It's certainly in our player interests to be on clay with the French Open around the corner, and Japan are severely weakened by the loss of their only world class male player, Kei Nishikori.  This should see a smooth passage for our team to the World Group qualifying match in September and, if there are any nervous ripples, I'm sure Lleyton Hewitt will take care of business.

On the women's side, it's their turn to adorn Rome's Foro Italico, and all of the top 10 were due to be present, until Australia's Sam Stosur withdrew after a massive, and successful, few weeks.

Sam's rise to a career high no.8 ranking on the back of her runner-up performance in Stuttgart to Justine Henin, is one she'll be keen to retain when the seedings are done for the French Open. There's no doubt clay has become Stosur's best surface, in my view for the reason that the slower bounce on clay provides her more time to complete her relatively big swing on the forehand, and similarly gives her more time to set up on her more structured backhand.

Also, her natural high bouncing kick serve is still a weapon on clay, whereas most other top women's serves are heavily negated by the deceleration off the earthen surface. So Sam still gets plenty of free points off her serve, a real bonus on clay, and backs it up with a forehand weapon. Add in her athleticism and fitness, and you have a package that is ideal for the surface. She's already proven that her semi-final performance last year at the French was not a one off, and has now effectively insured herself against a ranking fall with her recent finals appearances. These are good omens for Paris indeed.

It was no real surprise to see Henin back in the winner's circle in her comeback, especially on clay where it is more difficult to use sheer force to overwhelm her mastery of the subtleties. With four French Open victories, she's up there with the clay court greats. However, it's interesting that Justine said she took inspiration from Roger Federer winning his debut French Open last year. I take that not as incentive for Paris, but as meaning Justine has one eye already on Wimbledon, the one big prize that has eluded her so far.

It's worth mentioning that Rome will be the first on-court appearance for Serena Williams since her dominating performances at the Australian Open, where her mother and coach Oracene was in attendance.

Serena is not the only player on tour who is coached by her mother. In fact, a notable event occurred at last year's Wimbledon, where the four semi-finalists  - Serena and Venus Williams, Elene Dementieva and Dinara Safina all have mothers who can lay claim to having coached their daughters.

So to all mothers, let's salute you and wish you Happy Mothers Day for Sunday.