To thoroughly enjoy the accomplishment of the winners, a look back through the draw not only enhances the meaning of the trophy but also offers a look at all the accomplishments and disappointments that made the tournament such an emotional and sporting success. In the end, an athlete’s ability to put it out there, everything on the line, and perform at the highest level is a quality we all admire.

A look back at each draw will tell us who may have exceeded their expectations and may also tell the fans who might have been most disappointed. Those are the memories and emotional experiences that will drive these players through Wimbledon, our next Grand Slam.

Men’s Draw

The most compelling moment in the tournament may well have been the brief emotional response by the game’s greatest player. When Roger Federer fell to his knees and released the pent-up emotion that marked his two-week march through the field, it said volumes about the demands of a Grand Slam.

While the terre battue has proven to be the most elusive surface for the 14-time Grand Slam winner, this championship attests to Roger’s determination, work ethic and stamina. When this regal tennis competitor sets his mind to the task, he has the unique ability to convert hours of training into titles and dollars.

Unquestionably Roger Federer was the star of the Men’s 2009 French Open. Many other players provided exhilarating thrills while playing to a higher level than might have been expected. The success of the many French entrants kept the local crowds turning the turnstiles and providing excited roars from all corners of Stade Roland Garros. While Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s tournament ended abruptly at the hands of Juan Martin Del Porto, Gael Monfils established himself as player to be reckoned with. His semifinal straight set loss to the eventual Champion did not overshadow his thrilling and popular win over 6th seed Andy Roddick.

However, the tournament’s most unexpected performer was tournament runner-up Robin Soderling. Sweden’s hard-hitting 23rd seed, surprised everyone with his dominance of four-time French Champion Rafa Nadal.

That match threw the field into a state of frenzy and is the only singles match Nadal has lost at Roland Garros. His follow-up win over Nikolay Davydenko and thrilling five set comeback victory in which over a tough Fernando Gonzalez padded his resume. Trailing 1-4 in the fifth, Soderling showed his grit by rattling off the last five games against the fierce Gonzalez.

Women’s Draw

There can be no dispute that Coupe Suzanne Lenglen winner Svetlana Kuznetsova was the best clay court player at the 2009 French Open. Not only did she outplay all comers, but also she bested number two seed Serena Williams and number one seed Dinara Safina along the way. Svetlana displayed the disciplined game plan and controlled execution of power backhands and forehands that won her the title. Despite a mediocre serve, Svetlana played within herself and in the moment. She played to her strength and successfully directed her play at her opponent’s weaknesses. For Svetlana, it was a heroic return to the Grand Slam winner’s circle.

There were many outstanding performers in this year’s draw and, of course, just as many unsettling performances. Despite reaching the finals, no player is more disappointed than Runner-up Dinara Safina, who marched through the field en route to the finals. Neatly overcoming quarterfinalist Victoria Azarenka in three sets and semifinalist Dominika Cibulkova in two sets, Dinara seemed poised to capture her first Grand Slam. Once again, her tentative play in a finals marred the way.

Fifth seed Jelena Jankovic had things going her way until she ran into a determined Sorana Cirstea. The unseeded Romanian put Jelena on the sidelines with a surprising three set win. The final set was 9-7.

Perhaps the most gratifying performance was turned in by Australian Samantha Stosur, who seems to have regained her form after an extended medical leave from the tour. The 30th seed knocked off 4th seed Elena Dementieva, France’s Virginia Razzano and the testy Cirstea before succumbing in three tense sets to the Suzanne Lenglen winner. Stosur will bemoan her inability to convert opportunities but performed well and will certainly be a player to watch at Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova marked her return to the tour with a solid performance that should inspire her for England. Despite being blown out in the quarters by the diminutive Cibulkova, Sharapova etched three victories. If her legs get in tournament shape, Maria Sharapova will be a force at Wimbledon.

Men’s Doubles

The Draw held form for most of this event. The top seed, Nestor and Zimonjic, the three seed, Dlouhy-Paes, the two seed Bryan-Bryan all reached the semifinals. Only fourth seeded Bhupathi-Knowles faltered, losing in the second round to Acasuso and Gonzalez.

Seventh seeded Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman were the event’s over-achievers topping Bryan and Bryan in a thrilling three set semifinal, 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. This may well have been the match of the event and was the best-ever Grand Slam performance by either winner.

For Americans Bryan and Bryan, it was another bitter loss and one that continues their slide from the top ranking to which they have become accustomed.

The Men’s Doubles Champions, Lukas Dlouhy and Leander Paes played like champions, overcoming the top seed 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) in the semis before turning back Moodie and Norman in the three set (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) finals.

The defeat of India’s Bhupathi and Bahamian Knowles by Acususo and Gonzalez (7-5, 4-6, 7-5) in round two was another fierce match. The upset will serve to get the four seed back in form for Wimbledon.

