Yes, Roger Federer is the 2009 French Open Champion and no player on the planet has ever deserved it more. In an age where professional and amateur athletes bend rules, have temper tantrums, intimidate officials and have wild outbursts of gamesmanship Roger Federer ties on his sneakers and lets his game do the talking.

Roger Federer is a tennis champion’s champion!

His newest title is Federer’s first Coupe des Mousquetaires and makes the Switzerland’s graceful hero just the sixth player to win all four major championships. In Paris, Roger has been a perennial bridesmaid to four-time champion Rafa Nadal and other clay geniuses. But, bridesmaid no longer, Federer now shares the record for most Grand Slam Championships with American Pete Sampras. The way Roger is playing, he could well set the record at the 2009 Wimbledon Championship or at the U.S. Open.

In a tournament marked by the absence of form, the greatest player of the generation took on sturdy challenges and prevailed with consistent serving, the most deadly forehand in the game and with an abundance of personal fortitude. The 27-year old’s legions of fans began the celebration early on Sunday as “Rogere” never let the outcome be in doubt.

The Coupe des Mousquetaires was presented by American star Andre Agassi whose wife, Steffi Graf, did similar honors for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen yesterday. For Federer, Agassi had lavish praise; “That’s the true test of a champion and it’s so fitting that he won here. He deserved it, earned it, he’s come across in a generation where he was the second greatest clay courter for five years and earlier this year took six weeks off to focus on his fitness and also put hundreds of practice hours on clay courts. He has improved on the surface. Adding a nifty drop shot that earned him dozens of points during the tournament and seems more confident sliding into his ground strokes.”

In the finals, Sweden’s Robin Soderling never mounted a challenge, losing 6-1, 7-6 (1), and 6-4. His previous record against Federer proved true to form. Federer had won all nine previous matchups and had only lost one set along the way. On Sunday, the moment was bigger than Soderling and he was unable to play to the level that just one week ago had led him past the tournament’s top seed, Nadal.

On the road to the finals, other high seeds like Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Fernando Verdasco and Andy Roddick succumbed. The Champion still had a rocky road to the finals going five sets against Tommy Hass, four sets against Jose Acasuso, five sets against hard-serving Juan Martin Del Porto and besting two locals heroes, Paul-Henri Mathieu (4) and crowd favorite Gaels Monfils.

The clouds emptied a steady drizzle during the match and Soderling seemed to suffer. His early effort was distracted by the crowd, the weather and his erstwhile opponent. Meanwhile, Federer picked holes in Soderling’s game that other players had been unable to find. The 6-1 first set took just 23 minutes before the handwriting was on the wall.

Both players held serve in the second set. The rain eased for the tiebreaker and the Champion seized the moment and the tournament by notching four aces, a piercing forehand winner and a spellbinding drop shot to notch the set 7-1. Midway through the third set, Federer had won an astounding 80% of his second serves.

Soderling had made his name in this event by serving hard and consistently and by pounding returns. Both qualities were missing on Sunday. He faulted more than in any previous match, his serves were lacking in velocity and kick and his returns were ineffective.

During the awards ceremony, Soderling graciously complimented the winner; “He’s a great player. He doesn’t have any weaknesses at all. He really deserves to be called the best player of all time.”

At 27, Federer is not finished. He met such success in his earlier years that fans tend to think he is past prime. Federer has revamped his game and has now won two consecutive clay tournaments to raise his total tour championships to 59.

Perhaps more meaningful is Federer’s sporting contribution to the preservation of the game. Great players make great shots look easy. Two weeks of competing against the greatest competition in the world on the courts at Roland Garros is enough to make younger men falter. They all did! When Nadal went down to Soderling, experts felt Federer might feel the pressure of being the tournament favorite. As he has done at every turn, Roger rose to the occasion, wore the favorite’s role well and beat back all challengers. Hail to a true Champion!

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!

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.

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.

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!