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.

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.

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.