Venus, Halep, Kerber: 5 Women to Watch Out For in French Open

Here’s a look at the five players to watch out for in the women’s draw of French Open.

In this year’s French Open, the women’s draw is missing two big names – Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Serena Williams announced that she is pregnant and will be missing her first Grand Slam since spilling the beans in April.

However, the world number one Angelique Kerber will be looking to win her first French Open title and Garbine Muguruza, who beat Serena Williams in the French Open final last year, will be looking to defend her title.

Here’s a look at the five players to watch out for in the women’s draw.

1. Elina Svitolina

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina has won four titles in this year, including on clay at the Italian Open. The 22-year-old clinched the French Open junior title at the age of 15.

Svitolina clinched tournaments in Rome, Istanbul, Dubai and Taipei City.

She is one of the best returners around, winning 48.4 per cent of her opponents' service games and as in form as anyone at the moment.

2. Simona Halep

An excellent record of 12-2 during the European clay-court circuit made Romania’s Simona Halep one of favourites heading to Paris, but that was put into doubt by a torn ligament in her right ankle during the final of Internazionali BNL d’Italia tournament in Rome.

A smart but streaky player who won the Madrid Open in May, Halep swings from contending for titles to quick exits. The biggest question mark for her at Roland Garros will be the state of her ankle, because movement is a big part of her game.

3. Angelique Kerber

After Germany’s Kerber won her first Grand Slam title in Australia last year, she promptly exited in first round at Roland Garros. In nine French Open appearances, she has made it only once (2012) to the quarterfinals.

She has never quite been able to get going in the right direction this season, and there is not much reason to suspect she will get things straightened out in Paris.

One indication of her problems in 2017 is a 0-7 record against top 20 opponents. She was 24-9 in such matches last season.

4. Garbine Muguruza

Garbine Muguruza, who has not won a single title this year, pulled out of the semi-final of Italian Open due to a neck injury. It will be a task for her to become French Open champion again.

But the Spanish-Venezuelan has performed well in the last three French Opens. She made it to the quarter-final in 2014 and 2015.

The 23-year-old might find the much-needed form in this French Open.

5. Venus Williams

With Sharapova and Serena out of the tournament, Venus Williams is the biggest star in this French Open. This will be her 20th appearance at Roland Garros.

The 36-year-old tuned up by reaching the quarter-final in Rome in May.

Venus hasn't been as far as the quarterfinals in Paris since 2006. She was the runner-up to her sister Serena in 2002.

But her runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January this year shows that she can still summon up the big hitting that carried her to the top of the game.

(With inputs from AP.)