough times for me, especially before French Open last year,” she said. “I lost in Rome and I left to Moscow and my coach was not happy about it. I said, ‘I don't want to train. I don't want to think about it. I don't want to go back to Spain.’ I said a few times I want to quit playing tennis. I never felt it. I said to Marat [Safin], I don't know, maybe I should not play.’ He said, ‘You are crazy or what? You have unbelievable opportunities. You just have to play.’

This probably was the worst time. It was everything was on top of me, and I had to take this decision finally to leave Spain. For me it was big. Some people were telling me to do it earlier, but I was not ready. For me, it's very important to listen to myself.”

Kuznetsova moved back to Moscow after eight years of training in Spain, but she still couldn’t find her foundation. She hired a new coach, Russia’s Olga Morozova, but that union didn’t last long. She was searching for answers and wasn’t getting the right type of advice. Either that, or she wasn’t listening hard enough.

“I came back to Moscow, and I had so many people telling me, ‘You wouldn't be able to play here. You are not able to train here, because it's too much information; it's too much destruction, too much night life or whatever.’”

Then at the Beijing Olympics, she decided to pull on the ear of Roger Federer and he gave her some simple, sound advice. She approached him with some members of the Russian women’s basketball team because they wanted to get a picture with him.

He took the photo and then could tell that she wanted something more. “He was looking at me and said, What do you want? It was big because I knew once he said he likes my tennis. I didn't believe it. I was talking to him about the problems I had. He was listening, and I said, ‘Look, I want to move from Spain. I want to go to Russia I don't know what to do. He said, ‘Look, you can only depend on yourself. You can control it. If you can concentrate and live in Moscow, do this. If you cannot, only you can judge.’ I came back to Moscow and I worked hard. I had time to do everything. I had my passion, my friends, I am in my home country. I'm very patriotic. I love being there. This is the moment it turned, because I started to work hard. I let it go. I said, ‘Whatever happens, I just do whatever I feel doing. I gave my best.”

With her second Slam title, Kuznetsova showed that her US Open title was no fluke and on Monday, she’ll sport a top 5 ranking again. She rediscovered who she was: a great fighter with top level ability.

“This is big,” she said. “Didn't happen just by luck. To have two Grand Slam trophies, it’s big.”

Svetlana Kuznetsova now has two Grand Slam titles to her name.

2009-06-06T10:24:00.003-07:00

2009 French Open women’s singles final in figures

2009-06-06T10:24:00.002-07:00

Here are the numbers that matter following the French Open women’s singles final…

1 Despite this defeat, Dinara Safina will still be world No1 in the new WTA rankings which come out next Monday.

2 This is Svetlana Kuznetsova’s second Grand Slam title, after the 2004 US Open. It was also her second final at Roland Garros, the first ending in defeat to Justine Henin in 2006.

2 The world No7 is the second Russian woman to reign victorious in Paris after Anastasia Myskina in 2004, who beat Elena Dementieva in the only previous 100% Russian final at Roland Garros.

5 Following this victory, Kuznetsova will go from world No7 to world No5. Her best ranking to date is No2 on the 10th September 2007.

6 This is the sixth time that Svetlana Kuznetsova has beaten a current No1 seed.

7 Dinara’s seventh double fault, on match point, cost her the title.

8 This was the eighth consecutive women’s singles final to be won in straight sets at Roland Garros.

11 Kuznetsova now has a total of 11 titles to her name, three of them on clay.

16 Dinara Safina’s match winning streak stops at 16. The Muscovite was victorious in Rome and Madrid before coming to Paris.

22 Each player made 22 unforced errors during the match.

23 Both players are 23 years-old, but Kuznetsova is the elder of the two by 10 months.

1 060 000 is the amount in Euros that Svetlana Kuznetsova wins, just like the winner of the men’s singles. Dinara Safina “only” gets 530 000 Euros.

Kuznetsova claims first French Open title as Safina crumbles

2009-06-06T10:24:00.001-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova’s five-year wait for a second Grand Slam title is over. The Russian won the 2009 French Open title, emerging victorious 6-4 6-2 after her opponent – No1 seed Dinara Safina – was paralysed with nerves throughout the 75-minute contest.

The match that pitted the best two clay-courters from 2009 deserved to be a closely fought affair. Kuznetsova had won 15 of her 17 matches on red brick this season, while Safina’s record was even more impressive: 20 victories and only one defeat. That loss came in the final in Stuttgart against none other than Kuznetsova, but the world No1 took only six days to get her revenge, defeating her friend from St Petersburg in straight sets in the final of the more prestigious Rome tournament. The two had previously lost in the final here (Kuznetsova to Justine Henin in her 2006 pomp, Safina to Ivanovic last year) and were eager to go one better.

Unlucky break

Early breaks were exchanged, but it soon became clear that Safina was struggling with the same lack of confidence that had blighted her first two Grand Slam final appearances, when she failed to provide either Ivanovic here last year or Serena Williams in Australia five months ago with any real competition.

Games went back on serve until 4-3, until Kuznetsova raced into a 0-40 lead on the back of Safina’s fourth double fault of the set. The No1 seed battled back to 30-40 but was then the victim of a cruel bounce when the ball kept low and shot under her outstretched racquet. Kuznetsova then served at 5-3 for the set, but Safina roared right back to break to love.

Any hope that this would give her the necessary confidence was short-lived as her 23-year-old opponent immediately broke again to take the set. Safina was again unfortunate in that a big serve at 15-40 was called out then correctly overruled by chair umpire Kader Nouni. Unfortunately that merely meant that the point was replayed and the Muscovite had to go through the chore of serving it again – a fate worse than death for her when she is prey to her nerves – and when Kuznetsova forced Safina to net a forehand at full stretch, the first set was in the bag.

Safina self-destructs

The second set continued where the first had left off. Kuznetsova went calmly about her business, serving well and keeping the ball in play, while the world No1 continued to self-destruct. Safina took the pace off her first service and while that increased its accuracy, it gave Kuznetsova more opportunities to dominate the exchanges and move her taller opponent about at will.

Kuznetsova broke again to lead 4-2 and then held, which meant that Safina suddenly found herself on the world’s biggest stage relying on her faulty serve to keep her in the match. At 15-40, as cameras clicked and flashed, she fired a first ball into the foot of the net, then saw her second kick high off the net cord and spin way out of court. It was a fitting end to an anticlimactic final, though it robbed Kuznetsova of a moment of glory which she had earned throughout two weeks of gritty performances, most notably when she defeated Serena Williams in a three-set quarter-final thriller.

Back on track

For Svetlana Kuznetsova, a career which promised so much when she won the US Open at the age of 19 only to stutter ever since is now definitively back on track. Dinara Safina meanwhile will be go back to being known as “Marat’s little sister” and “No1 without winning a Slam” until she can silence her critics – and more importantly the doubting voices inside her own head – and finally prove her worth in the final of a Major.

Fabrice Santoro: Federer’s biggest match ever

2009-06-06T10:21:00.000-07:00

French veteran Fabrice Santoro gave us his view on Sunday’s enticing French Open men’s singles final between Roger Federer and Robin Soderling.

Fabrice, do you think that Roger Federer will at last win the French Open title?

