The field is loaded with floating landmines — first-round matches of interest include (7) Gasquet vs. Paire in an all-French,(3) Carreno Busta vs. last year’s finalist (WC) Mayer, (5) Kohlschreiber vs. Seppi, and (6) Cecchinato vs. Monfils…

Notes: Interesting openers include (1) Fish vs. the Mahut-Richard Bernakis winner after a bye, (8) Devvarman vs. Ryan Sweeting, Blake vs. Gulbis in a battle of strugglers, (7) Bogomolov vs. Muller, (WC) Haas vs. (WC) Robby Ginepri, and (WC) Donald Young vs. “Iron” Mike Russell (winner to face (2) Anderson); Fish beat Isner in last year’s final.

Notes: Pro tennis returns to Atlanta; wildcards went to (1) Roddick, Brit James Ward and American tragedy Donald Young; openers of interest include Blake vs. Dent, (5) Tipsarevic vs. Kevin “Mr.” Anderson, and (8) Becker vs. Iron Mike; seeds Malisse and Becker get left off the ATP tournament web page’s featured players, ouch; Friday, Saturday and Sunday coverage live on ESPN2 and Tennis Channel.

It is uncertain whether Hamburg will stay as a lower-tier event or take its tennis ball and go home. Hamburg has been a top-level event since its beginning in 1974, boasting former champions Guillermo Vilas, Yannick Noah, Ivan Lendl, Stefan Edberg, Michael Stich, Marcelo Rios, Gustavo Kuerten, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“Q: What is the best piece of advice you would give to a junior tennis player, hoping to become a professional? (Michael Stich walks into the room saying: ‘Sex, Drugs, & Rock ‘n Roll!’) There we go, Michael Stich just came up with some crackers right there…It might be ok for a while…I know Michael Stich tried that and he won Wimbledon…Best advice? Well, I think you have to learn to be very patient and learn how to play on clay. I think it’s a very good grounding for players.”…

In a final that will never make the cover of a women’s fitness magazine, Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak upset No. 6 seed Marion Bartoli 7-5, 6-3. Wozniak became the first Canadian since 1988 to win a WTA Tour singles title.