French Open Womens Preview: Jankovic Takes First Slam
A while back, I (correctly) predicted that Justine Henin wouldn’t win Roland Garros this year. I was right but no one knew she wouldn’t win because she would retire. Still, I’ll take it as a win.
That aside, Jelena Jankovic should have a pretty smooth ride through the next couple of weeks. Though she isn’t 100%, of all the women on clay, she’s the best. Sharapova isn’t fully fit herself and she’s playing on her worst surface. Though he managed to make the semifinals last year, it was a fluke. Despite her win in Amelia Island, where she didn’t beat a single top 20 player, she lost to Serena Williams in Charleston and pulled out of the semifinals in Rome.
Ana Ivanovic also isn’t at her best heading into Paris. She lost easily in the semifinals in Berlin and was knocked out of the second round in Rome. It doesn’t help that she could face Serena Williams in the quarters, if she makes it that far. Ivanovic could face Lucie Safarova in the second round, Caroline Wozniacki in the third and Nicole Vaidisova in the fourth. Not exactly a smooth ride.
Which brings us to Jelena Jankovic. She starts out against a qualifier but could face Agnieszka Radwanska or Alize Cornet in the fourth round. Looming in her quarter could be Venus Williams. Jankovic has proven that she can and has beaten everyone not named Justine Henin and with the Belgian back home, Jankovic’s confidence must be through the roof. A title and a move up the rankings is looming for her.
While Russian tennis is doing really well, Maria Sharapova can’t be too happy about it. Sharapova has countrywomen Dinara Safina or Maria Kirilenko waiting in the fourth round. Safina won the Tier I event in Berlin a couple of weeks ago and Kirilenko took the title in Estoril and can play on clay. Sharapova also has to deal with Elena Dementieva or Vera Zvonareva in the quarters if she gets past Safina (we’re betting she won’t).
As for the others, I will just be happy if Michaella Krajicek can win a match. She is 0-9 on the year so far.
Agnieszka Radwanska should win a couple of matches before coming up against Rome finalist Alize Cornet in the third round but is in the same quarter as Jelena Jankovic.
Shahar Peer should put together a good couple of matches before Agnes Szavay in the third round. A three set match should decide the winner between those two.
Victoria Azarenka should get through to a fourth round encounter with Svetlana Kuznetsova and if Kuznetsova can’t hold on Azarenka will play the winner of Peer/Szavay.
On to the predictions…
Quarterfinals
Safina vs. Dementieva
Azarenka vs. Peer
V. Williams vs. Jankovic
S. Williams vs. Ivanovic
Semifinals
Safina (if she can keep her head straight) vs.Azarenka
Jankovic vs. S. Williams
Finals
Jankovic def. Safina
The first round match you can’t miss…
Vera Dushevina vs. Elena Dementieva…should be a three setter.
Kateryna Bondarenko vs. Dinara Safina…if Safina’s head isn’t on straight, Bondarenko will knock her out.
First Round Upset
Not exactly a big upset but Nuria Llagostera Vives over #6 Anna Chakvetadze.
The Dark Horse To Watch For
Nicole Vaidisova…the wheels have come off in a big way but Vaidisova wants to come back and nothing motivates a player more than being ignored. Still, she’s a head case so I wouldn’t break out the trophy polish.