French Open Women’s Top 1/2 Draw
Top-Half Analysis of Women's Singles Draw at Roland Garros
Like life, nothing is guaranteed in WTA tennis, especially in the early rounds of the French Open. Considering the fact that five qualifiers and three wildcards have won first round matches thus far, all winner projections are high-level speculation. That said; the women’s draw ought to adhere to form for the most part.
Justine Henin and Serena Williams to Meet in Quarters
An earlier prediction had Serena Williams beating Justine Henin for the title if the draw had them in opposite halves of the draw. Not only are they in the same half, but they are in the same quarter of the draw, setting up a quarter-final contest that is likely to determine the winner of the Women’s French Open at Roland Garros. There’s little doubt that a rested Henin can get past no.10 seed Dinara Safina or no.16-seeded Na Li to reach the quarters. Henin is predictably solid, losing only 3 matches this year.
One of those losses came to Serena Williams at the Final in Miami, but that was on hard court and Henin has won 14 straight at Roland Garros, and is two-time defending champion. She also beat Serena in a three-set struggle at Roland Garros in 2003 on her way to the title that year. In addition, Serena may not have had enough time to play her way into the tournament as she did at the Australian and Miami. Chances are that Henin will be a bit more patient than Serena on clay and advance to a semi-final showdown with no.4 seed Jelena Jankovic.
Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic in 3rd Round?
Jankovic is leading the WTA Points Race, and has been playing as well as anyone except Justine Henin. The stiffest competition in her section of the draw appears to be Venus Williams in the round of 32. Although Venus is only seeded no.26, you can’t count her out if she gets past Ashley Harkleroad in the second round and gains confidence. Venus and Jankovic are tied 2-2 in head-to-head matches, but Jankovic has won the most recent two, one on grass the other on clay, both in three sets. Another three-setter is likely to ensue if the two tango again at Roland Garros, and Jankovic is likely to win.
Marquee Match-up for Quarters
If Jankovic can get past Williams, she will probably be heading for a quarter-final match-up with no.6-seed Nicole Vaidisova. Vaidisova’ biggest challenge should be no.27 seed Samantha Stosur of Australia, a hard-hitting player who can play the frontcourt. Vaidisova has a 3-0 edge on Stosur, and unless Vaidisova plays erratically, as she has been known to do at times, she should handle Stosur. Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, seeded no.26 has struggled to beat quality players this year, but in front of her home crowd may do enough to get to no.13 seed Elena Dementieva, before bowing out gracefully in the round of 32.
A Jankovic-Vaidisova match-up in the quarters would be one of the highlight matches of the women’s draw, with both players bashing the ball for all they’re worth. Their last three meetings have been tough, three-set matches with Jankovic holding a 2-1 lead, and she won the only meeting this year. There will be fireworks at Roland Garros if these two hold form.
Draw's Top-Half Will Produce Champion
Whichever of the two survives the slugfest, she will have to summon the wherewithal to overcome Henin, who has owned Roland Garros three of the past four years. That is likely to be too much for either. Justine Henin is likely to emerge from the top half of the women’s draw, but don’t be surprised to see Serena Williams or Jankovic. Any the three should be a slight favorite to claim the title over the bottom-half winner, which is not likely to be no.2 seed Maria Sharapova.
