Two of the last three French Open women’s singles titles have been won by Iga Swiatek, and the Pole will start this year’s tournament as the favourite, as she looks to claim a third victory in Paris.
But with injury concerns surrounding Swiatek, that could open the door for others to step up and claim the second Grand Slam event of the year.
- Elena Rybakina to win the French Open
- Caroline Garcia to win the French Open – E/W
Kazakhstan Ace One Of The Favourites
Defending champion Swiatek was forced to withdraw from the recent Italian Open due to a thigh injury and although she is optimistic it is nothing serious and will play in Paris, there will be nagging concerns for anyone backing the favourite.
After a quarter-final withdrawal for the world number one, Elena Rybakina took full advantage and went on to take the title in Rome.
The girl from Kazakhstan has enjoyed a significant last 12 months, which has seen collect her first Grand Slam title and move into the world’s top five players.
Rybakina made her break through with victory at Wimbledon in 2022 and then made the final in Melbourne at this year’s Australian Open.
The 23-year-old has also won two Masters Series events in 2023 – in Rome and Indian Wells – as well as reaching the final of the Miami Open.
You wouldn’t say she was a clay-court natural, but Rybakina has a 70%-win record on the surface and has won nine of her 11 matches to date on clay this year.
Her victory in the Italian Open will be a major confidence boost going into the Grand Slam and a long run in France looks highly likely.
RYBAKINA TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN
Garcia Offers Paris Experience
A bigger priced option for French Open success is home favourite Caroline Garcia, who is currently ranked five in the WTA rankings.
The Frenchwoman has not yet reached a Grand Slam final but, at the age of 29, there have been signs that she is getting closer to breaking her ‘Big Four’ duck.
Garcia made the semi-finals of the US Open last year and equalled her best performance at the Australian Open in 2023, when making the fourth round before losing to the unseeded Magda Linette.
She has got three WTA clay-court titles to her name and she has also enjoyed previous success at the French Open, having secured two pervious doubles titles.
Garcia teamed up with Kristina Mladenovic to take the 2022 French Open doubles title, following on from the pair’s success in 2016.
The lady from Lyon won over $3.3m in earnings in 2022 and has already reached two Tour finals in 2023, with a 68%-win record so far this year.
Being seeded five at this year’s tournament should put her in a stronger position to go deep in this year’s tournament and beat her previous best performance in her home Slam – reaching the quarter-finals in 2017.
GARCIA TO WIN THE FRENCH OPEN - E/W
