Former champion Simona Halep arrives on the rescheduled French Open because the participant to beat in a ladies’s draw lacking title holder Ashleigh Barty and up to date US Open winner Naomi Osaka, two of the world’s prime three. Serena Williams can by no means be discounted as she launches one other bid for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles crown, however Roland Garros is the American’s least profitable main regardless of her wins in 2002, 2013 and 2015. Garbine Muguruza, who defeated Serena Williams within the 2016 closing, is one other contender whereas fellow former world primary Victoria Azarenka is hoping to take the momentum from her run to the US Open closing into the clay swing.
Final 12 months’s runner-up Marketa Vondrousova will once more goal a deep run in Paris having rediscovered some kind eventually week’s Italian Open, the place she made the semi-finals earlier than shedding to compatriot Karolina Pliskova.
The fourth-ranked Czech retired from the ultimate with a thigh harm after dropping the primary set to Halep, who prolonged her successful run to 14 matches after capturing a second consecutive title popping out of lockdown.
“I am honoured to listen to that I’m the favorite, folks considering that I am the favorite. However I do not look in that path,” stated Halep, who performs Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in spherical one.
“It is not additional strain. I am used to this type of strain as a result of I have been No. 1 seeded up to now. I have been on this place.”
“To play Roland Garros in September, finish of September, it is a bit bit bizarre,” she added. “But it surely’s good that we have now the prospect to play at this match.”
No girl has efficiently defended the French Open title since Justine Henin received 3 times in a row between 2005 and 2007, a pattern set to proceed with Barty pulling out over the coronavirus fears that additionally prompted her to skip the US Open.
Gloomy circumstances await
A sore hamstring has sidelined three-time Grand Slam champion Osaka, whereas Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open winner, will miss the match as properly. The Canadian hasn’t performed since hurting her knee final October on the WTA Finals.
Regardless of the notable absentees, the sector right here is stronger than the US Open the place six of the world’s prime 10 gamers skipped the occasion, with the return of Halep, Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens. Belinda Bencic was a late scratch with an arm harm.
“As I stated at all times, many women from the highest 10, prime 15 have an opportunity to win a Grand Slam,” stated Halep.
“Roland Garros may be very open, as a result of it is clay courtroom but it surely’s a bit bit sooner, so additionally the massive hitters can win it straightforward.”
The Romanian holds a 20-2 document this season and is unbeaten since January — her solely losses got here to Aryna Sabalenka in Adelaide and Muguruza within the Australian Open semi-finals.
Gamers should adapt to unfamiliar autumnal circumstances, with gusting winds and protracted rain forecast for the beginning on Sunday. The climate outlook is not set to enhance a lot both.
“It is a huge distinction between Rome and right here, that is for certain. 15 levels much less,” stated a smiling Halep. “I really feel the chilly. I really feel like struggling a bit bit. However for everyone it is the identical.”
As for Williams, who turns 39 on Saturday, she has not added to her Grand Slam haul since successful the 2017 Australian Open whereas pregnant.
The window of alternative is closing for her to lastly match Margaret Court docket’s complete, with an unmistakable sense of a possibility gone begging after her semi-final exit at Flushing Meadows.
Williams withdrew from final week’s Rome occasion with an Achilles pressure, that means she is going to arrive within the French capital with out having performed on clay this 12 months.
Promoted
She is about to face fellow American Kristie Ahn in a rematch of their first spherical encounter on the US Open.
She might meet outdated rival and shut good friend Victoria Azarenka within the final 16, simply weeks after the Belarusian star received their last-four conflict at Flushing Meadows.
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