Irena Pavlovic: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

This is the first time I've heard of Frenchwoman Irena Pavlovic (ranked #176).  Her victory over Chinese-Taipei Kai Chan Chang 64 75 propelled her to the second round where she met the veteran Anabel Medina Garrigues (#31). She lost 63 62.  This was her second Roland Garros appearance.

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Lauren Davis: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Lauren Davis (#162) shocked Mona Barthel of Germany (#32) 61 61 in the first round of this year's French Open, gaining her a second round berth. She lost though to compatriot, Christina McHale (#36) 61 62.  This was Lauren's first Roland Garros appearance.

Melinda Czink: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Melinda Czink (#116) was a top 40 player three years ago when she reached the third round here in Roland Garros.  This year, she reaches the second round, as she defeats Anne Keothavong of Great Britain (#76) in the first round 61 62.  She lost in the second round though to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked #25.

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Sesil Karatantcheva: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Sesil Karatantcheva is a former top 40 player seven years ago, where she also reached the quarterfinals here in Roland Garros.  This time, ranked #125, she reaches the second round after defeating Hungarian Timea Babos (#65) 61 60.  She lost to Carla Suarez Navarro (#46) though, in the second round, 64 46 16.

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Claire Feuerstein: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

This is the first time I've encountered Frenchwoman Claire Feuerstein, who is currently ranked at #145.  She defeated Russian veteran Vera Dushevina (#87) in the first round 64 61.  This is her third French Open and the her first time to break into the second round.  She lost to Russian Nina Bratchikova (#109) 63 36 57 in the second round.

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Heather Watson: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

British player Heather Watson also reached the second round here last year.  She also was a former top 100 player, reaching as high as #87.  She enters Roland Garros this year, ranked #110.  She defeats Russian veteran Elena Vesnina (#80) in the first round, 62 64.  She lost to Julia Goerges (#27) in the second round 36 46.

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Melinda Czink: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Melinda Czink (#116) was a top 40 player three years ago when she reached the third round here in Roland Garros.  This year, she reaches the second round, as she defeats Anne Keothavong of Great Britain (#76) in the first round 61 62.  She lost in the second round though to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked #25.

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Virginie Razzano: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Virginie Razzano (ranked #111) pulled one of the biggest upsets in WTA history in this year's French Open when she defeated 13-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the first round of a slam.  That has NEVER happened before to Serena!  On paper, Serena should've easily defeated the veteran Frenchwoman, but Razzano apparently had tenacity and gumption at her sleeve and held off oh-so-many matchpoints while she was cramping!!  I really thought Serena would eventually pull through, like she usually does but Virginie just won't let go!  

Because of this win, she got into the second round, even if she was ranked outside the top 100.  However, she lost to Arantxa Rus (ranked #88).

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The Future of American Women's Tennis Without the Williams Sisters

Like the Czech Republic and Germany, Team USA is also experiencing a mini-renaissance in women's tennis.  Now that the Williams sisters are in the twilight of their careers - well Serena was sent packing in the first round while Venus in the second round - a new batch of American female players are slowly making their presence felt.

In fact, two American women reached the fourth round - and this is clay!!  They are Varvara Lepchenko (#63) and Sloane Stephens (#70).  Stephens has already lost to Stosur but Lepchenko still has a chance to go to the quarters as she plays Petra Kvitova (#4) today.

Another notable American is Christina McHale (ranked #36) who gave defending champion Li Na a scare in the third round, taking her to three sets before losing.  This girl definitely has the shots to hurt the top seeds and she now needs the mental toughness to get her to the next level.

Aside from Venus Williams, SIX other American women reached the second round of this year's French Open!! I was surprised to see this since normally, Americans fold easily on clay!  They are veterans Vania King, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Melanie Oudin then the newcomers, Lauren Davies, Alexa Glatch and Irina Falconi.

So that's TEN women into the second round.  Not bad at all!  I'm excited to see how they do in Wimbledon!

Yaroslava Shvedova: Breakout Female Player French Open 2012

Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan is not exactly a newbie player, having been a top 40 player in 2010 - the year she reached the quarters here in Roland Garros, but she is our breakout player for this event - being a player ranked outside the top 100 to reach the FOURTH round!! How cool is that!!

This was her journey to the fourth round -

She defeated Mandy Minella (#84) of Luxembourg in the first round 63 64 then went on to defeat Swedish Sofia Arvidsson (#62) in the second round 60 61.  Then in the third round, she edged Spanish player Carla Suarez Navarro (#43) 64 75.  In the fourth round, she will meet defending  Li Na (#7).

Melanie Oudin: Player Ranked Outside Top 100 Who's Into Second Round of French Open 2012

Even if she was only ranked #269 in the world today, Melanie Oudin was able to reach the second round here in Roland Garros.  Unfortunately, she lost today to Italian Sara Errani (ranked #23) 62 63.  She however, won her first round match against Johanna Larsson (ranked #81) 63 63.

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