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!

What better place to get to know them, to see their dreams unfold, than in Paris, where every dream can come true. So, get out of your comfort zone, let your heart wander just a bit and get on back there to those other courts where the dreamers are agonizing over the next shot, the next point and the next game en route to a career. The kids are back there. They have talent. They have game. All they need is you, one of you at a time and soon they too will be on center court. And, you, well, you will always be able to say you knew them then… when they were back there… trudging through Roland Garros, where dreams can come true.

Melanie Oudin

Youthful, competitive, talented and just plain heart grabbing, Melanie Oudin is a player to watch. She is destined for greatness. She is likable. She is gorgeous and has a great big heart. She plays with passion and minds her tennis manners. Melanie Oudin is worth watching, worth leaving your seat to see.

At 17 years young, this right-handed fireball will be playing her way into the Open. As she did in the Australian Open, she will get there. In Melbourne, she gutted her way through the qualifying rounds before losing a hard-fought first round match that she would probably win today.

Melanie has a clay court game. Currently ranked 123 on the tour, the Marietta Georgia native’s star is about to rise.

Her career earnings are $132,000 and her 2009 earnings stand at $54,000. She turned professional last year and participated at the U.S. Open. This is her third Grand Slam event.

If you are smart, you will follow Melanie. Get out of your chair and head on back there, where the early action is. Little Melanie will win your heart, surprise you with her exuberance and leave you in awe of what you just witnessed.

Michaella Krajicek

Tennis fans already flock to watch Michaella play. A strong candidate for “best in dress,” the striking star hailing from the Netherlands recently celebrated her 20th birthday. Amazingly, she has been playing professional tennis for seven years. This is her first Grand Slam of 2009, but her 14th since 2005.

Tennis fans have watched her blossom into the statuesque, brilliant and glamorous athlete that she has become. Michaella is one of those gifted athletes and persons who would be good at anything. Tennis is just her current choice, but watch out modeling and hello Hollywood.

The world’s 128th ranked player is a busy gal. If you are in Paris, make a point to watch Michaella play. You’ll be back!

Last year, the sporty right-hander reached the third round at Roland Garros. She followed up that performance by reaching the quarters at Wimbledon before losing in the second round in New York.

Michaella has won more than $1 million in her career, but just $31,000 in limited play this season. She has the demeanor to score on clay and with a break in the draw, she could easily surpass last year’s performance. Michaella is a handful. Do yourself a favor and get out for the warm-up!

Yung-Jan Chan

Okay, so she’s tiny, only 19 years old and has reached the second round in Grand Slam events just twice. That’s right. But, she has earned more than $1 million on the tour and a comfortable $49,000 this year.

Yung-Jan’s career is doing fine, thank you. She is progressing. Her two second round Grand Slam appearances were the last two tournaments she entered.

Yung-Jan is a good tennis player. She is the world’s 85th ranked player and she has been playing professional tennis since 2004. Yung-Jan is an accident waiting to happen for some favorite having a bad day, or who is just a hair off her game or who is looking past the pesky dynamo.

Yung-Jan is worth watching. Like her game, she does not go away. On the Roland Garros clay, she will chase shots down, hit spectacular drop shots and high lobs and then crush a two-handed backhand deep down the line. Wake up! Yung-Jan is on the court and on her game!

Maria Kirilenko

When 22-year-old Maria Kirilenko reached the 4th round of the Australian Open in 2008, it seemed her career was on track to become the next great Russian female player. She sure has the look, tall, blonde, legs that don’t quit, but something has gone awry.

Maria is in a slump. Her Grand Slam performances have fallen off. After a 2nd round exit in Paris a year ago, she has failed in the first round of the last three Grand Slams.

Maria is the 47th ranked professional. She has earned more than $2 million since 2001 and has earned $78,000 this season in singles and another $75,000 in doubles. Her career singles record is 136-123. That’s right, 136 wins.

Maria makes a living with tennis. The tour likes her. The fans like her. She may be headed to a career in doubles but we hope not. Maria is one breakthrough singles win away. Just one slip by an opponent, one break one lucky bounce from erupting. She has savvy, moxy and potential.

