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2011 French Open

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2011 French Open news

Roland Garros, Paris, France | 22 May-4 June

Babolat balls at Roland GarrosMauresmo return ruled out // Amelie Mauresmo (below) was ruled out of playing 2011 French Open Mixed Doubles with 2010 Eastbourne champion Michael Llodra as the veteran is no longer signed up in the sport’s anti-doping program. The French ace, who retired from the WTA Tour two seasons ago, was granted a last-minute wildcard with compatriot Llodra. Amelie Mauresmo missed doublesHowever, the French Tennis Federation informed the Roland Garros tournament organisers that the twice Grand Slam winner was not allowed to play due to strict rules within the sport. Eastbourne regular Mauresmo never won the French Open, struggling to lift her game in front of the home crowd despite the 2006 triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.


Road to Eastbourne / daily reports

    • Saturday June 3

      Monticelli 

      Li Na 2011 champion

      Li finally gets a major lift

      Li Na (above) rewrote the history books in style by being the first Asian Grand Slam singles winner with a straight set 6-4 7-6 French Open triumph after defending champion Francesca Schiavone, despite having not previously won a clay court title.

      The Chinese ace's powerful strokes proved too hot to handle for the London-based Italian, who failed to reach the ball as swiftly as she had for the past 11 matches at Stade Roland Garros.

      The first set was far from a classic, but both players turned on the style and moved up a gear to force a tie-break. But the nail-biter that was anticipated produced a one-sided affair, with exhausted Schiavone hitting a backhand too long to suffer a miserable 7-0 reverse and drop to the red dust in disappointment.

      French champions 2010+2011Delighted Li, who hit an astonishing 31 winners, beamed: "I was nervous but I didn't want to show my opponent. I was 4-2 up and she tried to come back, but I just had to stand up again and I made it. I think everyone in China will be so excited."

      Li opened up a 3-2 lead in the first set and held her next two games to love to take a vital advantage thanks to some precise finishing that sent Schiavone scattering around the court.

      Li continued her impressive display by immediately breaking Schiavone at the start of the second set and aced the Italian on break point in the next game. Schiavone was running out of steam but surprisingly broke back in the eighth game to level matters.

      London-based Francesca SchiavoneSchiavone (left) fluffed a set point and five chances to come within two points of snatching the set before the disastrous tie-break.

      Schiavone, 30, who became Italy's one and only Grand Slam women's champion at Paris last year, said: "She played well today and was a worthy winner."

      Li will rise to world no4 in the next set of WTA Tour rankings, which equals the highest ranking by a woman from Asia - Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm.

    • Friday June 3

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Veterans return to big final stage

      Italian Francesca Schiavone will walk onto Philippe Chatrier Court for her second women's singles final on the bounce, having won in spectacular fashion last year on arguably her weakest surface.

      This time China's petite powerhouse Li Na stands in the way of her being crowned French Open champion, yet the 30-year-old has continued her ritual at Paris of kissing the clay court after each victory - which she truly believes to be behind her success at Stade Roland Garros.

      Li has made history this year by reaching the final of two Grand Slams, the Australian Open in January and here in Paris, and with a stark contrast in playing styles it could prove to be a classic final.

      Schiavone v LiItalian bella Schiavone possesses incredible strength despite a demure body type and seemingly chases after every shot with amazing results, with her use of angles and spin - not to mention her kick-serve - attributes of a bygone era.

      Li lacks any fear and after finishing runner-up in Melbourne realises that her followers, in excess of one billion, are expecting her to pull of a real coup and become the first Asian Grand Slam champion.

      Hard-hitter Li from Wuhan, at 29, is as sharp with her comments as her game plan and said: "I'm not old, I feel I'm still young and I have always been so proud for what I'm doing. There were 40 million watching my semi-final, but I never feel pressure. Not many players can be in a final two times in a row and I think I can do better this time."

      Francesca Schiavone lost outLondon-based Schiavone (left) explained: "It's good for the young players to understand that the career is not just this moment, so they have to control and to improve. You have to use your head every day on the WTA Tour.

      "Every player is different, but on clay you can't use just the power. It is a mix of everything - you have to be good physically, mentally and tactically. This is a good mix to keep going - to use the mind, the heart, the body and everything that you are."

      Thursday June 2

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Schiavone stays on track for title

      Francesca Schiavone ousted French favourite Marion Bartoli in a passionate match 6-3 6-3, much to the disappointment of the majority of fans on the Philippe Chatrier Court

      But Bartoli, who boasts Corsican ancestors, bowed out graciously although in her usual unorthodox style to the Italian despite an overwhelming wall of sound favouring the no11 seed.

      Schiavone, a veteran at 30, said: "When I was young I dreamed about this tournament, and when I come here I feel something special."

