By Chris Davies
May 22 2004

With the French Open starting on Monday, TeamWTA previews the top 8 seeded players giving an analysis of their chances at Roland Garros. This year has been hit with injuries, withdrawals and some surprise comebacks. (1) Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) Grand Slams: 2

The Belgian world number one player has not played a match since losing to Amelie Mauresmo at the Bausch and Lomb Championships. She was forced out of her scheduled European clay build up due to a case of glandular fever and is still recovering from the illness. She is the defending champion afterall but clearly admits she is not in best condition to defend the title. Will be an interesting Roland Garros for Henin-Hardenne just to see if she is willing to fight for her defence and also if she's not just physically prepared but also mentally prepared. Afterall this is the first time she will experience what it feels like to be a defending champion at a Grand Slam event. Prediction: Could fall at first hurdle!

(2) Serena Williams (USA) Grand Slams: 6

Yet another sidelined star returning to action and her first Grand Slam appearance since winning Wimbledon last year. The French crowd may remember her semi-final cat scrap with the world number one last year where she was booed and controversially stormed off the court after Henin-Hardenne took her second serve where Williams was not supposedly ready. Or they may even forget what had happened. Serena has won this Grand Slam before but has not played well on clay this year, losing in straight forward fashion to Jennifer Capriati in Rome. But the Williams sisters are known for they're winning ways and this Williams will be the one to watch!!! Prediction: Quarter-Final

(3) Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) Grand Slams: 0

Clearly the favourite for her home crown and has a huge realistic chance of claiming the title on finals day. The French star has claimed the German Open and Italian Open crowns this year and also ousted Justine Henin-Hardenne on her return to the tour at Bausch and Lomb losing to Davenport. If she stays injury free and can learn a way to overcome the nerves she suffered so bad last year in the Quarter-finals then she will claim her first Grand Slam. In recent weeks Mauresmo has showed a different side to her than ever before urging herself on and showing a lot of emotion and determination on the court. And now she does actually get stuck into the long hard powerful rallies which before she wouldn't do. Good Luck Amelie! Prediction: Runner-Up

(4) Venus Williams (USA) Grand Slams: 4

This Williams sister's injury problems may never end after returning back to the tour this year after a abdominal injury she twisted her ankle at the German Open. Venus has showed a lot of form on the clay this year winning Family Circle Cup and also Warsaw Cup in easy fashion. This is by no far her favourite service but has made changes to her game which enables her to adapt to the service. If her ankle injury is not that serious then she's in with a shot of the title but my fear is she may not turn up or will pull out before her collision course with Serena. Who knows, the Williams sisters are unpredictable in what they do. Prediction: Quarter-Finals

(5) Lindsay Davenport (USA) Grand Slams: 3

Davenport has produced amazing tennis this year winning Bausch and Lomb with positive and enthusiastic tennis. The American is a different player to last year where she was pondering over retiring or not and now finally does what she does best. Totally outclass opponents with her groundstrokes and fantastic precision on the court. She has not had the best results at Roland Garros in recent years, reaching the semi-finals on one occasion but everybody knows she has what it takes to get this crown under her belt. Her fitness will come into play later on in the tournament but has worked extremely hard to increase her fitness levels. Prediction: Quarter-Final

(6) Anastasia Myskina (RUS) Grand Slams: 0

The highest ranked Russian claims herself that she isn't at the moment Grand Slam winning material, and she aint. Myskina lacks the powerful display against the high ranked players she needs to beat on a more regular basis to have the mental edge against the heavy hitting players. She has had pretty good results this year on all surfaces but has not beaten a top 5 player this year which she needs to do. Anastasia has a good game she just needs the confidence to step up her game and believe in herself. Prediction: Third Round

(7) Jennifer Capriati (USA) Grand Slams: 3

This Former Champion has taken her time to get into the groove of her playing. Now under Steffi Graf's old coach, Capriati has a really good chance of claiming her second Roland Garros crown. She nearly won the Italian Open last week holding match point in the final but went onto lose in a tight tie-break, right now she is probably oozing with confidence after thrashing Serena. She just needs to get on track early on and maintain a smooth rythym building up towards her more important matches later on. She is probably the second favourite and the one who has the strongest fighting spirit out there. Prediction: Winner

(8) Nadia Petrova (RUS) Grand Slams: 0

After last years fantastic run to the semi-finals Petrova has seen her ranking increase ever since then. This year may prove difficult to improve on but could cause a few surprise upsets, especially after claiming a victory over Serena Williams at the Family Circle Cup. She is probably one of the strongest Russian youngsters out there and has a lot of potential. This year she needs to keep quiet and her head down to keep the pressure of everything getting to her, if she can do that then she will be a dark horse and a threat to anyone and everyone out there. Prediction: Third Round

Darkhorses:

(18 ) Maria Sharapova (RUS) - This gutsy youngster will be a dangerous opponent with her incredible flexibility and both strong forehands and backhands. The only thing that may be a problem for Sharapova will be the unexperience in the later stages of a Grand Slam. There's no doubt she will win a Grand Slam but still has a lot to learn before claiming it here. Players will be wary of her strong powerful game before playing against her.

(23 Fabiola Zuluaga (COL) - Probably one of the best clay court players out there at the moment. Winning her native tournament in Columbia again in March Zuluaga has the game and clay court experience to beat the best. Could have caused an upset against Venus Williams in the Warsaw Cup losing out in 3 sets but could easily beat any of the top ranked players in the early stages. She has the fitness and power levels to slug it out with the best and can stay all day on the clay which is her favourable surface. Yet again like Sharapova players will be wary of her prescence on the red clay.

(30) Mary Pierce (FRA) - A former champion way back in 2000 and has not hit the heights of that success since those days. She has had a mixed year but Roland Garros is where she feels at home and also where the French crowd will cheer her on through everything. The power Pierce has can be phenomenal at times but her serve can become vulnerable to often has well has her fitness. But has this is her home Slam I think she could go on a very good run, who knows?

(22) Karolina Sprem (CRO) - This bright and extremely talented youngster will be looking to take a few scalps out of the draw, not only to climb up the rankings but to also have a shot at the title. Probably feels that she should have beaten Venus Williams in the German Open semi-final and showed to the tennis world what she is about. Her powerful play from back of the court overpowered a Williams sister, which isn't that easily done. Sprem will possibly be the most dangerous and darkhorse in the draw but does need to play at the level we have all seen her play right through the tournament.

Unseeded Dangerous Players:
Sanderine Testud - The return of Sanderine Testud has come a surprise to many tennis fans but one of truly happiness. Testud was probably the player 3 years ago who top ranked players found trouble dispatching. Martina Hingis, Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams all had problems has her fighting spirit and commitment to every rally she plays is fantastic. Maybe now has she is a little bit older her fitness has dropped, but the return has been pretty good. Good first round match against World Number One and Defending Champion Justine Henin-Hardenne is one to savour and has a good chance of winning the match. If she does then anything after will be a bonus.

Martina Navratilova - She claims this will definetly be her final year playing professional tennis and what an amazing career it has been. This is her first singles match in a Grand Slam for 10 years and will be a sell out. She has the experience of all the players out there combined and times by a million and will use it to her advantage. Her first round opponent is Giselle Dulko of Argentina which she may just ease through to set up a clash against former arch-rival Conchita Martinez and also has Serena Williams in her half of the quarter!!!!!!