1.   Becker beat Rios two weeks ago in the semifinals of the Swiss Open, kindling his hopes of finally claiming a clay court title.

2.   Becker beat Rios two weeks ago in the semifinals of the Swiss Open, kindling his hopes of finally claiming a clay court title before his career winds down.

3.   Before suddenly dropping his serve twice in the third set, Haas seemed on the way to winning his first clay court title without losing a set.

4.   Boris Becker may never win a clay court title.

5.   Last week in Hamburg, Germany, Williams beat Pierce for her first clay title.

6.   Moya already has a major clay court title this year, at Monte Carlo.

7.   Muster came into the French Open with five clay court titles this year and an aura of invincibility about him.

8.   Muster has won twice as many clay court titles as any other active player.

9.   Sampras is defending champion at the Italian Open, only his second clay court title.

10.   Speaking of futility, Becker, one of the big crowd favorites at the Foro Italico, is still seeking the first major clay court title of his career.