      Schiavone only required one break of serve to clinch the opening set without breaking into a sweat, but the second set was a different story despite the same result.

      Marion BartoliBattling Bartoli (left) broke the no5 seed's
      serve to take a shock 2-0 lead then struggled with her service throw-up in the blustery conditions to twice delay the point. After this stop-start and some unkind delaying tactics, Bartoli lost at her own game when she was drained of her momentum and conceded the seventh game to trail for the first time in the set.

      Wily Schiavone sensed victory was there for the taking so started to strike the ball earlier and tempt Bartoli into making a string of mistakes. These tactics worked perfectly as the Italian raced away to score success without dropping a further point.

      And Schiavone rubbed her hand on the Centre Court red clay before kissing it, a ritual she introduced last year with great success en route to winning the French Open.

      Bartoli blasted: "It was extremely windy, and she used those conditions extremely well. She really played smart tennis and at the end she was a bit too tough."

      Francesca SchiavoneSchiavone (left), who relies on her kick-serve as much as being swift around the courts, smiled: "She took maybe too much time, but the umpire give her the time violation. Because the ball is bouncing a lot, when there is sun on court it is better for me because I can play deep."

      "Maybe it's changing because some years ago the champions were always young players, now that's changing - it's like wine, if it stays in the bottle more it's much better!"

      Li Na, if she makes history to become the first Chinese Grand Slam singles champion, will become the shortest ever name engraved on the coveted Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. Her next, and final hurdle, is to triumph at Stade Roland Garros over defending champion, Schiavone on Saturday.

      Eastbourne-bound Li, an intelligent player who plays with fire in her belly, showed no fear as she saw off in-form Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4, 7-5 in an enthralling yet windy contest on Philippe Chatrier Court in front of an appreciative crowd.

      Li NaThe no6 seed (right) admitted: "I am sure that they showed the match at the same time in China, so maybe if children saw the match they'll think that maybe one day they can do the same or even better."

      Li continued to dominate as she has all tournament, using her power to stay rooted behind the baseline and hit back everything thrown at her.

      Sharapova broke Li at the start of the second set and was cruising until she served a shocking seventh double fault to hand Li the initiative and gift the 29-year-old the eight game to make it 4-4.

      Then the No7 seed simply ran out of steam and lacked her usual steely determination and sheer grit, having romped to victory in previous matches at Paris and had looked formidable to claim a rare clay court title in Rome prior to Roland Garros. But the Russian made rare double faults, 10 in total - including on match point.

      Li, who hit 24 winners and saved eight of 11 break points, admitted: "She has a huge and big serve, so I was like: 'Please, double-fault. That way I can win the match, I never believed that I can be in final in French Open. I hope that I can do even better on Saturday."

      Maria SharapovaSharapova (left), yet to win the French Open crown, said: "She played a lot better than I did, especially the crucial points, which gave her confidence. I didn't serve well overall, I was rushing more than I needed to and maybe I was trying to go for too big second serves in windy conditions."

      Li, 2011 Australian Open runner-up, has improved since she brought in Denmark's Michael Mortensen as coach and relegated husband Jiang Shan to hitting partner. Li explained: "Mortensen trusts me and he gives me a lot of confidence. Before I was trying to do the exercise on the court but never win the point, but now I win the point."

      The French Open finalists' combined age of over 60 years makes it the oldest women's Grand Slam final since 1998 Wimbledon when Jana Novotna beat Nathalie Tauziat.

      Li and Schiavone have two victories each from four previous encounters, despite being the older and wiser players on the WTA Tour. The last time they met was in Paris, when the Italian claimed a 3rd Round victory en route to winning her maiden Grand Slam title.

      Li explained: "This time I know what I should do in the final."

      Schiavone said:"We are not similar players but we are strong people, strong personalities. I play the kicker, slice and topspin but Li plays with power - the key could be the consistency."

      Wednesday June 1

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Li rewrites the history books

      China's Li Na is one match away from her second Grand Slam singles final on the trot after the no6 seed created history with a shock 7-5 6-2 success over loud-shrieking Victoria Azarenka.

      China's Li NaLi (left), who lost to Belgian ace Kim Clijsters at the 2011 Australian Open in January, said: "So many people think I'm not so good on a clay court, but I think now they should change a little bit. I didn't like clay courts before playing at Roland Garros, but I'm still here. After I won I was feeling, 'Wow, I can play semi in Roland Garros'! I never think about that before."

      Li, the first Chinese player to reach a French Open semi-final, was down by a break in the third game but unnerved her 21-year-old opponent - the youngest player remaining in the draw - to break back in the very next game courtesy of Azarenka's double fault.

      The no6 seed was made to work hard by the battling Belarussian to stave off two break points in the marathon seventh game to sneak ahead. Her variety of heavy shots, which prised the no4 seed and title favourite away from her beloved baseline, helped to throw Azarenka off course and Li broke to love in the 12th game to steal the opening set.

