FRENCH OPEN PICKS – THE WOMEN

Most likely to succeed

1) Serena Williams.  Although she hasn’t played much this year, she is still far and away the best player on the women’s tour, a status corroborated by her recent Italian Open win.  Her only possible vulnerability stems from her difficulty in getting up for every match.  According to Chris Evert, who should know, the chance of being “flat” for a match increases with age, and Williams is getting on in years.  Given that she’s playing for an historic 22^nd grand slam win, she is likely to be paying attention, and thus, she is the odds-on favorite.

2) Victoria Azarenka.  She played outstanding tennis at Indian Wells and Miami, and might have been the number one choice to win the French had her problems with injury not surfaced yet again.  She retired from a match in Madrid and went out pretty meekly in Rome with back issues.  This is a “wait and see” situation, but when healthy this year, she has dominated opponents, and took out Serena Williams in the Indian Wells final.

3) Angelique Kerber.  Now that she’s won a major she knows what it takes. She is a fabulous defender with a very good down-the-line forehand.  Her lefty serve also gives her a slight bonus. 

4) Garbine Muguruza.  Still a young player, she is very strong physically, has a great serve, and her ground stokes on both sides are very powerful.  She moves well for her size.  In 2014 she blew Serena Williams off the court at the French Open.  Her play at the end of 2015 was also awesome.  She has two weaknesses:  plantar fasciitis, which has hampered her on and off this year, and the propensity to check out from matches emotionally and mentally.   When she’s fully engaged she’s very dangerous and great to watch.

They have a chance

1) Simona Halep.  One of the great defenders in the game with tremendous skill at redirecting the ball from the baseline.  Her play has been a bit inconsistent this year, but her performance in 2015 clearly shows her to be a real threat.

2) Petra Kvitova.  When she plays her best, she can beat anyone, anytime, anywhere.  The problem is, she doesn’t always play her best.  Grass is clearly her favorite surface, but she has the power and skill to prevail at the French.

3) Agnieszka Radwanska.   She is perhaps the most fascinating player to watch on the women’s side.  A great defender who understands court geometry and who knows how to put her opponent in uncomfortable positions.  Her lack of a finishing shot has always been a problem.  I think a faster surface is really better for her than clay, but she is so good she has to be considered in the mix.

Long shots

1) Svetlana Kuznetsova.  She won the French Op;en in 2009 and the US Open in 2004, so she knows what to do.  She has had a bit of a resurgence this year.  An awesome forehand, a good serve and a good mover for her size.

2) Madison Keys.  Tremendous power is her calling card.  She likes clay, and this year’s clay court swing indicates that she may finally be harnessing that power by going for winners at the right time instead of all the time.  She still has a tendency to over-hit her forehand.

3) Karolina Pliskova.  The second best serve in the game, with powerful groundies that remind one of Thomas Berdych – easy power!  She is not the most agile player, and has a habit of letting nervousness cause her to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.  Her outstanding play in Fed Cup may herald a coming out party for her at the French.

Dangerous floaters

1) Caroline Garcia.  Currently ranked 55.  This player has extraordinary talent but can be inconsistent.  Stay away from her when she’s on, though.  The French Open is her home major.

2) Daria Gavrilova.  Currently ranked 45.  If you want to see someone who leaves it all out there in every match, watch Gavrilova!  Not the biggest or strongest player, but an awesomely intense competitor who has beaten some very highly ranked opponents.

3) Christina McHale.  Currently ranked 65.  An intelligent player with a terrific forehand who showed in Italy how dangerous she can be. 

Others to keep an eye on

Eugenie Bouchard, Sloane Stevens, Johanna Konta, Jelena Jankovic, Dominika Cibulkova.  These players all have the potential to excuse anyone from the tournament.  Bouchard’s victory over Kerber in a tight match in Rome puts her on the list.