Women’s Doubles

Despite the ease with which Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual dominated the finals (6-1, 6-1) the Women’s Doubles Tournament provided high-level competition, plenty of thrills and loads of upsets.

The top half of the draw featured top seeded Black and Huber who walked to the quarters with ease. Their match (7-5, 5-7, 6-2) with third seeded Garrigues and Pascual was the match of the tournament. With everything at stake, these experienced doubles teams held nothing back. Virtually every point in the two hour forty-five minute battle was contested. Play was filled with sharp volleys, crisp serving and in your face net play.

The lower half of the draw was filled with upsets. Second seed Peschke-Raymond lost in the second round where fourth seed Stosur-Stubbs also failed. Upstarts Azarenka and Vesnina overcame Hsieh-Peng in the semis (6-3, 7-5) to claim a berth in the finals. Azarenka may have been suffering from her singles defeat and never really got into the final match. However, the hard-hitting right-hander is a serious doubles player and may well advance on the Wimbledon grass.

Azarenka-Vesnina’s final effort was the most disappointing of the event, but their play achieving the finals was the most unexpected.

Mixed Doubles

In 2009 at Roland Garros, only the Mixed Doubles winner was the number one seed. Hats off to hard core American doubles performers Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan who overcame surprising eight seed Vania King and Marcelo Melo in a tight 5-7, 7-6 ((5), 1-0 (7) thriller.

King and Melo get kudos for over-achieving while the major disappointments were registered by India’s doubles specialists Mirza and Bhupathi who were turned away in their first round match. The experienced doubles team had trouble with the red clay and could not get their game together against Ram and Dechy.

For the Champions, it was another steady title and leads followers to believe they play as well as it takes to win. What a great two weeks in Paris. See you at Wimbledon!

Safina has a history of nerves in Grand Slam events and when Cibulkova came out firing two-handed backhand bullets to jump ahead 0-2, it seemed like Dinara might fade once again. To her credit, Safina gathered herself, adjusted her strategy and decided to make use of her distinct physical advantages.

The 6 foot 2 inch Runner-up in last year’s French Open proceeded to make the 5 foot 3 inch Cibulkova beat her with her forehand. Te strategy worked as the Slovakian fireplug, who prefers her backhand, lacked the patience to wait for her shot. Her forehand volleys were not strong enough to move Dinara around the court and forehand after forehand soon began to come up short.

Even when Safina hit soft second serves to Cibulkova’s forehand, the challenger could not drive the returns. The Slovakian’s inability to capitalize on Safina’s subpar second serve, characterized her fate. As the match went on, Safina took advantage of her 20 year-old opponent’s size by lobbing over her head when needed and by effectively moving her from side to side.

Cibulkova was under pressure the entire match and it gradually began to take a toll. Dominika has had a great year, going 13-9 in her singles matches prior to Roland Garros and winning almost $1 million, but she was no match for the steady Safina in the semis.

Dinara is one of the tour’s most determined players. Since her drubbing by Serena Williams in the finals at Melbourne, Safina has dedicated herself toward achieving her number one ranking and to winning her first Grand Slam event. Thus far, Dinara is the only top seed to stay the course. With Serena’s fall to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semis, Dinara will retain her number one ranking and is a heavy favorite to capture that elusive first Grand Slam crown.

Kuznetsova To Challenge

Another player has now emerged from the well-endowed stable of Russian women to challenge her country-mate for the Roland Garros title. It seems like wherever you look on the women’s professional tour, Russian women are dominating the rankings and the earnings. After this year’s French Open finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova will be moving up and now the Russian stable boasts the return of former world number one, Maria Sharapova who vows to be even stronger by Wimbledon.

The seventh seeded Kuztnesova blinked but prevailed against 30th seeded Australian pretty-girl Samantha Stosur. In a suspenseful match filled with emotional swings, Kuznetsova took control of the final set and would not let go. Her 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 2.5 hour win proved Svetlana to be a tough-minded workhorse with the ability to maintain her focus and play through pain.

In her quarterfinal win against Serena Williams, Kuztnesova turned her ankle, yet kept on playing. The hard-hitting blonde was determined to avoid the distractions that have led to several career setbacks. Not one to complain, Svetlana got back in the saddle and powered her way past Williams and used the same toughness to put aside her game Australian opponent.

Stosur, who has overcome her own physical setbacks, put up a noble fight. She was in every set, clawing at every point and showed plenty of heart throughout the semifinal match. Primarily recognized as a stellar doubles player, Samantha has ridden a win over Safina in Miami with her dominance of 4th seeded Elena Dementieva to propel herself into the top ten. That marks quite a leap for the 30 seed.

