Maria Sharapova- can anyone stop her in Paris?

Maria is certainly on a roll and she has very realistic chances for a French Open crown this year to complete a singles career grand slam. But let's face it, there are other better clay court players. An encounter with a revitalized Henin will always be disastrous. A Nadia Petrova reminiscent of her 2006 clay court season will be extremely dangerous even for Henin. Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova move really good on clay and can tough opponents for other top players. Serena with her all-court game, Sharapova-like attitude and vast experience (watch her duel against Sharapova in Charleston 2008, Maria blasted her off court only to be blasted back) will test any of the top players and kill any of those no-name players. Sharapova has the best record among all active players under the age of 25 and she will certainly win many more titles in the future, maybe even more than 10 grand slams, but still most likely without a French Open title to her name -- just like Pete Sampras.

No way Sharapova will be happy to reach the semis. She hasn't a single clue how to play on clay. Moreover, she can't slide at all and moves like a newborn giraffe. Almost any Spanish/Italian/French journeywoman can take her out hands down if they're not under pressure by playing on center court against the worst shrieker and her awful dad.

I hate to admit it....no I love it, Serena Williams hereself is on a role. She is like a Tornado, wiping her opponents away....(Justine Henin @ Miami 6-2 6-0)!! Her only lost came the Australian Open when she was battling through a SERIOUS tooth ache and had to have immediate gum surgery. When she is healthy she is NO DOUBT the best player in the world. Right now she is 19-1 and no one can stop her. She is on a serious roll and READY to claim Paris as for a second time! BEWARE Maria and Justine!!

Right now I have 4 favorites heading into the French and 1 dark horse. Here are my ranks: 1) Serena Williams -Though i am not the biggest fan, she has been in great form, winning 3 tournaments in a row. Only loss in Australia, brilliant 19-1 start, and rediscovered drive to be #1 again. 2) Justine Henin -Simply because she's won the last 3 titles, 4 in all, and is still the best player on clay, in form or not. Problem is she's been killed by two opponents she used to be able to handle (S. Williams + Sharapova) this year, both times with a bagel set. 3) Maria Sharapova -She's my favorite player, and probably one of the most in-form players right now, a sparkling 24-2 start. Despite winning her first clay tournament in Amelia Island, it was over a relatively weak draw. If she has wins over notable players in warm-up tournaments to the French, then she might move up in ranks, but for now Serena has beaten her on clay and Henin [in the past] has toyed with her. It could all change though, 2008 has been quite a year for her. 4) Ana Ivanovic -Ana is a very well rounded player, and I think that clay is one of the surprising surface for someone who's as tall and powerful as she is. Last year she did reach the final, but then she melted down, which shows that she still has some consistency issues here and there. If she can maintain "good" for 7 matches, the crown could be hers - if she doesn't face a daunting player in the final. My dark horse: Vera Zvonareva. -She's played very well this year, and shows the tools for going deep, but for now she still has to prove her mental game has improved enough to sustain her for 7 matches.

...nobody won't dare stopped my maria

Everybody knows that Maria is in top form this season, that know her opponents too. I'm sure she will get this year's French Open title, considering that Justin Henin is not in her best issue at the moment and Maria is too much better for any other player of top 10 and lower.She rocks on the court!

I think that Serena will win FO this year. She is in great shape and is playing some of her best tennis again. Maria cannot beat Serena on any surface. She has lost to Serena her last 4 meetings. With the draw that Maria has, she probably make it to the FO but Safina and a couple of the others will give her a fight but I think that she will fight through it only to meet the one player that she just cannot seem to beat, Serena. If Serena gets to the final, no one will be able to beat her and that includes any grand slam. Go Serena!