2011 French Open: Editors' Picks

The editors of TENNIS magazine and TENNIS.com predict this year's French Open champions and give their dark horse picks.

Champions:

Peter Bodo Senior Editor	Caroline Wozniacki: I?ve felt almost protective of Wozniacki since she started getting grief for earning (yes, earning, not stealing, or being given) the No. 1 ranking, on the grounds that she?s extremely consistent, level-headed, politely but seriously ambitious and really young (20). So what if she has yet to win her first major? Clay may not be her best surface, but I see her recent, unexpected losses as motivational?rather than inhibiting?elements. Plus, I see no compelling reason to select anyone else, given that on-paper favorite Kim Clijsters hasn?t played much lately.	Novak Djokovic: We ink-stained wretches have a habit neatly summed up in the quip, ?I?m rooting for the story.? That is, we want to see a result that makes for the most juicy story, and can there be a more flavorful one this time around than Djokovic emerging as champion? Beyond that, I believe Djokovic has earned the right to be considered the favorite based on his remarkable results thus far in 2011.
Steve Tignor Senior Editor	Kim Clijsters: The Aussie Open champ will be rusty from lack of match play but should be able to play her way into form. This is the tournament she almost won 10 years ago, and the one she wants more than any other.	Rafael Nadal: No one, including Djokovic, knows how to win this tournament like Rafa, and now the pressure is off of him. As he says, he's been playing well, but one guy has been playing better. That guy will also have to get through six matches to make the final. Nadal has never lost one of those in Paris.
Richard Pagliaro Senior Editor	Kim Clijsters: Injury-induced inactivity makes Clijsters a question mark, but she is the most complete player in the field and is riding a 14-match winning streak at Slams. If her ankle holds up, the two-time French Open finalist can make a triumphant return to Paris after a five-year absence.	Rafael Nadal: Djokovic is the best player on the planet, but the undefeated Serb faces a tougher draw, and his recent mastery of Nadal should slightly diminish the bulls-eye on the five-time champion?s back. If Djokovic falls before reaching his first French final, Nadal is clearly the best bet to claim the crown.
Ed McGrogan Online Editor	Victoria Azarenka: She's coming in with injuries, but every highly-ranked woman has a concern or three. Thanks to a pretty comfortable draw, Azarenka should have time to ease into battle. Her toughest challenge may come in the quarters, against Petra Kvitova.	Novak Djokovic: The pressure will mount with each passing round, but Djokovic has passed every clay-court challenge with honors this season. He didn't just squeeze by Nadal in Madrid and Rome; they were convincing victories. I'm not expecting similar superiority in Paris, but I do expect the same result.

Dark Horses:

Peter Bodo Senior Editor	Jelena Jankovic: She?s almost out of the Top 10 and has taken some unexpected beatings at big events this year, but I can?t quite give up on Jelena?s athletic game. (But then, I couldn?t quite give up on Elena Dementieva?s game, either, and she retired without having won a major). Jankovic has been to the semis three times in Paris, the last time in 2010. With the competition this wide-open, it?s time to get the job done and win that first major.	Juan Martin del Potro: Maxime Teixeira, the French wild card entry. You gotta see this kid to understand what I?m talking about! Okay, I?m kidding. But to be honest, he?s as good a choice as any given the prowess Nadal and Djokovic have shown this year, and with other ?light horses? like Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych et al in the mix. But as my editor probably will make me change this anyway, how about del Potro?
Steve Tignor Senior Editor	Maria Sharapova: The self-proclaimed cow on ice has improved her movement on clay and finally found her range again last week in Rome. This would, as unlikely as it sounds, make her a career Slammer.	Robin Soderling: He hasn't been at his best and he's canned his coach, but Soderling is a two-time runner-up for a reason: He can hit through even the best players on the right day, and he can do it on clay.
Richard Pagliaro Senior Editor	Petra Kvitova: Her Roland Garros résumé consists of just five matches, but Kvitova owns a lethal lefty serve to open the court and a fierce forehand to finish points. She beat three Top 10 players to win her third title of the year in Madrid and figures to be a force in Paris.	Gael Monfils: Picking the flaky Frenchman may sound as smart as skipping over the Seine in a single bound, but Monfils plays with passion in Paris?he?s a two-time Paris Indoor finalist and a 2008 Roland Garros semifinalist?and possesses the eye-popping athleticism to make a mark in his hometown.
Ed McGrogan Online Editor	Jelena Jankovic: The No. 10 seed has reached the semifinals of Roland Garros three of the past four years and has a good chance to add another final four to her résumé?Francesca Schiavone and Vera Zvonareva are seeded above her. Difficile, oui, mais non impossible.	Andy Murray: It's a two-horse race in the ATP, so anyone besides Nadal and Djokovic can be considered a reach. Even the No. 4 seed, who nearly ended Djokovic's winning streak in Rome. Murray looked like a natural dirtballer there and has a good draw here.

Source: http://feeds.tennis.com/~r/tenniscom-features/~3/DJJIbAd8eug/

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