Tennis pros favorite off-court action in Paris

Maria Kirilenko had a special concern with her make-up during some of her matches, as a Brazilian newspaper pointed out. She even went to Sephora in Paris and got a make-up session for free. Maria is gorgeous and definitely doesn't need any make-up, but ladies love their eyeshadows and lipsticks.

Fun time in #SEPHORA #Paris store. Staff recognized me and decided to make a show make up😜 twitter.com/mkirilenko/sta…
— Maria Kirilenko (@mkirilenko) 4 de junho de 2013

John Isner and Rafa Nadal spent a few hours shopping in the city of lights. Isner went to visit his sponsor Lacoste. Rafa also had his birthday party with family and friends.

One thing is for sure, Vika Azarenka was eating well and probably had a long trip to the supermarket in order to fill up that fridge. :)

Flavia Pennetta went for a classic Eiffel Tower pic.

Giornata finita ! Io e il mio psicoccolo vi salutiamo così 😘!@dxtes1 twitter.com/flavia_pennett…
— Flavia Pennetta (@flavia_pennetta) 31 de maio de 2013

Shopping seems to be a favorite on tour. Svetlana Kuznetsova bought some Louboutin tennis shoes.

And tried the subway with Dimitrov and Wawrinka :)

@stanwawrinka @grigordimitrov @svetlanak27 tries different transportation from RG. #Frenchopen twitter.com/GTGAcademy/sta…
— Good to Great Tennis (@GTGAcademy) 26 de maio de 2013

Meanwhile, Serena Williams and Sara Errani find out on Twitter that they are both addicted to the game Candy Crush Saga, available on Facebook and mobile (Apple, iPad and Android). Here's a bit of their online chat:

@saraerrani I see u are playing candy crush! What level are you on???
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) 30 de maio de 2013

@serenawilliams completely crazy for candy crush!!! Level 133!!! 💪 And you???? 😃
— Sara Errani (@SaraErrani) 30 de maio de 2013

Good luck!! Lol vs candy crush! Haha! 😄RT “@saraerrani: @serenawilliams completely crazy for candy crush!!! Level 133!!! 💪 And you???? 😃”
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) 30 de maio de 2013

Waiting for the match!!!!!!!@SaraErrani@fulvia_fognini 👍👍👍 twitter.com/roberta_vinci/…
— Roberta Vinci (@roberta_vinci) 30 de maio de 2013

Images via players Facebook, Twitter and Instagram 

Queen Maria! (with Photos)

Maria Sharapova Grand Slam victories: Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2006, Australian Open 2008 and Roland Garros 2012. She is the tenth women in history and the sixth in Open era to complete a career Grand Slam. 

On Monday, she will become world no.1. What a remarkable week for Maria! Congratulations!

The finalists Masha and Sara Errani greet the referee

Maria praised her team and family for the support

Monica Seles handed the Suzanne Lenglen trophy to "Masha"

When asked if she was going to celebrate tonight, Maria answered: "Oh Yeah!!"

Images by FFT/Roland Garros Facebook. Photographers: Christophe Saïdi, Corinne Dubreuil, Sindy Thomas

Women's final at Roland Garros: What's at stake?

Maria Sharapova has already fulfilled one of her goals for 2012 Roland Garros: she is the new world nº1. But something else is at stake for her when she enters Court Philippe Chatrier Saturday, at 3PM (Paris time). She can complete her career slam, and add the French Open to her previous victories at the US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open.

Saturday will be "a special day" for the Russian, as she said in the post-semifinal press conference. She can become only the 10th woman to complete the career Grand Slam in her debut at a Roland Garros final. But more important than the numbers and prizes is the recognition for her hard work to get to the top after a shoulder surgery in 2008 (by 2009, she was world number 126th). She also made a remarkable improvement on clay, which was until 2012 her worst surface.

The funny thing is that Novak Djokovic may also complete his career Grand Slam in Paris in his first final there, and with the bonus of breaking a 43 years old record set by Rod Laver. Masha and Nole are friends and she has publicly defied him to join her on this battle to set new records. Will both of them succeed?

The other women's finalist Sara Errani has also her own record to set. Friday, along with partner Roberta Vinci, she raised the Doubles title, and is now one step closer to becoming the first player (man or woman) to win both singles and doubles at Roland Garros since France's Mary Pierce in 2000. The Italian is already the first player since Kim Clijsters in 2003 to reach the singles and doubles finals at the French Open.

All is set for an historic women's singles final. We can't wait!

Women's Career Grand Slam Holders

- Maureen Connolly Brinker (US)

- Doris Hart (US)

- Shirley Fry Irvin (US)

- Margaret Court (Aus)

- Billie Jean King (US)

- Chris Evert (US)

- Martina Navratilova (Cze/US)

- Steffi Graf (Ger)

- Serena Williams (US)

(Images via Roland Garros Facebook Page)

Federer-Djokovic semifinal rematch at Roland Garros

Roger Federer will stand in the way of Novak Djokovic's chance of completing the "Novak Slam" (consecutive four Grand Slam) or even the Golden Slam. It's a rematch of their semifinal at Roland Garros last year, when Federer ended the Serbian's 43-match winning streak.

1-ranked Novak Djokovic showed once again why he is on top. In another epic contest at the Court Philippe Chatrier, the Serbian had everyone and everything against him, but manage to save four match points in the 4th set. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had the all crowd on his side and was really close to the victory but wasn't able to shake the pressure of his shoulders. Djokovic did what he does best to get the 6-1 5-7 5-7 7-6 (6) 6-1 win. He gives his opponent the advantage and then crushes him to a point that there is no turning back. The Serbian resilience and mental toughness is remarkable. Tsonga ended the match in tears.

Djokovic saved 4 match points! (Image: FFT/Roland Garros FB)

But "Nole" is more vulnerable than in 2011. He had to play five-sets in the last two games to overcome his opponents. He is missing a lot of backhands and forehands, and seems to be slower on the court. To defeat Federer or Nadal he will have to be in his best form. 

On the other hand, Roger Federer cruised to win Juan Martin Del Potro after dropping opening two sets. The men’s No. 3 seed was playing on Court Suzanne Lenglen at the same time as Djokovic, and had less trouble to defeat the Argentinian by 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.

Djokovic is on his way to become the first man in 43 years to hold all four Grand Slam tennis titles at the same time. Don Budge and Rod Laver are the only players in history who accomplished the feat.

In the women's quarterfinals, Samantha Stosur and Sara Errani rallied for a win over Dominika Cibulkova  (6-4 6-1) and Angelique Kerber (6-1 7-6). The Australian and the Italian will now meet in the semis at Roland Garros.