French Open tennis

Flags fly over Roland Garros in Paris, home of the French Open tennis championship. From right to left, the French, British and American Flags are joined by the International Tennis Association flag and the Roland Garros stadium flag.

Tickets are purchased at Porte Suzanne Lenglen on Sunday afternoon for opening day matches at the French Open tennis championship. Photographs are not allowed inside the stadium, other than those taken by accredited press photographers.

Lines form to buy tickets, most matches already sold-out Sunday, opening day of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. The competition continues through June 11.

Cars lined up outside Stade Roland Garros wait to escort French Open participants to hotels, apartments and other destinations after their matches are played.

A bus stop kiosk trumpets Amelie Mauresmo, France's brightest star in the women's competition at the French Open, currently underway. While she has never reached past the quarterfinals in Paris, Mademoiselle Mauresmo won her first Grand Slam title at the 2006 Australian Open.

World number ones Roger Federer of Switzerland and Amelie Mauresmo of France highlighted play Sunday on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros. Although he won the match against Argentine qualifier Diego Hartfield, Federer didn't have an easy time. He struggled to find his form in the 7-5, 7-6 (2), 6-2 game. This year Federer - a seven-time Grand Slam winner - has dropped matches only to World No. 2 Rafael Nadal of Spain.

Mauresmo defeated the American Meghann Shaugnessy 6-4, 6-4. The French player told reporters, "It was a pretty good first round match, which is never easy. Maybe sometimes taking a little bit more control of the game, that might have made a bigger difference today, talking about the score. It's not the match of the century, but it was all right."

"I changed my state of mind," Mauresmo said. "I can see this tournament differently. I have expectations. There's not only the pressure of the public or of the media, there's also my expectations. I want to do well during this tournament."

The Russian fourth seed Maria Sharapova, playing with an ankle injury, suffered the most challenging match on Sunday. She fought off three match points and a game to defeat Mashona Washington 6-2, 5-7, 7-5.

In another notable match Sunday, Britain's Tim Henman overcame his opponent Kenneth Carlson of Denmark in a 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win.

Stade Roland Garros opened in 1928 for a women's tennis competition between France and Great Britain. The stadium was built to host the 1928 Davis Cup final between France and the United States.

Comments

[Maggie]

I love tennis because it reminds me of my grandparents. Every summer, I live in my grandparents' bedroom and watch the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. We are so engrossed that we usually take meals up there, too. It is a very special memory now, too, since my grandfather passed away just over a year ago. Thanks for bringing it all back. On a humorous note, if you ever get the chance to see "Confetti" (a British film just released in theatres), it has a hilarious tennis-themed wedding that left me in gales of laughter.

[naturegirl]

FOUR! Your game is prabably tennis seeing you posted about it! I tried to play years ago with my natureboy but he discouraged me as he ran off chasing my balls and shouted he was tired of it...I have never tried to play again! Other than that he really is a loving supportive partner.(Yes do come back and hear part II!)

[Annie]

Great counterpoint of straight ahead reporting that nicely balances the sadness of yesterday's post. How are you doing Tara? Better I hope.

[kristen]

My husband's company represents most of the big tennis players in the world although not Amelie. I love to watch tennis on the tele, but I don't care to play; it's the hand-eye coordination thing that I have problems with and ultimately I get angry.

[susan]

Pari-phile that I am, you know I just relish this information :-)
Merci, merci, merci!