Monfils was particularly impressive as he exhibited his tremendous athletic skills in surging past 24th seeded Jurgen Melzer in four sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1). Monfils displayed stunning court coverage and pulled off an array of highlight shots in advancing to the quarterfinals, where he will take on American Andy Roddick.

Country-mate Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was no less impressive, recording a straight set (6-2, 6-2, 6-2) win over Belgian upstart Christophe Rochus. Tsonga’s win sets up a quarter-final battle of heavyweights with the hard-hitting 5th seed, Juan-Marin Del Porto, who cruised past Igor Andreev (6-4, 7-5, 6-4).

Tsonga had his own power game on display Saturday and looks comfortable on the familiar terre battue of Roland Garros. The 6’ 6” Del Porto will have to be at his best against Tsonga and his legions of fans.

In the day’s most surprising twist, Novak Djokovic succumbed to the Grand Slam pressure once again. In a lackluster effort, the heavily favored Serb lost in straight sets (6-4, 6-4, 6-4) to 29th seed German Phillip Kohlschreiber. Djokovic played catch-up all day. Kohlschreiber has had success against top ten competition in the past but the Serb has been playi9ng well and extremely well on clay.

The loss marks a string of Grand Slam disappointments for the 2008 Australian Open Champion, whop previously this year lost his number three ranking to Andy Murray. Djokovic’s willingness to compete over the two week Grand Slam schedule has been questioned by experts and commentators. On Saturday, his game and heart were elsewhere.

Since starting the year slowly, Djokovic has amassed an impressive 37-11 singles record and has earned more than $1.7 million. After his game effort at Madrid last week, he seemed primed to perform, well in Paris. Disenchanted fans feel Djokovic’s fragile personality on court is a problem in big events.

If the Serb does not start well, he does not finish well. On Saturday, Kohlschreiber served notice that he was in the match early and for the duration. He challenged every point and returned serve with a vengeance. The battling German let Novak know he was there to win and the 4th seed had no answers.

While the French had a good day, they had their disappointments. Local players Paul-Henri Matthieu took Roger Federer four sets but fell 4-6, 6-1, 60-4, 6-4 and Jeremy Chardy battled German Tommy Haas all the way in a stirring 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 loss as Marc Gicquel lost in straight sets to Andy Roddick.

Federer will now take on the last of the one-handed backhanders, Haas in the quarters. Kohlschreiber will meet 16 seed Tommy Robredo of Spain in another quarter pairing.

In one of the most stirring Sunday matches, 8th seed Fernando Verdasco will take on 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko in what should be a battle of hard-hitting clay court experts.

The Women

In the women’s draw, third seeded Venus Williams is gone as is fourth seeded Elena Dementieva. The draw has opened up nicely for former number one Maria Sharapova who must face China’s Na Li in the fourth round on Sunday. The winner will face 20th seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova, who overcame Agnes Szavay early Sunday morning (6-2, 6-4).

The match of the day pits defending French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic against Bulgaria’s rising superstar Victoria Azarenka. Ivanovic is still struggling with her ball toss, but has improved with every round. Azarenka overcame feisty Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in a great clay court battle of groundstrokes and strategy 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Azaraneka served notice that she is composed, aggressive and ready to move into the elite corps of women’s tennis players.

The Ivanovic-Azarenka winner will take on top seed Dinara Safina, who has only lost 5 games in reaching the quarters. In the past, Safina has struggled with the big venues but seems poised to charge to a Grand Slam title.

In the lower draw, Jelena Jankovc and Serena Williams seem headed for a semi-final collision. Williams needed three sets to oust Maria Jose Martinez-Sanchez and will face Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniack in the quarters.

Jankovic has been as impressive as Safina as she has charged through the field. Her 6-1, 6-1 fourth round triumph over Jamila Groth was particularly crisp.

Of the men’s survivors, only Roddick, Federer and Nadal have won Grand Slam events. Of the women’s survivors, only Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic hade claimed major championships.

Roland Garros is ready for a big day on Sunday. Join the fun!

First round action in the 2009 French Open will begin on May 24th and will conclude with the Men’s Finals on June 7th. With the top-ranked players in the world well into their seasons, the play will be intense, the prize money abundant and the crowds plentiful. This was not always the case. In fact, the French Open has evolved from rather modest beginnings to assume the role of Grand Slam spoiler for some of the game’s biggest names.

The home of the French Open is the Stade Roland Garros. Aptly named for the famed World War I fighter pilot, the stadium became home to the Open in 1928. The tournament’s stated name is the Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros. Over the years, The Court Philippe Chatrier center court has featured storied matches and legendary matchups.

