MC: Fantasy awards

...greatest stories that I have never written about on ESPN.com and nearly caused a Jim Pierce/Mary Pierce-level estrangement between my father and me. And sure, even though Dad was an absolute...

Among tennis' women, only chaos reigns No. 1

...in Paris, losing fewer games on her way to the fourth round than any player since Mary Pierce in 1994 (a year in which Pierce was ultimately denied the title by Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario...

Safina's rise just a matter of time

Dinara Safina has spent an athletic lifetime escaping the shadows cast by others, and never as quickly as her critics demand. As Safina says herself: "Doesn't matter, fast or slow," because she's playing like a No. 1 now.

Murky outlook for Ivanovic, Sharapova

Though Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova are blessed with gift-wrapped talent, various injuries have muted this burgeoning rivalry of glamour girls.

Barrage of aces not enough for Dr. Ivo

Despite a mammoth serving performance from Ivo Karlovic, Lleyton Hewitt battled his way into the second round of the French Open.

Don't bet on Serena's winning the calendar Slam

When it comes to statistics, I'm no Nate Silver (although I did waste far too much time on Silver's FiveThirtyEight.com last year in the lead-up to th...

...Kim Clijsters of Belgium poses with her trophy after winning her women's final match against Mary Pierce of France at the US Open tennis tournament in New York. Former world No.1 Kim...

Ivanovic, Scott to face challenges

Ana Ivanovic is making changes to wake up on the court, while we're all hoping to put the Dubai debacle to bed. Will either happen?

Nadal, Federer mending their maladies

There is plenty of meaningful tennis to be played from here until the French Open. And the game's brightest stars, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, best hastily heal up.

Ivanovic hires Kardon as new coach

Former top-ranked player Ana Ivanovic hired Craig Kardon as her new coach Wednesday.

Mauresmo, Ivanovic rally at Brisbane

Amelie Mauresmo rallied in the third to advance at Brisbane on Wednesday.

Fresh hope awaits some in 2009

Richard Gasquet is just one of several players who underachieved in 2008, writes Ravi Ubha. But expectations were high for a reason, and a new year is a fresh opportunity to meet them.

Pierce not ready to retire yet

Despite being sidelined by a knee injury since 2006, Mary Pierce told sports daily L'Equipe that she'd like to play again at the French Open

Which players are destined to have breakout seasons in 2009?

Last year we had Juan Martin Del Potro and Agnieszka Radwanska. So which players have the deftness, desire and requisite skills to break through in 2009? Ravi Ubha looks at the most likely candidates.

What's your tennis IQ? Take your 2008 holiday quiz

Sure, you remember who won the Grand Slams and finished No. 1 this year. But how closely did you really follow tennis in 2008? Take our holiday quiz and see -- then test your friends and family.