      Loud grunter AzarenkaThe Belarussian (right) was in no mode to surrender, her grunts getting loudly and squeals of delight followed the break in the third game. But quick-footed Li struck back straight away with a break to level matters. With Azarenka's confidence and footwork both slipping up, Li took full advantage to break and lead the Eastbourne-bound player. Li battled and bashed the ball for dear life as she tried to hard to win each point, in the end requiring three match points before triumphing.

      "I was feeling really confident and really looking forward to today," said Azarenka. "I'm now in a different chapter of my career."

      Sharapova steams aheadMaria Sharapova (left) is the next opponent for Li, and the Russian babe demolished rising star Andrea Petkovic 6-0 6-3 on Suzanne Lenglen Court.

      "It was tougher than the scoreline suggests," said Sharapova. "here were a lot of games that could have gone either way, but I played really smart on the important points."

      In-form Sharapova, who is set to complete the career Grand Slam if she is crowned champion at the weekend, was in red-hot form and took 32 minutes to overwhelm the German in the first set.

      Sharapova, who is not fond of playing on red dust despite her recent Italian Open title, turned on the style to drum out a powerful groundstrokes from the back of the court and turned the contest into an exhibition of how to master clay courts.

      Andrea Petkovic down and outRelieved Petkovic (left) finally came out of her shell after failing to deal with the bombardment of winners and surprised herself by taking the ninth game of the match without dropping a single point.

      With renewed vigour and vim, Petkovic swiftly got back into the swing of things and somehow levelled at 3-3 despite often being rooted to the spot by a set of forehand winners.

      Sharapova sharpened her sensational skills following this brief setback to race away to victory and worry all future opponents at Roland Garros and indeed Wimbledon.

      Sharapova said: "There is no doubt I have improved on this surface, I feel I have got better and better. I feel physically I have overcome many challenges that maybe a few years ago would have been tough for me."

      Sharapova has a 5-2 head-to-head record against Li, including a three-set success at 2009 French Open fourth round. However, Li has won their most recent encounters, both on the grass at Birmingham's Priory Club in June 2009 and June 2010.

      Tuesday May 31

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Bartoli breaks with tradition

      Ace Marion Bartoli screamed with sheer delight after denying ex-French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova a semi-final spot, and steamrolled to a 7-6 6-4 victory on her second match point.

      Eastbourne regular Bartoli became the first French ace to reach the women's semi-finals since Mary Pierce in 2005.

      Kuznetsova's Q-F exitAnd no13 seed Kuznetsova (right), who triumphed at 2009 Roland Garros, was slight favourite to beat no11 seed Bartoli but was squeezed out in the first set tiebreak 7-4 that produced an enthralling start and saw each player concede three breaks a-piece.

      Bartoli's unorthodox style outfoxed the powerful Russian, doing just enough to remain one step ahead in the second set to win in 113 minutes.

      Bartoli (below) said: "I was not well outside the court and on the court, but I was scared of what the press would say. I was really going to the court without any confidence because I really felt the pressure here in the past few years.

      Bartoli in Paris"The crowd were calling my name, and with the Mexican wave too were supporting me. I thought that finally I can play well here, we are French and we want to do well. I really thought that this year I should try to take some pleasure at Roland Garros, even though it is difficult."

      Bartoli follows on from the heroics of Pierce, the 2000 champion in Paris, and has exceeded compatriot Amelie Mauresmo - who was controversy denied the chance to play in 2011 Mixed Doubles with Michael Llodra, last year's Eastbourne champion and her protege.

      Defending champion Francesca Schiavone clawed her way back from the jaws of defeat to account for rising star and highly talented Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets, scraping into the semi-final berth 1-6 7-5 7-5.

      No14 seed PavlyuchenkovaNo14 seed Pavlyuchenkova (right), sporting long sleeves, waltzed through the opening set in blustery conditions on Philippe Chatrier Court. Italian Schiavone's slow start saw her totally overpowered by the sheer speed and length of groundshots.

      Moscow-based Pavlyuchenkova raced into a comfortable 6-1 4-2 40-love lead on the hour-mark. Staring defeat in the face somehow sparked the no5 seed to much-needed life to reel off six games on the bounce and surprisingly level matters.

      The shell-shocked Russian, who saw off compatriot and world no3 Vera Zvonareva in the previous round, was unable to cope with the renewed attack from Schiavone - accompanied by loud grunts - and dropped two breaks of serve before breaking back for 5-5. Schiavone (below) was in no mood to relinquish her crowd that she so gallantly claimed last year, so swiftly moved through the gears to immediately break back. 

      Schiavone survives scareThe Italian, pushing for every point as though losing it would result in instant defeat, bounced around the court like a bunny rabbit and finished off worn-out Pavlyuchenkova with a superb backhand winner.

