Author: Admin

The American tradition of the underhand serve was renewed today at Roland Garros. Remember the good old days when Roland Garros champions used the underhand serve to great effect? Well, if you remember Michael Chang’s underhand serve against Ivan Lendl at Roland Garros in 1989, you know what we’re talking about. The shot is forever marked in the annals of tennis history as one of the most surprising and crazy shots that the Grand Slam stage has ever seen.

More #RG18: Halep Holds Serve | Serena's Catsuit Draws Praise | Day 4 Schedule | American Update

Well today, Jared Donaldson honored that fine American tradition with his own contribution against Grigor Dimitrov—and he won the point!

Check out this beauty late in the fifth set, as Donaldson’s cramps are already sinking in.

Underhanded⁉️@JaredD takes the lead 7-6 in the 5th.

Stream LIVE now on TC and TC Plus→ https://t.co/tPoe44C26q #RG18 #MyTennisLife pic.twitter.com/gPfyzRwfAt

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 30, 2018

Donaldson took the game but Dimitrov won the match, 10-8, in the fifth. If you’re scoring at home, Chang got the 46 46 63 63 63 victory over Lendl and won the French Open as a 17-year-old. Yeah, we think he’s still got it over Donaldson in the important underhand serve category.

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby. Look at the look on the guy's face when the first cut to fans after this Chang underhand beauty. https://t.co/2WDbygOsml

— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) May 30, 2018

Petra Kvitova seeks justice in 2016 stabbing.
Petra Kvitova can't clench her fist, but won't stop fighting.

Kvitova crushed Lara Arruabarrena, 6-0, 6-4, stretching her winning streak to 13 matches powering into the Roland Garros third round. 

Watch: Halep, Svitolina Advance in Paris

Kvitova, who warmed up for Paris sweeping successive clay-court titles in Prague and Madrid, raised her record to a WTA-best 32-6. The 28-year-old Czech will meet the dangerous Anett Kontaveit for a place in the round of 16.

The Czech media reports police arrested a suspect in the December, 2016 stabbing attack of Kvitova in her home in Prostějov. Kvitova suffered severe stab wounds to her left hand fighting off the attacker. Her injuries required a three-hour plus surgery in December, 2016 to repair ligament and tendon damage.

The 2012 French Open semifinalist told Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim she's pleased police have made an arrest, but cautioned there's still "a long way to finish the story."

"Definitely, it's great news," Kvitova told Tennis Channel. "It's great news. (There's a) long way to finish the story so I'm still down to earth and not really jumping high. I will be happiest when the story will end. I'm happy how I handled it and how I'm still handling it."

Kvitova's inspired comeback began in Paris last May. Though she only practiced a few weeks before the 2017 French Open and lacked full feeling in two fingers, Kvitova moved well, struck with ambition and made it to the second round.

Playing just her second tournament after the attack, Kvitova claimed her 20th career WTA title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Australian Ashleigh Barty in the Birmingham final last June.

“You an inspiration and a champion,” Barty said to Kvitova during the Birmingham trophy ceremony. “We love you and we missed you and we’re glad to have you back on court.”

Conceding her racquet hand will never regain full strength, Kvitova is focused on possibilities rather than limitations.

“I really didn’t know how the hand would react to playing tennis and even if I could hold the racket,” Kvitova told Reuters. “I was just working hard, being patient and being positive about it. I really didn’t know how everything would turn out.

“The hand will never be 100 per cent again. The last part of the fingers, I can’t move them in… I can’t do a fist pump but, the last 12 months have been great and I am not complaining at all.”

Photo credit: @Petra_Kvitova