Six WTA players to watch during the French Open

With the clay-court swing right around the corner and thus the French Open not too far away, it’s time to take a look at some players beyond just the top favorites who could lift the trophy. There are plenty of underdogs, some bigger than others, that you need to watch. But with so many promising names, coming up with a list of the best players can be challenging. Here are some such women who could get their hands on that silverware:

1. Petra Kvitova

Having won 26 WTA titles (two Grand Slams) in the past, Kvitova is among the top players to watch this year. Her experience and fierce determination actually make her a very strong competitor in Paris even though she is not at her best on clay (thus why she isn’t considered an absolute top contender for the French Open title despite being No. 2 in the world). After a knife attack almost ended her tennis career she has quickly established herself as a stable player and among the top 10 WTA players.

2. Maria Sharapova

After returning from a drugs ban more than a year ago, this former world No. 1 has been up and down–with some decent results mixed in with injuries. She has not played since late January due to a shoulder injury. However, the 30th-ranked Russian is expected to return on clay next month and she did well on the surface in 2018 (quarterfinals in Madrid and semifinals in Rome). Sharapova may have another point to prove to tournament organizers who denied her a wild card in 2017.

3. Kiki Bertens

This dark horse from the Netherlands defeated Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, and world No. 7 Caroline Garcia to reach the Madrid final in 2018. Now among the world’s top 10 players, Bertens has a tremendous variety and ferocious forehead that makes her a very dangerous opponent to play. She has pushed some of the best players to the brink in the past, and is one you can bet at poker online and even win.

4. Jelena Ostapenko

About 22 months ago, Ostapenko became the first player from Latvia to win Roland Garros and the first unseeded woman to triumph in Paris since 1933. When she is in peak form, her fearless style of playing is very interesting to watch.  What’s more, she has since added much more fitness to her game to make sure she does not fade away in rounds that follow big-match victories.

5. Maria Sakkari

Having reached the third round of three Grand Slams in 2017 and also at this year’s Australian Open, the superbly conditioned Sakkari became the best Greek woman in history after reaching the top 40. Now No. 49, she uses track and field workouts plus powerlifting to develop her strength and speed. Formerly coached by Thomas Johansson, Sakkari hits the ball with a simple clean technique that produces astonishing pace. At only 23 years, she has an aggressive mindset, a work ethic, and great ball-striking ability.

6. Elina Svitolina

Svitolina, who defeated world No. 1 Simona  Halep to win Rome last spring, is one of the players to watch who is just outside the top of the rankings. With plenty of clay-court success under her belt, she should be confident heading into the French Open. The Ukrainian boasts of a strong record in Paris, having reached the quarters twice in the past four years.