Roger Federer has the easiest draw of the front-runners

Most players will insist that they rarely look beyond their next opponent, but if Roger Federer has studied the draw for the French Open, which starts here tomorrow, he is sure to like what he sees.

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Laura Robson: The Briton will play Caroline Wozniacki in the first round in Paris

French Open: Laura Robson handed chance to add to her giant-killing reputation

For a player who loves nothing better than to topple the biggest names at the biggest tournaments, Laura Robson was yesterday handed the perfect draw for the French Open, which begins in Paris tomorrow.

Jungle patrol: an elephant safari in Thailand

My life in travel: Annabel Croft

'In Thailand, we did an elephant safari and explored caves by canoe at night'

Laura Robson

Laura Robson draws former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in first round of French Open

The British number one faces tough start at Roland Garros

Sloane Stephens lost seven out of nine matches after the Australian Open

Shaky Sloane Stephens finds her feet again following Serena Williams storm

Victory over world No 1 at the Australian Open was marred by row over being cold-shouldered

The Sport Matrix: Thursday 23 May 2013

Pellegrini edges closer to City role

Brydan Klein lost yesterday in the first round of qualifying for the French Open

Britain facing 19-year low at French Open

Britain will be without a player in the men's singles at the French Open for the first time for 19 years if Andy Murray fails to make it to the start line next week. The 26-year-old Scot will decide today whether to risk his troublesome back after retiring in mid-match from last week's Rome Masters.

Why equal marriage should be enshrined in law

Equal Partners revisited: Earlier this year we campaigned for equal marriage. The debate hasn't gone away

The Sport Matrix: Monday 20 May 2013

Arsenal’s sweet 16 as they sneak into Champions League

Serena Williams celebrates victory in the Italian Open

French Open tennis preview: World No 1 Serena Williams shapes up to put last year's Paris horror behind her

Serena Williams will head to Paris for next week's French Open in the form of her life, but the world No 1 will be taking nothing for granted. Williams, who extended her career-best winning streak to 24 matches in Rome on Sunday by beating Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 to claim her second Italian Open title, remembers how she seemed just as invincible 12 months ago, only to suffer the most extraordinary defeat of her career.

'Swivel-gate': David Cameron goes to war with the press over 'swivel-eyed loons' slur

PM backs his friend as Tory co-chairman Lord Feldman denies he is source of damning remarks about local party members

Nick Compton is bowled by Neil Wagner

The Calvin Report: Nick Compton left facing the cruellest of cuts

England opener's ambition to top the order in Ashes series is under real threat after his failure at Lord's and the impact of team-mate Root

Roman empire: Rafael Nadal celebrates as he closes in on a seventh Masters title in the Italian capital

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer set to renew old rivalry in Rome

For the last 10 months the talk has been of a new order at the top of men's tennis, but Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will aim to show here today that their time at the summit is far from over.

Thomas Berdych celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic

Thomas Berdych makes Novak Djokovic suffer on clay once more

Novak Djokovic says the French Open is his biggest target this year but the world No 1 will go to Roland Garros next week having made early exits from his last two build-up tournaments on clay.

Rory McIlroy with his father, Gerry

Family ties set to rock Rory McIlroy’s world again

World No 2 to keep it in the family as he plots return to summit

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Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?
After the flood: From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands
Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.
How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

How long can the 'Keep Calm' trend carry on?

At first it seemed clever and cute. Then the 'Keep Calm' motif went mad, spawning endless offshoots.
The man who built Brum: A lament for the demise of John Madin's Brutalist Birmingham

John Madin: The man who built Brum

The architect's buildings were supposed to leave an indelible, futuristic mark on his beloved hometown but they are now being inexorably torn down.
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery at the Ginger Pig

School of chop: Learning the art of butchery

How do you butcher a lamb? Or make Mexican street food in a British kitchen? Christopher Hirst finds out.
James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

The man who's eaten everywhere

Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

Eat Spam and carry on

Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

Facial hair

Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats