The Whole Delivery

Photo from the AP The almost two month journey that is the European clay court season can be similar to a semester at school. Key examinations will come along your way, but nothing will be of more importance than the final overall test. It's the grade that carries the most weight, and a terrific score on it could be the difference to whether you past the class or not. It could also mean whether you excelled to a higher level than any of your peers. The latter scenario is what both Francesca Schiavone and Na Li are seeking for, as both veteran combatants look to ace the final exam of the clay court season, the French Open final. Coming into Rolland Garros, despite arguably the most wide open field ever, both of the women's finalists were not considered as top favorites to hoist the Lenglen trophy. The early exams on the red dirt showed that Li and Schiavone weren't playing the tennis to make pundits give their confidence in them to win 7 matches in Paris. The defendi...

From RolandGarros.org In arguably his most satisfying Grand Slam semifinal win ever, Roger Federer has impressively defeated Novak Djokovic in four amazing sets, ending the Serbian's remarkable 43 match winning streak here in Paris. It was quite the performance from a man desperate to show people that he can be the best again in tennis, despite both his growing age and dealing with the likes of Rafael Nadal and Djokovic standing in his way. All facets of his game, from his deadly forehand to his pinpoint serve, were clicking at optimum levels today for the 16 time Grand Slam champion. And those shots were just too much for even the inform, seemingly impenetrable Djokovic to make the win streak reach an amazing 44. Federer fittingly backed up his world class serving with an ace on match point as darkness beset on Court Chartier. And he made sure to remind anyone who he was exactly again, just in case they forgot. His name is Roger Federer, and he is a legend. From RolandGar...

Rafael Nadal has reached another final here at Roland Garros, defeating good friend Andy Murray once more in a straight sets win that was far from routine. The 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 win by Nadal at least secures him his #1 ranking for a few more hours, with Novak Djokovic taking over the top spot from him with a victory over Roger Federer in the succeeding semifinal. To the Scotsman's credit, he validated that despite not having a Grand Slam title unlike his Big 4 colleagues, he can still provide a fiercely competitive match where nothing short of best will beat him. But Nadal was just that today, with clutch serving, wicked forehands, and displaying temerity with some serve and volley play even. The clay court master has relocated the confidence he was in dire search for before his quarterfinal matchup with Robin Soderling. And only a perfect 3 sets will be enough to deny him a record tying 6th title with Bjorn Borg here in Paris. Pre match analysis: From tennis.com Tacti...