Roger Federer won his first ATP title of the year yesterday in Halle, overcoming Mikhail Youzhny in three sets. For Federer it was his 77th overall singles title…seemingly a long way away from the ATP overall singles record of 109 by Jimmy Connors.

Federer, soon to turn 32, will need to win 33 more ATP events to surpass Connors historic mark. It may seem like an impossible goal for Federer, but if Connors could do it, why can’t Federer?

Not many records left for Federer to break

It’s been a rough year for German vet Benjamin Becker, who started 2013 ranked #65.

He made R32 in Auckland then R64 at the Australian Open, losing in straights to Delpo. He made quarters at the Heilbronn Challenger, then lost first round in Zagreb, then he fell to Istomin in the R16 in San Jose after beating Harrison.

Ten tough losses in a row followed. First round in Memphis to F-Lo 4-6 in the third.

Becker got back on track in Nottingham

The grass court season 2013 has commenced. In Queens Querrey survived the newcomer Aljaz Bedene. Feliciano Lopez outlasted Ricardas Berankis. Jarkko Nieminen edged Ryan Harrison 63 63. Denis Istomin beat the young Russian Andre Kuznetsov 6-3 in the third.

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There have been some lopsided major finals over the years where we just knew it could be a one-sided rout…Seles vs. Huber in Australia, Graf vs. a silenced Seles at Wimbledon, Clijsters over Pierce at US Open, Henin vs. Pierce in Paris, Myskina vs. Dementieva in Paris, and of course Graf vs. Zvereva in Paris.

Super Serena vs. Miracle Maria

Status: WTA #54 is in the fourth round at the 2013 French Open after defeating Petra Kvitova.

DOB: Jan. 8, 1990 In: Frankfurt, Germany

First Tennis Memory: “Is when I started, my dad (James) toom me out to the local courts, the public courts, and I was just smackin’ the ball around. I remember liking it from the very beginning.”

Tennis Inspirations: “Of course I like Fed. I like Nalbandian. I think he’s one of my favorite players.”

"In Auckland you feel set free"

Serbian tennis coach Jelena Gencic discovered and nurtured the talents inside Novak Djokovic to become the King of Tennis. Gencic passed away in Serbia yesterday, as her protege is in the midst of attempting to win his first French Open title.

A poster at the tenniswarehouse.com forum translated the special meeting and interviews Djokovic and Gencic did together when he brought the Wimbledon trophy for her in Serbia…

Gencic called him "The golden child"

One of the most striking observations so far in the first week of the French Open is the play of seven-time champ Rafa Nadal which is far off from his highest level.

Nadal has lost the first sets in both of his matches so far to Daniel Brands and Martin Klizan, hardly regarded as clay court juggernauts.

Is the Rafa reign about to crumble?

Pardon this interruption. It’s just a feeling I got watching the end of Paire’s destruction of Baghdatis. This guy is becoming, transforming into a big time player. The talent has been there for years but I see it all coming together now, the maturity and evolution of a potentially special player.

The wicked forehand, the smooth, big serve, the flowing fluidity of movement, the comfort to play on the big stage,

Paire possesses special talent

This draw is a perfect chance for Roger Federer to capture another major, his 18th.

Here’s why: It’s very possible Nadal and Djokovic will reach the semis in two weeks and it’s entirely conceivable that they could play another six hour marathon, just as they did in Australia a couple of years ago.

Only a fool would count out Federer

The Djokovic-Nadal showdown is as hot as any rivalry in the modern era. Federer vs. Nadal has been spectacular but, come on, we all pretty much knew Rafa has had the upper hand from the get-go.

With Djokovic and Nadal it’s different. It’s more evenly balanced. Djokovic won the last match, Rafa the previous three and Djokovic the previous seven in a row.

Can Djokovic complete the career slam?