3 minute read
How the leading women's French Open contenders shape up ahead of the Paris grand slam.
HOW THE LEADING WOMEN SHAPE UP FOR THE FRENCH OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY:
ASH BARTY (AUS)
Age: 25
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US18,699,180
Career titles: 11
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2019)
French Open win-loss record: 9-5
Best French Open result: champion 2019
The world No.1 has made a stunning return after opting against defending her crown last year and sitting out almost a year during the pandemic, claiming three titles and extending her winning streak on red clay to 17 matches.
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 23
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US19,773,132
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 4 (Australian Open 2019, 2021; US Open 2018, 2020)
French Open win-loss record: 6-4
Best French Open results: third round 2016, 2018, 2019
The Japanese superstar has surpassed Serena Williams as the dominant force on hard courts but is not the same player on clay, as evident by her modest Roland Garros record and inability to yet claim a title on the surface.
ARYNA SABALENKA (BLR)
Age: 23
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,886,002
Career titles: 10
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 3-3
Best French Open result: third round 2020
Arrived in Paris full of belief after beating Barty in the Madrid Open final for her second title of 2021 but must shed the inconsistency that has cost her in important matches, including a straight-sets loss to Coco Gauff in Rome.
SOFIA KENIN (USA)
Age: 22
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,423,433
Career titles: 5
Grand slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2020)
French Open win-loss record: 8-3
Best French Open result: runner-up 2020
The 2020 player of the year can't be discounted after making last year's final but is battling for form and confidence, losing all three of her matches on clay this season in a poor build-up.
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 39
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US94,253,246
Career titles: 73
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: 66-13
Best French Open results: champion 2002, 2013, 2015; runner-up 2016
Stranded one shy of Margaret Court's all-time grand slam singles record since her seventh Open triumph four years ago, time is running out. Suffered early exits in Rome and Parma in a worrying sign.
IGA SWIATEK (POL)
Age: 19
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US3,572,234
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 1
French Open win-loss record: 10-1
Best French Open result: champion 2020
The Polish teenager's only defeat at Roland Garros was to then-defending champion Simona Halep in 2019 but hasn't dropped a set since in Paris. A deserved favourite to retain her title.
BEST OUTSIDER
COCO GAUFF (USA)
Age: 17
Ranking: 25
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US1,487,517
Career titles: 2
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 1-1
Best French Open result: second round 2020
The precocious talent claimed her maiden claycourt title last week in Parma after beating an injured Barty as well as Sabalenka en route to the semi-finals in Rome.