He’s never been this close. This is the biggest match of his career. If he wins on Sunday he’ll have all four Grand Slams to his name. He’ll also equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam wins. This is the first time that he’s been the favourite in the final at Roland Garros. How is he going to handle the pressure? It’s anybody’s guess. But things are going to be even harder for Robin to handle since it’s his first final and he’s always lost against Roger. Nine losses in nine matches! That’s a statistic to keep in mind.

Despite his experience, could Roger really let stress get the best of him?

It wouldn’t be surprising. Since Rafa got eliminated everyone’s been saying it’s this year or never for Roger. As soon as he opens a newspaper or turns on the television he sees the big headlines: “Roger favourite to win”. That must be a heavy burden to bear. Let’s not forget that two weeks ago everyone thought Nadal was unbeatable.

Does Soderling’s performance here remind you of that of Dutchman Martin Verkerk in 2003?

Yeah, it’s sort of the same thing happening this year. Robin has appeared out of nowhere. But let’s be clear, he fought for his wins. He had an incredibly tough draw. It doesn’t get much tougher than Ferrer, Nadal, Davydenko and Gonzalez. He must be flying now. His confidence has been given a huge boost after such a run. But he could freeze on the big day. Sort of like Verkerk in his final (who was beaten 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 by Ferrero, ed).

How do you explain such a change in Soderling’s game and behaviour over the course of a few weeks?

Perhaps his coach (Magnus Norman) has helped him or maybe it’s just maturity. I don’t know. In any case, something clicked, that’s for sure. We’re seeing a new Robin on the court. He’s calm, relaxed and in control. Beating Nadal gives you a little extra too.

Soderling is not very popular with his fellow players. What do you all think of his incredible run in this tournament?

We like how he plays, but his personality is another matter. Everyone rates his game. He hasn’t got where he is by chance: his success is well-deserved.

The crowd on centre court will no doubt be 100% behind Federer. Do you think this might influence the match?

Yes, I think that it might help Roger. The whole of France will be behind him. It was really touching to see how the supporters cheered and encouraged him against Del Potro. The spectators here are very knowledgeable. They know that a victory for Federer would be historic. And they also know that Roger is one of the best clay-courters in the world. He’s hardly ever lost to anyone except Nadal on clay.

What tactics should he use to wrong-foot Soderling?

The same ones he used against Del Potro. Robin plays very well laterally, but less well at the net. He should use his drop shots, which were very effective against Del Potro. The weather conditions will also play an important role. The more humid it is, the heavier the clay will be, and the more effective Roger’s drop shots will be.

Against Del Potro, Federer had some difficulty on the backhand return. Why did he play so many mid-court backhands?

Because the Argentinean’s serve is so fast and powerful, even his second serve. Roger didn’t have time to take them on the forehand, and he wanted to force Del Potro to the net.

Physically, which player has the advantage?

Both players are in excellent shape, but Roger is looking particularly fit at the moment.

Could a win at Roland Garros signal the beginning of the end for Roger? He is about to become a father and will have won every title possible. It must be hard to stay motivated after that…

No, I don’t think so at all. It’s him against history and he won’t be happy with just equalling Pete Sampras’ record. On the contrary: if he wins here he will be even more focused, and I can see him winning Wimbledon too.

"Juan Martin fell Potro"

2009-06-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

Agassi pulling for Federer title

2009-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00



Andre Agassi, back at Roland Garros to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his title round comeback win over Andrei Medvedev, says that if Federer wins the final on Sunday over Robin Soderling, he could be called the greatest player ever. A victory on Sunday would see him tie American Pete Sampras with the most Grand Slam titles on 14. “It ends the discussion of where he fits in the history of the game,” said Agassi, who is here with wife Steffi Graf who also won the 1999 Roland Garros title. “It’s not so much a question of Pete, if it wasn’t for (four-time champion Rafael) Nadal, he probably would have won a handful of these things, so nobody would underestimate where he deserves to fit in this game. This is going to mean so much to him, to have that hole filled. It’s something he’s going to earn tomorrow and I think it will to change his life.” If Federer completes the feat, he will join Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Agassi as the only men to have won titles at all four majors. Agassi, who lost in the 1990 and 1991 finals at the French before finally raising the trophy in 1999, said that the feat was the defining moment in his career. “It changed my career and as a result my life,” he said. “It’s probably the most profound moment in my career, getting over the obstacles and doubts I had to win here. (Sunday) there’s a chance to see history and I think Roger being the second best clay courter over the last five years, earning a spot in the final four different times, deserves this more than I did. It would be privilege for the game to see history being made and in some ways it feels like destiny for him. It’s going to be exciting.” Agassi added that going around the block all four times is one of the greatest achievements in sports. “I’m so proud of it because every surface, every condition demands something different from the physical and mental challenges and rewards you differently,” said Agassi, who was at Roland Garros on the behalf of Longines, the official timekeeper of the French Open. “I’m pulling for Roger because he’s earned this opportunity and in many respects deserves it. If it wasn’t for one freak of nature from Mallorca, and that’s a compliment where I come from, he would have won this tournament a few times. He’s extraordinarily talented and (has such) grace on court – watching him play is something special to see and if he does it (on Sunday), he’ll know what an accomplishment it was.”

Women’s doubles: Same again for Spanish pairing

2009-06-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Despite Rafael Nadal’s early exit, Spain will still feature on the honours list of the 2009 French Open. Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual overpowered Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina 6-1 6-1 in 1 hour 19 minutes to take the women’s doubles title. The Spanish duo made all their experience pay against the Russian and Belarusian, who were only playing their 19th match together.

Multiple winners

For Virginia Ruano Pascual this was a 10th Grand Slam title, eight of which were earned alongside her previous partner Paola Suarez. For Anabel Medina Garrigues, this was a second Grand Slam triumph.

This may be the last Roland Garros title for 35 year-old Ruano Pascual however. Seconds after lifting the Simone-Mathieu cup, she announced that this could be her last French Open. “I want to dedicate this victory to my father. It’s his birthday today. This is emotional for me because I don’t plan on coming back next year. I’m going to stop here,” she said.

A bright future

At 19 and 22 respectively, Azarenka and Vesnina have their future ahead of them. Watching them joke and laugh on court during the last games of their match, it is clear that the two are on the same wavelength. Considering their brilliant performance at the tournament, they can look forward to claiming a major title someday.

“It was great,” grinned Vesnina. “We had fun out there. Sorry if the match wasn’t spectacular but we gave it our all! Thank you Paris!” The Parisian public awaits the men’s doubles final on Saturday, which will feature Dluohy and Paes against Moodie and Norman.

Fabulous Federer stands firm to make final

2009-06-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer edged closer to tennis immortality on Friday after standing firm in the face of a Juan Martin Del Potro onslaught to win in five gruelling sets 3-6 7-6(2) 2-6 6-1 6-4. In one of the all-time great French Open semi-finals, the second seed drew on all his experience, class and courage to grind down an adversary who looked in control and on course for victory for long periods, before tiring noticeably.

The Swiss great now knows he is one match from making history. Should he beat Robin Soderling in Sunday’s final, Federer will become only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam titles. He will also equal Pete Sampras' all-time record of 14 Grand Slam titles.

Playing his 200th Grand Slam match and, incredibly, 20th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final, the Swiss was made to fight all the way by fifth seed Del Potro. Playing in his first-ever Grand Slam semi, the Argentinean steamrolled his illustrious elder for two of the first three sets but proved unable to sustain his barrage of booming serves and pummelling ground strokes as the match drew into a fourth hour.

