Wozniaki, Muguruza, Halep or Ostapenko?
Publisher Roger Parker gives this thoughts on who might triumph in the women’s singles at Roland Garros in 2018. Not forgetting Serena!
SIMONA HALEP
(Romania)
Age: 26 Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US23,494,071
Career titles: 16
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 17-8
Best French Open results: finalist 2014, 2017
Top seed but under pressure to stamp her authority on the game with her first Grand Slam crown.
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CAROLINE WOZNIACKI
(Denmark)
Age: 27 Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US30,343,465
Career titles: 28
Grand slam titles: 1 (Australian Open 2018)
French Open win-loss record: 18-10
Best French Open results: quarter-finalist 2010, 2017
The glamorous Dane beat Halep in the Melbourne in January and is should make at least the semi-finals.
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GARBINE MUGURUZA
(Spain)
Age: 24 Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US16,377,998
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 2 (French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2017)
French Open win-loss record: 19-4
Best French Open result: champion 2016
Yet to find her feet on the Roland Garros clay but the former world No.1 commands respect, could go all the way.
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ELINA SVITOLINA
(Ukraine)
Age: 23 Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US12,493,887
Career titles: 12
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 13-5
Best French Open results: quarter-finalist 2015, 2017
A French Open junior champion at 15, the Ukraine is quality on clay and easily beat Halep in the Italian Open final.
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JELENA OSTAPENKO
(Latvia)
Age: 20 Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US6,068,806
Career titles: 2
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2017)
French Open win-loss record: 7-1
Best French Open result: champion 2017
The reigning Queen of Roland Garros and set record after record last year.
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PETRA KVITOVA
(Czech Republic)
Age: 28 Ranking: 8
Plays: left-handed
Career prize money: $US22,422,461
Career titles: 24
Grand slam titles: 2 (Wimbledon 2011, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 21-9
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2012
The big-serving Czech has grand slam credentials looms and is a serious threat.
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BEST OUTSIDER
SERENA WILLIAMS
(USA)
Age: 36 Ranking: 453
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US84,525,911
Career titles: 72
Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009,
2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 60-12
Best French Open results: champion 2002, 2013, 2015
You write off Serena at your peril, despite being denied a seed this year.
