This doesn't really qualify as an upset since Jelena Jankovic is seeded fourth and the reigning Italian Open champion, but you always give a champ likeVenus Williams a chance of beating anyone, anywhere. Not this time. Venus was knocked out of the French Open Friday, losing 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the third round.
"I got a little bit tired at the end," Williams told reporters after the match. "It's tough on clay."
Sister Serena, the 2002 champ, had a better day, winning her third-round match in straight sets. If Serena is making it to the second week of a slam, ya gotta figure she is in form and will be there at the bitter end.
But so will three-time champ Justine Henin, also a straight sets winner today. Serena and Justine, who have 13 grand slam singles sitles between them and enjoyed lengthy stays at number one, are true warriors who know how to win and have a real hunger for grand slam titles. It's great for the game that they are both playing well.
Roger Federer, seeking his first French Open to complete a career grand slam, breezed into the fourth round winning the final nine games of his 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 victory over Potito Starace of Italy.
"It's difficult for everybody here at the moment with the conditions changing, the gusty winds and the cool conditions," Federer said at his postmatch press conference. "So I'm happy to have put myself in the position of the fourth round already."
Me too! Federer is my pick to take the men's title even if he faces defending champ Rafael Nadal in the final. Federer wants it more than anything.
Federer, bidding for a fourth consecutive Grand Slam title, next faces No. 13 Mikhail Youzhny of Russia. Youzhny, a semifinalist at last year's U.S. Open, beat 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-2.
"I think he's a fantastic player," Federer said of the Russian. "I have to definitely be careful, even though I've never lost against him."
Other winners Friday: fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko beat Michael Llodra of France 6-4, 6-2, 6-4, No. 9 Tommy Robredo of Spain beat Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 and No. 19 Guillermo Canas of Argentina beat Kristof Vliegen of Belgium 6-2, 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
And here's an interesting result: Filippo Volandri, who shocked the tennis world by upsetting Federer in straight sets in the third round of the Rome Masters, defeated No. 7 Ivan Ljubicic 6-4, 6-7 (4), 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He could meet Federer in the quarterfinals if both win their fourth round matches.
I'll bet Federer is licking his chops at the thought of a rematch!