Birmingham, Halle and Queen's Champions 2010

In the battle of the ball bashers, Nails triumphed over Shrieka (7-5 6-1) to take home her third WTA trophy of her career. The Chinese tennis star earns a spot in the top ten again after a solid clay court season. Last year she beat Maria in the semis but lost in the finals to Magdalena Rybarikova.

Last year I made the mistake of being so happy when I beat Maria I forgot I had another match. And now I’m so excited if I had another match I’d probably lose that too.

Reminder to Nails: you are playing a tournament tomorrow in Eastbourne.

The Greatest Shanker of All Time fulfilled the first of his appearance obligations for the rest of his career in Halle and ended his win streak of 15 to Rusty (3-6, 7-6 [4],
6-4)

In the last several years, Fed's record on grass is 76-2 with his only other loss being the epic classic match against Rafa in 2008. But it's no exaggeration that with losses in the Spring to Bags, Big Berd, Gulby, Montanes, Sod and Rusty, Fed's confidence is not where it should be going into Wimbly.

Samurai owes Fish dinner, triumphing at Queen's (7-6 [3] 7-5). He becomes the first ATP pro to win on three surfaces in 2010. He's won tourneys on hard (Memphis) and on clay (Belgrade).

Opening of Grass Court Season 2010

It's that time of the year: the, oh, too short grass court season. Yeah, I know Roland Garros literally finished up an hour ago but, hey, that's how this time of the season works: no break from clay to grass. The men are either in Halle or Queen's. The ladies are in Birmingham.

Queen's

Muzz will be looking to defend the oversized hardware he won last year to restore the hopes of his countrymen that he would be the first Brit to win a Slam in 150000 years. Unfortunately, a certain Spaniard who has a pretty good grass court resume is in his way.

Tourney Site: here

Draw: here

Seeds: Rafa, Nole, Muzz, ARod, Le Monf, Cilic, Head Samurai, Feli

Or maybe he's hoping another Brit will overshadow him in South Africa so that he can quietly go about his business.

Halle

Fed begins the defense of his Wimbly trophy in Halle. Playstation returns to the tour here. The Worm is entered but he just got married and is recovering from mono.

Tourney Site: here

Draw: here

Seeds: Fed, Playstation, Head Banger, Mosquito

Birmingham

A bunch of flat-hitting ball bashers lead the draw: Nails, Shrieka, Whoopie and Gilded. As expected from a bunch of ball bashers, all of them have had great highs and great lows. It's anyone's guess who would win here. Nails has played up (Oz) and down (Indian Wells). Shrieka's struggles have been well publicized (down at Oz, up at Strasbourg). Whoopie is an up-and-comer who looks like she is developing the consistency to live up to her breakout tournament (USO 2009) but has flamed out in other tourneys (Paris and Dubai). Gilded played great in Madrid but flamed out in Miami.

Tourney Site: here

Draw: here

Seeds: Nails, Shrieka, Whoopie, Gilded