It was Roddick’s fifth title on grass, and through the first six months of the season he is the only American male to win a singles title.

We’re searching for new storylines for the 2012 version of Wimbledon, but it’s looking a lot like the same-old same-old between the “old guard” of the Williams sisters, Sharapova, Clijsters, etc. Isn’t this around the time of year that Justine Henin makes a comeback? Martina Hingis in doubles? Yawn…we need some shake-ups in women’s tennis. Was 2011 just a fluke for Petra Kvitova, who could not claim a grasscourt title coming into the All England Club this year?

“When I started the tiebreak, I said, ‘Francesca, come on, pay attention and take two or three of the first six or seven points.’ Nothing, 6-0,” Schiavone said. “I went to the other side and told myself there is not too big a difference in winning or lose one point, so keep going and push. We will see what happens. And then I won.”

Andy Roddick’s downward trajectory, the return of Kim Clijsters, and reigning Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova in action are the things to watch this week, the final warm-up week before Wimbledon.

Kim Clijsters will not play the French Open.

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick were all easy winners on Saturday in Miami.

Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters made successful returns from ailments Wednesday in Miami.

Kim Clijsters now plans on playing a full season on the tennis tour.

The first round of the women’s event is all about the comebacks: Alisa Kleybanova, Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters.

Victoria Azarenka has withdrawn from Dubai with an ankle injury.