Americans celebrating Memorial Day will enjoy an all-USA showdown in Paris. Two of the best players from the United States, Venus Williams and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, will face off in the first round.
World number one Dinara Safina will also launch her maiden Grand Slam pursuit on Monday at Roland Garros.
OTB’s Can’t Miss Match of the Day
Back away from the BBQ grill long enough to enjoy the all-American special in Suzanne Lenglen stadium on Monday. Venus Williams and Bethanie Mattek-Sands will guarantee that a player from the United States reaches the second round, not a small feat given America’s track record on the tricky surface.
On paper, Venus Williams should be able to get past her countrywoman with a solid straight sets win. However, Mattek-Sands has been tearing up the clay courts with doubles titles this season in Charleston, Stuttgart and Warsaw last week.
Prediction: Venus Williams in 2 sets
Emilie Loit (© PHOTOSPORT.COM)
Au Revoir, Emilie
One of France’s finest will bow her exit for the last time on the courts of her favorite tournament this year. Emilie Loit, a former Top 30 player, announced her retirement from professional tennis after losing in the opening round to Timea Bacsinszky.
Loit won three Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles titles in Acapulco (2007), Casablanca and Estoril (both in 2005), and sixteen doubles titles.
Loit is also in the doubles draw of Roland Garros and will officially end her career after the major tournament.
Radio Roland Garros
Don’t have access to the French Open on TV or online match streaming? No worries, the French Open still has you covered with Radio Roland Garros.
Radio Roland Garros, the official internet radio station of the French Open, broadcasts live during play each day. This year’s commentary team includes Chris Bowers, Matt Cronin, Craig Gabriel, Nick Lester and Eli Weinstein.
Enter OTB’s Pick the Winner’s Contest
How well do you know tennis? Do you think you can pick the winner of Monday’s featured match? Guess correctly and you might be one of the five lucky people chosen to win a free live streaming tournament pass from TennisTV.com!
To enter, simply select your pick for the winner of Monday’s match between Anastasiya Yakimova and Maria Sharapova. All entries for Monday must be received by start of play (11 AM in Paris or 5:00 AM ET in USA). Only one entry per person.
Entry for today’s match has been closed. Please check back later on Monday to leave your pick for Tuesday.
More Matches to Follow
Dinara Safina (RUS)[1] v. Anne Keothavong (GBR)
Vera Dushevina (RUS) v. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[10]
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)[20] v. Alona Bondarenko (UKR)
Nick Lester is a terrible commentator. He does not know how to keep his bias to himself.
The best women player since 1960 is Margaret Court and the second best is Steffi Graff– perhaps the greatest when you look at how many slams she won ON ALL SURFACES
I THINK THE COMMENTATORS SHOULD RECALL THEIR HISTORY–THEY ARE YOUNG BUT THEY SHOULD BE BETTER ADVISED AND KNOWLEDGABLE TO THEIR AUDIENCE