In a three hour thirty minute thriller, the Swede Soderling powered crisp, penetrating forehand after forehand winner past the stunned Nadal and ended the Spaniard’s run for a record fifth consecutive French Open title.

Nadal had chalked up 31 consecutive wins at Roland Garros dating back top 2005. On paper, Soderling did not match up well against the left-handed King of Clay. The 24-year old eight-year veteran of the pro tour has a modest 2009 singles record of 11-10. He has never advanced beyond the third round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Now, that is all history. Nadal’s 41-4 record this year is down the drain and by the wayside. Soderling was so powerful, and so finely tuned that Nadal was forced to play well behind the baseline. At times, he seemed mesmerized by the shots that kept ripping back from the very fit Swiss powerhouse.

In 2007, Soderling had forced Nadal to five sets at Wimbledon. On the circuit, Soderling is known as a hard surface and indoor specialist. His clay court dominance over the game’s best clay court player was unexpected to fans but not to Nadal, who trains hard for every match and expected a tough match from Soderling.

Nadal may have been surprised by the size and vocal support of Soderling’s following. With each winning shot, it seemed as if the Swede’s support grew. When Rafa bounced back to force set two to a tiebreaker, the fans quieted. When he stormed out of the gate and romped through the tiebreaker, it seemed like Rafa was back and the inevitable would occur.

The tough-minded Swede answered by breaking in the first game of the third set. Robin held the break and claimed the set. Nadal promptly broke in the first game of set four and Soderling responded with another immediate break.

Several times, Nadal attempted to change the momentum by his notorious delay tactics and unusual gamesmanship maneuvering. Soderling was not buying it. He answered every delay with thunderous volleys and let his forehand do his talking.

Soderling will next play Russian Nikolay Davydenko who blasted past the other left-handed Spaniard Fernando Verdasco to claim his seta in the quarters. Much like Nadal, Verdasco never could catch up to Davydenko. On this day, at Roland Garros, it seemed as if the seeds were fair game and relatively easy pickings.

At this level of play, the seeds have to prove their mettle. The challengers have nothing to lose and are playing aggressively.

Ana out too!

Verdasco’s latest heartthrob and French Open defending champion, Ana Ivanovic will be joining him on the café circuit. 9th seed Victoria Azarenka never let the 2008 champ in the match. She came out of the gate firing powerful groundstrokes and kept Ana on her back foot throughout the straight set match.

Azarenka handed Ivanoivc a surprisingly easy and surprisingly quick lopsided defeat, 6-2, 6-3. Azarenka’s power left French fans drooling over the prospects of the Safina-Azarenka quarterfinal pairing. The ninth seed looks ready to break through and shows no fear at taking on higher seeds. Safina, who has yet to been challenged in Paris, will know she has been in a match against the very solid Azarenka.

In another fourth round match at Roland Garros, Maria Sharapova dropped the second set 0-6, but covered the set with two 6-4 victories to seal a quarterfinal berth against Slovakia’s 20th seed, Dominika Cibulkova.

Sharapova has had moments of brilliance but moments of mediocrity this year. She is making a habit of three set matches and the Grand Slam is difficult enough without expending energy in subpar sets.

Sharapova advances but without appearing dominant. Cibulkova, who bested Venus Williams slayer Agnes Szavay, will provide a stiff test for Maria. Szavay never got untracked against Dominika, but her loyal fans voiced their admiration in defeat. So, it was on Sunday in Paris.

On the Men’s side the top seed and the four seed, the two bookmaker favorites are gone. On the Women’s side, the three seed, the defending champion and the four seed are out. At Roland Garros, it’s anybody’s guess, just the way they planned it.

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!

India’s doubles starlet, Sania Mirza, Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic, the overlooked reigning French Champion and Russian comeback beauty and former world number one, Maria Sharapova all took the court at the same time. It just does not get any better than that!

Ivanovic was on the Phillipe Chartier Center Court, while Sharapova challenged Number 11 seed and fellow country-mate Nadia Petrova on Court Suzanne Lenglen and Sania quietly took her specialty doubles skills over to court 9.