Federer in contrast upped his game at just the right time, drawing level at one set all when under pressure and then making the most of the Argentinean’s dip in form in the fourth to drive his advantage home. The fifth set was all about who could deal with the fatigue and the pressure, and at that game Federer is a past master. A brilliant inside-out forehand sealed the match after 3 hours 29 minutes to send Federer and his admiring fans into raptures.

Early dominance

The match was an epic, and like all epics could have gone either way. Del Potro began as he meant to go on, crashing down aces from a great height (16 in all to Roger’s 5) and thrashing winners all over the court (55 to Federer’s 50). The force of his groundstrokes was a sight to behold, and try as he might Federer was unable to prevent a break, first in the fifth game and then again in the ninth. The opener was wrapped up 6-3 in 38 minutes.

Things were looking ominous for the Swiss, but he is not one of the all-time greats for nothing. If he could not find a way past the Argentinean’s booming serve, he would hang in there and wait either for an opportunity to arise or for his opponent to miss. The latter finally occurred in a high pressure second set tiebreak, when Del Potro netted twice and hit long to hand him the set 7-6(2).

That proved to be crucial, because the 20 year old was right back on hard-hitting form in the third set, which he took 6-2 in 36 minutes, breaking Federer twice in the process. As in the first set, there was little the former world number one could do about it.

Turning tide

Then, at last, Del Potro showed signs of weakening. His hitherto impeccable first serve began to malfunction and his groundstrokes to misfire. As a result, Federer gained his first break points since the opening set in the first game of the fourth set, failed to capitalise, but made no mistake in the fourth game and again in the sixth to seize the set 6-1 in 38 minutes.

Federer now had the bit between his teeth. He began running around his backhand to fire crosscourt winners and upped his first serve percentage to keep his opponent under pressure. He also used the drop shot to great effect as the conditions became heavier.

It was no surprise when the Swiss broke Del Potro in the opening game of the fifth set and then led 3-1. But just when we were all thinking it was all but over, Del Potro fought back, finding the corners again to level at 3-3. That proved to be a last hurrah for the brave youngster. Federer broke back immediately to lead 4-3 and served out for the set at 5-4.

One match away

Federer has now equalled Ivan Lendl’s all-time record of 19 Grand Slam finals and is set to appear in his fourth consecutive Roland Garros final on Sunday. With Rafael Nadal, his nemesis of the past three years, safely out of the tournament, and only the unheralded Swede Robin Soderling standing between him and his Holy Grail, Federer will be feeling confident he is nearly there.

But he also knows that Soderling has been playing awesome tennis all fortnight, and that nothing, least of all immortality, should be taken for granted…

Soderling holds off Gonzalez to reach final

2009-06-06T10:15:00.001-07:00

Sweden’s Robin Soderling roared into his first Roland Garros final with a heroic 6-3 7-5 5-7, 4-6 6-4 victory over Fernando Gonzalez on Friday. The No23 seed led by two sets, was hauled back, and then staged a thrilling fightback from 1-4 down in the final set to prevail. The calmer, gutsier player won it on the day, resisting a relentless charge by the more experienced Chilean.

The two traded early breaks in the first set, before the 24-year-old Swede broke the Chilean again to 4-2 with a huge forehand down the line. In the final game of the set, Soderling nailed a big serve out wide and followed it with a vicious forehand down the line, before watching the No12 seed fly a forehand long on set point.

The second set could have told the tale of the contest, as the pumped-up Chilean battled as hard as he could but often appeared a step behind the zoning Swede. With both men serving with authority, there were no break points until 4-4, when Soderling began to play more ambitiously. He was unable to convert any of his three break points however, and the Chilean kept the ball low off his backhand side, crunching his forehand and serves and held to 5-4.

Gonzalez had a set point in the next game, but Soderling stood tall and smoked an ace, then quickly seized the momentum in the next game, breaking Gonzalez at the fourth opportunity when, off-balance, the Chilean erred on a forehand and cracked his racket on the ground. The Swede easily held to take the set 7-5 when Gonzalez missed a return
of serve.

While Gonzalez might have become totally frustrated and lost control, he continued to grind in the third set and it finally paid off, as he matched Soderling forehand for forehand. Never letting down, he gained two break points with Soderling serving at 5-6, returned a ball deeply and saw the Swede commit an uncharacteristic unforced forehand error to give the Chilean the set 7-5.

In the fourth set, the 28-year-old Gonzalez blew his top in the ninth game over a questionable line call. After a Soderling groundstroke fell close to the line with the Chilean serving, Gonzalez battled with both the chair umpire and the lineperson, indicating that the latter was pointing to the wrong mark. After losing the battle, he sat down on the clay and wiped out the mark with his backside, possibly an Open Era first.

But instead of completely losing his cool, grew even more motivated Gonzalez managed to hold to 5-4 and then broke the Swede to win the set when Soderling hit a forehand wide.

Gonzalez raced out to 3-0 lead in the fifth set, but the Swede, who had spent four and a half hours more on court than his foe entering the match, pulled every last ounce of energy to mount a brilliant comeback.

Down 2-4, he broke to 3-4. Then after Soderling held, Gonzalez lost his cool again and this time it did for him. The Chilean questioned call after call in the eighth game and he was finally broken when the Swede courageously smoked a backhand return of serve down the line winner.

Soderling finally won the 3 hour, 28 minute match with a gorgeous forehand down the line.

Soderling has enjoyed an amazing tournament, ousting four time-champion Rafael Nadal, bullying former semifinalist Nikolay Davydenko and then overcoming 2007 Australian Open finalist Gonzalez.

Perhaps more remarkably, this is the first time he has won nine matches in a row on any surface. Prior to this current streak, the Swede had not won more than two matches in a row since taking the Lyon title in October of 2008.

But the Swede put his nose to the grindstone earlier this year and it has obviously paid off. Soderling became the first Swede to reach the final since his coach, Magnus Norman, did it in 2000. He is looking to become the first Swedish champion here since three-time winner Mats Wilander in 1988.

Men’s singles final: R. Federer (No2) – R. Soderling (No23)

2009-06-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer

VS.