      Schiavone, who added some clay from the court to her face for luck at the end, said: "I did not play good tonight, I hope that I will play better in the semi-final because this crowd deserves to see good tennis."

      Monday May 30

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Petkovic peaks

      Rising star Andrea Petkovic saw off talented Maria Kirilenko in three tough sets to reach her second Grand Slam quarter final on the bounce. The 6-2 2-6 6-4 triumph stretched the German's unbeaten run on clay to nine matches and earned a third consecutive win over the Russian this year.

      Andreas PetkovicEastbourne-bound world no12 Petkovic (right), having contributed to the 2011 Fed Cup success, has emerged as one of the favourites to claim the title despite having never progressed so well at Roland Garros.

      With a 30-9 win-loss record this year, including a title triumph, her next opponent - Maria Sharapova - may well be worried. This was Kirilenko's second consecutive French Open 4th round appearance but has failed to get her hand on a trophy this season. Kirilenko previously demolished Dutch youngster Arantxa Rus, who upset second-seed Kim Clijsters, earlier this week.

      In-form Sharapova, the world's best-paid woman athlete, reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final for two years with a well orchestrated but narrow straight sets win over ex-Eastbourne champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

      Radwanska (left) & SharapovaThe shrieking Russian, no longer struggling with illness and injuries and illness, slogged it out for two hours to overcome the slippery Pole 7-6 7-5. The finale saw Sharapova pump both arms in the air to acknowledge her own triumph, which received a warm ovation despite a sparse late-evening crowd. The Russian has never been a favourite at Roland Garros as the crowd are not keen on her constant screams nor her diva image.

      Victoria Azarenka, another high-pitched screamer, eased into the quarter-finals at the expense of 2010 Eastbourne champion Ekaterina Makarova in a topsy-turvy contest.

      The no4 seed broke Makarova's serve at the first attempt but a double-fault in the next game levelled mattered. Azarenka broke in the sixth game then stepped up a gear for a flattering 6-2 opening set scoreline.

      Victoria AzarenkaEastbourne-bound Azarenka (left) was not at the top of her game, fully tested by the talented ice-cool Russian resulting in four breaks of serve each in the second set before again the Belarussian upped her game to win 6-3. Although Azarenka is in the last eight at a Grand Slam for the fourth time in her career, the no4 Belarussian ace has surprisingly never reached a Grand Slam semi-final. 

      Next opponent is Li Na, who Azarenka has beaten once in four matches.
      Eastbourne-bound Li became the inaugural Chinese player to reach the Roland Garros quarter-finals, after she beat Czech ace Petra Kvitova 2-6 6-1 6-3.

      In a contest littered with errors, Li was guilty of 19 unforced errors but 21-year-old Kvitova showed her nerves and lack of clay court matches with an amazing 33 errors. Li's erratic groundstrokes prevented her from winning the stream of break points she set up.

      Li NaYet Li (right), the 2011 Australian Open runner-up, looked down and out trailing 3-0 in the decisive set but showed her fighting spirit to reel off six tightly-fought games against an opponent who clearly frustrated her and claim victory. World no7 Li has now reached the last eight at all four Grand Slams.

      Li said: “It was tough, like 3-0 down in the final set. Even myself, I didn’t believe I could come back because she has a huge big serve”

      Li's husband and ex-coach could not stand the pressure so left. Li added: “I don’t know what happened. Maybe just my husband left and I could win six games in a row.”

    • Sunday May 29

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Russian roulette at Roland Garros

      Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won the battle of the Russians by ousting Vera Zvonareva 7-6 2-6 6-2. The no3 seed could have taken over as world no1 had she won at Roland Garros and Eastbourne, but was no match for the 19-year-old who needed three match points to clinch victory.

      A.PavlyuchenkovaAlthough Zvonareva won five straight on the bounce in the opening set, was outmanoeuvred in the tiebreak but the 2006 world junior girls champion before levelling matters up. But Pavlyuchenkova (pictured), the youngest player left in the women's draw, dug deep in the final set to fight back from breaks and reel off five successive games to earn her first Grand Slam quarter-final place after a topsy-turvy two hours and 27 minutes.

      Zvonareva, runner-up at 2010 Wimbledon and the US Open, found the weight of Pavlyuchenkova's groundstrokes and endless energy too much. Zvonareva said: "Potentially I can play much better. I tried my best and I had chances but I couldn't take them."

      Pavlyuchenkova, who used to live and train in France, said: "I knew it would be tough. This is my first grand slam quarter-final so it really means a lot to me, especially beating Vera because she's very experienced and fights until the end. I wanted to win so badly so I did everything to do it. The French Open is my favourite grand slam, and it is my dream to win at Roland Garros."

