Rafael Nadal Starts to Defend King of Clay Title with Another Monte Carlo Title

Seventh consecutive Monte Carlo title in the bag.  Rafael Nadal, being at home in the courts here is an understatement.  He has been commanding these past seven years and this year, he defeated David Ferrer to win the championship crown.  This is also the start of his yearly defense of his King of Clay title.  It's still very early in the season, so we'll see how everything shapes up in the next few weeks.  This was his path to his seventh Monte Carlo title -

F - David Ferrer (ESP) (#6) 64 75
SF - Andy Murray (GBR) (#4) 64 26 61
QF - Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) (#40) 61 63
3R - Richard Gasquet (FRA) (#18) 62 64
2R - Jarkko Nieminen (FIN) (#59) 62 62
1R - Bye 

David Ferrer, Runner Up in Monte Carlo, Definitely A Contender for the French Open Crown

I know it's still very early in the clay court season, but this early, David Ferrer (ESP) (#6) is already sending signals to everyone that he is definitely in that top list of 3 to 4 contenders for the French Open crown of 2011.  He reaches the finals in Monte Carlo, only to lose to compatriot Rafael Nadal.  This was his path to the finals -

F - lost to Rafael Nadal (ESP) 46 57
SF - Jurgen Melzer (AUT) (#9) 63 62
QF - Viktor Troicki (SRB) (#16) 63 63
3R - Milos Raonic (CAN) (#34) 61 63
2R - Feliciano Lopez (ESP) (#43) 62 60
1R - Bye

Jurgen Melzer Strengthens Clay Credentials With a Semifinal Appearance in Monte Carlo

Jurgen Melzer (AUT) (#9) strengthens his clay credentials early in the season by getting a semifinal slot in Monte Carlo, losing to David Ferrer.  However, it was his win over Roger Federer in the quarters, which could help improve his confidence more. Melzer, a surprise semi-finalist in the French Open last year, just showed that he is still a threat to the clay court crown.  I am also happy for him, because he has finally reached the Top 10 in the rankings!  The next goal now is to make consistent dents deeper into the Grand Slam tournaments.  This was his path to the Monte Carlo semi's -

SF - lost to David Ferrer (ESP) (#6) 36 26
QF - Roger Federer (SUI) (#3) 64 63
3R - Nicolas Almagro (ESP) (#12) 61 64
2R - Robin Haase (NED) (#63) 36 61 62
1R - Bye

Andy Murray, Surprise Semifinalist in Monte Carlo

Andy Murray (GBR) (#4) is not really a name you'd associate with clay, even though he's definitely in that circle of elite tennis player's in the men's game.  However, this early in the clay court season, he has sent a message to everyone that he is a possible threat in the French Open, by reaching the semifinals in Monte Carlo.  He loses to eventual champion, Rafael Nadal.  This was his path to the semi's -

SF - lost to Rafael Nadal (ESP) (#1) 46 62 16
QF - Fernando Gil (POR) (#82) 62 61
3R - Gilles Simon (FRA) (#24) 63 63
2R - Radek Stepanek (CZE) (#70) 61 64
1R - Bye