By Erik Gudris | Friday, April 4, 2014

The WTA tour kicks off the clay court season every year on the green clay of Charleston. Yes, green clay. The slippery surface of a different color remains a constant throughout the United States, but especially in the south where plenty of players, including myself, first got their taste of competing on something other than concrete.  While it may still seem odd for some used to seeing the pros sliding around on red clay, the verdant hue of the courts is just as much an event trademark as the famous peach cobbler and slow Southern drawl of many of its spectators.

With no U.S. women left in the singles draw, European veterans and youngsters are now the focus, along with a certain North American in Eugenie Bouchard.

Bouchard overcame tentative moments in her three-set battle against Venus Williams on Thursday. Especially when Williams appeared to get inside Bouchard's head a little bit when the veteran nearly stepped up to the service line to return the Canadian's second deliveries. Bouchard proved again she possesses that rare innate ability to not let the moment, especially when things aren't going her way, totally overwhelm her. And that's why her recent results speak for themselves. Impressive is the word often used by fans down here after watching Bouchard play.

Confounding is probably the most used adjective this week for another young player by the name of Sloane Stephens.

Though her early round loss to Elina Svitolina was not that big of a surprise, it was her comments afterwards that continued to perplex so many. Professing a long-term view of her career, Stephens admitted she's not rushing or worrying about doing anything "fabulous."

While plenty continue their best efforts to analyze Stephens' thoughts and determine if she really wants to play tennis at all, the only one who will ever come up with the best answer to those questions will likely be Stephens herself. But by all means Sloane, do take your time.

Someone who clearly enjoys playing tennis is veteran Daniela Hantuchova. Looking relaxed and upbeat, Hantuchova is quickly into the quarterfinals. Thrilled that she is able to now work with famed coach Peter Lundgren, Hantuchova could well be on the verge of turning around a dismal season with a deep run here. She'll next face another Slovakian in Jana Cepelova, who pulled off the massive upset over defending champion Serena Williams.

Finally, the fun doubles duo of Jelena Jankovic and Andrea Petkovic saw their brief yet entertaining run come to an end Thursday night in a tight match tiebreak that could have gone either way. Jankovic said her last match with "Petko" versus the veterans Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond was perhaps the most fun she's ever had on a tennis court.

Once again, Jankovic's return to Charleston finds her upbeat, happy and looking to improve her game. If the likable Serbian can keep her good vibes from here going into Europe, she just might be a real factor when Roland Garros rolls around.

Charleston continues to be a must stop not only for tennis fans but the players themselves, who each find something unique to love about it. Whether it’s the Southern hospitality, amazing food, or the historic architecture that reminds many of Europe, this event remains a jewel on the WTA tour.

This weekend will crown a new champion. Who will it be? We'll soon find out, but it's very likely that whoever it is, she will probably say, and mean it, during their victory speech, "I can't wait to come back next year."