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The Fab Five (WTA): Previewing the Roland Garros Women’s Contenders

May 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This look ahead at the Roland Garros women’s field mirrors the format used for the men’s companion article yesterday. The smart money: 1) Serena Williams:  Looking back at last year’s preview of WTA Roland Garros contenders, Serena held exactly this position at the head of the list.  Virginie Razzano saw things differently, of course, scoring [...]

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The Fab Five (ATP): Previewing the Roland Garros Men’s Contenders

May 21, 2013 By 2 Comments

One man looms above the rest in Paris, as usual.  But a few other champions could step into his shoes if he stumbles.  Meet the men to watch at Roland Garros. The smart money: 1) Rafael Nadal:  What more can be said about the greatest clay player ever to brand his mark on the terre [...]

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The End of the Red Brick Road: WTA Brussels and Strasbourg Previews

May 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

One Premier tournament and one International tournament complete the Road to Roland Garros within striking distance of Paris.  None of the women involved are in serious contention for the clay season’s ultimate prize, but the absence of those elite names could lead to some tightly contested matches in playing fields without clear favorites.  I forwent [...]

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Last Stop Before Paris: ATP Nice and Dusseldorf Previews

May 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Only the intrepid and the desperate play the week between a Masters 1000 tournament and a major, where the 250 events in Nice and Dusseldorf fall.  Rarely does a player who forges deep into one of these tournaments carry that success onto a stage with a brighter spotlight.  Thus, these draws feature struggling players searching [...]

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The Dirty Dozen: Roland Garros Dark Horses Preview

May 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

While attention focuses annually on a small group of contenders, Roland Garros would be much less intriguing without the upset threats that populate each year’s draw.  A look at the contenders lies ahead next week, but the spotlight this weekend shines on the dark horses.  None of these men or women can win the title [...]

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All Roads Lead to Rome: WTA Rome Draw Preview

May 13, 2013 By 1 Comment

Starting one day later than the simultaneous ATP tournament, the second WTA Premier Five tournament of 2013 brings all of the top ten women to the Foro Italico.  Many of them will seek a fresh start following weeks in Madrid that ended sooner than they had hoped, although the world No. 1 will aim simply [...]

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The Glory That Is Rome: ATP Rome Draw Preview

May 11, 2013 By 1 Comment

No sooner does the dust settle in Madrid than the action kicks off at the last clay Masters 1000 tournament on the Road to Roland Garros.  In fact, the action in Rome’s Foro Italico starts on the day of the Madrid final, offering some extra entertainment for those unsatisfied with the prospect of just one [...]

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What a Difference a Year Makes: Madrid in Blue vs. Madrid in Red

May 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

After the outcry caused by the audacious rhapsody in blue last year, the ATP essentially twisted the arm of the Madrid tournament into returning to its red roots.  But did the traditional surface really make a difference in the results of either the men’s or the women’s draw?  An analysis could use multiple angles, of [...]

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Tennis And Me: What Started With Sharapova

May 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

This article discusses how I became a tennis fan and later a tennis writer.  I thought that some of you, especially those who read me more frequently, might find it illuminating, and it’s interesting for me to look back on it too. *** In the beginning, there was Maria Sharapova. I entered the undergraduate program [...]

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Out of the Blue: ATP Madrid Draw Preview

May 4, 2013 By 1 Comment

After the controversy over the blue clay undermined Madrid last year, this Masters 1000 tournament hopes for a week filled with more familiar forms of excitement.  All of the top ten men except Juan Martin Del Potro have returned to the Magic Box, creating plenty of storylines to explore. First quarter:  Among the men who [...]

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