Nadal's ascension to world No. 1 ranking just the beginning

No one was ever fully prepared for the precocious, indefatigable Rafael Nadal. But after 160 weeks as the No. 2 player in the world, the Spanish sensation has officially displaced Roger Federer as the best in the game.

Tsonga reaches first semifinals since Australian Open

Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated Santiago Ventura 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II.

Calleri, El Aynaoui, Gicquel, Simon, Hernandez advance

Agustin Calleri had 12 aces in a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Olivier Patience of France to reach the quarterfinals of the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament.

Tsonga downs Montanes en route to second round in Casablanca

Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Albert Montanes of Spain 6-4, 7-6 (10) Monday in the first round of the Grand Prix Hassan II tournament.

Younes El Aynaoui

El Aynaoui graces tennis world with comeback and encouraging result

He's the embodiment of charisma but Younes El Aynaoui had virtually disappeared from the tennis circuit after myriad injuries derailed his career. The Moroccan veteran, though, stormed back onto the scene last week, reaching the BMW Open semifinals.

Younes El Aynaoui from Morocco celebrates after his first round match against Julio Silva from Brazil at the ATP...

Gonzalez's perfect '08 clay record intact after BMW Open semifinal win

Fernandez Gonzalez remained unbeaten on clay this year and reached the BMW Open final with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 win Saturday against Younes El Aynaoui.

El Aynaoui becomes oldest ATP: semifinalist in 15 years

Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco became the oldest semifinalist on the ATP Tour in 15 years, defeating Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-4 Friday at the BMW Open.

Safin tops Berrer to reach BMW Open quarterfinals

Marat Safin edged Michael Berrer 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-3 Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the BMW Open.

Top seed Mathieu, wild card Safin reach third round

Top-seeded Paul-Henri Mathieu cruised into the third round of the BMW Open with a 6-3, 6-4 win over qualifier Gianluca Naso.

Monte Carlo results a forecast for the rest of the clay season?

If anything, the Monte Carlo Masters was a microcosm of Roger Federer's topsy-turvy season. Conversely, Rafael Nadal's championship amplified his unbeatable clay status. And the antipathy toward Novak Djokovic, after another withdrawal, only worsened.

Kohlschreiber was the better player against Roddick

Maybe Andy Roddick wasn't expected to win the Australian Open, but he also didn't plan on bowing out in Week 1, either.

Roddick unable to break sharper Kohlschreiber in 5-set loss

Andy Roddick was sharp but Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber was sharper, refusing to wilt and ousting the sixth-ranked American 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 6-7 (3), 8-6 Saturday at the Australian Open.

Andy Roddick of the USA looks on exhausted after his epic five set victory against Younes El Aynaoui of Morocco during the Australian Open Tennis Championships at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia on January 22...