Next

US men tamed on Paris clay

Once known as a powerhouse in the sport, US men's tennis sunk to a new low on Wednesday, when, for the first time in 40 years, no American male reached the second round of the French Open.

Nine American men had walked through the gates of Roland Garros with hopes of ending their nation's four-year wait for a Grand Slam title.

By day four, and even before first-round action had ended, they were hanging their heads in shame as they all trooped out of Paris.

For the first time since tennis turned professional in 1968, no American man survived the first round at the claycourt Grand Slam.

Image: Andy Roddick reacts during his first round match against Russian Igor Andreev

Photographs: Getty Images | Text: Reuters