Jack Romeo
Professional
At this point, the French Open is Serena Williams's tournament to lose. Sharapova stands very little chance against her. Azarenka might have a better shot if this was a hard court event, but it's clay so she has just as much chance as Sharapova. Errani or Kirilenko? Nah. But what about Jelena Jankovic?
Yes, I think that of all players left in the draw, Jankovic is the one with the best chance of beating Serena. She has a more respectable head-to-head record (4-6) against Williams and has played her tough even in many of her losses. Only two losses were blow-outs.
The trouble is that she would have to go through Sharapova first and, likely, Azarenka next. She is only 1-5 against Sharapova, having lost the last 4 times. Her last win over Maria was in 2007. She is 3-4 against Azarenka but has lost the last 3 times, all in straight sets. However, I do think she is playing at a better level now than she was during her recent losses to Maria and Vika. Also, none of those losses occurred on a clay court.
Still, it is a curious thing that she somehow matches up better against Serena than she does against Vika and Maria. If she can somehow beat them and get to the final against Serena, it would probably be the best chance for us to at least see a competitive final. Serena would undoubtedly still be favored but maybe Jankovic can take it to three sets or keep each set close in score.
Yes, I think that of all players left in the draw, Jankovic is the one with the best chance of beating Serena. She has a more respectable head-to-head record (4-6) against Williams and has played her tough even in many of her losses. Only two losses were blow-outs.
The trouble is that she would have to go through Sharapova first and, likely, Azarenka next. She is only 1-5 against Sharapova, having lost the last 4 times. Her last win over Maria was in 2007. She is 3-4 against Azarenka but has lost the last 3 times, all in straight sets. However, I do think she is playing at a better level now than she was during her recent losses to Maria and Vika. Also, none of those losses occurred on a clay court.
Still, it is a curious thing that she somehow matches up better against Serena than she does against Vika and Maria. If she can somehow beat them and get to the final against Serena, it would probably be the best chance for us to at least see a competitive final. Serena would undoubtedly still be favored but maybe Jankovic can take it to three sets or keep each set close in score.
