"I'm not a clay court specialist that's going to stand 10 feet behind the baseline and retrieve balls back, " said Sharapova, who needs a win in Paris to complete a career grand slam.

BBC: SPORT | Tennis | Williams sisters beaten in Paris

"I'm out of touch on clay and also short on confidence, " Costa admitted after the match.

BBC: Agassi downs Labadze

I'm reminded that bird-hunting and clay shooting, when properly done, are very much athletic endeavors.

FORBES: Adventurer

I'm sorry I couldn't defend my title but Rafa's had an incredible clay-court season, he was just supreme today.

CNN: Brilliant Nadal too strong for Federer