Tennis

French Open? More like wide open in women's draw

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-20 17:12

The combination photo shows women's singles hopefuls for the 2011 French Open title. From left to right, they are Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, Li Na of China, Maria Sharapova of Russia, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, Kim Clijsters of Belgium, and Vera Zvonareva of Russia. [Photo/Agencies]

Women to watch at the French Open

Caroline Wozniacki

Ranked: 1

Age: 20

Country: Denmark

2011 Match Record: 34-7 (entering Brussels)

2011 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 15

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at US Open in '09

Last 5 French Opens: '10-Lost in Quarterfinals, '09-Lost in 3rd Round, '08-3rd, '07-1st, '06-Did Not Play

Topspin: Still looking for first Grand Slam title; lost in semifinals at each of last two major tournaments. ... Patient, mistake-free game can frustrate opponents.

Kim Clijsters

Ranked: 2

Age: 27

Country: Belgium

2011 Match Record: 21-4

2011 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 41

Major Titles: 4 - US Open ('05, '09, '10), Australian Open ('11)

Last 5 French Opens: '10-DNP, '09-DNP, '08-DNP, '07-DNP, '06-SF

Topspin: Won the past two Grand Slam tournaments, US Open and Australian Open. ... Decided to enter French Open despite recent wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries. Said she'll play in Paris with her right ankle taped after injuring it at her cousin's wedding. ... Hasn't played at Roland Garros since 2006, but did reach the 2001, 2003 finals there.

Vera Zvonareva

Ranked: 3

Age: 26

Country: Russia

2011 Match Record: 23-8 (entering Brussels)

2011 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 11

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at Wimbledon in '10, US Open in '10

Last 5 French Opens: '10-2nd, '09-DNP, '08-4th, '07-DNP, '06-1st

Topspin: Breakthrough that began in 2010 has seen her reach at least the semifinals at each of the past three Grand Slam tournaments, and the finals at two of them. ... Had poor start to clay circuit with early losses at Stuttgart and Madrid.

Li Na

Ranked: 6

Age: 29

Country: China

2011 Match Record: 19-8

2011 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 4

Major Titles: 0 - Best: F, at Australian Open in '11

Last 5 French Opens: '10-3rd, '09-4th, '08-DNP, '07-3rd, '06-3rd

Topspin: At Australian Open in January, became first tennis player from China to reach a Grand Slam final. ... After that run, lost opening matches at four consecutive tournaments.

Maria Sharapova

Ranked: 7

Age: 24

Country: Russia

2011 Match Record: 21-6

2011 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 23

Major Titles: 3 - Wimbledon ('04), US Open ('06), Australian Open ('08)

Last 5 French Opens: '10-3rd, '09-QF, '08-4th, '07-SF, '06-4th

Topspin: After winning Italian Open title on clay for first title this season, moved up to her highest ranking since November 2008. ... French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament she hasn't won - or even reached the final. ... Has been a semifinalist once, quarterfinalist three other times at Roland Garros.