Back (AT LAST) in the Winner's Circle

Funny thing about the week that just passed:

When I was scouring the ATP and WTA sites at the beginning of it, two tournaments really intrigued me: the ATP stop in France and the WTA event in Korea. Despite the lack of top tenners in either draw, I thought they both had interesting potential, particularly in regard to the top seeds.

First, let me talk about the men's event in Metz, where the top seed was Gael Monfils. Now, I don't know how you feel about his game but it drives me crazy! I think he's so capable of being a dominant player out there, with his power, touch and athleticism, but more often than not, he ends up five feet behind the baseline having to run down shots. Whenever I see him play, I always think "Go forward!" or "Take a crack at the ball! Please!" How someone with his ability could only have one title was a mystery to me. I looked at the draw and figured if he didn't win here, then something was seriously wrong. He ended up taking home the hardware, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber, and I hope something clicked in him that he can do it again—and go forward and take cracks at the ball! (Sorry, that all slipped out!)

In Korea, the top seed was Daniela Hantuchova, the former world number four, who's been a model of inconsistency for years now. I thought she could add to her mantelpiece with a win here, but one of the most impressive comeback tennis players ever, Kimiko Date Krumm, had other ideas! Krumm took Hantuchova out in the quarters, then beat Maria Kirilenko in the semis and Annabel Medina Garrigues in the final. Not bad for a woman turning 39 and away from the tour for more than a decade! I don't know how much she plans on playing, but I think Krumm can give these players today fits because she hits the ball so flat. It may not be a Slam that she won, but I'm sure it's just as important to her!

• Originally posted on my blog, Tennis Talk, Anyone?