Will Rafael Nadal enjoy another undefeated clay season?

Rafael Nadal returns to Barcelona.

Rafael Nadal said he was in tears after his Australian Open defeat.

Caroline Wozniacki talks to the press ahead of the Australian Open.

The big questions posed in the beginning of the clay court season was whether or not Rafael Nadal would resume his dominance and who would be able to derail him?

Robin Soderling and Fernando Verdasco meet for the Barcelona title on Sunday.

The quarterfinals are set in Barcelona.

Miami champion Andy Roddick has elected to sit out next week’s Rome Masters.

Rafael Nadal confirms his knees are Ok.

Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Barcelona.

MEMPHIS MOVING?: The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that a deal to sell the combined ATP/WTA event to keep it in the city fell through, and now the event could be sold to outside interests who could move the event (see: Middle East, Asia, the usual suspects — goodbye to another U.S. event).

Probably the two most important guys there (the wire writers) barely look up from their desks, let alone go out to watch tennis. I asked one of them when the last time he had seen a match. He thought he might have seen a few minutes of one in Miami but not one since. When asked “why do you need to even attend the events if you don’t watch any of the tennis?” Answer: “For the quotes.”

So, I keep thinking I am forgetting something. Oh yeah, Rafael Nadal played today as well. That was where I was going with the opening heat comment and I fear I have gotten off track. Big news of the day, Nadal won. Considering he has won 101 of his last 102 matches on clay, I supposed that shouldn’t be too much of a shocker. Here is my big prediction for tomorrow: Nadal has a 99% chance of a victory. I’ll even go out on a limb to say the same is true for Sunday. If I’m wrong I’ll be the first one to stuff my high-heeled foot back in my mouth.

All hands on deck, “calling Dmitry Tursunov. Your ship has sailed!” German Gremelmayr, who ridded the event of the last American, James Blake, has now set Tursunov adrift in a 6-4, 6-0 match.

The universe must be back in alignment as the warmth returned today and the king of the clay retained his throne. Rafael Nadal, who made his 2008 Barcelona debut in front of a packed house, reminded us all why he is the master.