PARIS(AP) Men to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday (rankings in parentheses; statistics through Thursday):
ROGER FEDERER (1)
Age: 28
Country: Switzerland
2010 Match Record: 19-6
2010 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 62
Major Titles: 16 - French Open ('09), Wimbledon ('03, '04, '05, '06, '07, '09), U.S. Open ('04, '05, '06, '07, '08), Australian Open ('04, '06, '07, '10)
Last 5 French Opens: '09-Won Championship, '08-Lost in Final, '07-F, '06-F, '05-SF
Topspin: Arrives at Roland Garros as defending champion for the first time. ... Breakthrough title at last year's French Open made him only the sixth man with a career Grand Slam; also allowed him to tie Pete Sampras' record for career major titles at 14, a mark Federer went on to break at Wimbledon. ... Has reached the final at 18 of past 19 major tournaments; semifinals at a record 23 majors in a row. ... Only man he's lost to at Roland Garros over last five years is Rafael Nadal. ... Lost to Nadal in final of Madrid Masters on clay last weekend.
RAFAEL NADAL (2)
Age: 23 (turns 24 on June 3)
Country: Spain
2010 Match Record: 31-4
2010 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 39
Major Titles: 6 - French Open ('05, '06, '07, '08), Wimbledon ('08), Australian Open ('09)
Last 5 French Opens: '09-4th, '08-W, '07-W, '06-W, '05-W
Topspin: For the first time in career, will play at French Open coming off a loss there - his record 31-match winning streak at the tournament ended a year ago with a fourth-round loss to eventual finalist Robin Soderling. ... Returning to his dominant self on his best surface, Nadal is 15-0 on clay in 2010, becoming the first man to win titles at Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid in the same season. ... Beat Federer in straight sets in the Madrid final - reversing the result of last year's final in that city. Nadal is 14-7 against Federer overall, 10-2 on clay.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (3)
Age: Turns 23 Saturday
Country: Serbia
2010 Match Record: 21-7
2010 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 17
Major Titles: 1 - Australian Open ('08)
Last 5 French Opens: '09-3rd, '08-SF, '07-SF, '06-QF, '05-2nd
Topspin: Back to third in rankings after brief stay at career-best No. 2. ... Led Serbia to Davis Cup quarterfinals for first time by knocking off United States in March. ... Fitness often seems to be an issue, including during a series of retirements at Grand Slam tournaments; he retired during a quarterfinal match at Belgrade this month because of breathing problems, then skipped the Madrid Masters.
ANDY MURRAY (4)
Age: 23
Country: Britain
2010 Match Record: 13-7
2010 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 14
Major Titles: 0 - Best: Final at U.S. Open in '08, Australian Open in '10
Last 5 French Opens: '09-QF, '08-'3rd, '07-Did Not Play, '06-1st, '05-DNP
Topspin: There hasn't been a British male champion at any Grand Slam tennis tournament since the 1930s. ... Starting at age 15, he trained in Barcelona for about 2 1/2 years, so clay is not an unfamiliar surface. ... Led tour with .857 winning percentage in 2009, but is only winning at a .650 clip this season. ... Began year well by winning first six matches to reach Australian Open final, but is 7-7 since.
ANDY RODDICK (8)
Age: 27
Country: United States
2010 Match Record: 26-4
2010 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 29
Major Titles: 1 - U.S. Open ('03)
Last 5 French Opens: '09-4th, '08-DNP, '07-1st, '06-1st, '05-2nd
Topspin: Reached second week at Roland Garros for first time in 2009. ... Hasn't played in two months, including missing clay-court tournaments in Rome and Madrid, so heads to Paris without much preparation. ... Ranks third among active men in career titles, trailing only Federer and Nadal.