Robin Soderling

BACKGROUND
Roger Federer has enjoyed a magnificent career, but this final is probably his most important match to date. If he wins, the Swiss maestro will become one of the all-time greats, matching Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles. But above all, he will have won all four Grand Slams, a feat which only five men have managed to do so far, and only Andre Agassi has achieved on four different surfaces. Roger was unlucky enough to come up against an on-fire Rafael Nadal in his last three finals on the red clay, but this time the Mallorcan is not the one standing between him and the trophy.	Robin Soderling has been THE big surprise at Roland Garros this year. Up until now, he had never even made it past the third round in a Grand Slam. Now here he is, following in the footsteps of his compatriots Björn Borg and Mats Wilander, who both won their first Grand Slam in Paris. Soderling has had an amazing run so far at the French. He created a stir when he took down David Ferrer, shocked the world when he upset Rafael Nadal, and then moved on to demolish Nikolay Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez. This line-up of clay masters could not prevail against the strength of the Swede’s game. So why should Federer be any different?
CURRENT FORM
Somewhat paradoxically, Roger has never been closer to getting his hands on the famous Coupe des Mousquetaires, just when many claim he is not playing his best tennis. After struggling past Jose Acasuso in the second round, the No2 seed was staring defeat in the face during his fourth-round tie against Tommy Haas, before fighting back from two sets down for only the fifth time in his career. In his semi-final, the 13-time Grand Slam winner was in serious difficulty against Juan Martin Del Potro, but the fact that he managed to turn things around in the face of adversity will surely reinforce his mental attitude. The father-to-be is also in excellent shape at the moment.	One word comes to mind when describing Soderling’s form: blazing. The only time he showed any real signs of fatigue was in the semi-final against Gonzalez. Trailing 4-1 in the last set, Magnus Norman’s student dug deep in his reserves to beat the Chilean in the final stretch. With a rest day on Saturday, he will surely be in form and ready to battle it out for the title.
STRENGTHS
As we have said many times before, Roger Federer’s strengths are too many to mention in just a few lines. The Swiss No2 seed is the most complete player in the history of tennis and this clay season the 27-year-old has introduced a new weapon to his already well-stocked arsenal: the drop shot, which he has used with amazing efficiency during this tournament. Coupled with his outstanding serve, devastating forehand, accurate volley, mighty mental attitude and supreme physique, the Swiss star is a terrifying prospect to face across the net.	Soderling is all about power. His game is capable of destruction. His ultra-powerful forehand is perhaps the best on tour, and he has a heavy two-handed backhand. His serve - even his second serve - is exceptionally strong. During his spectacular match against Nadal it was clear that the Swede is capable of crushing anyone. That said, pace-changing and patience are not really his thing…
TACTICS
Roger Federer seems to have all the tools he needs to claim the title. His sliced backhand has cut the Swede up on various occasions in the past. But Roger has a lot riding on this final, and must serve well from the start if he wants to avoid being put under any extra pressure. Above all, he must make a strong start and establish his ascendancy very early on.	The main reason behind Robin’s marvellous run at Roland is the transformation of his mental game. In the past, his boiling character betrayed him. Now, his psychological game is rock solid, based on his performance against Nadal and Gonzalez. But what about the final? Will he be able to keep his head? His opponent has experience on his side. The beginning of the match will no doubt be key to the victory.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Swiss maestro leads 9-0 in this head-to-head. Federer has a clear lead over Soderling, even on fast surfaces where the Swede, in theory, feels more at ease. Last year Roger beat Soderling in three sets in the second round at Wimbledon, their only Grand Slam encounter so far.	On clay, Soderling has lost twice to Federer: in Hamburg last year and in Madrid this year. He didn’t win a single set. In fact, the Swede has won only one set in their nine matches, and that was on grass in Halle in 2005.

Robin Soderling

2009-06-05T09:36:00.001-07:00

Fernando Gonzalez tries out his torero moves...

2009-06-05T09:35:00.002-07:00

Fernando Gonzalez questions the umpire's call.

2009-06-05T09:35:00.001-07:00

safina

2009-06-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

Bryan and Huber take mixed doubles thriller

2009-06-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

Doubles legends Bob Bryan and Liezel Huber were stretched all the way but emerged victorious from a thrilling match tie-break to take the mixed doubles crown, defeating Marcelo Melo et Vania King 5-7 7-6 10-7.

The pair have over 80 doubles titles between them but they certainly did not have it all their own way, despite the fact that Melo and King had little experience playing together. Breaks were exchanged in the first set before Bryan and Huber were broken again in the twelfth game, handing the set to their less storied opponents. Brazilian men’s doubles specialist Melo (who along with habitual partner Andre Sa was involved in a 28-26 final set at Wimbledon two years ago) and King battled through the second set but it was Huber and Bryan who took a conventional tie-break, sending the match into a super tie-break – first to ten, two points clear. Bryan pounced on King’s serve to mini-break at 8-7 and that was enough for the Americans to take the title.

The win made up for defeats in the men’s and women’s doubles for Bryan and Huber, who were full of humour at the press conference after the match. “I was just trying to be Cara Black out there,” said Bryan referring to the women’s doubles partner with whom Huber has enjoyed so much success. “A little taller, but the same!” he grinned. “Playing with Liezel was a lot of fun. She's No1 in the world and plays really smart tennis. I learned a lot from her.”

Safina books second successive final slot

2009-06-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

Last year’s beaten finalist Dinara Safina will get another chance to win the French Open after she defeated Dominika Cibulkova 6-3 6-3 in Thursday’s first semi-final.

The Russian was nervous and far from her best, but her inexperienced Slovakian opponent did not possess the variety of shots to knock the top seed off her pedestal. Safina will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in a clay-court final for the third time this year, after losing in Stuttgart and winning the title in Rome.

Safina had swept into the quarter-finals on the back of some incredibly dominant tennis, only to lose her rhythm in the last eight when it took her three sets to overcome the pugnacious Victoria Azarenka. Cibulkova was the surprise package, the diminutive Slovak taking advantage of upsets to Venus Williams and Nadia Petrova in her half of the draw to make her first ever Grand Slam semi-final.

Fast start then change of tack

Despite having lost their only two previous encounters, Cibulkova was quicker out of the blocks and opened up an immediate 2-0 lead, slicing two delicious drop-shots that the Russian could not reach. For some reason, the No20 seed then went away from variations in length and attempted to out-hit her Russian opponent – a strange tactic given Safina’s 20 centimetre height advantage.

Fans of deft tennis were left ruing Cibulkova’s change of tack, as the match turned into a baseline battle from which the 1.80m Safina was always favourite to emerge victorious. The Russian was nervous on serve, as has often been the case in the past when the stakes have been high, and she often used the slice or the kick on her first service rather than taking risks. But with Cibulkova smashing everything back at her, she merely had to stay in rallies until the Slovak invariably netted a forehand.

Nervous but comfortable

Safina took five games in a row, playing safe tennis and waiting for Cibulkova to miss her spots at the end of rallies, and took the opening set at a relative canter 6-3, forcing the Slovak into 19 errors with her sheer strength. And unfortunately for the crowd, the diminutive Dominika continued to fight fire with fire in the second, despite it being a battle that she was unlikely to win. Safina’s service became even more shaky, with five more double faults coming, often on big points, to add to the two from the first set, but in truth she was never really stretched, breaking at 3-2 and coasting – nervously – home.

Her previous two Grand Slam finals – here last year and at the Australian Open last January – saw Safina little more than a hollow shell due to lack of confidence, particularly against Serena Williams in Melbourne where she described herself as “little more than a ball girl on court”. She will have to silence the doubts in her mind on Saturday if she is to win her first ever Grand Slam – as befits a true world No1.

Life on tour with Mats Wilander

2009-06-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

Joining the ATP or WTA circuit is something akin to embarking on an endless world tour. Rolandgarros.com asked some of tennis’s major stars for an insight into their life as a perennial sporting backpacker. Today we chat to former world number one Mats Wilander, who triumphed here at the French in 1982, 1985 and 1988.

Which is the most relaxing city on tour?
Melbourne. It’s beautiful, there are lots of open spaces and the people are really nice.

Which is the most stressful city?
New York. It’s so fast-moving and there are loads of traffic jams. But it’s a nice city - I even lived there for a while. Tokyo and Beijing are also stressful for me because I can’t read any of the signs!