      Victoria Azarenka, ranked no4 is the highest seed left in the tournament, and it is the first time that the top three seeded women have failed to reached the French Open quarter-finals in the open era. The last time that it happened at a Grand Slam was at 2008 Wimbledon.

      F.SchiavoneDefending champion Francesca Schiavone (pictured) made it 11 matches on the trot at Stade Roland Garros with a three set win over Jelena Jankovic, who had reached the semi-finals in three of the past four years. Veteran Schiavone, the only Italian woman to win a Grand Slam title, broke the Serbian to slide ahead 5-4 in the final set and then held her serve to seal victory - followed by her 2010 post-match ritual of kneeling down and kissing the red clay after the 6-3 2-6 6-4 success. Next for no5 seed Schiavone is Pavlyuchenkova, the no14 seed - with both players set to compete at Eastbourne.

      Marion Bartoli became the first French woman to reach the French Open quarter-finals since Mary Pierce finished runner-up in 2005. Bartoli's opponent Gisela Dulko retired because of injury trailing 7-5 1-0. The Argentine ace had treatment to her left leg during the opening set, which required a bandage. After Dulko was broken to see out the set, no11 seed Bartoli held her serve to kick-off the second set and struggling Dulko quit. Both of these players are set to play at Devonshire Park.

      S.KuznetsovaThe 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova screamed into the quarter-finals with a fabulous success over Daniela Hantuchova 6-7 6-3 6-2 Sunday. The Russian is aiming to force her way back into the world's top 10 by teaming up with compatriot and another former French Open championing the shape of 2004 Roland Garros winner Anastasia Myskina. 

      Kuznetsova, who has failed to reach the quarter-finals of any Grand Slam event since she won in Paris, said: "Anastasia teaches me to be smart, she was very smart on the court, so I think I can learn it from her. She knew exactly how to play tactically, I think she's good about it."

    • Saturday May 28

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Sweet revenge for Radwanska

      Former Eastbourne champion Agnieszka Radwanska, no12 seed, outwitted and outplayed tall Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-1, 6-4 to move on in Paris and faces Maria Sharapova next. 

      Aggy RadwanskaWickmayer's commendable footwork and crackling forehands were missing, allowing Radwanska worked her way through rallies with tactical backhands and her occasional forehand winners. This was sweet revenge as Wickmayer had beaten Radwanska (pictured) in their only previous meeting, winning their 2010 Fed Cup contest in three sets.

      Masha@Roland GarrosSharapova (right) wasted little time to see off the challenge of Taipei's qualifier Yung-Jan Chan on the Phillippe Chatrier court 6-2 6-3 despite blustery conditions. The Russian beauty, whose form has dramatically improved on her least favourite surface, only received a slightly warmer reception from the crowd than she had two days before after battling back to beat the new French hope, 17-year-old Caroline Garcia.

      Li NaChina's Li Na (right), Eastbourne-bound, booked her place in the fourth round with a 6-2 6-2 win on only a quarter-full Court Suzanne Lenglen over pretty Romanian Sorana Cirstea. Queues were still forming as fans gradually arrived and missed out on seeing the silky skills of no6 seed Li, the Australian Open runner-up.

      Victoria AxarenkaBelarussian Victoria Azarenka (right) maintained her commanding form to easily dispose of  Italian Roberta Vinci 6-3 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier, and has yet to drop a set. The accident-prone world no4 arrived in Paris with recent titles in Miami and Marbella. The 21-year-old attacked at every opportunity to overwhelm her opponent. Azarenka said: "I've been improving from match to match, I'm just taking it day by day."

    • Friday May 27

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Hantuchova has the upper hand
       
      Ex-Eastbourne champion Caroline Wozniacki suffered another forgettable Grand Slam, which raises questions about the world's no1 ability on the big stage. The Dane was dreadful as she stumbled to a straight set defeat at the hands of Daniela Hantuchova (below), suffering a third round exit.

      Daniela HantuchovaWozniacki’s defeat means that neither of the top two women’s seeds play the French Open for the first time in the open era. Slovakian Hantuchova, the no28 seed, reeled off nine games on the trot from 1-1 in the first set and maintained her momentum to triumph 6-1 6-3 in 73 minutes. Hanchuchova will be the one to watch at Devonshire Park as she seems to back to her best.

      Wozniacki said: "When I was younger people told me 'you'll never be a top player, you're from Denmark and we don't have the mentality.' And it really doesn't matter as I know what I am capable of. I know I am a great player. I am doing well. I had a loss today. That is what happens but I will be back even better."

      Sam StosurRoland Garros 2010 runner-up and Eastbourne regular Samantha Stosur also fell at the third round after Argentine Gisela Dulko accounted for the Aussie with a  6-4 1-6 6-3 success. Stosur (pictured) said: "I've had a cold for about four, five, six days - and Dulko outplayed me today."

      Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova lost a combined eight games between them to advance into the last 16. Seeded Serbian Jelena Jankovic saw off American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 62 62 and Russian Kuznetsova thrashed Canadian Rebecca Marino 6-0 6-4.

      Marion BartoliFrench ace and Eastbourne regular Marion Bartoli (left), no11 seed, was pleased as punch after the two-handed battler went for every point to fight back from behind to claim a deserved 3-6 6-2 6-4 win over German new hope Julia Georges, the no17 seed.

      Defending champion Francesca Schiavone, no5 seed eased through the opening set before Shuai Peng, last week's Brussels Open runner-up, was forced to withdraw due to an illness with a 6-3 2-1 retired result.

      The top half of the women's draw sees Hantuchova set to take on Kuznetsova for a quarter-final slot to face the winner of Bartoli versus Dulko. Jankovic tackles Schiavone, resulting in a guaranteed exit for another big name while the talented pair of Eastbourne-bound Russians Vera Zvonareva and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova complete the draw.

    • Thursday May 26

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Ace Azarenka shows no mercy
       
      Victoria Azarenka whipped France's Pauline Parmentier 6-0 6-1 in just 57 minutes. The 21-year-old Belarussian held her nerve despite a competitive second set and faces Italian Roberta Vinci in the third round, having struggled in the first round against Czech ace Andrea Hlavackova. The world no4 seed (pictured below) played magnificently to produce a near faultless performance.

      Vika AzarenkaCzech ace Petra Kvitova impressed with a 6-4 6-1 victory over China's Zheng Jie while former Eastbourne champion Agnieszka Radwanska, another outsider, also reached the third round by beating India's Sania Mirza 6-2 6-4.

      Eastbourne-bound Li Na, China's Australian Open runner-up, improved on a shaky opening round with a comfortable win over Silvia Soler-Espinosa while British no1 Elena Baltacha fell 4-6 6-1 6-4 to American Vania King.

      Caroline Garcia, a 17-year-old French wildcard world ranked no188, was spectacular in her maiden French Open and surprised opponent Maria Sharapova on Court Philippe Chatrier before the Russian star reeled off 11 games for a 3-6 6-4 6-0 triumph. Relieved Sharapova said: "I never think that the match is over until it actually is. No matter what situation you're put in, no matter how good or bad you feel, you've got to finish the match."

      Kim ClijstersKim Clijsters threw away two match points before surprisingly losing 11 of the last 12 games to crash out 3-6 7-5 6-1 defeat to Dutch world no114 Arantxa Rus in the second round. The Belgian (pictured), who had been on a 15-match winning streak in Grand Slams, was Roland Garros runner-up in 2001 and 2003 but this defeat was her worst performance in Paris since her debut in 2000.

      "I was too negative in my head," admitted reigning Australian and US Open champion Clijsters. "If I wasn't feeling like I was able to play tough matches, then I wouldn't have made that decision to come here." Rus, in only her third year on the tour, was ecstatic to have beaten her "hero".

      Wednesday May 25

      Monticelli 

      Roland Garros

      Five alive relief for Zvonareva

      Russian Vera Zvonareva struggled to see off qualifier Sabine Lisicki on Court 1 in a marathon 151-minute contest 4-6 7-5 7-5, with the German sobbing as she was stretched off just before 9pm (local time) because of dizziness and muscle cramps.

      Lisicki was examined by a trainer during the last set changeovers and had her blood pressure checked. But the 21-year-old was unable to shake hands at the end of the match and crouched down before crying on a towel on court until she was carried off.

      Lisicki, a 2009 Wimbledon quarter-finalist, will undergo medical tests tomorrow but admitted: “I started cramping at the end of the second set, and this continued in the third. From 4-2 in the third set I began to feel dizzy and had problems seeing the ball clearly. At no point did I think of retiring, and I kept fighting until the end.”

      Vera ZvonarevaZvonareva (right) reeled off five successive games to make the next round despite staring defeat in the face, and required three match points to triumph. The no3 seed said: "I heard she’s feeling OK now and she’s seeing a doctor, that’s what happens sometimes but it’s part of the sport. No matter what, I had to keep doing my job.”

      Another Eastbourne-bound seeded player who failed to impress on clay was Julia Goerges, the no17 seed, who nailed a hard-fought 2-6 7-5 6-2 victory over Lucie Safarova.

      After trailing by a set and a break down an upset looked likely but grit and power lifted the gorgeous German who was grateful for Safarova's double-fault to earn a 2-0 lead in the final set that instilled every confidence and booked only her second Grand Slam third round place in 13 attempts - her best performance at Roland Garros.

