Comments on: A look at women contenders for 2009 French Open, Dinara Safina top favorite

By: Dajana

Dajana — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:17:34 +0000

I think Dinara will win,but i'd like that Ana do it and defend her title…..the coupe suzanne lenglen is like made for her…..good luck Ana…Ajdeee

By: Marija

Marija — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:49:27 +0000

Bróna, I'm glad you like my preview. And about the other players you mentioned, I agree with everything you said. Pity Zvonareva isn't able to play.

Teerin, the match with Alona was very specific in the sense that Maria desperately needed match play. Yay, Ana won!

By: jacob appleton

jacob appleton — Sun, 24 May 2009 10:09:17 +0000

Although i hate to say it, i think dinara safina will win aswell. As constant readers may know, of course im going for serena – but i doubt because of her recent troubles, shes a very unpredictable player though, lets see what happens! I cant wait to see all the fashions, very interested in serena will be wearing, and of course maria sharapovas, and im interested in seeing jelena's dress in flesh. good day to you all!

By: Teerin

Teerin — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:19:12 +0000

Vera Zvonareva has pulled out because of the ankle injury she had back in Charleston.

I know Maria needed practice. But you have to remember that Maria rarely (I mean, very rarely) plays a tournament right before a Grand Slam. She knows she's not capable of doing that. But like you said, she might not tanked that match against Bondarenko.

She used to do it in the past though, many people believed she tanked the match against Petrova in the WTA Year-End Championships (probably due to the fact that she's going into the semifinals nevertheless, so losing against Petrova would mean nothing). And the most obvious one was probably last year in Charleston (against Serena), she had to fly to New York the next day to celebrate her birthday party. She probably had already arranged it (a lot of celebrities showed up).

Ana Ivanovic's match is starting in about 3 hours, I can't wait!

By: Bróna

Bróna — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:58:53 +0000

Thanks a lot for the article Marija, its a good one! I have to say that I agree with much of what you said.

Sveta and Safina are the favourites for me. I think you can never count Venus and Serena out aswell. I really hope that Vika, Dementieva, JJ and Ana can do well aswell, but it will be hard for them. I'm very interested to see how Zvonareva does considering she's just coming off an injury. I don't expect much from her though.

There's no question about it, I don't think that Sharapova would have tanked a match considering she needed the practice and the way Bondarenko was playing that day was just unbelievable. Sharapova's my favourite player and I would love to see her doing well in Paris but I have no expectations for her whatsoever.

If both Sabine Lisicki and Venus win their first round matches, their second round match could be a very interesting match up. I don't think there's any chance of Keothavong beating Safina, she's just playing too well at the moment. We're certainly in for an exciting fortnight of tennis!

By: Marija

Marija — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:17:06 +0000

It can be a tricky opening match, Keothavong vs. Safina, but I don't really see Safina leaving.

Lilly, I agree, I'm also counting the young players you mentioned. And I too don't believe Maria tanked the match. I'm not having much hopes for Maria at RG. She should be able to win her first match, but the second could be against eleventh seed Nadia Petrova.

By: Lilly

Lilly — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:04:09 +0000

I definitely agree with Dinara, but I'm also thinking of a younger player, i.e. Victoria or Caroline, also being a threat. Not a big fan of Maria, but I think she's a great tennis player, and I doubt she'd tank a match, since she says she needs match play. I think Bondarenko was just too good in that match. Not sure how far Maria will get, but she'll definitely get 1-2 matches under her belt. I'm hoping Jelena, Svetlana, and Elena will do really well.

By: sport review

sport review — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:33:46 +0000

Does anyone think Anne Keothavong can cause an upset and beat Safina in the opening round? I'd love to see an upset like that!

By: Marija

Marija — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:14:23 +0000

Teerin, I can conclude that we think alike.

Yes, I wrote it because you asked for it, and it was a good idea. I hope you like the article.

By: Teerin

Teerin — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:42:41 +0000

(undoubtedly my* (typo) favorite player)

I requested that you post you predictions and you did, thank you so much Marija.