A few days ago, the WALL STREET JOURNAL ran an article contemplating the virtual impossibility of beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open, and you can understand why. He was chasing his record fifth-straight title at Roland Garros, where he had never lost a match. His career record on clay 150-5. At the French Open, Nadal was pretty much a one-man wrecking crew.

But apparently, Robin Soderling doesn’t read the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Which isn’t that shocking, since he’s Swedish and all. But what the 23rd seed lacks in financial media acumen, he makes up for with a powerful serve, which was far more important today as he beat Nadal in four sets in what the NEW YORK TIMES is calling “one of the biggest upsets in the long history of tennis.”

More disappointing for us male fans of the sport was Ana Ivanovich, as the defending women’s champion fell flat on her face (actually, I don’t know if that’s posssible) and was knocked out of the tournament by Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.

Belgian Tennis Players Bribed?

BELGIAN TENNIS PLAYERS WAFFLE ON BRIBERY RACKET: Two Belgian tennis players said they were offered bribes to lose their matches:
MSNBC reports that Flemish faulter Gilles Elseneer was offered over $140,000 to lose his first round match at Wimbledon in 2005. Fellow Belgian David Norman came forward and admitted he was promised a substantial sum if he threw a game when he was in an Italian tournament about six or seven years ago. Neither netter took the money. Norman also added that he was asked about the conditions of other players, if any were suffering injuries or personal problems. Such info could help sports bettors increase their chances of striking rich on the red clay.