Sharapova’s match against her steady, experienced Russian counterpart glowed with upset potential but reeked of possible disappointment. With Ana, the gorgeous defending champ and latest Fernando Verdasco squeeze, you never know what to expect. The fitness babe is only as good as her inconsistent serve.

For those who prefer doubles, Mirza is always worth a look. Sania never fails to bring a competitive grace to the doubles court. Day four at Roland Garros was no exception.

Amazingly, all three beauties won. All three provided great play along with popular results and pretty special attire. On Day Four at Roland Garros, the French got just what they wanted, and more!

At 6 foot 2 inches, Maria’s return to tennis has been much anticipated following her successful shoulder surgery. The blonde beauty has trained hard and carefully for this particular Grand Slam, the only Slam event missing from her $12 million resume.

Distracted by multiple career possibilities, some fans thought Maria’s tennis days might be over. The champion who is third in current player career earnings has withdrawn from many events in the past year and when she recently dropped out of a tune-up in Madrid, her fans feared for the worst.

Maria now finds herself well-positioned in the draw. After starting slowly in her first round match against Anastassiya Yakimova, Maria seemed to find a groove. She rode that groove through the first set against Petrova cruising to an easy 6-2 advantage.

Her play was controlled, the serve steady, if not brilliant, and her court presence seemed to overwhelm her shorter foe. However, Petrova knows how to win. Nadia is the world’s 11th seed and she has earned it the old fashioned way, on the court.

Nadia came out of the break with a vengeance, storming through the 6-1 second set in just 29 minutes. Sharapova’s lost her serve twice and her confidence appeared shaken. At the end of set two, Maria had 10 unforced errors compared to just 3 for Nadia.

But, Petrova’s reliable first serve had begun to wear thin. She would finish the match succeeding on just 58% of her first serves. With the exception of points won at the net, the two Russians finished in a statistical tie. At the net, Sharapova’s aggressive play resulted in 5 of 7 winning volleys. The tall right-hander won 41 of her 63 first serves compared to 36 of Petrova’s 51 first serves.

Petrova had numerous chances to put the third set away. She scored the first break at 2-2 and at 4-2 had a chance to break again to go up 5-2. But Sharapova knows how to fight, scratch and claw her way back. Always the lioness, the crowd favorite rose to the occasion and steadied the match. Maria not only held to get back to 3-4, she but broke to pull even at 4-4.

The two fired away at each other with Petrova holding the upper hand and Sharapova holding on. At 6-7, Petrova became unnerved by a first service call. She protested and then faulted again. At match point, she struck an uncharacteristically reckless forehand and Sharapova moved on.

Although not sharp, Maria now has two wins under her belt and her march to the quarters possibly matching her against a very beatable Venus Williams is a tournament organizer’s dream. Meanwhile, in Paris cafés, the word is out. O la,la, Maria!

Queen Ana

Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugam was no match for the defending champion of Roland Garros. The gal with the million-dollar smile, $7 million career earnings and “best physique” on the tour threw everything she had at the overmatched Thai in a quick one-hour match.

The 6-1, 6-2 Center Court face-off was not as close as the score. For those who have forgotten the queen, she is back, she likes clay and she has heart, a big heart. Ana loudly announced that the road to the throne would go through her.

A possible quarterfinal pairing with Dinara Safina does not appear a bad matchup for the Queen. Safina’s Grand Slam success is mediocre and despite Ivanovic’s service issues, she has the stamina to present a problem for anyone.

As her new and improved heartthrob, Fernando Verdasco, has discovered, life is better when the legs are strong and the training is sharp. Ana suffers the typical rock star distractions but seems to have found a good place with her very own Spanish rock star and current soul mate.

Against Tamarine, Queen Ana landed 76% of her first serves. Her velocity was good and she recorded 3 aces. Perhaps, her serve is back on track. If so, watch out world!

Ivanovic struck 32 outright winners and won 56% of her receiving points. In all, it was nice tune-up for round three.

