An American On Clay

by Craig Hickman


Reuters

Ana Ivanovic has won Roland Garros. Francesca Schiavone is the reigning champion. Last week, Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat them both in Madrid.

Today, the American outlasted the Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. On red clay. In Rome.

After the match, Bethanie told the press, "I'm still playing my game, aggressive on the red clay. They say Americans don't do well on clay. I'm trying to prove them wrong."

Go head, girl. Go head. Keep strutting like a cock in a barnyard full of pullets. Keep blasting return winners off weak serves. Keep dropping volleys like you do in doubles. And by all means, keep taking names on the terre battue.