Pink clay court unveiled at Roland Garros

Pink clay court unveiled at Roland Garros

Image: A general view of the pink clay court in the women's legends doubles semi final match between Martina Navratilova of USA and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic and Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud of France


It was a new beginning at the French Open. 


Day 12 of the competition witnessed the unveiling of a brand new pink clay court. 


The women's legends doubles semi-final match between American Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic and Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud of France was the first match to be played on the freshly-laid surface. 



The court is dedicated to women

Image: Groundstaff unveil a pink clay court prior to the women's legends doubles semi-final


The court was unveiled in the honour of the ladies at the tournament. 


And it was the legendary Martina Navratilova who participated in an exhibition match to inaugurate the court. 



Chris Evert also graced the ceremony

Image: (L-R) Nathalie Tauziat, Sandrine Testud, Jana Novotna, President of the French Tennis Federation Jean Gachassin, Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova pose at the net


Besides, Navratilova, Novotna, Nathalie Tauziat and Testud, Chris Evert also graced the opening ceremony. 


Evert won the French Open on seven occasions. 


Her record still stands. 



Navratilova, Novotna won the match

Image: Martina Navratilova (L) of USA and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic play on a pink clay court


Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna of Czech Republic played in the women's legends doubles semi-final against Nathalie Tauziat and Sandrine Testud.


There was a brief rain interruption before the Navratilova-Novotna combine won the match in three sets. 



French Open: A field day for Spanish trio

Image: David Ferrer of Spain plays a forehand in his men's singles fourth round match against Marcel Granollers of Spain


The trio of Spaniards -- Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro -- showed why the nation has ruled Roland Garros for most of the last decade.


They are the only players in the men's draw not to drop a set on the way to the quarter-finals.


Spaniards have won eight of the last 10 men's titles in Paris and on Monday they showed no signs of relinquishing their hold as Nadal, Almagro and Ferrer mercilessly froze out their opponents at a chilly, blustery and drizzly French Open.