Rafas back,minus the crown

Tennis humbles the vulnerable,no matter what trophies they might possess. For a poignant reminder,all one had to do was spend an afternoon at the French Open qualifying tournament earlier this week when Gastón Gaudio....

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Tennis humbles the vulnerable,no matter what trophies they might possess. For a poignant reminder,all one had to do was spend an afternoon at the French Open qualifying tournament earlier this week when Gastón Gaudio,the sensitive Argentine who won the 2004 title,screamed in frustration as he tried and failed to revive his career in front of a small crowd on Court 16.

But the man who succeeded Gaudio as champion at Roland Garros is still very much in the spotlight and in intimidating form as the worlds leading clay-court tournament begins Sunday. Rafael Nadals five-year unbeaten streak at the French Open came to an end last year when he was battered by Robin Soderling in the fourth round,but Nadal has yet to lose on clay since.

He swept through both his matches in last Decembers Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic and has alternated between phenomenal and good enough this year,winning 15 more matches on clay,including last Sundays straight-set victory over Roger Federer in the final of the Masters 1000 event in Madrid. Ive got my best tennis back, Nadal said in Madrid.

Youll never hear from my mouth that Im the favourite, Nadal said. I dont like this label. The only favourite for me is the one who plays the best tennis in Paris.

Trademark show

However diplomatic Nadal wants to remain,it is difficult to refute the evidence. He appears eager,seems hungry and is moving with his trademark bounce between points and his trademark urgency between shots. During his 17-match winning streak on clay,he has dropped just two sets: to Ernests Gulbis in Rome and to Nicolás Almagro in Madrid.

Federers durability is one of the most remarkable aspects of his long run at the top of the game. In an age of increased power and athleticism and jet lag,he has not missed a Grand Slam tournament since 1999 and has not lost before the semi-finals since the 2005 French Open. I think well always have some sort of injuries,but at least I always have the feeling normally that we as tennis players can control injuries, Federer said.

Those who run the womens tour could be excused for wishing that their stars could better control their injuries. Though top-seeded Serena Williams has become more conscientious about fulfilling her tour commitments,she still missed three months with recurring knee problems after winning the Australian Open this year. In her two clay-court tournaments,she reached the semi-finals in Rome,losing to Jelena Jankovic,and then won only one round in Madrid before losing to Nadia Petrova.

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The best clay-court player in the field is unquestionably Justine Henin,the four-time French Open champion and 22nd seed,who won three straight from 2005 to 2007 before deciding on early retirement that turned into a sabbatical. Her comeback season has been a qualified success,but her hot-and-cold results on clay this year make her difficult to read as she returns to her favourite tournament.

Somdev to play Chiudinelli

Somdev Devvarman will be up against world No. 65 Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland in the first round on Sunday. The Indian leads the head-to-head count between the two 1-0. If Devvarman manages to beat Chiudinelli,he will meet either world No. 19 American John Isner or Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan.