Dubai: The Williams sisters may be missing, but the timely return to form of Maria Sharapova and Caroline Wozniacki's quest for a maiden grand slam crown will be the focus in the women's singles competition at Roland Garros over the next couple of weeks.
With the men's competition threatening to be a contest between the world's top two — Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — one can expect far more action on the women's side.
By her own admission Sharapova is a "cow on ice" when it comes to playing on clay. But she was completely at ease while winning in straight sets against French Open finalist Samantha Stosur in Rome last week. But it was not just her win or her return to form that has the pundits talking about Sharapova's chances. Rather it is the manner in which the former world number one went about her job in dismantling her more adept opponent on clay.
She was precise, powerful and clean in her shots, something that definitely puts her up as one of the clear favourites for a crown that she has yet to win — a semi-final in 2007 was her best effort in eight attempts so far — in two weeks' time.
Rather than the hopefuls, it is a group of women — notably led by the Williams sisters Venus and Serena — who will be missing out on the French Open this year. Kim Clijsters still looks a doubt with a range of injuries afflicting her, Svetlana Kuznetsova is on the wane, clay specialist Elena Dementieva has retired and Dinara Safina may also do so in the near future, thus giving Sharapova enough motivation to complete her career Grand Slam.
Handling pressure
And while this is true for the current world number seven, there is ample scope for Dubai Duty Free Open winner Caroline Wozniacki to stop tongues wagging from her being the world number one without winning a grand slam! However, Wozniacki is sure to have the Rome semi-finals at the back of her mind where she got dismantled by Sharapova.
Defending champion Francesca Schiavone will be intent on proving that she is no one-slam wonder despite failing to reach a final since June last year. But it will all come down to how capable the stocky Frenchwoman is in handling pressure in front of home fans.
So, everything seems to be pointing towards a resurgent Sharapova, and she is improving fast after reaching the semis at Indian Wells (in March), the final in Miami (in April) followed by her first title in a couple of seasons in Rome last week.
