Feature Article

French Open Preview: Day Two

Posted by Aaress Lawless on May 25, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription

Day Two - French Open

Monday’s play at the 2008 French Open will showcase the skills of two former world number one players, Venus Williams and France’s own Amelie Mauresmo.

Also expected to play on day two at Roland Garros are third seed Jelena Jankovic, sixth seed Anna Chakvetadze, and ninth seed Marion Bartoli.

Aaress’ Picks for Monday

(3) Jelena Jankovic vs. Monica Niculescu
Now that Justine Henin is headed for a life of peace and quiet in Monte Carlo, Jelena Jankovic remains the best mover in women’s tennis. Her prowess on clay was evident two weeks ago in Rome where she defended her title after dropping just one set. Fortunately, she took a few days off since leaving Italy, which means that she might last two weeks in Paris without taking more than her customary injury timeouts.

Monica Niculescu is playing in her first French Open and only second major tournament, but the Romanian No. 3 has won fifteen ITF circuit singles titles.
Jelena Jankovic in 2 sets

(6) Anna Chakvetadze vs. Nuria Llagostera Vives
While the big four–Maria, Ana, Jelena, and Serena–are being touted as title favorites, I like Anna Chakvetadze’s chances of making some noise in Paris. She is in the top half of the draw with Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova, but if her fellow Russians tumble, she’ll have a good chance of reaching the semifinals.

Although Vives is ranked almost eighty spots beneath Chakvetadze, both of their previous meetings have been close and gone to three sets.
Anna Chakvetadze in 2 sets

(9) Marion Bartoli vs. Casey Dellacqua
The last Grand Slam was one of the best ten days of Casey Dellacqua’s young career. She thrilled her hometown fans in Melbourne with a run to the fourth round and since then she has risen to a career high of No. 51.

Casey is the same age as her opponent on Monday, Marion Bartoli, although far less experienced. Bartoli has not been able to recapture the form that led her to the Wimbledon final in 2007, yet she has managed to return to the Top 10. If Marion’s wrist has completely healed, she’ll be able to weather Dellacqua’s pounding onslaught. If not, look for Dellacqua to score her first Top 10 upset.
Casey Dellacqua in 3 sets

She Said What?

Ana Ivanovic on her need for rest during the season:
“I think it’s important through the year to get enough time also for rest and recovery, and then prepare again.

Because there is lots of tournaments, and if you play week after week you get burned–you get burned out. Maybe you can last one or two years, but that’s it.

I’m really lucky with my team around me, and we make quite good scheduling and smart scheduling, so I still have time to rest and get my mind off tennis.

And, you know, there is–after Miami I had some break, and after Wimbledon again. So for me, personally, it’s very important. And, yeah, I think it’s good to try to work out the best for you.”