Latest News from Roland Garros

Andy Roddick became the latest American the crowd of Paris has shown its meanness to, when he retired in the third set of his first-round match against Alberto Martin of Spain at Roland Garros.

He'd sprained ligaments in his left ankle last week and, despite wearing a brace, tweaked it in the eighth game. Early in the third set, the injury began to affect how he landed on his serve. Told he'd have to wait till the end of the set to have his ankle re-taped, he said he couldn't wait that long and retired.

Martin defended Roddick:

I don't like that the crowd boos a player. I wouldn't like it to happen to me. We're professionals here. We come to do our jobs. We try to do our best. It's a bit sad that people boo when you're just doing your job.

Not that Americans (like Roddick, Agassi, and Williams) are the only ones who get it, but the crowd obviously looks for some pretext to do it to an American.

Speaking of which, here's how those accusations of drug use by Lance Armstrong came out.

In decent news:

Venus Williams just defeated Emma Laine of Finland, 7-6 (2), 6-2. Maria Sharapova of Russia defeated Iveta Benesova of the Czech Replublic, 6-4, 6-1. Amelie Mauresmo of France (the #1 seed) defeated Vera Dushevina of Russia, 6-1, 7-6 (5).

In men's play, David Naldandian of Argentina defeated Richard Gasquet of France, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. And Roger Federer of Switzerland defeated Alejandro Falla of Columbia 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

And this little treat via Pro Tennis Fan and Tennis Buzz:

John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg did some tv ad for a Swedish real estate company called Vasakronan. Funny enough, and in English where it counts. Watch It.