Roger Federer cruised in his first match in over two months, defeating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3, 6-4. Federer said after he had no issues playing on his surgically repaired knee for the first time since January.

“The knee felt really good, like in practice. Felt like I didn’t have to worry about it. I could just go freely,” Federer said. “I think in a way it was a perfect match. It was …

In one of the most bizarre matchups in women’s tennis history, 18-year-old Taylor Townsend had to play a 69-year-old grandmother in the second round of qualifying at a $25K ITF event in Pelham, Alabama earlier today.

Townsend, ranked No. 389, not surprisingly won the match 6-0, 6-0 in just 36 minutes losing 12 points over the granny named Gail Falkenberg.

But the story is, this was the …

Roger Federer makes his long-awaited return from knee surgery Tuesday in Monte Carlo. Federer has been out over two months, his longest stretch away from the game due to injury during his pro career.

We last saw Federer on the court in Australia in a losing effort to Novak Djokovic during a 4-set semifinal.

The last point he won of the match, though, was a good one. Here it is:…

Roger Federer and Andy Murray open their 2016 clay season Tuesday in Monte Carlo, a tournament neither has won.

Federer’s opener also marks his first match since undergoing left knee surgery shortly after returning from Australia in February.

“[Monte Carlo] is an opportunity for top guys to play more freely, since there is less pressure and it’s a change of surface for everyone,” said Federer. “I’ve played very well in …

After a virus in Miami delayed his comeback from knee surgery, Roger Federer is set to return this week in Monte Carlo against a tough field which includes the full Big 4.

Eyes will be on Federer who hasn’t hit a ball since the Australian Open because of that injured knee. And the Swiss also knows this will be the big test.

“My knee hasn’t bothered me, but the big test will …

Fan favorite Rafael Nadal opens his spring clay season hoping to get back to his winning ways at one of his favorite, most successful tournaments, the Monte Carlo Open.

The former No. 1 comes into Monte Carlo as an 8-time champion, but without a title on the tour since the summer and only one Top 40 victory this season.

“It’s always good to be here,” said Nadal. “I always have special feelings …

Monaco Hustles Houston to Deny Sock U.S. Title on Clay

Two former winners squared off in the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship final on Sunday, and it was Argentina’s Juan Monaco denying Jack Sock a repeat trophy with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 win in Houston.

Monaco, who returned to the tour in February after wrist surgery late last year, won his first Houston title since 2012, and his …

Stephens Bags 3rd 2016 Title in Charleston, Targets Red Clay

American Sloane Stephens continued her steady 2016 title haul on Sunday in Charleston, S.C., defeating Russian quaifier Elena Vesnina 7-6(4), 6-2 in the championship of the Volvo Car Open.

The No. 7 seed in the semifinals upset top-seeded Angie Kerber when the German retired with injury, and Vesnina upended seed Sara Errani. The 23-year-old Stephens now says she has momentum entering the …

COPA COLSANITAS
Bogota, Colombia; Surface: clay

Seeds: Elina Svitolina, Teliana Pereira, Mariana Duque Marino, Lara Arruabarrena, Irina Falconi, Tatjana Maria, Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Anna Tatishvili

Floaters: none

Notes: Who wants to go to Colombia? No one in the Top 15, and only two players in the Top 50…Wildcards were awarded to Colombia’s Emiliana Arango and Yuliana Lizarazo, and Venezuela’s Nadia Echeverria Alam…Pulling from the field were Jana Cepelova, Lauren Davis, Alexa Glatch, Kristina Kucova, …

While Monte Carlo officially opens the clay season, plays on the dirt, the green dirt, is already underway here in the US.

In the Houston semifinals today, top seed John Isner collides with Jack Sock in a battle of the top two Americans and former champions.

Sock, the defending champion, has won his last 14 sets.

“It’s definitely one of my favourite courts to play on throughout the year,” said Sock. “Always …

Storylines are aplenty as the red clay season officially begins Sunday in Monte Carlo, site of the third Masters Series stop of the season.

Novak Djokovic won the first two Masters losing just one single set. And as defending champion and winner two of the last three years, there’s little debate who the favorite is next week. That includes Rafael Nadal.

Monte Carlo is arguably Rafa’s best event outside of Roland Garros, …

After a successful month in the U.S., Novak Djokovic is back at his second home in Monte Carlo, which is also the site of next week’s Monte Carlo Open where the World No. 1 will begin his 2016 clay campaign.

So what better way to get his clay preparations started than by having his 1-year-old son, Stefan, help him on court!

Cute videos:…

Danish No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will be off the tour for at least a few weeks after turning her right ankle in practice on Thursday.

“Rolled my ankle during practice today😔 Very sad to miss Fed Cup & Istanbul, but I’ll be back soon! Thx for the ❤️!”

Rolled my ankle during practice today😔 Very sad to miss Fed Cup & Istanbul, but I'll be back soon! Thx

…

The Polish team of Mateusz Kowalczyk and Adam Majchrowicz were ahead against No. 2 seeds Remeez Junaid and Ken Skupski in the quarterfinals at the Napoli Challenger when things took a turn.

Serving up 6-4, 4-3, 30-40, Majchrowicz double faulted. In frustration over losing his serve and the break lead, he fired a forehand across the net, hitting Junaid in the head.

Seconds later, the Australian Junaid fell to the clay …

After a disappointing, titless first quarter to 2016, Serena Williams gave back to the fans by giving them an instructional Snapchat video on how to twerk!

Yes, it’s a slow news day. Monte Carlo begins Monday.