Men to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday in Paris:
RAFAEL NADAL
Ranked: 1
Age: 24 (Turns 25 June 3)
Country: Spain
2011 Match Record: 36-6
2011 Singles Titles: 2
Career Singles Titles: 45
Major Titles: 9 - French Open ('05, '06, '07, '08, '10), Wimbledon ('08, '10), U.S. Open ('10), Australian Open ('09)
Last 5 French Opens: '10-Won Championship, '09-Lost in 4th Round, '08-W, '07-W, '06-W
Topspin: Owns career record of 38-1 at French Open; only loss was in fourth round in 2009 to Robin Soderling. ... Can tie Bjorn Borg's record of six French Open championships this year. ... After winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles, lost in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in January.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Ranked: 2
Age: 23 (Turns 24 on Sunday)
Country: Serbia
2011 Match Record: 37-0
2011 Singles Titles: 7
Career Singles Titles: 25
Major Titles: 2 - Australian Open ('08, '11)
Last 5 French Opens: '10-QF, '09-3rd, '08-SF, '07-SF, '06-QF
Topspin: His 37-0 record so far in 2011 is the best start to a season on the men's tour since John McEnroe began 42-0 in 1984. ... Is 7-0 against Nadal and Roger Federer this season, including victories over Nadal in clay-court finals at Madrid and Rome in May. ... 13-0 against top-10 players; entered this season with a career mark of 39-50 vs. top 10.
ROGER FEDERER
Ranked: 3
Age: 29
Country: Switzerland
2011 Match Record: 28-7
2011 Singles Titles: 1
Career Singles Titles: 67
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: '10-QF, '09-W, '08-F, '07-F, '06-F
Topspin: Owns record 16 Grand Slam singles titles but is now in longest stretch without one since he won his first at Wimbledon in 2003. ... Record streak of reaching semifinals at 23 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments ended at French Open last year with quarterfinal loss to Robin Soderling. ... Followed that with quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon, then semifinal exits at U.S. Open and Australian Open.
ANDY MURRAY
Ranked: 4
Age: 24
Country: Britain
2011 Match Record: 13-7
2011 Singles Titles: 0
Career Singles Titles: 16
Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at U.S. Open in '08, Australian Open in '10, '11
Last 5 French Opens: '10-4th, '09-QF, '08-'3rd, '07-Did Not Play, '06-1st
Topspin: There hasn't been a British male champion at any Grand Slam tennis tournament since 1936. ... Is 0-3 in major finals. ... Went through a four-match losing streak this season.
ROBIN SODERLING
Ranked: 5
Age: 26
Country: Sweden
2011 Match Record: 25-7
2011 Singles Titles: 3
Career Singles Titles: 9
Major Titles: Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at French Open in '09, '10
Last 5 French Opens: '10-F, '09-F, '08-3rd, '07-1st, '06-1st
Topspin: Had a 3-5 record the first five years he played at Roland Garros; is 12-2 since. ... Upset Nadal (fourth round) in 2009 French Open, Federer (quarterfinals) in 2010, en route to his only two major finals.