THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PARIS — Men to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday in Paris:
RAFAEL NADAL
Ranked: 1
Age: 24 (Turns 25 June 3)
Country: Spain
2011 Match Record: 36-6
2011 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 45
Major Titles: 9 — French Open (’05, ’06, ’07, ’08, ’10), Wimbledon (’08, ’10), U.S. Open (’10), Australian Open (’09)
Last 5 French Opens: ’10-Won Championship, ’09-Lost in 4th Round, ’08-W, ’07-W, ’06-W
Topspin: Owns career record of 38-1 at French Open; only loss was in fourth round in 2009 to Robin Soderling. … Can equal Bjorn Borg’s record of six French Open championships this year. … After winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles, lost in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open in January.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Ranked: 2
Age: 23 (Turns 24 on Sunday)
Country: Serbia
2011 Match Record: 37-0
2011 Singles Titles: 7
Career Singles Titles: 25
Major Titles: 2 — Australian Open (’08, ’11)
Last 5 French Opens: ’10-QF, ’09-3rd, ’08-SF, ’07-SF, ’06-QF
Topspin: His 37-0 record so far in 2011 is the best start to a season on the men’s tour since John McEnroe began 42-0 in 1984. … Is 7-0 against Nadal and Roger Federer this season, including victories over Nadal in clay-court finals in Madrid and Rome. … 13-0 against top-10 players; entered this season with a career mark of 39-50 vs. top 10.
ROGER FEDERER
Ranked: 3
Age: 29
Country: Switzerland
2011 Match Record: 28-7
2011 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 67
Major Titles: 16 — French Open (’09), Wimbledon (’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’09), U.S. Open (’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, ’08), Australian Open (’04, ’06, ’07, ’10)
Last 5 French Opens: ’10-QF, ’09-W, ’08-F, ’07-F, ’06-F
Topspin: Owns record 16 Grand Slam singles titles but is now in longest stretch without one since he won his first at Wimbledon in 2003. … Record streak of reaching semifinals at 23 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments ended at French Open last year with quarter-final loss to Robin Soderling. … Followed that with quarter-final loss at Wimbledon, then semifinal exits at U.S. Open and Australian Open.
ANDY MURRAY
Ranked: 4
Age: 24
Country: Britain
2011 Match Record: 13-7
2011 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 16
Major Titles: 0 — Best: F, at U.S. Open in ’08, Australian Open in ’10, ’11
Last 5 French Opens: ’10-4th, ’09-QF, ’08-‘3rd, ’07-Did Not Play, ’06-1st
Topspin: There hasn’t been a British male champion at any Grand Slam tennis tournament since 1936. … Is 0-3 in major finals. … Went through a four-match losing streak this season.
ROBIN SODERLING
Ranked: 5
Age: 26
Country: Sweden
2011 Match Record: 25-7
2011 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 9
Major Titles: 0 — Best: F, at French Open in ’09, ’10
Last 5 French Opens: ’10-F, ’09-F, ’08-3rd, ’07-1st, ’06-1st
Topspin: Had a 3-5 record the first five years he played at Roland Garros; is 12-2 since. … Upset Nadal (fourth round) in 2009 French Open, Federer (quarter-finals) in 2010, en route to his only two major finals.