French Open news stories on Newser

Nadal Downs Federer, Nabs 6th Open

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:18:23 CDT

Rafael Nadal won his record-equaling sixth French Open title today, beating Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 in the final. It was the fourth final at Roland Garros between the two players, and the fourth won by Nadal.

Li Na Wins China's First Grand Slam Title

John Johnson — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:11:28 CDT

A little history at Roland Garros today: Li Na defeated defending champ Francesca Schiavone of Italy to win the French Open and claim China's first Grand Slam title, reports Bloomberg . The 29-year-old is part of a burgeoning crop of female tennis players from China nicknamed the "Golden Flowers" by state...

Players Grumble About 'Fast' New French Open Balls

Rob Quinn — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:58:34 CDT

Tennis players are notoriously finicky about equipment changes, and the new balls being used at this year's French Open have not gone unnoticed. The balls, made by Babolat to replace the old Dunlops, are "very, very fast" and "really difficult to control," said No. 2 seed Novak Djokovic, predicting they...

Nadal Captures 5th French Open

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 10:58:38 CDT

Rafael Nadal has reclaimed his crown as the King of Clay. Chasing down shots all over the court, the relentless Spaniard won his fifth French Open title today and avenged his lone Roland Garros defeat, beating Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. Nadal improved to 38-1 at Roland Garros, with the...

Soderling Bounces Defending Champ Federer

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:07:56 CDT

There will be a Grand Slam semifinal without Roger Federer for the first time in 6 years. French Open upset specialist Robin Soderling struck again today, rallying past defending champion Federer in a rainy quarterfinal, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4. That ended Federer's record streak of reaching the semifinals in 23...

Venus Out in 4th-Round Upset

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 30 May 2010 09:38:00 CDT

Venus Williams' celebrated corset went under wraps today, reports the AP, and now it's out of the French Open. Playing with a long-sleeve top over her black lace outfit on a chilly afternoon, Williams lost in the fourth round to Nadia Petrova, 6-4, 6-3. Williams came into the tournament seeded...

After Fashion Flap, Venus Covers Up

M. Morris — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:47:00 CDT

Venus and Serena Williams won their first-round doubles match at Roland Garros today, and all eyes were on Venus, who was wearing—an unadorned black T-back tennis dress. After 2 days of scrutiny thanks to the modified can-can get-up she wore for her first-round singles match, Williams went low-key as...

Venus Williams Turns Heads in Win

Nick McMaster — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:05:00 CDT

Venus Williams won her French Open first-round match yesterday, but the spotlight was on what she was wearing—and not wearing. The No. 2 seed sported a lacy black concoction with underpinnings similar to the ones that caused a stir at the Australian Open by creating the illusion that she...

Is Federer Now the Greatest Player Ever?

Jason Farago — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:03:46 CDT

Roger Federer has tied Pete Sampras's record of 14 Grand Slams after his decisive victory yesterday at the French Open—a title that Sampras himself never won. And as soon as the Swiss player lifted the cup on the red clay of Roland Garros, the arguments began: Is Federer now...