Maria is some lucky agent’s dream come true. Go a bit out of your way and watch one of Maria’s matches in Paris. It won’t be your last.

Marina Erakovic

The 80th ranked WTA player hails from New Zealand. Marina turned professional in 2006. She played in her first Grand Slam events last year. Life on the tour has been an adjustment for the slender blonde.

After her 3rd round defeat at Wimbledon in 2008, Marina reached an enviable 49th ranking. He r career earnings are just $389,000, but she has earned $53,000 this season.

Marina was pleased with her performance at Melbourne. Although she lost in the 2nd round, Marina was competitive. Clay is her surface of choice and, barring an unfortunate draw, we look for Marina to reach the third round in Paris.

Nadal has been so dominant and so overwhelming on clay that despite last weekend’s final match 4-6, 4-6 loss to Roger Federer, he has been installed as a shocking 4/11 bookmaker favorite. Nadal is in the unusual position of being a predominant favorite and a bad bet for the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris.

On paper, he has the credentials. On the court, he has the game. In front of the media, the muscular, 22 year old Spaniard has the answers, the confidence and the air of a champion. Rafael Nadal is clearly the best tennis player on the planet and on the red clay of Paris, he seems unbeatable.

With more than $24 million in career earnings, with more than $4 million 2009 earnings under his belt and with the last 4 French Open titles in his trophy case, Nadal will celebrate his 23rd June 3rd birthday during the May 24th – June 7th tournament. He would love to spoil the party by taking home the Coupe de Mousquetaires and the handsome check that goes alongside.

The feisty Spaniard is looking to capture leg two of this year’s Grand Slam after his impressive triumph in Melbourne. Even though the favorite lost in Madrid, he has impressed bookmakers and tennis experts with his 33 consecutive clay court wins and his 150 – 5 career record on clay. Nadal has not lost a match in four years at Roland Garros and as he prepares to pursue his fifth consecutive French Open title, the question is who will wrest the championship from him.

Roger Federer

Buoyed by his win in Madrid, Switzerland’s star seems more confident than in the past. Not that a winner of 13 Grand Slam tournaments needs a boost in confidence, but it is clear that Nadal’s success is wearing thin on the Swiss magician. Federer overcame tough opposition in reaching the finals at Melbourne and in the Australian heat put everything he had on the table in the finals. The loss seemed to take an emotional toll on the 11 year Grand Slam veteran.

Rather than pullback, Federer has worked hard on his game. He now boasts a heart-stopping drop shot that could well be the key to his success in Paris. The courts in Madrid were faster than the courts at Roland Garros, but clay is clay and a championship trophy deserves to be raised high.

With more than $46 million in career earnings and with $2 million banked this season, Federer knows what he has to do. All Grand Slam events are physically challenging and filled with distractions, but here is one player who has been there before. With one more Grand Slam championship, he will rise above Pete Sampras and claim the most Grand Slam Trophies of any player ever.

In addition to his 5 U.S. Open Championships, 5 Wimbledon Championships and 3 Australian Championships, Federer would like nothing more than to capture his first Trophy at Roland Garros. Roger’s resume also sports 5 Grand Slam Runnerup trophies.

Not bad for the bookmaker’s 13/2 second choice. Federer is ready and is playing and practicing to win. Second place is not good enough this time around.

Novak Djokovic

This year the bookmakers like the number three seed. Also at 13/2 the tall Serb has come a long way since Australia, where he received plenty of criticism for withdrawing during his fourth round match. Analysts have long questioned Djokovic’s will to win, but his skills and potential have long been admired.

With the 2008 Australian Open in hand, Djokovic has a Grand Slam title to his credit and since 2007 he has reached the semis or finals 6 times. His big serve and powerful ground strokes make the big guy a threat, but his foot speed and endurance have never allowed him past the semis at Roland Garros.

