The 2011 French Open schedule: May 22 to June 5

The 2011 French Open is set to begin and the tournament will last for about two weeks, beginning on May 22 and continuing through June 5.

While the men's and women's singles draws won't be available until Friday, May 20, the overall French Open schedule and TV schedule are already available. Plan out your viewing and get ready to take in all of the clay court action and intriguing storylines with the information below as your guide.

2011 French Open TV Schedule

In the United States, the majority of television coverage will be provided by ESPN2 and NBC, with the Tennis Channel and TV5 also providing coverage. ESPN3.com will also be providing further coverage of the French Open online.

ESPN2 and NBC will only be providing live coverage, which is great, while the Tennis Channel will be showing a combination of live coverage and repeats of the day's earlier coverage later in the evening. With the time difference and only live coverage being provided, the vast majority of the action will be available in the mornings and early afternoons.

Rounds 1-4 will be broadcast live daily on the Tennis Channel, beginning at 5 a.m. from Sunday, May 22, through Monday, May 30. ESPN2 picks up coverage at either 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. from the 22nd through 27th. On the 28th and 29th, NBC will provide live third and fourth round action from 12 p.m.-3 p.m.

The quarterfinals will be on Tuesday, May 31, and Wednesday, June 1, with 8 a.m.-12 p.m. coverage on the Tennis channel and 12 p.m.-6 p.m. coverage on ESPN2.

Women's semifinals will be on Thursday, June 2 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on ESPN2, and men's semifinals will be on Friday, June 3, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on NBC.

The women's final will be televised on Saturday, June 4, on NBC from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and the men's final will be on Sunday, June 5, on NBC from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Overall 2011 Men's French Open Schedule

May 22-May 24: First Round

May 25-26: Second Round

May 27-28: Third Round

May 29-30: Fourth Round

May 31-June 1: Quarterfinals

June 3: Semifinals

June 5: Final

Overall 2011 Women's French Open Schedule

May 22-May 24: First Round

May 25-26: Second Round

May 27-28: Third Round

May 29-30: Fourth Round

May 31-June 1: Quarterfinals

June 2: Semifinals

June 4: Final

There are a lot of exciting elements to look forward to this year, from the wide open women's field and the return of Maria Sharapova, to the triumvirate of talent on the men's side, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic vying for supremacy, and Roger Federer finding himself in the unusual position of third wheel.

Two weeks of fast-paced, clay court fury, so get your TV ready and mark down these important dates and times.

Sources:

www.rolandgarros.com; www.tennis.com; www.espn.com

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