Sania Sparkles – As Always

Make no mistake about it; Sania Mirza is a professional tennis player and champion. The 22-year old dark haired beauty is one of the survivors on the women’s circuit. This year little Sania has crafted an 8-7 singles record.

Singles is great training for Sania. She plays to win, but she also plays to improve her doubles play, which is how she gets the endorsements and pays the bills.

You see, Sania has a following. Way back there on those quieter courts, Sania pecks away in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, entering every event, scratching away at the castoffs from the noisier venues. Sania is a working girl, not a superstar, a realist really. Under the careful tutelage of teammate Mahesh Bhupathi, another doubles specialist, Sania has learned that it may not be all glory in the world of doubles, but there’s always something to do and someway to keep playing.

For those who watch the cheerful doubles expert go about her job, it is difficult not to root for her. She avoids the histrionics of the bigger names. Sania accepts her good play and tolerates her errors with grace. Her sportswomanship is unparalleled.

On Day Four, Sania and partner Chia Jund Chuang took Court Nine at Roland Garros. The two knew there was no better place to be, no better match to play. So, they enjoyed it.

74 minutes later, the twosome emerged victorious over Ipek Senmoglu and Yanina Wickmayer. It was a match Sania and Chia were supposed to win, a match that will not crop any headlines, a match that will not be forgotten or remembered. It was a first round women’s doubles match on the red clay of Roland Garros.

Why then was the gallery filled? Why then were people watching this match rather than watch, say Maria Sharapova or Ana Ivanoivc? Go see Sania play and you will understand. Whatever it is, Sania Mirza has it. Go see Sania play!

Day three will see 4th seeded Serb Novak Djokovic and Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Porto take to the red clay as well as France’s Gael Monfils and American James Blake.

On the Women’s side, Serena Williams (2), Svetlana Kuznetsova (7), Jelena Jankovic (5) and Elena Dementieva (4) will all be in action. At the top of the draw, the big names easily moved though round one. Maria Sharapova won in three sets to pave the way for an intriguing match up with 11th seeded country-mate Nadia Petrova.

Round one for both draws will be complete by the day’s end.

The possible quarterfinal battle between Spaniards Nadal (1) and 8th seeded Fernando Verdasco is on track after Fernando’s convincingly sharp 6-2, 6-1, 6-4, triumph over France’s Fiorent Serra. Verdasco’s serve was sharp and his groundstrokes penetrating as he won 75% of his first serves and recorded 15 aces. Verdasco stayed on the baseline as he took the net just three times during the quick, one hour 15 minute match.

Verdasco’s resurgence has thrown the tennis world into a state of turmoil. The feisty Spaniard stands on the precipice of greatness, one big win from center stage and one big loss from being bounced out of the top 10.

Always recognized as a talent who enjoyed the good life, Fernando’s reputation came under more scrutiny when he began to date tennis hot babe Ana Ivanovic. The couple makes for a photographer’s dream but their games were headed down a treacherous path.

Over the winter season, Verdasco decided to do something about his floundering career. Fernando went back to his mentor of 20 years ago, tennis fitness guru Gil Reyes of Las Vegas. Reyes put Verdasco on a demanding training routine that had a heavy emphasis on endurance and specifically on his leg strength.

In Melbourne, Verdasco’s game and career took a change in direction. Trailing the pre-tourney favorite and third-seeded, Andy Murray, by two sets, Fernando rallied to upset the Scotsman.

Next, Fernando blasted past the 2008 Australian Open runner-up, Jo-Wilfied Tsonga. The upsets landed Fernando in the semi-finals against country-mate and fierce rival Rafael Nadal. The five set match was filled with spectacular points. Many tennis fans have called the match the greatest of the new generation. For close to five hours the two exchanged momentum, crushing shots and powerful serves.

In the end, Nadal won the match, but Verdasco won the hearts. He usually does. Roland Garros is filled with hope of a quarterfinal repeat. The Paris fans will have a difficult time choosing a favorite in the anticipated battle of Spaniards.

