By Erik Gudris | Saturday, May 24, 2014

 

Once again Serena Williams finds herself the favorite in Paris. But how will the World No. 1 handle a tricky draw as she seeks her third French Open title?

Photo Credit: Getty

Serena Williams expects being the favorite every time she enters a Grand Slam. That's true again for this year's French Open. How the World No. 1 handles all of that expectation has defined the last two years in Paris. In 2012, Serena entered her opening match uptight and left in a frazzled mess. Last year, she displayed near flawless form to win the title for the first time in over a decade.

Now something of a local (Williams owns an apartment in Paris), the top seed erased a few lingering question marks by winning Rome. But with a lopsided draw, Williams may find her that her way back home to a third Paris title may not be as straightforward, like the many curving streets of her adopted city, as she might like.

Williams' Section:

Two names jump out right away in the top seed's section - Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova. Older sister Venus, seeded No. 29, could face her younger sister in the third round. But Venus, who hasn't done much on clay this season, will have to get past rising Swiss talent Belinda Bencic first. That's not a guarantee. But if Venus does set up a 25th career meeting with Serena, it's hard seeing it being more than just an unwelcomed mental test for Serena to get through. Business is business after all.

No. 7 seed Sharapova is likely not thrilled seeing Serena's name on her side of the draw either. Despite winning titles in Stuttgart and Madrid this spring, Sharapova continues trying to make up ground after being sidelined the second half of last year. Hence why the former champion could meet Serena in the quarters in a rematch of last year's final.

Though that was a tense straight sets win for Williams, will a quarterfinal between the two this time take some pressure off either player? Sharapova's best chance to possibly defeat Serena is on clay, given that it's now the Russian's best surface. The slim opportunity is there, but Sharapova may have to hope that somehow someone else upsets Serena first.

Depending on one's view, Williams' draw in the early rounds is either a dream or a nightmare for her. How Williams herself actually views it all will ultimately decide if she reaches the final four.

Pick: Serena

Radwanska's Section:

No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska is not considered by most a possible contender for the title. But the Polish star continues performing better on clay despite it not being her best surface. Who "Aga" has to watch out for early is Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro.

The stylish clay courter, who owns a sublime one-handed backhand, will face back to back qualifiers in her opening rounds and could be primed to pull off the upset should she meet Radwanska in the fourth round. This could be Suarez Navarro's best chance to reach her first ever major semifinal.

No. 8 seed Angelique Kerber is on the other side here, but her dismal season so far points to an early exit for the German. Veteran Italian Flavia Pennetta, who won Indian Wells, just might take advantage.

Experience could be the deciding factor in who works their way out of this opportunistic half. A tricky section indeed to predict, but one that could produce a surprise, but totally not unexpected, semifinalist.

Pick: Pennetta

Halep's Section:

No. 4 seed Simona Halep continues being touted as the player to watch over the next two weeks. With her smart court sense and solid overall game, Halep would appear to be a lock for the semis. But Halep is still unproven in many ways and prone to injury. Though she should get through her early rounds, her real test will be in beating some high profile names later.

Petra Kvitova looms here as well as former French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova who is having something of a resurgence. So is No. 11 seed Ana Ivanovic.

Playing some of her best tennis in a long time, Ivanovic continues displaying the form that her took her to the Paris title six years ago. Ivanovic doesn't have an easy road by any means. She will have to deal with young French hope Caroline Garcia right away and then perhaps the improving Elina Svitolina. And if Ivanovic does meet Halep, she enters knowing the Romanian beat her in Madrid just a few weeks ago.

A tough section all around, but whoever comes out of it will be battle tested for the semifinals. Who believes they deserve it more just might be the one to beat. Halep may be the favorite, but Ivanovic has waited long enough for her chance.

Pick: Ivanovic

Li's Section:

Li Na proved down in Melbourne that when others falter, she is ready to collect the rewards. The 2011 champion and No. 2 seed enters Paris with solid but not spectacular results during the clay court swing. But if Li feels vulnerable at all, she can take comfort with her draw that, though not a given, is one she should navigate through. So long as Li keeps her unforced errors down and doesn't complicate things, she should get past potential early foes in Andrea Petkovic or Caroline Wozniacki.

No. 6 seed Jelena Jankovic again finds herself as a darkhorse in Paris. Like Li, Jankovic has posted decent results on the clay, but nothing suggesting she is primed for a breakthrough result. A quarterfinal featuring Jankovic and Li would be a must-see, especially given Jankovic has beaten Li in their two previous matches on clay.

If China's biggest star produces her best stuff on that day, she should be primed and ready to hear the name "Madame Li" announced before yet another final on the terre battue.

Pick: Li

Semis: Serena d. Pennetta; Li d. Ivanovic

Final: Serena d. Li