The 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic advanced to the second round of this year’s event with a 7-6(3) 6-3 victory over Italy’s Sara Errani.

The 44th-ranked Errani had a chance to serve for the first set in the tenth game at 5-4, even though Ivanovic had had a 3-1 lead, but the world No.8 Ivanovic didn’t allow that to happen, and took the set in the tiebreak.

The Serb, with her knee still taped, then dominated in the second set, surging into a 5-1 lead. She suffered a slight blip when Errani clawed one break back in the eighth game, but the champion eventually clinched victory.

The 21-year-old Ivanovic will play either Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn or Camille Pin of France in the second round of Roland Garros. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Sixth seed Vera Zvonareva has officially pulled out from the 2009 French Open.

The Russian sustained an ankle injury chasing a ball last month at the Family Circle Cup, and we can’t say we didn’t expect her to withdraw from the French Open. However, it’s a huge shame, since uninjured Zvonareva could have done very well at the Grand Slam.

Lucky loser Katie O'Brien of Britain will take Zvonareva’s spot in the draw. (photo courtesy of Women Who Serve)

The draw for the 2009 French Open is out and here’s my analysis of contenders. I would just like to mention that despite all the facts, I'm sure we all deep inside feel that the women’s field is wide open.

Dinara Safina is my top favorite to win the title. She is coming to Paris with back-to-back titles in Rome and Madrid, plus the Stuttgart final before that (and all the three tournaments mentioned are played on clay). And not only that, the world No.1 Safina was last year’s runner up at the French Open.

The Russian is in impressive form, but she shouldn’t give herself the luxury of making matches longer than they should be (although she’s great at coming back from behind), in order to be fully fit as long as it takes to claim her first Grand Slam.

The first opponent at the French Open won’t be easy for Safina, as she’s meeting Anne Keothavong who reached the semifinals of this week’s Warsaw Open. Other big names such as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Alisa Kleybanova, Zheng Jie, Victoria Azarenka, Carla Suarez Navarro and defending champion Ana Ivanovic are also in her quarter.

Serena Williams still hasn’t won a singles match on clay this season. The world No.2 dropped openers of Marbella, Rome and Madrid, and hence it’s hard to put her as the favorite. However, knowing her impressive resume which includes the 2002 French Open title, and her ability to show her best at majors, the younger Williams sister can never be written off.

To make things more interesting, Serena Williams is playing Klara Zakopalova in the first round, the player she lost to in Marbella in April. Serena is looking at another potential tough match in the fourth round against Flavia Pennetta.

Venus Williams has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, and although she has never been victorious at Roland Garros, she played the final in 2002, and just like her sister Serena, she’s a threat anywhere and anytime.

Williams is the top seed in her quarter of the draw. Her first-round opponent will be fellow American Bethanie Mattek-Sands. In the second round Williams could meet Sabine Lisicki, who beat her en route to the title in Charleston last month. Read more »

Chinese brand ANTA has officially released what Jelena Jankovic will be wearing at the 2009 French Open.

The dress looks great in this picture, with all the effects, but I suppose it will be good live too. However, I'm still waiting for ANTA to really impress me.

What do you think? (via Tennis Forum)

Roland Garros starts May 24, and some players are already there, preparing for the second Grand Slam of the season.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who will try to win her first French Open title, was seen training for the greatest claycourt tournament. Her sister Serena Williams, who won the event in 2002, was also busy trying to finally adapt to clay this season, with the help of father Richard.

Jelena Jankovic was seen practicing with coach Ricardo Sanchez, but as you may have heard, she will most probably change her coach if she doesn't make a good result at the French Open. Just to remind you, earlier this year Jankovic fired conditioning coach Pat Etcheberry.

JJ is exceptional on clay, but having in mind her recent problems with form and conidence, I don't expect her to claim her first Grand Slam title this time.

Also spotted was Amelie Mauresmo, who still hasn't got past the quarterfinals at her home Grand Slam.

Additional info: The draw will be available starting Friday, May 22. (photos via Roland Garros)