The Men’s Draw

The Men’s Draw for Roland Garros has some intriguing matchups. With four consecutive French Open titles, Spaniard Rafael Nadal is the top seed. If number 8 seed Fernando Verdasco can toe the line, the two fierce competitors will meet in the quarters. A replay of the five set Melbourne Marathon would be a tournament organizer’s dream-come-true.

Andy Murray is seeded third but will host a tough semi-final challenge from either Nadal or Verdasco. Murray will most likely meet home-standing Gilles Simon in the quarters while Simon will first have to dispose of Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller.

Second-seeded Roger Federer tops the lower half of the draw. Fresh off his Madrid clay court championship, Switzerland’s star will have to work to get past third round opponent James Blake of the USA.

A win over Blake could pair Federer with another American, sixth seeded Andy Roddick in the quarters. The hard playing Roddick has not fared well in Paris and will have his hands full with France’s own Gael Monfils before reaching the quarters.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who gave Nadal a match to remember in Madrid, has peaked for Roland Garros. Seeded fourth, Djokovic will most likely square away with Argentinian Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarters, but Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France stands in the way. The top half of the lower draw is an upset-waiting-to happen.

One Handicapper’s View

A great draw! Not Nadal’s favorite. We like Verdasco to do the unthinkable and turn Nadal away from his fifth consecutive French Open title. There is no love lost between these two and this time Verdasco gets it done.

It is almost too easy to say that Murray will beat himself yet again, but he will. We like Fernando Gonzalez of Chile to do something surprising, but Czech Radek Stepanek is well suited for this event.

In the lower draw, Federer will fall, if not to Blake or Roddick, certainly to Djokovic. Paris continues to turn Roger away.

Novak Djokovic gets past Tsonga and moves on to the finals before winning the title. The big Serb’s time has come!

The Women’s Draw

Top seed Dinara Safina should emerge to meet popular 8th seed and former champion Ana Ivanovic in the quarters. Spain’s Suarez-Navarro will test Safina in round three.

Venus Williams will be noble but will be pressured in the quarters by Russian Vera Zvonareva, who will have to overcome teammate Nadia Petrova who has to deal with yet another great champion and teammate Maria Sharapova.

Serena Williams will have to work, but she should reach the quarters where Svetliana Kuznetsova will be waiting. In the upper half of the lower draw fifth seed Jelena Jakovic is getting a lot of media play. However, fourth- seeded Elena Demetieva is the better player and may go the distance.

One Handicapper’s View

Safina will not live up to her billing. In fact, if she gets to the quarters, she will fall to Ivanovic who will meet either Venus or Zvonareva in the semis. Either way, Dinara will not make finals. If Ivanovic serves, she gets to finals.

We see Serena reaching semis but falling to fourth-seeded and eventual champion Elena Dementieva who blows past Jankovic, Williams and Ivanovic to capture her first Grand Slam.

Elena is fit, tough, ready for the big stage and will be a great champion.

Dinara Safina

If ever the time was right for Dinara Safina, this is it. In Paris, the stage is set for the top-ranked female player in the world to break the ice and master a Grand Slam tournament. At 23 years of age and with seven years of professional experience, the husky Russian brunette needs a major championship to relieve the self-induced pressure that was so evident in Melbourne earlier this year.

After her convincing triumph on the clay in Spain, Dinara professed newfound confidence derived from her elevation to the world’s number one seed. Dinara has earned her ranking. The 6 foot 3 inch right-hander has career earnings of more than $7.3 million and year-to-date earnings of $1.8 million.

Dinara has the game, has the fame and has the power, but does she have the nerves to survive two weeks in the Roland Garros spotlight? At the French Open, wins take time. Points and games grind forward. Perseverance and patience win matches. In the past, these qualities have not been Dinara’s strong suits.

Safina cruised to the finals in the year’s first Grand Slam at Melbourne. Once again, she stared success and her lifelong dream in the eye. And, once again she collapsed in the glare. Dinara’s 2009 record stands at an impressive 28 wins and 6 losses while her career won – lost tally is 256 – 128. The numbers are fair, not great.

Of more concern is Dinara’s Grand Slam record. Aside from her runner-up finish in Melbourne, her best tournament was last year’s French Open where she lost in the finals to Ana Ivanovic.

