Two-time defending champion Alexander Zverev opted not to play Washington this year.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko has retired from tennis.

The Miami draw is out and this time the bottom half is loaded.

Returning champs in the field are Gasquet (2013, ’06), Monfils (2010), and Mathieu (2002)…Gasquet trying to match Pete Sampras (1992-93) as the only back-to-back winner in Montpellier.

Tough openers for (4) Simon after a bye vs. the winner of Karlovic-Tomic, and (7) Nieminen vs. the Dutch riser Sijsling…Wildcards went to three dudes whose names you can’t pronounce…Pulling from the event were Ivan Dodig, Andy Murray (back surgery), and Tommy Robredo…Gasquet beat Simon in last year’s final…Returning champs in the field are Gasquet (2012) and Simon (2009).

Notes: Three former No. 1s among the seeds…No Williams sisters but plenty of Top 10ers and floaters…The Top 4 seeds receive opening-round byes…Tough openers for (1) Azarenka after a bye against Pennetta or Schiavone, (4) Vinci after a bye likely against the veteran Mattek-Sands, (7) Ivanovic vs. Cibulkova, (5) Stosur vs. the rolling Lepchenko, and (2) Radwanska after a bye likely vs. the veteran Hantuchova…Wildcards went to American Allie Kiick, France’s Virginie Razzano, and Stosur…Pulling from the event were Marion Bartoli, Kirsten Flipkens, Bojana Jovanovski, Kristina Mladenovic and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova…Martina Hingis and Hantuchova received a wildcard in doubles…Cibulkova beat Bartoli in the final last year…Returning champions in the field are Cibulkova (2012), Radwanska (2011), and Kuznetsova (2010).

Can Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer right the ship in Rome or will Rafael Nadal defend his 2012 title?

The big guns Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray open their 2013 European clay season on Wednesday.

Big men Juan Martin Del Potro and John Isner are in action Tuesday in Monte Carlo.

The Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all had it easy on Wednesday with straight set wins.

Nikolay Davydenko says he feels less pressure from the media now that he’s out of the top 10.

The top seeds continue to have their way at the Australian Open as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray enter the third round without a blemish.

Serena rolled not just her opponent but also her ankle in a scary injury at the Australian Open.

The draw is out for the first Grand Slam of the tennis season and defending champion Novak Djokovic should breeze to the final weekend.

Only Baby Federer Grigor Dimitrov stands in the way of an Andy Murray repeat in Brisbane while another Baby Federer won the Doha title.