Since the fiasco in Melbourne, Djokovic appears to have re-focused his game. In Australia, he appeared out-of-shape, out-of-heart and out-of-gas. Since then, he has improved each week. His four-hour marathon against Nadal at last week’s Madrid Masters was memorable, but as in so many of Novak’s memorable matches, the Serb came up short.

Djokovic needs a break-through win to unlock his vast earning potential and expand his trophy case. While clay is not his best surface, his Madrid performance suggests he is peaking at the right time.

Since 2005, Djokovic has won more than $12 million and this year has banked more than $1.7. The two-week Grand Slam schedule has never played to Djokovic’s hand. Analysts feel he is a weak 13/2 bet.

Andy Murray

Andy Murray is a fast court player with the serve, ground strokes and foot speed for grass and hard court success. Ever since his Runnerup finish at the U.S. Open, the world has been waiting for Murray to put his awesome shot- making skills together and emerge from the shadows of Nadal and Federer.

Bookmakers think he has a 10/1 chance to succeed. Avid tennis followers do not like his chances. Like his countrymen, tennis experts have been disappointed by Murray too many times and for too long.

The skills are there, the heart is there too, but there seems a self-destruct mode surrounding the Scotsman. Obscure points, momentary breakdowns and deep sulks always seem to get in the way with this guy. Sometimes Murray appears to be looking for a way not to win. Or, perhaps it is that Murray seems like he is looking for a way to pin his inability to win on some quirk of bad luck.

Over two weeks of Grand Slam competition, success has very little to do with luck. Grand Slam championships require two weeks of concentrated tennis. Winners get past the distractions, past the crowds, past the media coverage and on to the court with their best game in tact.

Murray has a 186 – 70 career won-lost record and a 31 – 5 year-to-date record. He is that good, he is that talented. With $7miilion in career earnings and with $1.7 million cashed in this year, 22 year-old Murray simply needs to get the game between his ears in line.

Fernando Verdasco

Ole! Can Fernando break through? He won the hearts at Melbourne, he is the world’s most improved player and he is the Horatio Alger of the 2009 season, but can he break through? Is clay his surface? Is Fernando a hard court specialist?

Bookmakers like him at 25/1, the gals love him on or off the court and the other players are now very aware of Fernando’s appeal and presence. 2009 seems like a hard earned dream for the Spaniard. Tennis enthusiasts would love to see a re-match of the stirring five-set Nadal-Verdasco matchup in Melbourne.

There is clearly no love lost between those two countrymen. Fernando has never escaped past the fourth round at Roland Garros, but he has never been in as good shape and played with such intensity as he has this season.

With $4 million in career earnings, Fernando is the bookmaker’s fifth seed and 8th ranked tour player. He is 23 – 8 this year, but his semi-final match in Australia has given his fans reason to expect a determined showing at Roland Garros.

Ole Fernando! All the way in Paris!

The King

As storied as the history of Roland Garros is, the French Open Champions carry the tournament’s colors well. French Open Champions are special. They must overcome lengthy, gut-wrenching points, matches that last inordinate amounts of time and survive challenges from the best players on the planet. Yes, The French Open champions are special, just like the red courts of Roland Garros.

Since the Roland Garros Championships entered the Open era, the undisputed king of the tournament has been the stoic Swedish star and consummate tennis competitor, Bjorn Borg. Current French Open Champion, Spanish superstar, Rafael Nadal, will be seeking his sixth consecutive title at Roland Garros Stadium this month, but for many, the hearts of Paris will always belong to Sweden’s six-time winner.

In Borg’s shortened career, he won 61 ATP singles titles and 11 Grand Slam crowns. The powerful Swede won six Coupe des Mousquetaires and five Wimbledon crowns. Only Switzerland’s Roger Federer has won as many times on the English grass.

Perhaps, it was Borg’s ability to win on the slow, red clay in Paris and then on the very fast grass of England that endeared him to tennis fans around the globe. Perhaps, it was the Swede’s ability to overcome odds and hold off American bad boys John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors that elevated his popularity with international fans. Or, perhaps he was seen as one of the games great talents and the defender of the game’s ageless etiquette.