Kuznetsova now moves on to the finals against Safina, her confident opponent. Kuznetsova’s inconsistent serve may be the key to her match with Dinara. Stosur capitalized on the Russian’s soft first and even softer second serve. With Safina’s ability to attack the serve, the pressure will be on Svetlana to improve her velocity in the finals.

Against Stosur, Kuznetsova successfully landed 72% of her first serves, but she only averaged 150 kmh and she will not be able to drive Safina off the baseline. Kuznetsova’s second serve averaged a modest 129 kmh.

As a result, the finals shape up as a test for Svetlana. She will have to return Safina’s serve aggressively and be prepared to chase down Dinara’s driving returns of her own serves. For Svetlana to pull the upset, she will need to break Safina on multiple occasions because the top seed will certainly be on the attack.

Throughout the tournament, Kuznetsova has shown a champion’s capacity to counter-punch and play through reversals. If she gets out of the blocks quickly against Safina, she just may play her way to the title.

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!

The rust was evident in the first set against Kazakh star Yaroslava Shvedova. Maria over-hit ground strokes, flailed at serves and often seemed out of place with long strides better suited for grass than with the shorter, quicker moves needed for clay.

After a 1-6 thumping in set one, Maria came out firing in set two. She broke in game 5 and rode the break to a 6-3 reversal squaring the match. Suddenly, Sharapova had Yaorslava on the run from side to side and pinned deep behind the baseline.

To her credit, Yaroslava hung on. In a match with serious repercussions for a berth in the semis, Shvedova used an effective two-handed backhand down the line to stave off the grunting Grand Slam winner and former number one.

Sharapova’s shoulder remains a concern. Her usually reliable first serve was missing today at Roland Garros. The Russian star double faulted 11 times. That statistic is cause for concern and not typical of Grand Slam semifinalists.

Maria found a way to compensate for her service woes. By controlling the tempo and the court noise, Maria set herself firmly in control of play. From the start of set two, Maria struck 26 outright winners. Additionally, her ability to move Yaroslava around the court took a toll on the Kazakh’s serve.

By the end of the match, Yaroslava’s first serve was clocked at a mere 90 mph. As the match began to slip away, Yaroslava seemed to become tentative. Maria broke to go up 5-4 in set three.

After faulting the first serve of the key 10th game, Sharapova took a moment to gather herself. Her focus became clear. Suddenly, this match was all about the leggy blonde and her ability to put contenders away. She promptly rattled off four winners and the match was finished.

Many of the big names are experiencing first set tremors. Venus never recovered from hers. Elena Dementieva won when Jelena Dokic retired. The competition only gets better from here. Round four winners can ill afford to come out flat. It would bee unlike Maria to make the same mistake twice. Today was another good mental exercise for a shining star the tour could use.

If you know tennis, you know Jelena Dokic. The tennis tour is filled with players who worked their way up through the ranks. The WTA is filled with women who put everything aside to hone their game. Some of these players rise to the top while others labor on backcourts or on satellite tours, awaiting their day in the sun.

Jelena Dokic was born to play tennis. She is graceful, athletic, well—muscled and deft. In 2002, she was at the top of her game. In 2006, she shocked the world and left the game. Just four years after attaining a number 4 ranking in singles in 2002 and a number 10 ranking in doubles, Jelena turned her back on the game she loved.

Jelena Dokic had demons. Most of those demons were caused by her Serbian father, trainer and manager, Damir Dokic, who was jailed for thirty days on May 7, 2009. It seems Damir Dokic has threatened the Australian Ambassador. Many people feel he is where he belongs.

Jelena left tennis and left her father for personal reasons, which have later been described as abusive treatment. Now a citizen of Australia, Jelena was welcomed back to the game she left by the crowds in Melbourne. She surprised the field by reaching the quarter-finals.

Since January, her play has been erratic. The pretty blonde has worked hard on finding her serve and increasing her velocity. At Roland Garros today, Jelena Dokic stood on the verge of her greatest upset since her return to the game.

After breezing (6-2) through the first set against fourth-seeded and heavy favorite Elena Dementieva, Jelena appeared to have the match in hand. The fans were at a feverish pitch, cheering, coaxing, encouraging the upset.

At 2-3, her lower-back pain began to show. Her movements lost their flow. Her ball toss was labored. The crowd shifted uncomfortably.

At 3-4, she could not play on. At 3-4, Jelean Dokic retied her match against the 4th best player in the world. The gloomy Paris sky was darker, the crowd stunned and Jelena Dokic was crestfallen.

Tennis players suffer those public moments of pain and disappointment. Tennis players, cry, scream, become hostile, become emersed in the heat of the battle. Jelena’s public moment seemed more. And, the crowd knew it. The crowd wanted her to finish, to win her match of matches. It is impossible to root against Jelena Dokic.

