Make no mistake about it, this tournament a one woman show. Caroline Wozniacki, the world number one on the women's side, is attempting to win her first major title. Questions about her legitimitacy as the number one player have dogged her since attaining the ranking, and to her credit, she has not shrunk from the pressure like many of her predecessors have. Dinara Safina and Jelena Jankovic, two major-less former number ones are two names that immediately come to mind when the topic is brought up. Ana Ivanovic, even though she did win Roland Garros in 2008 and rose to number one with that win, very quickly dropped off and never came close to reaching that height again. Wozniacki has not done this, and has even seemed to enjoy being number one. But the questions remain, and this is why all eyes will be on Wozniacki.
There are some very interesting bit players in this show, however. Kim Clijsters is returning from injury and is attempting to win her first Roland Garros title. Rust might be a factor, but that didn't stop her from winning the 2009 U.S. Open in her third tournament back from retirement. She has to be a factor here. Li Na (or Na Li, I never can figure it out) is coming off her improbable and captivating run in the 2011 Australian Open. Samantha Stosur, the number 6 seed, is returning to Paris after making the final last year. Her form dropped sharply over the course of last year, but she reached the final in Rome, and is looking to make a run. Maria Sharapova, who is never considered a favorite on clay, won in Rome, beating Stosur, and all of a sudden is playing well enough to win. There are numerous other women who have the ability to make a deep charge thorugh this tournament. After the jump, we're going to go through the draw, quarter by quarter.
First Quarter
This is Wozniacki and Stosur's quarter, and there don't seem to be many serious obstacles between the dream quarterfinal of the two.
Dangerous floater: Svetlana Kuznetsova, a former winner here. She has been slumping very badly and is seeded 13, but she always has a chance to be a dangerous opponent. She would meet Wozniacki in the fourht round
Fun Player to Watch: Christina McHale, a 19 year old Amercian. She has shown some promise, and it seems to be a permanent hobby to look for young American females to replace the Williams sisters.
Second Quarter
This quarter is book-ended by Vera Zvonareva and Francesca Schiavone, the third and fifth seed, respectively. Not many are talking about either as a potential title-winner here, even though Schiavone is the defending champion. Her form has slipped as well, but this quarter is a golden opportunity for either Zvonareva, who is the perpetual bridesmaid of women's tennis, and Schiavone to advance.
Dangerous Floater: Jelena Jankovic, former world number one. On a good day, Jankovic can beat anyone, but she hasn't shown anywhere near that level of play in awhile
Fun Players to Watch: Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Anne Keothovong. Oudin, the surprise quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open in 2009, has fallen drastically in the last year. She plays Schiavone in the first round and is an ever present reminder that you can milk one great run at a major for a long time, but if you can't hang with the top 25, you can't hang with them. Mattek-Sands is another American who seems to be on a bit of a role lately, and she is always a character to watch. I included Keothavong because she is one of a very small group of British women who have some promise.
Third Quarter
Na Li and Victoria Azarenka are the two top seeds in this quarter. Li was previously discussed but Azarenka is a special case. She has been touted as a future major winner, but never has been able to make the jump. Will the 2011 French Open be the tournament she does? As the 4 seed, she has a great chance.
Dangerous Floater: Ana Ivanovic, the 2008 champion.
Fun Player to Watch: Petra Kvitova, a hard hitting lefty, who has made some noise this spring and has a real chance to make a run
Fourth Quarter
This is the fun quarter, with Sharapova, Clijsters, and Andrea Petkovic all having a great shot to reach the semifinals.
Dangerous Floater: Petkovic
Fun Player to Watch: Yanina Wickmayer. Will she ever win a major? Probably not. Will most of her matches be filled with drama? Of course.
Predictions
Semifinalists- Wozniacki, Schavone, Azarenka, Sharapova
Finalists- Wozniacki, Azarenka
Winner- Wozniacki
Thanks for reading! We'll have the men's tomorrow, and hopefully the first post from our other contributor, Andrew.
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