Unlike the feisty McEnroe and the contentious Conners, Borg played hard, played well and played with dignity throughout his career. At a time when the sportsmanship of the game was being redefined, Borg was a beacon of the traditional value of the game of tennis. Borg won his first French Open at age 18 in 1974. Borg won his sixth title in 1981 before his career was cut short in 1982.

Borg remains one of the few players who had the power game to win on fast surfaces and the racket skills to win on clay. Now, the game is fortunate to have another player with the same skills.

In 2009, Rafael Nadal pursues his sixth title. While the tall, muscular Spaniard’s style is different than Borg’s, Nadal has an uncanny ability to grind out wins on the red clay. With a dynamic clay court record, the 2009 French Open is Nadal’s to lose.

The Queen

Hail to The Queen! American Chris Evert captured the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen seven times and is still recognized as the greatest clay court tennis player of all time. Evert won an amazing 18 Grand Slam championships and, like Borg, did much to boost the game that she loved and the game that loved her.

Evert’s cool, calm and poised demeanor endeared her to fans around the world. The trim American won hearts and titles twice in Melbourne, 3 times at Wimbledon and 6 times at the U.S. Open. Her 125 consecutive clay court triumphs over six years from 1973 until 1979 is a record that will stand forever.

In Paris, Steffi Graf won six championships and has been Evert’s only serious challenger. As testimony to her versatility and brilliance, Evert’s six U.S. Open titles set another record.

Unbelievably, Evert finished as the world’s top ranked player seven times between 1974 and 1981. During her professional career, Evert amassed 1309 wins against 146 losses for a .900 winning percentage. Hail to the Queen of Paris, she stole our hearts and, along the way, helped raise women’s tennis.

The Prince

Michael Chang turned professional at aged 16 in 1988. His two handed backhand and durable play gained a reputation on a tour that was loaded with hard-serving and hard-hitting veterans. His 5’ 7” stature made the young American an unlikely tennis superstar.

Once settled on the tour, Chang set about making his mark. He splashed to the forefront on the red courts of Roland Garros in the 1989 French Open. His tenacious style and never-say-die attitude carried him to a stunning five set triumph over top seed Ivan Lendl in a grueling four hour 4th round match and another five set four and a half hour upset of number three seed Stefan Edberg in the finals.

At age 17 years, 3 months, Michael Chang is not only the youngest player to hoist the Coupe des Mousquetaires but he may very well reign as the Prionce of the French Open forever.

Inn his sixteen-year tennis career, Chang went on to achieve a world number two ranking and was ranked in the top ten for seven years. Michael won 34 singles titles and reached the finals in 24 other tournaments. Chang won 7 ATP championships. The 1989 French Open was his only Grand Slam championship. But, he reached the finals at the 1996 Australian Open the finals in Paris again in 1995 and the finals of the U.S. Open in 1996.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the Prince of Roland Garros was his ability to represent the game itself. He championed the etiquette and integrity of the game and became a major influence on American tennis. Coincidentally, Chang’s 1989 French tile was the first by an American since Tony Trabert’s 1955 championship.

The Princess

French Open Princess, Monica Seles, joined the WTA in 1989, the same year Michael Chang won his French Open title. That same year, Seles reached the semis at Roland Garros and she was an instant teen sensation.

The next year at just 16 years 6 months, Seles swept through the tournament and raised her first Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. In fact, the Princess of Roland Garros would champion the red clay courts three successive times until 1992.

Between 1990 and 1993, Monica won 3 Australian championships, 3 French Opens and 2 U.S. Opnes. At age 21, her career was cut short when she was stabbed in the back by a spectator. Monica, the Princess of the French Open and the Queen of the Comeback, attempted to resurrect her career. Although never regaining her top form, Monica remained a top 10 player from 1995 until 2002.

In 1998, the Princess reached the finals at Paris. After the tragic stabbing, Monica needed two years of rehabilitation. The incident is one of the great tragedies of international sport. Monica’s reign as the Princess of Paris clay will most likely last an eternity.