Which city has the best nightlife?
Paris. It’s really lively. There are always bars and restaurants open. I really like it here.

Name an amazing place you’ve visited.
The Badlands National Park in South Dakota.

In which city would you most like to buy a house?
London. And Paris, if I spoke better French.

Where are the best beaches?
The Bahamas. There are also some nice beaches in Sweden, but you have to wear your woollies!

What’s your favourite food?
My mum’s cooking.

Who are the friendliest people?
The Australians.

What’s the worst thing about travelling?
Not knowing whether the bed will be comfortable. That really stresses me out! As long as I have a good mattress, I’m happy.

What item do you always have in your suitcase?
Socks and underwear. But I always take a tennis racket too, even on holiday…just in case I find a court to play on.

Which is your favourite tournament?
Roland Garros.

Where are the best spectators?
At Roland Garros.

Who is your best friend on the tour?
Mikaël Pernfors and Joakim Nyström.

Nadal’s only human: Albert Costa

2009-06-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

2002 French Open champion Albert Costa spoke to us exclusively about Rafael Nadal’s shock defeat, evoked memories of his sweet victory on the famous red clay and tipped Roger Federer for the title.

How did you feel after Nadal’s defeat? Did you see it coming?
I think it was an enormous surprise. Rafa really wanted to win the tournament, but you can’t win every match. The match unbalanced him for several reasons. First and foremost there was Soderling’s incredible performance. But from the moment he arrived in Paris Rafa had not been feeling right. A combination of the two led to him being knocked out so early on.

You say that he had not been feeling right. What do you mean exactly?
I think he wasn’t feeling 100%. In practice he wasn’t managing to fine-tune his shots, he wasn’t feeling the ball. Normally he has no such problems, even if he has a few hiccups in the first rounds. This time it wasn’t the case. But Rafa’s only human, and needs to feel good on the court in order to win.

How do you feel when you come back to Roland Garros? What memories do you have of your great victory over Juan Carlos Ferrero here seven years ago?
As soon as I go out on court or into the changing rooms, the memories come flooding back. Now I have come to realise how difficult it is to win such a tournament. At the time it was my goal, something I dreamt about, and so I was ready to give it my all. I wasn’t aware of the importance of winning a tournament like Roland Garros.

Who is your favourite to lift the trophy? Maybe Federer, who lost out to Nadal on the previous three occasions?
Roger’s the favourite, simply because of his experience and his results. It’s never easy to pull a victory off, but he really wants it and is capable. He’ll have to control his nerves though…

Finally, what do you think of the Spanish version of Rolandgarros.com, which has been produced for the last six years now?
I think it’s great because a lot of people in the Spanish-speaking world take an interest in Roland Garros, not only in Spain but also in Latin America. I think it’s a really good idea and I'm sure there are a lot of users.

Have your say – what would be your ideal doubles pairing?

2009-06-05T09:25:00.002-07:00

With Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan playing Vania King and Marcelo Melo in today’s final, who would be your ideal mixed doubles pairing?

A brother-sister combo of Marat and Dinara? Roland Garros legends Lacoste and Lenglen? Mr and Mrs Graf-Agassi? Borg and Martina? Pistol Pete and Justine? Ivo Karlovic and Dominika Cibulkova purely for the height difference and the funny photo opportunities? Have your say in the comment section below!

One-on-one with Stéphane Houdet

2009-06-05T09:25:00.001-07:00

Rolandgarros.com went to meet Frenchman Stéphane Houdet ahead of his final against reigning champion and No1 seed Shingo Kunieda on Saturday. Houdet is currently ranked No2 in the world just five short years after starting out on the wheelchair tennis circuit.

"Aim for the moon and even if you miss, you’ll be amongst the stars.” Stéphane Houdet likes to use a quote from Oscar Wilde to sum up his philosophy in life. The Paralympic medalist, who struck gold in the men’s wheelchair doubles alongside Michaël Jérémiasz in 2008, is certainly amongst the stars of the wheelchair tennis world, occupying the No2 spot since the 20 April 2009.

"I met up with a friend of mine in China last summer during the Olympic Games,” says the 38-year-old Frenchman who has only been on the circuit since 2005. “He’d cycled all the way from Paris to Beijing. The first thing he said when he arrived was, ‘You’ve really got an amazing life, travelling around the world playing tennis. If you hadn’t had your accident you’d still be doing caesareans in the heart of the countryside.’ I’m well aware of that and live every day to the full.”

A practicing veterinarian, this divorced father of four’s life underwent radical change in 1996. He was left without the use of his legs after a motorcycle accident at age 26. Five years later, he began to play golf, and became the champion of Europe. He met former footballer Johan Cryuff on the greens and told him about his plan to play in the world circuit. Cryuff, head of a foundation that supports sports for handicapped children worldwide, was sold on the idea. He agreed to give Houdet the opportunity to discover a new world.

“I started on the ITF circuit as an organiser,” remembers Stéphane. A few weeks later in December his leg was amputated. “I knew that I wouldn’t be able to play golf for four years, so I turned to tennis.” Houdet has not left the circuit since, reaching the world No2 ranking at the beginning of the year, behind the untouchable Shingo Kunieda of Japan.

A full-time professional with a sports contract, Houdet has just one goal: to be number one. “I was number one in golf. I’m going to do the same in tennis.

Stéphane quickly tasted victory on the courts. One year after his debut, he won the doubles title at Roland Garros with Michael Jérémiasz, then world No1. “I went to see him and told him that I wanted to play with him. My game was horrible, and he was on top in singles and doubles. Apart from a five-month break because of Mike’s injured shoulder, we’ve played all the big tournaments together. Now the student has outshined his master, who sits at the No4 position in the world rankings. “My progress was impressive in six months, especially in my mobility,” comments Houdet.

And how does the aggressive player assume his father role?

“My children live with their mother. I try not to spoil them too much by bringing them presents all the time. I want to be an example for them and show them that anything is possible in life.” His children, two pairs of twins, are here to cheer him on at Roland Garros and will be cheering him in the final. A first Grand Slam victory would be made all the more beautiful..

Soderling is a warrior: Magnus Norman

2009-06-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

After only a few months working together, Magnus Norman has altered Robin Soderling’s mental game beyond recognition. Can the finalist at Roland Garros 2000 help his pupil to succeed where his master failed?

If Robin Soderling continues his incredible journey through to the final at Roland Garros, the experience will be all-too-familiar for a certain person in the Swede’s entourage. Nine years ago, Magnus Norman, who has been coaching the No23 since the turn of the year, had the Roland Garros title at his fingertips. After an intense four-set struggle, the former world No2 was finally defeated on the 11th match point against Gustavo Kuerten, 6-2 6-3 2-6 7-6(6), a defeat which the 33 year old still finds difficult to swallow.

"I often think back to that final,” Norman confides. “Of course I have regrets, because it’s a match I could have won. In almost ten years, I’ve never dared to watch that match on video. It’s just too hard.”

Bad memories

Although this defeat still leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, Magnus nevertheless manages to put a positive spin on it. “I will certainly use my experience to help Robin. Playing in a Grand Slam final is an incredible experience. I am well aware of the errors I made. I was too nervous and didn’t manage to use that stress productively. If Robin goes out on court on Sunday, I know exactly what advice to give him.”

