Another french open is about to start having the third qualifying round scheduled for today. From Sunday on, the main draw matches are expected to emerge with most of the WTA tennis stars up and running for the supreme glory on Parisian clay. At this moment, it's hard to pick a certain name and to label it as a certain favorite to win the French Open.
It's the reality the women's tennis has been experiencing lately. Most of the top players are in a slump struggling either with injuries or poor shape. Still, some of the WTA stars had a solid run during the clay season having Simona Halep as the most consistent presence on the dusty battlefield of Europe.
But even on her case, there is a glitch as she got injured in Rome singles final. It was that problem on her ankle that shifted the momentum of that final eventually allowing to Elina Svitolina to clinch the Premier 5 title.
The timing might not be enough
Simona Halep had another solid clay season playing back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome while in Stuttgart she saw her run ending in the semis. An extended schedule on her behalf has also certain risks caught in the middle. The tragic episode she experienced in Rome is just another way to express how cruel tennis can be.
Beng the only one able to sustain such a tremendous run on this surface, Halep was punished when all the good things were apparently on her side.
The issue on her ankle seems quite a bad one as the tennis players was given a 50/50 chance to compete at Roland Garros. She might end up pushing her to the edge and taking her chances in Paris without being at her best physical capacity. But that could turn against her causing additional problems in the future. It's a hard decision to make for the 25-year-old who almost sees her chances to win that elusive first Grand Slam going to to the sink.
There is no sure bet
Halep is not the only one aware of the opportunity that lies ahead but given her consistency over the past few seasons on this particular surface; she might be entitled to win the French Open. Last year, the establishment was caught off-guarded by an enthusiastic Garbine Muguruza who got past Serena Williams in straight sets in the final.
A year later, the defending champion can hardly be put in the favorites' pot as her struggle seems never to end. Besides, there is no Serena Williams, nor Maria Sharapova or Victoria Azarenka. Given this reality, it could also be a perfect moment for another star to take a step forward.
Someone like Kristina Mladenovic or Elina Zvitolina could do the job. For Simona Halep, the task is a titanic one. One of her skills is the surreal mobility she has and her ability to cover the tennis court.Without that, she is somewhere in the average area.