The 2011 French Open is some of the best tennis in the world. Some people don't like the low bounces and slow speed of the Roland Garros clay, but most fans of the sport appreciate the change from the hard courts. The favorites this year and the names we've been hearing for the last few years. Rafael Nadal is the top seed but it's Novak Djokavic (2) that's getting all the buzz.
The Serbian with the powerful forehand beat Rafa twice in clay court matches this season and is riding an unbeaten streak going back to last year. Roger Federer (3) is still dangerous but is not nearly the machine he was a few years ago.
Caroline Wozniacki (1) and Kim Clijsters (2) top the women's competition. Both Venus and Serena Williams missed the 2011 French Open due to injury.
The top American in the tournament is Mardy Fish (10).
The matches will be televised on the Tennis Channel, ESPN2, and NBC. The Tennis Channel also streams select matches online. The 2011 French Open singles TV schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
Tuesday, May 24
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Early-round play (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Early-round play (ESPN2)
Wednesday, May 25
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Early-round play (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Early-round play (ESPN2)
Thursday, May 26
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Early-round play (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Early-round play (ESPN2)
Friday, May 27
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Early-round play (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Early-round play (ESPN2)
Saturday, May 28
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Early-round play (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Early-round play (NBC)
Sunday, May 29
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Round of 16 (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Round of 16 (NBC)
Monday, May 30
- 5 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Round of 16 (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Round of 16 (ESPN2)
Tuesday, May 31
- 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Quarterfinals (ESPN2)
Wednesday, June 1
- 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Quarterfinals (Tennis Channel)
- 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Quarterfinals (ESPN2)
Thursday, June 2
- 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Women's Semifinals (ESPN2)
Friday, June 3
- 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Men's Semifinals, Nadal vs. Murray (Tennis Chanel)
- 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Men's Semifinals, Djokovic vs. Federer
(NBC TV w/ live stream at NBCSports.com. NBC is only airing the match live at 11:00 a.m. in Eastern Time, all other timezones will get the match on TV at 11:00 a.m. local which means it will be delayed.)
Saturday, June 4
- 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Women's Final (NBC)
Sunday, June 5
• 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Men's Final (NBC TV with a live stream at NBCSports.com.)