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Sharapova show hits Paris
When Maria Sharapova last graced the courts of Roland Garros she was a Russian hopeful with a bright future and a booming forehand.
When Maria Sharapova last graced the courts of Roland Garros she was a Russian hopeful with a bright future and a booming forehand.
On Tuesday she will open her 2005 French Open account as the reigning Wimbledon champion closing fast on the world number one spot.
The second seed is a strong favourite to beat unheralded compatriot Evgenia Linetskaya in the first round in Paris but the Florida-based baseliner knows better than to make any predictions.
"I'm not going to tell the future," she said.
"As long as I feel good about the way I'm playing and the way I've been practising, I think everything will be fine.
"I've progressed in the last two tournaments," said the player who reached the quarter-finals in Berlin and semi-finals in Rome.
"I feel better and better about my games. Physically, I can last in longer, tougher matches on the surface, which is important."
Amelie Mauresmo's suspect temperament is sure to be put to the test when she takes on Australia's Evie Dominikovic.
RECRUITED HELP
The darling of the French crowds has occupied the world number one spot but is yet to win a grand slam title.
The pressure on her is never greater than at her home grand slam and this year she has recruited help from a French tennis great.
The world number three has joined forces with former champion Yannick Noah in a bid to win an elusive grand slam title. Noah was the last Frenchman to win at Roland Garros, in 1983, and captained his country to victory in the Davis Cup in 1991 and 1995 and the Fed Cup in 1997.
"We started (working together) two months ago," Mauresmo told Reuters last week. "It's not a magical solution. There are just little things we want to improve.
"It's exciting, we're having a great time and hopefully it's going to pay off, not only for the French Open but also for Wimbledon and the next few tournaments."
Red-hot Justine Henin-Hardenne also opens her French Open campaign on day two.
The Belgian former champion has won three warm-up ets coming into Roland Garros and is a favourite for the title. She plays Spain's Conchita Martinez.
Former Wimbledon champion Martinez is now ranked 45th in the world and at 33 is the oldest woman in the draw. This year is her 18th and final appearance at the French Open.
In the men's draw two former champions open their campaigns in Andre Agassi and Gustavo Kuerten.
Agassi, champion in 1999, is appearing at the French Open for the 17th time and takes on Finn Jarkko Nieminen.
Three-times champion Kuerten opens against Spain's David Sanchez. The Brazilian won the last of his French titles in 2001 and since his latest hip operation in 2004 he has struggled.
