Fittingly, the two best clay court players this season, Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev, collide in the final warm up for the French Open.

Earlier today, Nadal got through Novak Djokovic in their first meeting in over a year. After a very subpar start to the 2018, Djokovic actually looked pretty decent at times today, but with that forehand humming, it was too much Nadal.

Rafa got an early break, blew it …

Maria Sharapova picked up arguably her best win in years, outlasting fellow French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-7(6), 6-4, 7-5 in a 3 hour, 10 minute war.

Ostapenko blew out quicking to a 5-2 lead before the Russian rebounded and turned it into a match.

The Latvian, though, kept the pressure and built a 4-2 lead in the second, but Sharapova won the last four games. In the third, Sharapova got the …

Three former champions have reached the Rome semifinals, led by 7-time winner Rafael Nadal who is set to renew his longtime rivalry with Novak Djokovic.

In an early start, Nadal came from a set down to deny Italian favorite Fabio Fognini 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

“I believe first set, I think it started well with both of us playing well,” said Nadal. “I think I had an opportunity on return at 4-1, but …

Four former Grand Slam champions and current No. 1 Simona Halep advanced on Thursday in Rome.

Reigning French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko knocked out Johanna Konta 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Latvian’s win sets up a tasty tussle Friday against former French winner Maria Sharapova who eased past a weary Daria Gavrilova 6-3, 6-4. The Australian Gavrilova had to work into the morning the day before to fend off Garbine Muguruza.

“I guess …

After a surprise summer loss last year to Denis Shapovalov, Rafael Nadal gained revenge on his surface, slamming the Canadian 6-4, 6-1 to reach the Rome Masters quarterfinals.

Nadal had lost last week in the Madrid quarters while Shapovalov made the semifinals, and had beaten the Spaniard last year in Canada. But Rafa road his forehand and lost just five points on serve en route to an easy win.

“It was a …

After a shock loss to Dominic Thiem last week in Madrid, Rafael Nadal got back on track in his opener today in Rome, in ruthless fashion hammering Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-0.

“It was a positive match, of course,” said Nadal. “It was important, after a loss in Madrid, to come back strong. And that’s what I did today. I went on court with the right intensity. I don’t know how many …

The top names take the court on a big day Wednesday in Rome. Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal opens play against Damir Dzhumur. Nadal comes in on a loss to Dominic Thiem last week in Madrid, but hopes to get back on track and back to No. 1 with a title this week.

Juan Martin del Potro will meet rising youngster Stefanos Tsisipas on Court 3. That match follows Novak Djokovic taking …

Serena Williams is on notice, courtesy of her longtime coach Patrick Mouratoglou. In an interview with wtatennis.com, Mouratoglou said despite her recent withdrawals and not having played a Slam since her 2017 Australian Open triumph, Serena will play the French Open and will play with the intent on winning a 24th major.

“Serena will play the French Open to win it. Can she do it? Serena can achieve anything – after …

Juan Martin del Potro admitted that he chooses other surfaces over clay because he simply doesn’t like to chase balls and play long rallies.

“I don’t like to run too much,” he laughed Sunday in Rome. “And you must play long rallies here on clay.”

“But, I mean, if you play aggressive on this surface also you can be dangerous. But, you need to be 100% physically, mentally, free of pains in …

Rafael Nadal plays every tournament like it’s the biggest event in the world. Slams, Masters, 500s and 250s, they are all the same to Rafa, and that includes the Rome event this week.

With the French Open just around the corner, Nadal isn’t looking ahead. His sole focus is winning in the moment.

“I never consider no one of these events like preparation for another one,” Nadal said of Rome. “Never approach …

It doesn’t happen much out of Grand Slams, but in Rome on Monday an ATP player practiced with a WTA player. In this pairing, for a few minutes Maria Sharapova got a taste of what it’s like to hit with the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.

During their brief hit, Sharapova cracked a backhand crosser which forced a Nadal error off the forehand. So Maria won the point!…

The match of the day in the Rome women’s draw Monday went one way, and that was the way of young star Naomi Osaka who destroyed Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-3 for her first European clay win of the season.

“I feel like if I had more matches and I kind of understood the clay better, then probably [I could play well on it],” Osaka said.

“I feel like everyone has had a …

Novak Djokovic got back to playing his brand of tennis Monday in his Rome opener, crushing Alexander Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-3.

Though the Ukraine has been limited by injury this year, Djokovic was sharp all around, especially with his serve losing just 11 points total on his delivery.

“It was a great start. I always feel very comfortable in Rome. I think the conditions are quite suitable to my game,” Djokovic said. “I …

For the first time since 2008, home favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will miss the French Open. The 2-time semifinalist at Roland Garros has withdrawn due to his left knee.

The 33-year-old Tsonga underwent surgery on that left knee on April 3 and hasn’t played since retiring in the semifinals of Marseille in February.

“I’m obviously very disappointed, but I still want to come to Lyon as an ambassador and to Roland Garros as …

Alexander Zverev threw himself into the French Open favorites mix Sunday, defeating Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4 in the championship match of the Madrid Open.

The 21-year-old lifted the Madrid title for the first time.

“All in all, I’m just really happy with how I played, that I could win my third Masters,” said Zverev. “So far it’s been pretty good for me on clay this year. Hopefully I can continue this kind …