Bookmakers like Dinara’s 2009 progress. She is fit, she is ready and she has been tabbed the early 7/2 favorite. In a little more than two weeks, the tennis world will know how much progress Dinara has made since Melbourne.

Jelena Jankovic

Jelena Jankovic

Jelena is another tour veteran who racks up points on the ATP circuit but who struggles in majors. The former number one is now ranked fifth on the tour and has been on the injured list for part of the season.

Jelena arrives at Paris with only $359,000 in earnings this year. And, the Serb’s Grand Slam record is less than impressive. Other than her runner-up finish at last year’s U.S. Open, Jelena has only reached the semis in a major in the 2006 U.S. Open.

Jelena has been working hard and her two-handed backhand should work well on the Roland Garros clay, but her endurance will be tested. Players will be keeping the ball in play and to see if Jelena can overcome her impatience and go the distance. Even when she was the world’s top seed, Jankovic did not fare well in the game’s biggest tournaments.

In Jankovic’s 8-year career, Jankovic only has one runner-up finish in her Grand Slam career. Her 2009 won-lost record is a modest 23 – 8 and her career 274 – 148 record is certainly not overwhelming.

It just may be Jelena’s lack of predictability that makes her dangerous. With the feisty Serb you never know what you might get. At 7/1, Jelena shares the role of bookmaker runner-up with two of the tour’s shining stars.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams

Forget that Roland Garros is slow, red clay. At 7/1, fashion and tennis guru Serena Williams is hard to bet against. With a resume that makes the other contenders look like pretenders, it seems like Queen Serena deserves a bye to the semis.

Serena has the distinction of having won all four Grand Slam Tournaments. Even the distinguished Roger Federer cannot make that claim. In all, Serena owns ten, count that, ten Grand Slam Championships amassed over her 11 years on the circuit.

Her career 411 – 87 won–lost record is equally impressive. This year, Serena stands at 21 – 6 and has earned $1.8 million. Her career earnings of $23.8 million exceed the combined career earnings of top three contenders. Wow! Now, those are championship numbers.

At 7/1, Serena looks even better. What could possibly be the problem? How could Serena not triumph over the field of pretenders? Serena like Paris. Perhaps she likes Paris a bit too much. Once a fashion queen, always a fashion queen.

The world’s current number two seed will both enjoy Paris and be a formidable obstacle for all would-be challengers. When the title was on the line in Melbourne, Serena played her best. That ability to seize the moment is what separates her from the other contenders. Far and away, the most experienced and successful Grand Slam Champion, the winner will have to go through the Queen.

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Now, here is a challenger with some mettle. The frisky Russian with terrific foot speed and relentless groundstrokes is clearly a threat in Paris.

Svetlana Kuznetsova was a runner-up in 2006 at Paris and reached the semis last year.

The 24 year old is at the peak of her game and with her tenacious, never-say-die style is well suited to chase balls down and prolong points. Bookmakers have listed the nimble blonde at 7/1.

Svetlana has approached the 2009 season with renewed vigor and carries a 21-7 record. Her career won – lost record is an impressive 315 – 135.

At one time Svetlana was the world’s second ranked player, but began the year out of the top ten. She has gradually moved up the seeding chart and now stands at number 7. If Svetlana is knocked out in Paris, the winner will know she has been in a battle.

Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic

The Paris fans like Ana.

She looks good, caters to the crowd and is the defending champion. Last year, the gorgeous Serb was a finalist in Melbourne before winning the Suzanne Lenglen Cup.

Since her impressive 2008 start, Ana has suffered service inconsistencies and her meager 15-6 won-lost record illustrates the problem.

As good as Ana looks and as much as the crowds will be pulling for her, the bookmakers list the defending champ at 10/1.

The tour pros do not give Ana much of a chance. Her game face is lacking.

Perhaps it is the media attention, the endless photo shoots or a general lack of interest, but Ana is not the driven personality that seemed ready top claim Maria Sharapova’s role. In any case, she will draw the crowds and the majority will be men.