The former champion of the Masters 1000 in Rome in 2000 was forced to put an end to his career at just 28 due to a hip injury, just like Gustavo Kuerten. He then went on to study marketing at a business school in Stockholm before swapping his rackets for a suit and tie and going to work for a company called Catella.

But he was soon tempted him back into the tennis world. Initially he coached Thomas Johansson before accepting to work with Soderling. “This challenge appealed to me more, as I feel more involved with Robin. He’s younger and listens more. I like that!”

It seems that Martina Hingis’ ex-boyfriend knows exactly how to handle the most unpopular man on the tour. In just six months working together, Magnus Norman has managed to transform the irascible giant, not by revolutionising his game, but rather his attitude on court.

Renowned for losing his temper at the blink of an eye, Soderling is now astonishingly calm. The storms in his head have died down, leaving a new, more focused Robin: one who managed to outplay clay-court titans Ferrer, Nadal and Davydenko.

Mental attitude is primary

“Before starting work with Robin, we looked into what he needed to work on. His mental attitude was an obvious priority. So we talked a lot, discussed things. Before, he was like a teenager on court: now he’s a man. He became a great warrior with a cool head. That’s the thing I’m most proud of.”

Despite never having reached a Grand Slam Round of 16 before, it is clear that Soderling is a changed man out on court. Even if he is not the most sociable man in the changing rooms, his lack of popularity does not worry the Swede in the slightest, as we saw when we met the man himself in our article “One-on-one with Robin Soderling.”

"That’s just what he’s like,” defends Magnus. “He’s often got headphones on and stays in his own bubble. Only those who are really close to him know what he’s really like. My aim is to get the real Robin out on court. If I could do that it would mean more to me than helping him win a Grand Slam.”

One thing is for sure: if Robin Soderling lifts the Coupe des Mousquetaires on Sunday, a great part of that victory will be down to Magnus Norman.

Kuznetsova grits her teeth and battles into the final

2009-06-05T09:21:00.001-07:00

Svetlana Kuznetsova fought off a troublesome right ankle and a valiant opponent as she overcame Sam Stosur 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 to secure a final berth at the French Open for the first time since 2006. The Australian No30 seed staged a gutsy comeback to take the match to three sets, but Kuznetsova’s superior clay-court skills were enough to see her through after a 2 hour 25 minute battle.

No7 seed Kuznetsova was not moving freely about the court, her ankle heavily strapped after she twisted it against Serena Williams the previous day. That quarter-final tie, which stretched to three sets and almost three hours while Stosur was defeating the inexperienced Sorana Cirstea in barely half the time, also seemed to have left its mark on the Russian. The hallmarks of her clay court game – scuttling about court and retrieving everything her opponent can throw at her – were noticeably absent, and she rarely launched herself into the kind of forehands that have seen her win 129 matches on clay including her first title on this, the slowest of surfaces, in Stuttgart in April.

The first set picked up where the opening semi-final tie between Dinara Safina and Dominika Cibulkova left off, with low percentage tennis and unforced errors the order of the day. Five consecutive games went against serve, and it was a question of whoever would hold their nerve and hold serve first. Kuznetsova it was, and she took the opener 6-4, before receiving treatment on her ankle which was clearly hampering her movements.

The Russian broke early in the second set and the writing seemed on the wall for Stosur, who after sweeping into the semi-finals on the back of strong serving and crisp forehands suddenly found that neither of those two weapons was working. Her unforced error count was already over 30 when she stepped up her game mid-way through the second set and broke back to level at 4-4. The tie-break which ensued four games later finally produced some sparkling tennis, including a volleyed rally at the net that awoke the crowd from the torpor of what had become a poor spectacle. Kuznetsova was two points from the promised land when Stosur finally got her forehand firing on all cylinders, and she forced a deciding set by taking five points in a row.

Kuznetsova went to the locker room between sets and came out with a fresh shirt and fresh determination. Stosur kept on battling and held serve twice, but the Russian it was who forced a break, again in mid-set, after another forehand error from the Australian. At 5-2 down, Stosur again staged a mini-rally to hold and then get to within two points of breaking, but the Russian No7 seed pulled one last effort out of the bag to send down two strong serves and book her place in the French Open final for the second time, after losing to Justine Henin in 2006.

Stosur’s dream run to her first ever Grand Slam final four will take her into the top 20 in the world for the first time, while for Kuznetsova, the stakes are higher. The former world No2 won her first Grand Slam at the US Open in 2004 but has not added to her tally since then, and now only Dinara Safina stands in her way in the first all-Russian final at the French since Anastasia Myskina defeated Elena Dementieva here in 2004. Kuznetsova bested her fellow Russian Safina in April’s Stuttgart final only to lose the re-match six says later as the world No1 lifted the Rome title. Saturday’s showdown will depend on which holds up better – Safina’s shaky nerves or Kuznetsova’s weakened ankle…

"You grin, I'll bear it."

2009-06-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Roger Federer lets it all out...

2009-06-04T01:03:00.002-07:00

A semi-final place was out of Gael Monfils' reach...

2009-06-04T01:03:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams dances out of the competition.

2009-06-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

Kristina Mladenovic goes into the girls' fourth round

2009-06-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

The Swiss maestro shows how it's done.

2009-06-04T00:58:00.000-07:00

Serena left looking in the mirror

2009-06-04T00:56:00.002-07:00

Serena Williams felt she was her own worst enemy as she lost an epic three-setter to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The loss in the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday dashed her hopes of landing a second Roland Garros title.

Williams, the second seed, will have to wait another year to repeat her title-winning exploits of 2002 after being downed 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 7-5 by seventh seed Kuznetsova on Suzanne Lenglen court.

The American recovered from going a set down to take a 3-1 lead in the decider, but was eventually sunk when Kuznetsova clinched victory on the third of her match points.

While the Russian can look forward to a semi-final against 30th seed Sam Stosur tomorrow, Williams was left to reflect on what might have been, putting the blame for her defeat firmly at her own door.

"In the third set, I had an opportunity and I got really tight. And I pretty much gave it to her," said the 27-year-old.

"It was like I said, 'Here, do you want to go to the semis? Because I don't'. And she was like, 'Okay'.

"I made it hard for myself more than anything. Honestly, I think I lost because of me and not because of anything she did. I don't think that makes it easier."

Williams added it was the first time she had "got tight" since the Australian Open in 2007, a year she went on to win the title at Melbourne Park.

Williams played a poor tie-break to gift Kuznetsova the opening set.

The Russian went 5-3 up in the second but her opponent, a 10-time grand-slam winner, bounced back to win four games on the spin and take the match to a decider.

Kuznetsova finished the stronger of the two as Williams hung on grimly, saving two match points in game 10.

In her next service game, however, she skewed a backhand wide on the first of two more match points for Kuznetsova, 23.

It is the second successive year Kuznetsova has made the semi-finals here, and she was also a runner-up at Roland Garros in 2006 when she lost to Justine Henin.

"It was a very tough match," she said. "I'm very proud that I pushed myself and fought for the third set.

"She's a great champion. I respect her. Neither of us played great today but we both fought hard. I was lucky."

Kuznetsova is the second Russian to make the semi-finals, along with compatriot Dinara Safina, the top seed and title favourite.