Jelena is courageous. Another day, another time she will get her win and rise from the depths of her 74 ranking. Jelena is too talented, too courageous to be mired in the back of the pack. Jelena Dokic is a winner.

If she loses a match here or there, we will not complain. You see, Jelena has won over our hearts. We stand with her. There is a bit of us in her story. Play another day Jelena. Grace us!

Venus Holds On

The big seeds have survived Round 2. Fourth seeded, Elena Dementieva was in the fight of her life when Australian Jelena Dokic was forced to tearfully retire with a strained lower back muscle.

Third-seeded Venus Williams looks great. She’s appears as fit as ever and covers the court with ease. The problem for Venus is that the new youngsters see the oft-time Grand Slam Champion as fair game. In Round Two, svelte Czech Lucie Safarova took dead aim at Williams and gave her a three set match to remember. Venus rallied after losing the first-set tiebreaker, overcame a third-set match point and held on in the third for a tight 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-5 triumph.

The performance of the day belongs to Jelena Jankovic, who stormed out of the gate and past Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova 6-1, 6-2 in a quick one-hour tune-up for Round 3. As usual, Jankovic does not lose to players she should beat. Jelena appears strong and without distraction. Next up is another Australian, Jarmila Groth, who powered her way past Mariana Duque Marino, 6-2, 7-6 (9).

As she did in Australia, Serena Williams silenced her critics and let it be known the game is on. Serena brought her big game out and cruised by Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-2, 6-0.

In a tournament where the unexpected is expected, the fireworks should soon begin on the women’s side. Upsets are looming and Venus’ quarter is loaded with underdog potential.

27-year old Czech cutie and regular first round Grand Slam loser, Klara Zakopalova, took the play to Serena and seemed to have the number two seed on the ropes on Day Three. Despite her inability to finish off the American star, Klara’s fan base grew as the strong possibility of an upset rose.

Serena inexplicably lost both her concentration and serve as the second set wound down. The perennial Czech also-ran fought off six match points in set two and then ran off four service breaks in the tiebreaker to notch a stunning second set win.

Williams dug a deeper hole when Klara broke early in the third set. In the unfamiliar role of leading a top seed in the first round, Klara pressed ahead. Williams, who only landed 55% of her first serves, broke back at 1-2 and seemed to get her wind once the match evened.

Klara had built her momentum by winning 6 of 7 net advances and converting 5 of 11 break point opportunities. Her serve was steady but not overpowering as she recorded three aces.

Clay is Klara’s surface of choice. The competitive Czech advanced to the second round in Paris last year. The svelte blonde made some new friends on Day Three, but her career needs a boost. Currently ranked number 100 in the WTA, she is 7-12 in 2009 matches.

On Day Three, she had Serena Williams on the ropes and made the struggling American, who has lost four straight matches, look out of sorts. Williams appears troubled by a nagging left knee injury and appeared top be laboring on the red clay.

In other women’s matches, fourth seeded Elena Dementieva and fifth seeded Jelena Jankovic advanced without incident. The two seem headed for a pivotal quarter-final match-up.

Dementieva’s 6-4, 6-3 win over Chanelle Scheepers earns her a second round pairing with Australian comeback specialist Jelena Dokic, who clawed out a three set win over Croatia’s Karolina Sprem. It was no walk in the park for Elena, but her consistent groundstrokes were too much for the feisty Scheepers.

Jankovic breezed past Patra Cetkovska en route to a 6-2, 6-3 win. The former number one next plays Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova.

Men’s Singles
Fourth Seed Novak Djokovic and fifth seed Argentinean Juan Martin Del Porto took different routes but cruised into the second round. Djokovic is still riding the wave of his recent Madrid marathon clay match with top seeded Rafael Nadal. The troubled Serbian star has a solid fan base in Paris and this time, that base is expecting, almost demanding, results.

Djokovic finds controversy. The big Serb’s game can be so impressive that tennis buffs become frustrated with Djokovic’s inconsistencies. On Day Three, Novak advanced by way of Ecuador’s Nicolas Lapenti’s early retirement during set two. Djokivic led 6-3, 3-1 when the match was conceded.

Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Porto was his usual, convincing self in disposing of France’s Michael Llorda, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Like American Roddick, Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, France’s Gilles Simon and to a degree even Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, Del Porto waits on the cusp of greatness as perennial fan favorites and proven stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal seem to grab the Grand Slam spotlight.

Fans have been patient with Del Porto whose long frame and powerful serve may not be built for Roland Garros success. Against Llorda, Del Porto recorded 7 aces, landed 69% of his first serves and stroked 34 outright winners. The match was over in 1.5 hours.

Barring upset, Del Porto and Djokovic will clash in the quarters. Del Porto would have to put aside France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the third round to reach Djokovic.

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.