It all began in 1891 when a national tennis tournament, the Championat de France, was first created. This event was limited to male players who were licensed to play in France. The first Women’s National Championship was held in 1897. The tournament remained a national event through 1924.

In 1912, tournament organizers made a decision that still characterizes the unique playing style of the French Open when they converted the grass court playing surface to the terre battue or red clay surface. The original surface was composed of crushed, red brick. Previously all French tennis and most tennis around the world was played on grass courts.

The Championat de France gained momentum as the quality of French tennis rose along with the stature of the national event. In 1925, the French Championships became an international event with players participating from outside the country. The event was alternately hosted on grass courts at the Racing Club de France and the Stade Francais.

French tennis stunned the world by upsetting the heavily favored American Davis Cup Team in 1927. Les Mosquetaires Rene Lacoste, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet and Jacques Brignon ventured across the water and returned with the country’s first Davis Cup Championship and much international acclaim.

When France accepted the invitation to defend and host the 1928 Davis Cup, the Stade de France agreed to provide three hectares of land for a new tennis stadium at Porte d’Auteuil. A provision that the new facility be named for the World War I pilot, Roland Garros, was attached to the land grant.

After World War II, the French Open was held at Wimbledon from 1945 through 1947. The tournament was then the third Grand Slam of the year.

In 1968, the French Championship became the first Grand Slam tournament to open for professional play. Ever since, the event has been dominated by professionals, but the French have sought ways to keep sportsmanship and national pride at the core of the tournament.

In 1981, new prizes were added to the championship. The Prix Orange is awarded to the player who is the most press-friendly and who demonstrates the truest sense of fair play. The Prix Citron designates the player with the strongest on-court character and personality, while the Prix Bourgeon is awarded to the most surprising player.

In 2006, another novel feature was added. The French Open commences on a Sunday with 12 singles matches all played on the three main courts. On the eve preceding the opening matches, exhibition matches for the benefit of designated charities are played. In March 2007, The French Open determined to award equal prize money for both singles draws.

The distinctive red clay courts provide a unique style of play for a Grand Slam event. Being a slower surface, where the ball typically bounces higher, points take longer and emphasize the player’s ability to hit effective groundstrokes and a willingness to retrieve shot after shot. Matches take longer and players either arrive at the French in top shape or soon go home.

Serve and volley specialists have not fared well on the Paris clay surface. Like the city itself, a win at the French takes heart as aces do not come easily and short rallies fall by the wayside. Some the game’s greatest stars have been unable to conquer the clay courts. Of late, sure-to-be tennis hall of famers Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, who have won more Grand Slam events than any other male players have been unable to master the red clay.

Legendary serve and volley specialists like Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and John McEnroe all failed to triumph in Paris. Lean and mean ground strokers Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander seemed to rally for the French.

The Men’s Championship is named the Coupe des Mouquetaires, whose 1927 Davis Cup upset put France on the world tennis scene. That triumph is equated to the American hockey victory over the Russians in the 1980 Olympic games.

The Women’s title is called the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, who won more mixed doubles championships than any other competitor and who won six singles championships from 1920 – 1926. Suzanne led French women’s tennis players onto the international scene. One of the main courts at Roland Garros is named in her honor.

After World War II, the Americans and the Australians dominated the tournament. Perhaps the most amazing triumph belongs to Australian Ken Rosewall who won the title in 1953 and then amazingly duplicated the win fifteen years later as a professional in 1968.

After 37 years of frustration, Yannick Noah captured the title for France in 1983. The much-celebrated win burned brightly throughout France and especially in Paris. This feat has not been duplicated since, although the 2009 home country’s team, led by Jo Wilfried Tsonga, looks to be the strongest it has been in years.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal will arrive at this year’s event as the number one seed and deservedly so. Rafael Nadal has become the man-to-beat on either grass or clay and, like Bjorn and Lenglen, has won four consecutive titles. Nadal’s game is well suited for clay and his personality is just feisty enough to intimidate lesser players.

Historically, Bjorn Borg is generally regarded to be the modern-day French Open marvel. Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles, five championships at Wimbledon and six at Roland Garros. In doing so, he displayed a unique ability to win on grass and on clay.

On the women’s side, American Chris Evert’s French Open accomplishments are still storybook. With her graceful game and calm on-court demeanor, Evert endeared herself to the Parisians. Evert won 125 consecutive clay court matches, a record that will most likely rein forever. Evert had the perfect temperament and strokes for clay, yet was able to win on grass as well.

The tournament’s youngest Men’s winner was American Michael Chang who was 17 years 3 months when he captured the title in 1989. The youngest women’s winner was Monica Seles who emblazoned her run and grunt style on Roland Garros annals at 16 years of age in 1990.