She is the only player to defeat Safina on clay this year.

That makes her strong favourite to see off Stosur, the Australian who will be making her first appearance in a grand-slam semi-final.

The 25-year-old is a doubles specialist but she is making a breakthrough campaign in singles, clinching her spot in the last four with a solid 6-1 6-3 win over Romanian teenager Sorana Cirstea, the world number 41.

Stosur broke Cirstea five times in total as the 19-year-old, who had stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic in round four, struggled in blustery conditions on Philippe Chatrier court.

"I'm over the moon, happy, excited - every single positive emotion possible," said Stosur, who owns 22 tour titles in doubles.

"The last few years I've had a lot of doubles success, which is great. But this year, I definitely made a conscious effort to make singles a priority and I'm starting to see good rewards for those decisions."

Stosur's previous best display at a Major was a fourth-round appearance at the 2006 Australian Open.

She was struck down with viral meningitis and Lyme disease in the second half of the 2007 season, hospitalising her in Florida, and only made her return in April 2008.

Nerves mount for Federer

2009-06-04T00:56:00.001-07:00

French Open title favourite Roger Federer is receiving overwhelming support both on and off the court.

The Swiss star reached his 20th consecutive grand-slam semi-final with a convincing 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 6-4 victory over France's Gael Monfils.

Federer, the second seed, is bidding to win his first Roland Garros title, which would make him the sixth man to clinch the haul of all four Majors.

He will never have a better chance - leading rivals Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have all been dumped out of the tournament - and the pressure on the popular 27-year-old is immense.

He admits the nerves are jangling as he closes in on a fourth consecutive appearance in the final here, and he has been left shocked at the backing he is getting.

"I have felt it for a few years now, to be honest, but this year is even more extreme," said Federer, who will equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams if he claims the title.

"When I walk on the streets or get driven around or go for dinner, everybody is like, 'This is your year. You've got to do it!' They are screaming from their scooters and out of the car.

"They even get out at the red lights and want me to sign an autograph or take a picture. It's quite incredible this last couple of weeks. It's great to get the support."

Federer needed to come from two sets down to defeat Tommy Haas in the fourth round but he was more like his usual self as he ultimately eased past a rather subdued Monfils.

His forehand was back working, his error count was lower and he was much more consistent.

He was given a decent workout by the Frenchman in the first set, which Federer claimed after saving a set point in the tie-break.

But he cruised through a 28-minute second set and grabbed a single break in the third to sweep to victory.

"It was important to get off to a better start today, and thank God I got the first set," Federer said.

"For the first time, I could play a bit more relaxed. I think it showed today. I was able to hit through the ball more. Everything just started to click."

Federer admitted his pre-match nerves disappeared once he strode onto Philippe Chatrier court.

He said: "We're all nervous at this stage - I felt it yesterday and I felt it again today in the warm-up. I was tired, I was nervous and I didn't really feel good.

"The whole story of Nadal losing, Murray losing, Djokovic losing, the draw opening up a little bit; it obviously plays with your mind.

"But it doesn't matter if I'm zero nervous or 100% nervous. I know I'll always play a decent match in the quarter-finals of a grand slam."

Monfils lost to the Swiss for the second successive year here - in 2008, he was eliminated in the semi-finals.

"I've played him twice now at more or less the same level, and I think the difference is the fact his game is a real pain in the backside to me. More than any other player," said the 11th seed, who had been France's last hope of success.

Monfils felt the match was played out in a strange atmosphere, adding: "The French public really respect Roger, so it's difficult for them.

"To start with, they had mixed feelings. People want Roger to win for the first time here so getting the support of the crowd is more difficult."

Federer will play fifth seed Juan Martin del Potro in the last four, the Argentinian brushing aside 16th seed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Federer has never lost to Del Potro in five matches.

"I have a good record against him but it doesn't mean a thing right now because it's too much of a big match, he's too dangerous. He's playing too well to underestimate him," the Swiss said.

Del Potro, 20, will make his first appearance in a grand-slam semi-final.

"If I can't win this tournament, I want to see Roger with the trophy on Sunday," he said.

Del Potro rolls on at Roland Garros

2009-06-04T00:55:00.002-07:00

Fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro strolled into the semi-finals of the French Open with a straight-sets win over Spain's Tommy Robredo.

The Argentianian broke once in each of the first two sets before racing through the third to seal a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win and set up a mouthwatering last-four clash with second seed Roger Federer.

Del Potro was immediately on top, earning a pair of break points in game four.

He could not convert, but two games later went 40-0 up on the Robredo serve and and claimed the break as the Spaniard netted.

Del Potro closed out the set with a big serve but could have conceded an early advantage in the second as he somehow defended six break points in a game which went to seven deuces.

The frustration was palpable for the 16th seed and became even more so when he went wide to hand Del Potro a break at 3-2.

It was all the advantage Del Potro needed and, though Robredo stayed with him in the early stages of the third, the 20-year-old rattled off five consecutive games to seal his place in the last four.

Williams ousted by Kuznetsova

2009-06-04T00:55:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams' hopes of landing a second French Open title were dashed as she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals.

The American second seed came back from a set down and saved two match points before eventually folding 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 7-5 after two hours and 47 minutes' action on Suzanne Lenglen court.

Seventh seed Kuznetsova will meet 30th seed Sam Stosur in the semi-finals, the Australian having earlier brushed past teenager Sorana Cirstea 6-1 6-3.

Williams, the 2002 champion here, won just two points in the opening three games as she was broken twice to fall 3-0 down, and she quickly found herself 5-3 behind.

The 10-time grand-slam winner upped her intensity when it came to crunch time, winning three successive games for 6-5 but squandering a set point in game 12.

She played a poor tie-break, though, as she slipped 6-1 down and despite saving two set points, Kuznetsova's forehand winner on the run brought her the set.

The Russian started the second set like she did the first, and a lucky net cord earned her an early 3-0 cushion.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Kuznetsova - by now covered in red dust after a heavy fall in the seventh game - choked.

Williams seized the initiative and won four games on the bounce, sealing the set with an ace, to take it to a decider.

She then took a 3-1 lead in the third but Kuznetsova broke back in the sixth game, as a result of a dreadful drop-shot attempt by her opponent, and strode into a 5-4 lead.

The 2004 US Open champion squandered two match points in game 10 with a backhand then forehand long but in Williams' next service game, Kuznetsova clinched victory when the American skewed a backhand wide.

Kuznetsova is the second Russian to make the semi-finals, along with compatriot Dinara Safina, the top seed and title favourite.

She is the only player to defeat Safina on clay this year.

Doubles specialist Stosur had earlier dismissed the unseeded Cirstea in straight sets in a battle between two players making their debuts in a grand-slam quarter-final.

The Australian raced into a 3-0 lead and after her 19-year-old opponent was broken again, Stosur wrapped up the first set at the first time of asking.

World number 41 Cirstea stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic in round four but she struggled badly in blustery conditions on Philippe Chatrier court.

The Romanian improved in the second set but was still broken twice as Stosur eased through.

Federer through to the last four

2009-06-04T00:54:00.001-07:00

Roger Federer made his 20th consecutive grand-slam semi-final with a straight-sets victory over France's Gael Monfils.

The Swiss, bidding to claim his first Roland Garros title and complete his haul of all four Majors, was in solid form as he swept to a 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 6-4 win on Philippe Chatrier court.

