2011 French Open
«FEATURES | Monticelli & Roger Hudson @ Roland Garros, Paris, France 22 May-4 June
Saturday June 4
Li gets a major
Li Na rewrote the history books in style by being the first Asian Grand Slam singles winner after triumph over defending champion Francesca Schiavone, despite having not previously won a clay court title.
Friday June 3: Veterans return to big final stage
Thursday June 2: Schiavone stays on track for title
Wednesday June 1: Li rewrites the history books
Tuesday May 31: Bartoli breaks with tradition
Monday May 30: Petkovic peaks
Sunday May 29: Russian roulette at Roland Garros
Saturday May 28: Sweet revenge for Radwanska
Friday May 27: Hantuchova has the upper hand
Thursday May 26: Ace Azarenka shows no mercy
Wednesday May 25: Five alive relief for Zvonareva
Tuesday May 24: Ana exit brings tears
Monday May 23: Big guns call the shots
Pre-tournament News 2011
«FEATURES | Monticelli @ Roland Garros, Paris, France
Mauresmo return ruled out
Amelie Mauresmo (below) was ruled out of playing 2011 French Open Mixed Doubles with2010 Eastbourne champion Michael Llodra as the veteran is no longer signed up in the sport's anti-doping program.
The French ace, who retired from the WTA Tour two seasons ago, was
granted a last-minute wildcard with compatriot Llodra. 
However, the
French Tennis Federation informed the Roland Garros tournament
organisers that the twice Grand Slam winner was not allowed to play due
to strict rules within the sport. Eastbourne regular Mauresmo never won the French Open,
struggling to lift her game in front of the home crowd despite the 2006
triumphs at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
FAVOURITES
VICTORIA AZARENKA
Victoria
Azarenka finds herself at the top of the betting markets after a series
of strong performances on the WTA in 2011. Azarenka won the Sony
Ericsson Open earlier in the season, and follow this up with a win on
clay in the Andalucia Tennis Experience before making the final of the
Madrid Masters. However, Azarenka has never made it past the quarters
of a Grand Slam, and a maiden win in 2011 looks like a big ask – a good
lay betting option.
CAROLINE WOZNIACKI
Not
a clay court specialist by trade, ex-Eastbourne champion Caroline
Wozniacki nevertheless turned heads when she won the Family Circle Cup
on clay in April. The world no1 is still in search of her first
Grand Slam title, and appears to lack the consistent strike rate
necessary to be taken seriously as a favourite for the tournament.
She'll have her backers, but looks underpriced with her odds based more
on reputation and ranking than her clay skills and Grand Slam exploits
to date.
MARIA SHARAPOVA
Maria
Sharapova is still in search of a Grand Slam win following her comeback
from a shoulder injury. The Russian babe was not being taken seriously
as a Grand Slam title contender until she came out of nowhere to clinch
one of the WTA Tour's showcase clay events, winning the 2011 Rome
Masters. At a price of 7/1 at Bet365 she looks like an excellent
each-way betting option for the tournament.
OUTSIDERS
SAM STOSUR
It
has been an up-and-down year for Sam Stosur since she was 2010 Roland
Garros runner-up and failed to capitalise at Eastbourne. The
Australian was disappointing during her home Grand Slam and has been
hit and miss on clay although has just started to find a bit of form on
the red dust. She arrived in Paris after a terrific clay season and
brimmed with confidence. Her game, based on a kick-on serve and a solid
forehand that she used to great effect in doubles, is perfectly suited
to the surface. However, stress often gets to her as she's a very
emotional person.
PETRA KVITOVA
The
shy German ace is a top player in the making and just cracked the
top 10 aged 20 years as she is a naturally gifted left-handed star.
Possesses a big serve courtesy of her height and strikes with
aplomb from both sides despite favouring her forehand. Since Petra
Kvitova lost weight she has vastly improved her movement around court
and the results have followed including her Madrid Open triumph. Her
win in Madrid was impressive, as was reaching 2010 Wimbledon
semi-finals.
JULIA GOERGES
German
ace Julia Goerges' striking quality has vastly improved along with her
backhand to give her a very solid all-round game. Recently reached new
heights mentally as has never had much belief in herself before. The
two tremendous wins over Caroline Wozniacki, rumoured to be the reason
why the world no1 hasn't entered Eastbourne this year, makes her a
dangerous floater and a clear outsider at Paris.
VERA ZVONAREVA
Vera Zvonareva has
had a particularly disappointing season going into Roland Garros. The
Russian was the runaway world no2 last year and it was assumed that
she would challenge ex-Eastbourne champion Caroline Wozniacki for
coveted world no1 spot this season. However, since Zvonareva split from
her coach she seems to have generally lost her way but on the big stage
possesses the gameplan and tactics to win - especially with the
experience of two final appearances at Roland Garros.