French Open Favorites Starting to Emerge...
Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin, former champions at Roland Garros, are now appearing to be the frontrunners for the title. There are clearly several other players who could claim the title when the red clay has settled at Roland Garros in early June. However, with their
victories in Rome and Stuttgart, respectively, this past weekend coupled with their past success at the French Open and the form, or lack thereof, of the other top contenders, it looks like it might be the year that Rafa and Justine claim yet another French Open crown. It might sound obvious to label Nadal and Henin as the favorites for this year’s French Open, but it didn’t necessarily look that way a couple months ago, or at least there were many more challengers on the women’s side.
On Sunday, Justine reached her third final and claimed her first title since returning to the Tour in January. Henin beat the red-hot Australian, Samantha Stosur, a semifinalist at Roland Garros in 2009, to win in Stuttgart. The rest of the field has struggled. The 2009 French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova has battled an injury and poor play and hasn’t won many matches recently let alone a tournament title in 2010. Kim Clijsters was looking strong after Key Biscayne, but now she’s battling a foot injury. Meanwhile, Serena Williams in returning to the Tour after three months off due to a knee injury and sister, Venus Williams, is returning after a month off for a knee injury. Maria Sharapova is also scheduled to return from her elbow injury in late May. Given their injury woes and past struggles on the red clay, none can be considered strong favorites in Paris this year. The second tier of challengers include Caroline Wozniacki, who recently sustained an ankle injury, and Jelena Jankovic.
On the men’s side, with his victory in Rome, Rafael Nadal improved his clay court record to 10-0 this year and appears to be back to his strong form. Meanwhile, Roger Federer has struggled since winning the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic appears weary and has struggled with his serve in recent matches. Andy Murray is attempting to work himself out of a post-Australian Open slump.
All in all, it appears that Nadal and Henin have a strong shot at reclaiming their clay court glory next month…
On Sunday, Justine reached her third final and claimed her first title since returning to the Tour in January. Henin beat the red-hot Australian, Samantha Stosur, a semifinalist at Roland Garros in 2009, to win in Stuttgart. The rest of the field has struggled. The 2009 French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova has battled an injury and poor play and hasn’t won many matches recently let alone a tournament title in 2010. Kim Clijsters was looking strong after Key Biscayne, but now she’s battling a foot injury. Meanwhile, Serena Williams in returning to the Tour after three months off due to a knee injury and sister, Venus Williams, is returning after a month off for a knee injury. Maria Sharapova is also scheduled to return from her elbow injury in late May. Given their injury woes and past struggles on the red clay, none can be considered strong favorites in Paris this year. The second tier of challengers include Caroline Wozniacki, who recently sustained an ankle injury, and Jelena Jankovic.
On the men’s side, with his victory in Rome, Rafael Nadal improved his clay court record to 10-0 this year and appears to be back to his strong form. Meanwhile, Roger Federer has struggled since winning the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic appears weary and has struggled with his serve in recent matches. Andy Murray is attempting to work himself out of a post-Australian Open slump.
All in all, it appears that Nadal and Henin have a strong shot at reclaiming their clay court glory next month…
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