Maria Sharapova

The Russian Tennis Federation has confirmed that Maria Sharapova will play for her country against Germany in the Fed Cup semifinals this month.

Rafael Nadal ran out of comebacks at Wimbledon, losing to a brash, big-serving, between-the-legs-hitting 19-year-old kid who might just be a future star. Maria Sharapova, somehow, seemed on the verge of a turnaround despite a flurry of unforced errors, saving six match points before finally succumbing on the seventh with -- what else? -- a missed shot.

As Serena Williams began to fall behind in what would become her earliest Wimbledon exit in nearly a decade, her coach could tell something was awry.

In an entertaining and undulating championship match -- the first women's final at Roland Garros in 13 years to go three sets -- Maria Sharapova showed that she's as tough as they come, edging Simona Halep 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 Saturday to win a second French Open title in three years.

As tumultuous a day as professional tennis has produced in its nearly half-century history ended in the most unforeseeable, unexplainable way of all: A second-round loss by Roger Federer at the All England Club.

Just like that, in a span of 15 days, Rafael Nadal went from French Open champion for a record eighth time to first-round Grand Slam loser for the only time in his career. Limping occasionally and slower than usual, but unwilling afterward to blame an old left knee injury, the two-time Wimbledon winner exited 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 6-4 Monday against 135th-ranked Steve Darcis of Belgium -- one of the most stunning results ever at the All England Club.

As her agent nodded along approvingly from a front-row seat, Serena Williams sounded contrite and composed. Well-rehearsed, too. More than half the questions at Sunday's session revolved around what Williams was quoted as saying in a recent magazine article -- and Maria Sharapova's surprisingly forceful verbal swipe in reaction to that story.