      Julia GoergesGoerges (left) smiled: “It was looking bad for me, I wasn’t really on the court in the first set, I was not really focused and there was not really so much energy. Luckily, I found my way in the second set and I said to myself ‘Hey, that’s a Grand Slam, what are you doing here?' I was standing there and I just kept fighting and believing. I tried to be calm, not letting the emotions go."

      There are high expectations on the 22-year-old who twice beat ex-Eastbourne champion Caroline Wozniacki in the past month, which is rumoured to be the reason why the Danish world no1 is skipping a return to Devonshire Park in order to avoid Goerges before Wimbledon.

      Wozniacki seemed unsettled by her bandaged left thigh, which resulted in a long, hard Centre Court slog to see off Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak of Canada 6-2, 7-6 in just under two hours.

      The great Dane (below) showed her usual bite to against the world no162 but became increasingly frustrated with her form and the umpire in the second set. Her clay court game showed obvious cracks with 24 unforced errors, but the ex-Eastbourne champion managed to starve off three set points and seal success on her first match point.

      Caroline WozniackiWozniacki said: "The bandage is preventative, so I just do it for protection but it’s not bothering me while I’m playing. Thankfully I finished it in two sets as it could easily have been three. I’ve done great results on clay so far this year, so I’m feeling comfortable and confident on the clay.”

      Defeated Wozniak explained: “This tournament is so open and anybody has chances to win. Caroline makes less errors than she used to make and she’s very consistent with her good overall game.”

      Next up for Wozniacki is no28 seed and Eastbourne-bound Daniela Hantuchova, who has already admitted that she does not like playing on clay. Hantuchova said: “I’m more comfortable on hard courts, but I think I play well on clay - I have showed that with this season's results I’ve done on clay so far this season.”

      Attention-seeking because of her attire ace Bethanie Mattek-Sands saw off Varvara Lepchenko 6-3 2-6 6-3 to became the first American apart from the Williams' sisters to reach the 3rd Round of the French Open ladies' singles since 2006. And the 27-year-old from Arizona is set to leap over 7-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams in the world ranking and become the USA No2. enjoys the attention her attire draws.

      Bethanie Mattek-SandsMattek-Sands (left) said: “It was a tough match, but I came out and wanted to be aggressive. She was struggling when I hit hard and deep, so my goal was to do that more. and win points at the net. When you think of American tennis you think of No1 in the world, so I don’t think I’m officially the No1 player until I can get top 10 - that’s my goal.”

      Next for Mattek-Sands, who has fared poorly in 19 out of past 20 Grand Slam appearances, is Serbian no10 seed Jelena Jankovic who has three times reached the semifinals at Roland Garros.

      Sam Stosur, the runner-up at 2010 Roland Garros, blasted past Simona Halep 6-0 6-2 in 66 minutes. The Aussie wrapped up the opening set by winning more than two-thirds of the points despite facing four break points.

    Tuesday May 24

    Monticelli 

    Roland Garros

    Ana exit brings tears

    Eastbourne-bound Ana Ivanovic was shocked in her opening round by Swede Johanna Larsson. Ivanovic, who has struggled for form since her 2008 Roland Garros triumph, appeared to be back to her best when she won the second set without dropping a game. However, she seemed to run out of steam so will need to up her game on the fast courts at Devonshire Park after the 7-6 0-6 6-2 reversal.

    Ana IvanovicSerb Ivanovic (right), struggling with stomach and wrist problems this season, was in tears during the press conference and admitted: "I wish I knew why I've failed to build on my 2008 breakthrough here in Paris. 

    "I look back and see what I did then and to do the same things. I'm just trying to work it out. I'm very upset that I lost because even though I was injured, I felt like I was playing well."

    Ivanovic has been heralded more for her beauty than her tennis over the past few years - hampered by injury - but this result could jolt her. She is a tennis player who happens to be beautiful rather than a model who plays tennis. Ivanovic emerged from war-ravaged Belgrade to become one of the most recognised faces in the sport.

    Russian beauty Maria Sharapova powered into the second round of the French Open today in less than an hour against Mirjana Lucic. The ex-Wimbledon champion, determined to complete her set of grand slams by winning Roland Garros cruised through 6-3 6-0 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

    Although Sharapova has recently returned to some of her best form following niggling shoulder problems, she made the tennis world sit up and take notice by being crowned Italian Open winner on clay - her least favourite surface. 

    Maria SharapovaSharapova (left), who plays Caroline Garcia next, said: "It's a good way to start. The first round is always a little tricky, especially when you don't know your opponent too well. She started off serving really big and I didn't get too many looks on second serves. Once I got a good rhythm I felt like I started playing better and better."

    Luckless Lucic, whose career has been overshadowed by an abusive father, last week reached her first quarter-final on the WTA Tour at the Strasbourg Open since a her shock semi-final appearance at 1999 Wimbledon as a teenager.

