Another year to remember for Justine: The Belgian’s sublime skills should secure a fifth victory at Roland Garros as she is poised to maintain her great form of late throughout 2008. Justine might be able to score yet another Slam on the hard courts and she might take out one of the Williams sisters with it.

If the US Open and Australian Open fields are weakened then it’s inevitable that the Belgian will take both. However, 2008 will be yet another year where her Wimbledon dreams are just that - a dream! As at least one of the Williams sisters will shed off injury and send the Belgian out of SW19.

Despite tough competition, Henin should retain her No.1 ranking through most of the year, taking Roland Garros and one of the hard-court Slams. The only players that could really push her are the Williams sisters.

'Despite tough competition, Henin should retain her No.1 ranking through most of the year, taking Roland Garros and one of the hard-court Slams'


The Williams sisters will prevail over injury: With injuries plaguing their careers, the sisters have a big question mark over them. But their mental strength will ensure they prevail. For Wimbledon, one of the sisters in form is enough. Victories at the US and Australian Opens are also on the cards.

Serena finished the season with an injury and Venus finished with a mystery illness that played a part in her US Open defeat. But even with injuries, they are strong enough to win Slams and maintain a top-ten ranking.

Maria Sharapova will come back stronger: Although she isn’t at her best, Maria is improving and she should climb back to No.2. She should make the semi-finals and finals of events and her best chance looks to be Wimbledon. Overall it should be a great year for her, and if injuries weaken Henin and the Williams sisters, there is every chance for her to take a Slam.

Serbians tamed: With Henin, the Williams sisters, Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport on the scene, the Serbians will not take a Slam. There is no point discussing if they are ready to take one, as their 'superiors' are in a different league. But they should collect a lot of WTA titles and they can still make it to the later stages of the Slams.

Russians overshadowed: Excluding Sharapova, the chances of other Russians making Slam finals are remote. Svetlana Kuznetsova and Anna Chakvetadze are not mentally tough enough to do so. Elena Dementieva, with her consistent serve, looks the best to start pushing for a Slam final. Nadia Petrova could cause a stir at Roland Garros but she needs to find that form we saw in 2006.

Davenport will climb back into the top five and will pitch big in the Slams, probably with a victory.

For more information on tennis, visit my website!