Get ready for another star-studded Grand Slam as Roland Garros brings together the best Women’s Singles tennis players. Defending champion Maria Sharapova has been on fire heading into the tournament. But players such as Carla Suarez Navarro and Caroline Wozniacki are making a case for themselves ahead of the tournament. The current World No. 1, Serena Williams, also cannot be ignored.
Can the “Queen of Clay” defend her crown? Or will someone rise up to dethrone her? Read on as we breakdown the field of contenders who could turn some heads at the second Grand Slam of the season. If you’re up for more tennis action, check out our preview for the Men’s Singles draw.
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2015 French Open Women’s Singles Preview
Favorites – Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams (+275) has been head and shoulders above her competition in the professional tour. She has won two tournaments this year, the Australian Open and Miami Open, and has made two semifinal appearances.
[sc:Other240banner ]But her dominance hasn’t translated well to the clay court. Williams lost her Madrid Open semifinal match against Petra Kvitova in straight sets. She then withdrew in the Round of 16 in the Italian Open. Williams may not be in perfect form heading into the French Open after suffering an elbow injury in Rome.
Williams looking less than stellar on clay possibly opens the door for Maria Sharapova’s continued domination at the French Open. “The Queen of Clay,” as some call her, has been spectacular in Roland Garros. She made the final of the French Open in three consecutive years, winning two championships in 2012 and 2014.
Sharapova has also been quite dominant in the build up to the French Open. She reached the semifinal in Madrid before winning the Italian Open. Sharapova is +400 to defend her crown.
Sleepers – Carla Suarez Navarro and Caroline Wozniacki
Carla Suarez Navarro enters the French Open as one of the hottest players on tour. She has done considerably better as the clay court season progressed. Navarro made back-to-back quarterfinal appearances at Stuttgart and Madrid, losing to Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams respectively.
Navarro defeated highly-touted contenders Eugenie Bouchard, Petra Kvitova and Simona Halep (all three were ranked in the top six on tour) on the way to the Italian Open final. Navarro then gave defending French Open champion Sharapova all she could handle in a three-set loss. If there’s a player who could turn some heads at this tournament, it’s Navarro, who’s +1,600 to win the title.
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Caroline Wozniacki also deserves a look. After a highly-publicized split from fiancé Rory McIlroy last year, Wozniacki has steadily climbed up the WTA rankings all the way to fifth heading into the 2015 French Open. The Danish player has been serviceable on clay this season with a three-set finals loss to Angelique Kerber at Stuttgart and a three-set loss to Sharapova in Madrid.
Wozniacki’s defense-oriented game, focused on anticipation, agility and footwork, should do better with the slower surfaces of clay. She’s +2,000 to win her first ever Grand Slam title.
Long Shot – Madison Keys
Madison Keys may just be 20 years old entering Roland Garros. But she has plenty of upside as per Serena Williams, “I think she’ll be really good. I think she can go really, really far. I think she can be the best in the world. The way she played today I definitely think she has potential to be No. 1 and win Grand Slams.”
While Keys hasn’t done too well on the clay court in May—she made first and second round exits at Madrid and Rome—she was impressive in a three-set loss against Angelique Kerber in the final at Charleston. If her semifinal appearance at the Australian Open is any indication, then Keys should be up to impress under the bright lights this season. Keys is +4,000 to win her first career Grand Slam title.
Writer’s Prediction
There’s no stopping the Queen of Clay from ascending to her throne. Sharapova (+400) raises her third career French Open title.
