One girl  tops the list of possible winners of the French Open at Roland Garros next week - current world No. 1 Maria Sharapova.

After winning her first clay court tournament at Amelia Island last month, and reaching the semi-finals at Foro Italico over the weekend, the Russian has nestled neatly into the top spot vacated by Justine Henin.

Even though she retired from her encounter against Jelena Jankovic due to a calf injury, and is also still learning how to play on this surface, the Australian Open champion proved she was ready to compete for several hours if needed.

' . . . the Russian has nestled neatly into the top spot vacated by Justine Henin'


Looking to be in her best shape ever, Sharapova maybe has her best chance of winning the French Open, and then would look at the possibility of doing the Grand Slam, winning all four majors in the same year.

2002 French Open winner Serena Williams would be the only player capable of outplaying the Russian, something she did a year ago at the hard court Australian Open final.
 
Although she has not been back in the final since she garnered the title six years ago, Serena is playing some of her best ever tennis. Clay is not her best surface, but she has the shot making variety, the experience, and the foot speed to succeed at Roland Garros. I expect her to struggle in the early rounds, but to come through and be ready to compete with the best.
 
Jelena Jankovic, a semi-finalist a year ago and a winner last week at the Italian Open for the second consecutive year, is one leading candidate. Her Serbian countrywoman, and French runner-up last year, Ana Ivanovic, struggled more, losing in the second round in Rome last week but could wake-up at anytime.

Two outsiders could play a major role - 2004 runner-up Elena Dementieva, who will have nothing to lose since she's out of the spotlight and managed to reach the final in Berlin against Dinara Safina two weeks ago beating Ana Ivanovic, and Safina herself, who managed to beat Henin and, more impressive, topped her victory by beating Serena Williams the following day.
 
Svetlana Kuznetsova has also a lot of power and knows how to slide on the red dirt, but always struggled mentally during the final stages against Henin. The absence of the Belgian could help her.

The stage is set, players are still practicing, but they will be ready to let their rackets speak on Sunday for the 117th edition of the French Open.