3 minute read
How the leading men's contenders and best Aussie hopes shape up for the 2019 French Open starting on Sunday.
HOW THE LEADING WOMEN'S CONTENDERS AND BEST AUSSIE HOPES SHAPE UP FOR THE 2019 FRENCH OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 21
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US11,187,245 ($A16.26 million)
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 2
French Open win-loss record: 4-3
Best French Open result: third round 2018
Yet to win a clay-court title but the Japanese superstar is riding a 14-match grand slam winning streak having swept to US Open and Australian Open glory in the past two majors. Can't be dismissed despite her tough draw.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 27
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US16,904,466 ($A24.56 million)
Career titles: 13
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 9-7
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2017
The former world No.1 will be oozing confidence after rounding out her preparations with Italian Open success, having also reigned in Brisbane this season and finishing runner-up in Miami.
SIMONA HALEP (ROM)
Age: 27
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US29,677,869 ($A43.12 million)
Career titles: 18
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018)
French Open win-loss record: 24-8
Best French Open results: champion 2018; runner-up 2014, 2017
With three finals appearances already in Paris, the defending champion is a deserved favourite to shed her tag as a one-slam wonder after another consistent season.
KIKI BERTENS (NED)
Age: 27
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,610,305 ($A12.51 million)
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 11-7
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2016
The big-hitting Dutchwoman knocked over four grand slam champions, including Halep in the final, en route to the title in Madrid this month to rocket to a career-high No.3 in the world.
ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER)
Age: 31
Ranking: 5
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US28,263,838 ($A41.07 million)
Career titles: 12
Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2016; Wimbledon 2018; US Open 2016)
French Open win-loss record: 17-11
Best French Open results: quarter-finalist 2012, 2018
Hasn't been on top of her game in 2019 but shouldn't be lacking motivation after arriving in Paris with a first-time opportunity to complete the career grand slam having added the Wimbledon crown to her CV last year.
PETRA KVITOVA (CZE)
Age: 29
Ranking: 6
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US29,883,061 ($A43.42 million)
Career titles: 27
Grand slam titles: 2 (Wimbledon 2011, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 23-10
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2012
With titles in her past two events and 13 wins from 14 matches on European clay this season, the big-serving Czech with proven grand slam credentials looms as a serious title threat.
BEST OUTSIDERS
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 37
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US88,692,106 ($A128.88 million)
Career titles: 72
Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 63-12
Best French Open results: champion 2002, 2013, 2015; runner-up 2016
Rarely can the American great be considered an "outsider" but with only two clay-court matches under her belt this season she's not among the favourites but remains desperate to match Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 singles slams.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES
ASHLEIGH BARTY
Age: 23
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,466,380 ($A10.85 million)
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 2-4
Best French Open result: second round 2013, 2018
The Queenslander arrives with a career-high ranking and could prove how far she's come in a potential round of 16 clash with Williams, who beat Barty in Paris last year.
SAMANTHA STOSUR
Age: 35
Ranking: 89
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US18,378,898 ($A26.71 million)
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2011)
French Open win-loss record: 39-15
Best French Open result: runner-up 2010
The former finalist is very much in her career twilight but has made the third round for 12 straight years, not to mention three semi-finals appearance to go with her charge to the 2010 title decider.