The women’s game for the French Open 2009 is more open than it has been for a number of years, and the lack of a dominant player means that there are several big contenders for what promises to be a great Roland Garros.
Since gaining the World No.1 ranking in 2008, Roland Garros finalist Dinara Safina has been in great form on the claycourt, picking up two the titles in Rome and Madrid compiling a 14-1 record. Safina's booming groundstrokes and much improved movement have been too much for most players and she goes into the French Open full of confidence. Safina is the favourite with the bookies although she's still value at odds of 4/1 with Blue Square.
Ana Ivanovic has struggled somewhat since lifting the Roland Garros crown twelve months ago, allowing too many errors to creep into her rock solid ground game. Ivanovic showed signs of a return to form with a final appearance at Indian Wells in March, but if she is to defend her French Open crown she will need to showa lot of improvement. Ana Ivanovic is currently 16/1 with Sportingbet.
The Williams sisters have shown uncharacteristic form in the lead up to this year’s Roland Garros. Serena has had a knee injury in recent weeks and this has contributed to 3 consecutive losses and odds of just 15/2 with Victor Chandler.
Meanwhile Venus will be hoping to win her first Roland Garros title on what is her least favourite surface. Venus can trouble any opponent with her massive serving and will hope that she can banish the inconsistency that has ruined her game at times this year. Venus is currently 12/1 with Stan James to win the French Open
Few players show an ability to chase lost causes like Jelena Jankovic, and she will know that her ability to get one more ball back will frustrate her opponents in Paris. Jankovic has been trying to add more attacking elements to her play since her semi-final exit to Ivanovic in the French Open last year and this paid dividends in a superb run last autumn. Jankovic is currently a decent 7/1 with Paddy Power to win the French Open.
