The French Open is under way and Maria Sharapova makes her 2008 debut at Roland Garros today as the new world No.1 and top seed. But can she win the French Open? Does she have the patience and the power to beat her rivals on the red clay? The retirement of Justine Henin has helped her cause, but for me Sharapova will succumb to the in-form and hard-hitting Serena Williams.

Williams is already into the second round in Paris after destroying fellow American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2 6-1 yesterday. After an early loss of serve in the first set Williams reeled off seven games in a row to demoralise her opponent. Williams was so powerful, her shots often didn't manage to come back over the net as Harkelroad struggled to keep up with the pace of the ball. Serena made so much noise even I was off put as a spectator but you couldn't argue with her tennis. Her shot selection was applied well and her serve was often unreturnable. She looked in sensational form and I was very impressed, seeing this was only a first-round match.

I know Serena has been in form this season but I haven't managed to see many of her matches on the WTA tour in 2008. However, now I know why she has been doing so well and can see her going all the way, based on that performance alone.

‘...a Williams versus Jelena Jankovic semi-final is inevitable in the bottom of the draw and that game is anyone’s for the taking, both players possessing the game to beat the other’


In the next round she will play Mathilde Johansson of France, whom she should trounce easily, and then she is seeded to play Katrina Srebotnik of Slovenia followed by Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, depending on results. Again, neither of these women are good enough to beat Williams in this lethal form and the 5th seed should ease into the quarter-finals.

Ana Ivanovic is in the same quarter of the draw as Serena, and although finalist last year the young Serb is not in the same kind of form and could struggle against the power shots of Serena, but it would be a potentially very good and close match, and with a bit of pressure on Williams’ shoulders, as the only former champion in the draw, she could be prone to a few silly mistakes.

But I think a Williams versus Jelena Jankovic semi-final is inevitable in the bottom of the draw and that game is anyone’s for the taking, both players possessing the game to beat the other.

There is no doubt in my mind that Serena Williams is eager to win in Paris again to add to her 2002 title. Williams needs to stay focused, avoid silly mistakes and continue to strike the ball hard and with pace to help destroy her opponents on the clay courts.

It could well be a Sharapova versus Williams all-star final and if I have to pick one then Serena would get my vote, having defeated the Russian on the clay of Charleston a few weeks ago 6-1 in the third set. Both ladies have only lost twice all season so its diffucult to see anyone stopping them reaching this Grand Slam final in two weeks' time, however this is tennis we are talking about and upsets are a regular occurrence.