Big News and Fun Photos From French Open

Photo: Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes

We're almost through the first week of the 2012 French Open, and the big news coming out of the tennis world has been the shocking first-round elimination of Serena Williams, the top-ranked American player in the women's game.

Previously, Williams sported a record of 46-0 in the opening round of the four major tournaments in tennis. 

Not to be outdone by William's quick exit, American men have been cast out of the French Open faster than day old baguettes. 

Isner (l) and Mathieu (r)
Photo: AP /Michel Eueler

America's second-highest ranked player, John Isner, was defeated today by France's Paul-Henri Mathieu in an epic match that lasted a near-record 5 hours and 41 minutes. 

With Isner's departure, no American men are left in the draw to compete in the second week of the tournament.

Oh well, we've still got some great tennis ahead next week, and we'll always have this collection of 40 fun photos from week one of this year's French Open.

Nadal's Grasp On the Clay Court Crown

Rafa - 2011 French Open
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Springtime is clay court season in men's tennis with four key clay court tournaments and a host of smaller events taking place throughout the months of April and May.

After March visits to big prize contests in Indian Wells and Miami, top ATP players cross the Atlantic to compete at Masters 1000 level tournaments in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome, before heading on to the French Open at Roland Garros, the event that marks the pinnacle of the clay court season.

Europe is the domain of the clay court season, and for the last seven years, Rafael Nadal has been its undisputed king.

Tally championships since 2005 at the four main clay court events, and you will find that Nadal has taken home the trophy 20 of 28 times. Reduce your scope to just the last three years, and things looks much the same with Nadal owning 8 of 12 titles. Not surprisingly, the handful of trophies Nadal hasn't hoisted at red clay masters-level and major events since 2009 belong to Novak Djokovic (2) and Roger Federer (2).

It's only when you narrow your view to look through the lens of the last twelve months that you see Nadal's prowess on clay begin to be challenged.