The victory not only moves Federer, the runner-up here the past three years, a step closer to greatness but it will also give him new-found belief after a topsy-turvy campaign at this year's Roland Garros.

Federer looked much more in control of his game today compared to two days ago, when he had to come back from two sets and 4-3 down to defeat Germany's Tommy Haas.

His forehand was back working, his error count was lower and although 11th seed Monfils gave him a decent workout, the contest never lived up to the pre-match hype.

The Swiss, a 13-time grand-slam winner, was forced to save break points in the first and 11th games as an evenly-fought first set went to a tie-break.

After two mini-breaks each, Federer clinched it when he swatted home a forehand volley at the end of a riveting rally.

The former world number one, a four-set winner over Monfils in the 2008 semi-finals here, was even more consistent in the 28-minute second set.

Again his forehand and serve were hitting the spot and he broke twice to take the set and leave an off-key Monfils with a mountain to climb.

The Frenchman called for the doctor prior to the start of the third set, a stomach problem appearing to be the issue. The same doctor would be summoned again at the end of the third game, with the set going with serve with Monfils 2-1 ahead.

The atmosphere by now was somewhat stale and Federer gradually applied the pressure. In game nine, Monfils saved a first break point but on the second the remaining French hope in the men's singles slammed a forehand into the net.

That proved decisive and Federer held comfortably in the next to ease to only his second straight-sets victory this tournament.

He will meet either Juan Martin del Potro or Tommy Robredo in the last four knowing that not only has no-one left in the draw beaten him on clay, but also that his arch-rival Rafael Nadal - toppled in the fourth round - can no longer prevent him winning the title.

Stosur through to semi-finals

2009-06-04T00:53:00.002-07:00

Doubles specialist Sam Stosur clinched a place in the French Open semi-finals with a solid dismissal of teenager Sorana Cirstea.

Australian Stosur, 25, held her nerve best in a battle between two players making their debut in a Grand Slam quarter-final to seal a comfortable 6-1 6-3 victory.

Stosur, seeded 30, began inauspiciously with a double fault but was soon into her stride and raced to a 3-0 lead over her nervous-looking opponent.

A wayward crosscourt forehand from the 19-year-old gifted Stosur another break and the Australian then wrapped up the first set, 6-1, at the first time of asking.

World number 41 Cirstea stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic last time out, having never previously made it past the second round of a major, but she was struggling badly in blustery conditions and could only get 33% of her first serves in during the opening set.

The Romanian improved in the second, holding comfortably in the opening game before failing to take any of four break points - her first of the match - in the next.

That looked like a costly let-off when Stosur immediately claimed the set's first break, and another followed as the Gold Coast native's position began to look unassailable.

Cirstea did get a break back but then conceded one of her own in what proved to be the final game of a one-sided match.

Murray outmuscled by Gonzalez

2009-06-04T00:53:00.001-07:00

Andy Murray's impressive run at the French Open came to an end today as he was beaten in four sets by Fernando Gonzalez.

Murray, the third seed, could not sustain the excellent form he had been showing at this year's Roland Garros as the mercurial Chilean powered to a 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-4 victory on Philippe Chatrier court.

The British number one was looking to repeat Tim Henman's 2004 exploits and make the semi-finals here for the first time.

But the enigmatic Gonzalez had one of his better days, recovering from a dip in the second set to overpower a sometimes ragged Murray through sheer brute force on a sun-kissed Philippe Chatrier court.

It was still Murray's joint second-best display at a grand slam, rounding off a strong clay-court campaign that proved he can perform on his least favourite surface.

Murray knows all about Gonzalez's booming forehand - he has been a practice partner for the Chilean this tournament - and he was soon chasing after it, saving four break points in his first service game.

Gonzalez, the boys' singles champion here in 1998, saved one himself in game five and it went with serve until the eighth.

One of Gonzalez's many inside-out, cross-court forehand winners set up the break and when Murray went short with an approach shot, the 28-year-old sent over a whipped forehand that the Briton could not return.

Gonzalez needed four attempts to take the set, which he did with a whipped forehand, one of 16 winners in the opener.

Murray would have been praying Gonzalez could not keep up that intensity and that level.

He managed to early on, however, unleashing some mighty forehands in game four of the second set after sending Murray wide with his serve.

But Murray broke in the sixth game, needing four bites at the cherry after going 40-0 up, and served out the set.

He did not make a single unforced error in the second set and his consistency was beginning to stifle the big-hitting Chilean, whose error count was creeping up.

That was the first set Gonzalez had dropped in the tournament and he responded superbly.

Murray won just seven points in the third set, which was easily his worst of the last 10 days.

He shanked a forehand wide to lose his serve and go 2-0 down, made three unforced errors in game four to go 4-0 down and then sent a dreadful smash into the bottom of the net to hand Gonzalez the set on a plate.

It had been a horror set for the Scot and he was always on the back foot in what proved to be the final set.

He recovered from 15-30 deficits in games four and six to stay level, but was broken in the eighth when Gonzalez unleashed a huge forehand, his 45th winner of the match.

Gonzalez was broken himself when serving for the set at 5-3 but Murray could not back that up, ending the championship by being broken to love.

One-on-one with Sam Stosur

2009-06-04T00:51:00.002-07:00

No-one expected to find 25-year-old Sam Stosur at the quarter-final stage of the French Open, least of all the bubbly Aussie and her entourage. Slammin’ Sam, as she is affectionately known, is the first Australian to reach the last eight in Paris since Nicole Provis in 1988, and now she is aiming higher.

Stosur is above all renowned for being a doubles specialist. Alongside Lisa Raymond, she won no fewer than 22 titles including the 2005 US Open and 2006 French Open, and is a former world number one in the discipline.

Her singles record is far less impressive however, with four losing finals appearances to her name. Stosur’s best-ever Grand Slam performance prior to this June was a run to the fourth round at the Australian Open in 2006, so how does she explain her fabulous display at this year’s French?

“The work I’ve been putting on over the past two years is really paying off. I’m much more mature. I am a bit surprised though I must admit. I didn’t have any specific goals here but I was confident even if my recent results haven’t been great. I knew I was close to my best.”

Laid low

Stosur’s excellent show is all the more laudable given the fact that she was laid low by Lyme disease, an infection derived from a tick bite, and was subsequently unable to compete for an eight-month period between July 2007 and April 2008.

Now though she is back, bang on form, and incredibly at home on clay for someone who did not play on the surface until the age of 15 and then lost in the first round in Paris four years straight as a junior and a young pro. “Over time I’ve learnt to love clay,” says Stosur. “It’s now my second favourite surface.”

A long way from home

Coached by her Fed Cup captain David Taylor, she has further Aussie company here in Paris in the form of Rennae Stubbs, her new doubles partner. Sam’s only regret is that her family were unable to come and see what to date is her best-ever run at a Slam. “They were supposed to come but in the end they couldn’t make it. But they have told me everyone is talking about me back home so I can take inspiration from that. It’s just great that all my hard work is paying off here at a Grand Slam.”

Stosur now plays Romanian Sorana Cirstea (read our exclusive portrait here) for a place in the French Open semi-finals. Whatever the outcome, her fine results so far will see her rise to a career-best singles ranking in the top 25.