In the 2008 French Open, the new world #1 Ana Ivanovic proudly lifted the first Slam trophy of what seemed destined to be a career replete with such memorable moments. In the 2010 French Open, the world #42 Ana Ivanovic cowered helplessly behind the baseline as the burly Alisa Kleybanova crammed a second-set bagel down her throat in the second round. How did this precipitous two-year plunge from glory to misery accelerate with such alarming speed? We look at seven of the principal…

Now that the long and grueling clay court season, owned by one man, is done, we’ve now entered not only the midpoint of the season but for some tennis purists the only part of the season that matters. And although it’s probably premature to start analyzing the recent early exits by top seeds at the Queen’s Club event while Roger Federer cruises to what looks like another trophy at Halle, it’s probably more fascinating to try and analyze why this time of year, always so brief and almost…

Understated and businesslike when she takes the court, Samantha Stosur represents a striking anomaly amidst the melodramatic, made-for-TV extravaganzas produced and directed by the WTA’s current elite. Although scowls, sneers, and sobs provide compelling entertainment, it’s also refreshing to observe a sturdy competitor who simply plays tennis in an unruffled, methodical manner. Dedication to the sport shines clearly from Stosur’s focused attitude, which should enable her to build upon the…

Hope that you relished reading our fortnight of French Open coverage as much as we relished writing it! We thought that the clay season was a bit more eventful than usual this year, and we’re expecting just as many engaging narratives when the action shifts to grass. Here are five (plus one, of course!) with which we seek to stoke your anticipation…

1) Will momentum continue from clay, or rewind to Miami? A dramatic contrast to the protracted…

Tennis is a passion that dedicated players refuse to give up on. Many choose to combat the heat and continue playing during the hottest of summer months.…

Instruction, coaching, and lesson taking are factors that should not be taken on a whim. I can’t stress enough the need to plan out each step of your instructional method. Lessons are the cornerstone to improvement in tennis.…

Follow the…

Day 11 at the 2010 French Open promises to bring some really good match ups featuring names like Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams. After the unexpected exit of Roger Federer last night, the big names in the tennis world have understood the 'Power of the Underdogs'. What's in store for the fans today, let's take a look at the four quarterfinal matches to find out.

Rafael Nadal vs. Nicolas Almagro -…

I’ve just come from a party that involved copious amounts of meat and alcohol, so yeah … hopefully I don’t pass out while I write this.

I didn’t see Rafa play his first match at Roland Garros and have been wanting to see the fast rising lefty from

Argentina, Horacio Zeballos play for a while, so sitting down and watching them play a couple of sets in the second…

The contrast between efficient and inefficient tennis couldn’t have been much starker than in consecutive ATP matches on Court Philippe Chatrier. While Federer never opened a window of opportunity for Alejandro Falla, Gael Monfils opened windows and doors aplenty for Fabio Fognini, nearly jumping out of a window himself before the setting sun conspired with the Frenchman to deny the Italian three match points. We checked out on this match when Monfils led by two sets and a break, then…

Since I'm tired from the sun, work, trying to figure out where Al Qaeda is holding Lee from 'American Idol' hostage and various other things, I'm handing today's post over to the immortal Sou Sylvester off 'Glee'.

Dianna…

“Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I’ve just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you to stop what you’re doing and listen.”

"Andy Roddick won a match at the French Open. And not just any match, he beat an extremely capable exponent of claycourt tennis…