French Open 2012 Results: How Today's Outcomes Will Affect Tomorrow's Matches

After five days of competition, the 2012 French Open has certainly delivered. With its share of long and hard-fought matches, there were many storylines developed that headline the remainder of the week and heading into next week.

Here are a few of today's results that will be sure to impact the future's matches.

No American Men

Once again, the American men did not have a good showing in a Grand Slam. Andy Roddick looked sluggish and unfocused in his first round exit to Nicolas Mahut. Donald Young fell in three sets in his first match to the Italian Dimitrov. Cinderella Story Brian Baker lost a heartbreaking match to the No. 12 seed Giles Simon 4-6, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 0-6. John Isner, who had the greatest chance of the Americans, played in another marathon match. However, this time, he came out on the losing end. For the first time since 2007, the American men will be shut out of the third round and watching the remainder of the competition from Roland Garros on the plane ride back to the States.

The "Big Three" Continue to Cruise

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer continue to show why they are in a league of their own. Their extraordinary dominance ranks them way above the rest of the field. After taking the first set 6-0, Novak Djokovic struggled to continue his outright dominance. Blaz Kavcic was able to take four games from the No. 1 seed in each of the final two sets. Yes, Djokovic did win and is clearly still a favorite, but he did show that there is a way he can be broken. Out of the "Big Three," No. 3 seed Roger Federer struggled the most in his second round match, dropping a close third set to Adrian Ungur. However, the Swed relatively easily took the fourth and final set 6-3. Nadal continued to show why the French Open is his bread-and-butter tournament, cruising past his opponent 6-2, 6-2, 6-0. Even with the slight mishaps, look for these three to continue on with ease until the semifinals.

Murray's Back Nearly Breaks His Chances

Things do not look good for the fourth-seeded Englishman. Despite winning his match against Jarkko Nieminen, Murray struggled and was fighting through excruciating back pain. The trainer was called multiple times and was quoted suggesting that Murray retire. Historically, playing at Roland Garros is not Murray's strength. According to Bleacher Report's Brian Mazique, he has a .597 winning percentage on clay surfaces. Whether he decides to withdraw or not, Murray will continue to have to play through pain on his least successful surface. Saying goodbye may be his best option.

Wild Women's Side

The most exciting action in Paris has definitely been in the Women's bracket. There have been many twists and turns. Before competition even began, No. 11 seed Vera Zvonareva was forced to withdraw due to a nagging shoulder injury. The Russian had a very good chance of doing well in the tournament, and this decision came as a surprise to many she had just competed in the Madrid Open a few weeks before. Next, and arguably one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, Serena Williams lost her first round match to Virginie Razzano, her first loss in the first round of any tournament in her entire career. Her sister Venus won her first round match but dropped her second round match in her comeback tournament since announcing she had Sjorgen's Syndrome. Finally, No. 1 seed Victoria Azarenka showed early struggles, dropping her first set in her first match. She pulled herself together and cruised through the remaining two sets and her second round match but the early stumble shows signs of vulnerability that a later, stronger opponent could exploit. Needless to say, for the women's draw, its anyone's game and anything can happen.