    Virginie RazzanoFrance's Virginie Razzano (right) was given a rousing welcome and swift au revoir on Court Philippe Chatrier despite her poor display to bow out 6-3 6-1 to no24 seed Jarmila Gajdosova. Razzano was fighting back the tears as she went through the motions, but it was clearly one step too much just eight days after the death of her fiance and ex-coach Stephane Vidal from a brain tumour.

    Razzano, who wore a black ribbon in tribute, said: "It took me a lot of courage to get on the court today. I did it for Stephane but also for me, because he wanted me to play. He wanted me to continue to go on with my life."

    Australian Gajdosova split up from her husband - an ATP Tour player and compatriot - Sam Groth three weeks ago, and said: "It wasn't easy for me, but she is in a much worse position than I was - it's very sad news. It was going to be a tough match for me to try and concentrate."

    Ace Andrea Petkovic narrowly saw off world no50 Bojana Jovanovski in straight sets 6-4 7-6. Jovanovski fluffed chances to win the second set, which would take the continuation of the match to Wednesday, because of darkness. No15 seed Petkovic, who came to Paris fresh off her Strasbourg title, will play world No.45 Lucie Hradecka in the second round. 

    Fourth seed Victoria Azarenka, arguably one of the favourites for the French Open crown, lacked her usual high quality gameplan and tactics but nonetheless had few problems in grounding out a 6-3 6-3 success over Andrea Hlavackova.

    Australian Open finalist Li Na struggled against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova before securing a three set success in two hours and 28 minutes. 



Monday May 23

Roger Hudson from Paris

Roland Garros

Big guns call the shots

 What a start to Monday on Court Philippe Chatrier. A clear blue sky above, hot sunshine and perhaps a little more breeze than the purists would like. It certainly helps keep the temperature bearable for those both off and on court.

Francesca SchiavoneThe traditional opening round saw defending champion Francesca Schiavone against American Melanie Oudin. Oudin's early promise seems to have evaporated since reaching world no31 in April 2010 and she has dropped nearer the 100 mark. Italian Schiavone arrived at Eastbourne last year full of confidence. But the young Yank struggled, with Schiavone (pictured) dealing with everything fired at her to breeze to 6-2 6-0 success. Fans were still queueing outside Roland Garros and the Philippe Chatrier stands were far from full when Schiavone waved to the crowd. Schiavone said after the victory: "I'm still shaking a little bit with such a lot of adrenaline, but I felt really happy to be back here."

France's unseeded Aravane Rezai, having dropped to world no41, was on Suzanne Lenglen Court and opened against fascinating Romanian Irena-Camellia Begu. Begu studied astrophysics and aims to return to the subject when her tennis career winds down. The world no102 had failed to get through qualifying in five previous Grand Slam, so this was her maiden direct debut to such a tournament and made the most of it without showing any fear to oust Rezai with ease 6-3 6-3.

Russsian Vera Zvonerava, the no3 seed, has experienced a very poor season by her high standards to date but pulled out all the big shots to gun down Spaniard Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-3 6-3.

Surprisingly, world no1 Caroline Wozniacki was relegated to the last match of the day on Court 1 (the third-ranked court at Roland Garros) to see off Japan's 40-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm. Yet Date Krumm caused a stir at last year's Roland Garros by shocking ex-world no1 Dinara Safina - who is on a long-term break to get fit again. Great Dane Wozniacki, predicted by Venus Williams to win this year's French Open, is believed to have snubbed playing at Eastbourne this year because she doesn't want to be drawn against her nemesis German Julia Goerges - who has twice beaten her on clay. Goerges saw off rising French ace Mathilde Johansson in Sunday's first round encounter.

Eastbourne-bound Daniella Hantuchova waltzed past world no79 Shuai Zheng from China on Court 2 with a comfortable 6-3 6-3 triumph.

Marion BartoliMonday's finale was French no1 Marion Bartoli's three-set success over Georgian Anna Tatishvili on her Grand Slam main draw debut. Bartoli, who retired on Sunday with a left thigh injury in the Strausbourg Open final, was blown away in the opening set with just a single game to her credit. The frustrated crowd willed on the world no1 who mixed up her unorthodox game to ease through without any problems and dropped just three games in the process.

Australian Sam Stosur, runner-up at 2010 French Open, comprehensively beat Czech Iveta Benesova on Sunday to book her place in the second round.

Israeli Shahar Peer, an Eastbourne regular, became the first seed in the ladies draw to bow out. The no19 seed was outgunned on Sunday by Spain's Maria-Jose Martinez-Sanchez after a tense opening set tiebreak, so has returned home and will now be able to attend a friend's wedding after all.

Final

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"I'm still shaking a little bit, the court is perfect. Everything is going around you and it's like when you go home and your mom does everything for you and you feel comfortable?"

- 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone