WTA Rome is French Open Preview
Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams, among the Favorites
Just two weeks prior to the French Open, with world no.1 Justine Henin taking the week off, the WTA Tennis Tour in Rome couldn’t provide drama comparable to the show the ATP Tennis Tour delivered in Hamburg. However, for fans of the women’s game, there was plenty to digest as no.4-ranked Jelena Jankovic toppled the no.3 woman in the world, Svetlana Kuznetsova, in straight sets (7-5, 6-1) to reap her third tournament title of the year, and Serena Williams continued to climb the Sony Ericsson WTA World Rankings (from 11 to 9) with a strong quarter-final performance. Rome’s results should definitely heighten the intrigue at Roland Garros.
Sony Ericsson WTA Points Race Heats up
With her win over Svetlana Kuznetsova (1661 pts) in the final in Rome, Jankovic (2095 pts) solidified the lead in the Race to the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships Race. Kuznetsova’s finals appearance vaulted her over both Serena Williams (1641) and Justine Henin (1520) to second place in the standings, with Williams and Henin now third and fourth respectively. With the French Open approaching and 850 points to the winner, all of the elite players are in position to take a commanding lead in the race.
Jankovic Lacking Confidence against Henin
Although she has the physical game to contend for the French Open, Jankovic doesn’t have the confidence that she would need to overcome Justine Henin if they were to meet at Roland Garros. After her win in Rome, in response to a question about her being a favorite at the French Open, Jankovic claimed that she won because Henin did not play. She said, “That was the reason. Because in the last two tournaments the player who I tended to lose to, it was Justine. It was in Warsaw and Berlin. And then I came here and I didn't see her in the draw and I said, oh, here is my chance.”
Williams Sisters Add Spice to French Open
The emergence of Jankovic as a serious top-five contender and points race leader, and the resurrection of the Williams Sisters, Venus and Serena, in 2007 has been good for the WTA Tour. Recent results for the Williams sisters only leave one wondering about their potential performances at Roland Garros. Venus and Serena’s potential to beat anyone on any given day adds spice to the steady diet of baseline play at the French Open.
Roland Garros More Exciting Than Usual
The heated battle atop the WTA Rankings and Points Race will certainly create a buzz around Roland Garros at month’s end. Justine Henin and WTA glamour girl and World no.2 Maria Sharapova will be back in action at the French Open, and when considers the explosive power games of Jankovic, no.13-ranked Anna Hantuchova, and no.10 Nicole Vaidisova, the women’s singles draw at the French is worthy of pre-summer salivation. Yes, the world of tennis is spinning with an intensity a bit higher than usual as we approach the French Open at Roland Garros.
