The first two Masters 1000 events of the year are held in the US, first in Indian Wells, then in Miami.  Both are week and a half events.  After that, every Masters 1000 event is played in a one week tournament.

We move to the clay of Europe and the opening tournament is Monte Carlo, a scenic site some consider the prettiest in all of tennis.  The king of clay is foremost king of Monte Carlo where Rafa Nadal is six time defending champ.  When Rafa lost to Roger Federer in 2009 Madrid, little did he realize he would not win another title until Monte Carlo, nearly a full year later.  It’s not that Rafa played awful, but he just couldn’t win a title.

After that, Rafa went on a tear.  In addition, he won Rome, Madrid, the French, and Wimbledon.

With Djokovic’s torrid start to 2011, including 3 defeats of Roger Federer (Australian Open, Dubai, and Indian Wells) and two defeats of Nadal (Indian Wells and Miami), the big question loomed: could Djokovic unseat the king of clay?

For now, the answer is no.  Djokovic withdrew from the tournament citing injury.  It is considered an optional Masters 1000 that won’t register as 0 points if he doesn’t play.  Andy Roddick, for example, routinely skips Monte Carlo.

Andy Murray looks to win a set against anybody on his weakest surface.  He plays Radek Stepanek in the second round.  Stepanek needed a tiebreak to beat Baghdatis in the first round.

In a surprising upset, talented Ernests Gulbis beat someone.  In this case, talented Alexander Dolgopolov.  It was a 6-4, 6-1 beatdown.  Not something one expects from erratic Gulbis.

We also get to see Raonic play on clay.  He and Llodra alternated bagel sets.  Llodra took the second set at love and Raonic returned the favor with a love set in the third set.  Raonic faces Gulbis in the next round.

Hapless Nikolay Davydenko continues his losing ways, losing to Dutchman Robin Haase.

Roger Federer will open against Kohlschreiber while Nadal starts his defense against lefty Nieminen.

Yesterday, American Ryan Sweeting upset Kei Nishikori in the finals of Houston.  He had beaten Ivo Karlovic in the semis.  In Casablanca, Spaniard Pablo Andujar beat Italian Potito Starace in the finals.  Andujar had a decent tournament at Miami getting to the third round.  Is he ready to make noise?