Rafa Rolling toward Roland Garros

7 has been lucky for many a high roller at Monte Carlo, and Rafael Nadal is the latest to agree - Rafa rolled fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in a tight 2 set final to make it not only a slick seven Masters Titles in the rich resort but taking them in succession.  On clay Nadal is the prince, and no one has the form or pedigree to touch him in Paris, even allowing the form of a certain Serbian racquet twirler.

The strangest thing to come out of events this week, apart from Roger crashing early, was the return to form of Scot Andy Murray, not on a surface he favours.  This should give him confidence, not necessarily to dominate Roland Garros, but to be in top shape come the grass season and his biggest yearning - Wimbledon glory. 

Sad to see the Aussie girls lose their Fed Cup tie against the Ukraine - both teams were without top ranked players, but one would have thought that on home turf, and leading 2-1, that Australia should have consolidated a position in the World Group.  Not to be however, and congratulations to the Europeans a long way from home.

Barcelona this week for the men - expect more success for the world number one amid strong opposition from Murray again, and Soderling, a likely semi final opponent for Nadal.
The top women descend on Stuttgart where 7 of the top 8 ranked players will compete in one of the strongest fields assembled this year.  Only Kim Clijsters is missing out of that lot because of injury.  Expect Azarenka and Wozniacki to fight out the final though Wickmayer could be a nasty second round hurdle for the Danish number one.