Why Is Nadal So Good On Clay, Grass And Hard Courts?
Nadal’s advantage is the incredible amount of spin that he generates off of his forehand wing – this makes timing very difficult for his opponents. They are constantly having to take the ball on the rise to hold there position on the court. Nadal’s court coverage, foot speed andknowledge of how to construct points on the clay are a huge advantage. He has the patience and the killer instinct to wait for the right opportunity to force an error from his opponent or to hit a winner while inside the baseline.
Federer vs. Ancic – Remember when…
Roger Federer will face Croatia’s Mario Ancic in Saturday’s third round at Roland Garros. Most people are quite familiar with the most famous match between these two players – the first round of Wimbledon in 2002, when Ancic, an 18-year-old qualifier, defeated the much-hyped Federer, one year removed from his titanic fourth-round upset of Pete [...]
Ask Bill: Here Comes Taylor Dent
It is great to see Taylor Dent taking his first steps on the comeback trail. He entered $50,000 Challengers in Carson, Calif., last week (losing in three sets to former NCAA champion Cecil Mamiit) and will play Yuba City, Calif., next week. TD is a net-rushing Californian who has been sidetracked for over two years with a career-threatening back injury. In fact, his situation seemed so dire that he began a career as an on-court teaching professional.
Sharapova Scare on Navratilova Anniversary
Maria Sharapova narrowly avoided being the first No. 1 seeded woman to ever lose in the first round of the French Championships, defeating fellow Russian Evgeniya Rodina 6-1, 3-6, 8-6 on Wednesday. Had Sharapova been defeated, it would have arguably been the biggest women’s upset at Roland Garros since world No. 1 Martina Navratilova lost to 17-year-old Kathy Horvath in the fourth round in 1983 – which, ironically, happened 25 years ago today.
Serena shuts up the Playboy talk with a demure dress
Serena Williams used a conservative Nike outfit — the Doubles Dress from this Spring’s tennis collection — to end the run of soon-to-be Playboy bunny Ashley Harkleroad.
The top-ranked American, who went with a heart theme for her jewelry, next faces Mathilde Johansson of France.
Buy: Nike Doubles Dress, $75 at TW.
(photos by Getty Images)
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All Quiet On the Challenger Front
With Roland Garros qualifying taking place, this was a quiet week on the challenger circuit. The relatively weak draws allowed two players primarily competing on the futures circuit, George Bastl and Nina Bratchikova, to break through and score much needed challenger victories.
Chatrier – The Name That Permeates The French Open
One name that you are hearing – and will hear – more than perhaps any other during the duration of the 2008 French Championships is that of “Chatrier.” Who is Chatrier and why is his does his name grace the center court at Roland Garros? Bud Collins, tennis journalist and historian extraordinaire, in his soon to be released book THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS, profiles Philippe Chatrier, the French tennis administrator who was instrumental in the resurgence of the French Championships as one of the world’s top events and the return of tennis to the Olympic program in 1988.
Mondays With Bob Greene: Ana Ivanovic May Even Be Better Than Maria Sharapova
Bob Greene, the esteemed former Associated Press tennis writer, wraps up the week that was in international tennis with his “Monday’s With Bob Greene” column – a revival of his popular weekly feature at the AP. This week Bob summarizes , The Hypo Group Tennis International 2008 and Ashley Harkleroad posing for Playboy.
Off the Roland Garros Track
Oh, how fortunate are those who attend Roland Garros; in fact, all those who attend the Slams should consider themselves lucky. Not only do they get to watch the cream of the tennis crop, they get to be in some of the most exciting cities in the world where there are abundant opportunities to have plenty of fun outside of the tournament grounds. And, of course, La Ville Lumière (the City of Light) in the springtime does not disappoint.
Oh, Nole!
Novak Djokovic getting ready for the 2008 French Open, which starts this Sunday.
(photo by Getty Images)
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