French Open Women’s Draw 2010; Philipe Chartrier Court Wide Open
As the French Open approaches, all eyes will be on Philipe Chartrier Court where the field is wide open for the winner of the women’s draw. As always predictions are rife in the men’s side that the former champion Nadal will hoist the trophy, but with clay court specialist Justine Henin back on the women’s circuit and looking for her fifth French open title, it is anybody’s guess who the women’s champion will be.
The William sisters, who have normally been dominant on all other surfaces, have faced dire adversities on the red dirt. Serena Williams is the top seed at this year’s championship and at grand slams, the tiger in her gets unleashed and despite all her injuries she could become a force to reckon with. Serena has one French open title to her name; however Sister Venus has never won a title in Roland Garros. Venus however has had a good season with wins in Dubai and Acapulco and with an all important appearance in the Madrid final, which is considered to be a precursor to the French Open.
Form has been a major problem with most of the players on the women’s circuit this year. It is either injuries or a poor run that has left major players out of contention. But in this form of game, no one can be counted out as it is the rallies and volleys on the day in question that will formulate their journey throughout the course of the tournament. The players in question include the quartet from Russia, who have seen their share of championship glory in their time; namely defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, former wimbledom champion Maria Sharapova, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina.
Every year there seems to be a bloom of youngsters who try to make their mark in the tennis world and try to unsettle the top seeds. But this year that possibility seems to be a far fetched dream, with 20 year old Wozniacki nursing an ankle injury, and Victoria Azarenka and Melanie Oudin suffering the age old problem of poor form.
Analysing the draw it seems to be an easy road for top seed Serena Williams, who may not face any adversity till the fourth round, where she could either face Shahar Peer or Marion Bartoli. But it seems as if all the superstars of the tennis world have been bunched up in the second half of the first quarter, proving to be a tough competition between Justine Henin and Maria Sharapova in the third round. Others to look out for in the draw are Samantha Stosur and not to forget the Chinese dark horse Zheng Jie. Therefore if all goes according to the critics, the world may see a quarter final between Serena Williams and Justine Henin.
The second quarter seems to have only one grand slam winner in the shape of Serb Ana Ivanovic; however her form in recent grand slams may just become a hindrance in her path. Jelena Jankovich, the fourth seed is also placed in the same quarter, but has a touch and go first round match against Alicia Molik. If she can get through this test, it is likely that she can meet Russian Dinara Safina, who has reached grand slam finals but yet not managed to bag one to her name.
At this point it is crucial to look at the draw set out for defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to see whether she would be able to recreate the magic like she did in 2009. In reaching her second trophy she will have to face last year’s quarter finalist Sorana Cirstea and Chinese Li na.
The French have pinned their hopes on Aravanne Rezai, to end their drought and become the first French women to wear the crown in ten years after Mary Pierce. But she has a treacherous path, with Venus Williams in her destiny. Parisians would have their hopes pinned on this potential fourth round encounter to see whether Rezai can overcome the American champion.
Pundits are predicting a dream run for out of retirement Justine Henin to claim her fifth title, but looking at the women’s draw, it seems the court is wide open.
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