OFF: Who Can Dethrone Justine Henin at Roland Garros?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Apr 27, 2007 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
With the European clay court season underway, I’m already eagerly anticipating Roland Garros. The second Grand Slam of the 2007 season is only about a month away, so let’s use this week’s Open Forum Friday to talk about the contenders for the title.
Everyone, especially all of the lurkers out there, feel free to leave your opinion in the comments below!
Have a blessed weekend!
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Jelena Jankovic
Serena Williams
Dinara Safina
Elena Dementieva
Ana Ivanovic
Nick | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
Well, anything can happen…Justine has been playing great lately, even though she lost the title in Miami to Serena, she now proves that she can play on any surface not just clay even though it’s her best surface.
I guess we’ll have to see how she does in Warsaw and Berlin, but then again she didn’t win any clay title last year but then stormed through the fields in Roland Garros for her 3rd French Open.
Will.I.Am | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
Justine is my favorite for the French Open. She’s hands down the best clay courter in women’s tennis. I think Venus will be a real threat. I think she played great tennis Charleston and Amelia Island, but just wasn’t able to put her game together. And we can’t count out Serena. I would love to see Safina have a breakthrough tournament here. I love her game. I can also say the same for Petrova. So many potential champions! I can’t wait to see how it plays out!
3 People who have no choice of winning:
Martina Hingis
Amelie
Svetlvana
Wilson Spaulding | Apr 27, 2007 | Reply
In this corner of the world Justine Henin is known as The Stealth Player: her slight, underwhelming physique masks a tenacious resolve (mental toughness), pinpoint accuracy, and astounding power (that whiplash backhand is an eternal marvel). Who indeed can rebuff Henin’s irresistable force? Enter the immovable object: Serena Williams. If (or when) Serena and Justine do battle at Roland Garros it may turn into a titanic duel ala the Sony Ericsson Open, albeit on that tricky clay surface. Remember, Justine was up a set and had two match points before Serena turned the tide in Miami…and wasn’t that something to behold. Only a fool would wager on their contest. Venus Williams is progressing slowly, getting her game back on track…not quite ready for her sister or Henin. The female wild card at the FO: Tatiana Golovin (if she’s healthy).
Aaress | Apr 28, 2007 | Reply
Wilson,
Good point about Serena. I’d love to see a Justine/Serena final, especially as Serena can almost match Justine on clay. I’d give the slight edge to Justine, but like you said, it would be way too close to call.
Chris | Apr 28, 2007 | Reply
I would hate to see Henin win RG again. I’d rather not see a Serena/Henin final (for some reason I never liked watching them play), but if it takes that to see a different RG winner, fine I guess.
Petrova has beaten her on clay before. That’s possible. Serena can do it. I think Venus could do it. But for our sake, let’s hope Cirstea can do it in 1R. New clay court queen!
#1 Venus Fan | Apr 28, 2007 | Reply
Well I agree with the one person I do not want to see Justine win it again. I think is just a bland player though she is good. My money is on Venus and Serena. They have shown this year already that they are hungry to win and have that look of determination on their faces. You can see it in their eyes. I would not be suprised the least if it was Venus and serena in the final. My predictions for the semifinals
Venus verse Petrova, Serena verse Safina
matt
in London, KY
Brant | Apr 28, 2007 | Reply
I am expecting Justine to win RG again (as much as I would love for her not to!)
Although, the players who could beat here include: Serena, Jankovic, Petrova… that is about all I can see at the moment.
Nexty | Apr 29, 2007 | Reply
Personally, I dream of seeing Amelie win in Roland Garros… but may be it will just stay a dream…at least this year!
)….
Justine is the best on clay out there! this is what we have seen last year in Roland garros…But things have changed since then!Ptrova is back form her post-Berlin injury that saw her lose in the first round of RG, while the world tennis world was expecting her to beat her in the 1/4 or semis( ican’t remember)…
There are others players that emerged: Safina, has always been a threat on clay but beating Justine is a huge challenge for the her nerves… that she won’t be able to make…
Jankovic might be good but quite far from JH’s level…
Ivanovic, Vaidisova will not either just like Tatiana who is injured (again
For Venus, i don’t think she will be able to acheive such a thing, at least not at the moment…
Her sister can! he sister can do EVERYTHING…I actualy belive that she’s going to di the Grand Slam this year! there’s nothing to say about her…If she wants something, she’ll do it!
To cut a long story short, I would say that only Petrova and Serena can beat Justine0…
But I will still say, alllez Ame!
ObaMasi | Apr 30, 2007 | Reply
I agree witn Nexty, Serena is an unstoppable force when healthy, and if (big IF) Serena is healthy throughout the French Open she wins. Remember Justine’s semi-final FO against Serena where Justine stopped play but refused to admit it (and how that changed the game)? Justine is not convinced she can beat Serena (even on clay).
Venus, ah, if only she can consistently find her first (or ANY) serve. As much as I wish she might have a shot her serve technique is too poor (Dimentiava-like) for me be to belive she has a real shot (but if not for her serving woes I would pick her over everyone).