Beyond The Score

After looking at the men’s draw it is time to focus on the women’s side. With the draw starting tomorrow, it has fairly crept up on us.

Last season saw some blockbuster clashes. After Ashleigh Barty’s sudden retirement, the number one spot was up for grabs. Iga Swiatek took that opportunity with both hands and comfortably lifted the trophy losing just one set the whole tournament. The world number one had just won Qatar, Indian Wells, Miami, Stuggart and Rome with the French Open success meaning her winning streak extended to thirty-three. To put this into perspective Barty’s longest-ever invincible run was fifteen matches in 2019 and Serena Williams was thirty-four. Any concern about tennis lacking a dominant force in women’s game was diminished. Coco Gauff also continued to make progress while Martina Trevisan at just 28 made her first Grand Slam semi-final in just her second time progressing past round 2.

Contender 1 – Iga Swiatek

You probably guessed this was coming. With two Roland Garros titles to her name, Iga Swiatek will defend her title this fortnight with all her might. Any slight injury worries were put at ease as she confirmed that her thigh injury in Rome which forced her to retire against Rybakina was “nothing serious”. A fully fit Swiatek is someone no one wants to face. In contrast with the likes of Djokovic and Nadal she often comes out of the trap flying. Playing herself into a tournament doesn’t seem to be in her DNA. Victorious last season here, she lost just four games in her opening two matches and just seven in her two opening rounds at the US Open last year (winning there as well). At just 21 she really is a class act. Yet, this year there is a different dynamic. Last year it was Swiatek and the rest. However, now there is a distinctive big three: Sabalenka, Swiatek and Rybakina. Seeing this development has been refreshing for the women’s game as genuine rivalries have been lacking in previous seasons. The eye-opener of the draw is Swiatek facing Rybakina for a place in the final. Similar to the Djokovic versus Alcaraz clash, it’s likely that whoever wins will lift the trophy at the end. As of late Rybakina has had Swiatek’s number, winning their last three meetings. Just last week in Rome she was victorious, all be it due to a mid-match withdrawal from Swiatek. Whether this is a true indicator is open to debate. Therefore, on clay, I still have Swiatek as a slight favourite to defend her title.

Contender 2 – Elena Rybakina

Champion of Rome on her weakest surface, Elena Rybakina has taken the tennis world by storm in the last twenty-four months. With a Wimbledon title, Australian Open runner-up medal plus Indian Wells and Rome trophies to coincide with it, she really has broken through in such impressive style. Her elegance and unique power are unteachable, and the calmness and simplicity of her aura no matter what the situation may be are equally impressive and conducive to great success. Her only arguable weakness is her less-than-optimal movement, although at six foot tall that is understandable. Many feel this will inhibit her from reaching her full potential on clay though.

Despite this, in Rome, she looked at home comfortably and picked up the title without much fuss. By proving how excellent she is on the posh red-ash it’s fair to say, she has put herself in a league of her own in one sense. Swiatek on the grass is considerably weaker, while Sabalenka on the clay usually sees quite a drop-off. Winning on all surfaces will hold her in good stead.

To make it three straight wins in their head-to-head will have a mental impact, even if Swiatek wasn’t fully fit. As said whoever wins that clash will likely reign as champion. If I had to choose, I’d choose Swiatek’s knowledge of these courts, even if it’s not simplistic.

Contender 3 – Sabalenka

The third and final member of the “big three”, some say she is the top dog, while others say she ranks third in the trio. Either can be debated and have a solid argument. Many of her critics would have been silenced earlier this year as she lifted her first Grand Slam in Melbourne. On a hard court and on grass at her peak performance, very few can live with her.

It’s time for her to prove it on clay though. She has yet to reach a second week at Roland Garros and for a player of her quality that simply isn’t satisfactory. Some would argue that she already dispelled the worries due to her Madrid title, where she defeated Swiatek in the final.

Perhaps it’s harsh to say but you really can’t compare Madrid to Paris. With a higher altitude and a faster court, the similarities are miniature. Hard courts such as Indian Wells offer slower speeds. On the bright side, it may mentally help her believe she has what it takes to conquer clay.

Her early exit in Rome wasn’t a pretty sight however she told afterwards that it was more of a case of fatigue so perhaps the extended break until now won’t do her any harm. Either way, it’ll be fascinating to see whether she translates her form into clay. As a neutral, you have to hope she does as any final including her has been a total blockbuster.

One to watch – Petra Kvitova

Truth be told you can never write her off. This year’s Miami champion and former world number one, tennis inspirational story keeps delivering. Her playing style is similar to Rybakina in many ways with her monstrous ground strokes but lacks movement due to her imposing frame. Left-handedness adds another element of surprise and uniqueness.

Nowadays she isn’t the consistent powerhouse of old. Now and again though she pops up with an unexpected run and her fans will be clinging on to hope that this fortnight will be another incredible journey. Clay has never been a strong surface having never reached a French Open final. However, on Sunday afternoon when she walks out to enthusiastic spectators in their thousands, she will be worth a watch.

One to watch – Barbora Krejickova

2021’s champion, Barabora Krejickova. Consistency on the singles court has escaped her as she sits as world number thirteen. That hasn’t stopped her from being bullish about her chances though as she told Eurosport of her inner belief to cause an upset.

She said “I said something back at the Miami Open that I feel it’s good that we have players like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka that are dominating the tour, but I also think that there are so many players that are really consistent, and they are actually trying to make it harder for them. And I believe I’m one of them. There are also other really good players that are ahead of me that are trying to make it as well. I just felt like at the beginning of the year I was really playing well, and I won in Dubai, and I was kind of forgotten.

Those three are such a good players, but everything was about them. I didn’t really understand why it’s not about other players as well. Why is it only just three names, but not about other players that are playing well and are really consistent and having really good results? They are not mentioned anywhere.”

What she has proved is she is a big game player, and at a grand slam that is always helpful. She has won both encounters with Rybakina and is 2-2 with Swiatek. Not to mention she ended Sabalenka’s winning streak earlier this season by defeating her in Dubai. Despite being in Swiatek and Ryabkina’s half she is definitely one to keep an eye on.