HOW THE LEADING WOMEN'S CONTENDERS AND BEST AUSSIE HOPES SHAPE UP FOR THE 2019 FRENCH OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY
NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)
Age: 21
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US11,187,245 ($A16.26 million)
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 2
French Open win-loss record: 4-3
Best French Open result: third round 2018
Yet to win a clay-court title but the Japanese superstar is riding a 14-match grand slam winning streak having swept to US Open and Australian Open glory in the past two majors. Can't be dismissed despite her tough draw.
KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)
Age: 27
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US16,904,466 ($A24.56 million)
Career titles: 13
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 9-7
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2017
The former world No.1 will be oozing confidence after rounding out her preparations with Italian Open success, having also reigned in Brisbane this season and finishing runner-up in Miami.
SIMONA HALEP (ROM)
Age: 27
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US29,677,869 ($A43.12 million)
Career titles: 18
Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018)
French Open win-loss record: 24-8
Best French Open results: champion 2018; runner-up 2014, 2017
With three finals appearances already in Paris, the defending champion is a deserved favourite to shed her tag as a one-slam wonder after another consistent season.
KIKI BERTENS (NED)
Age: 27
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US8,610,305 ($A12.51 million)
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 11-7
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2016
The big-hitting Dutchwoman knocked over four grand slam champions, including Halep in the final, en route to the title in Madrid this month to rocket to a career-high No.3 in the world.
ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER)
Age: 31
Ranking: 5
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US28,263,838 ($A41.07 million)
Career titles: 12
Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2016; Wimbledon 2018; US Open 2016)
French Open win-loss record: 17-11
Best French Open results: quarter-finalist 2012, 2018
Hasn't been on top of her game in 2019 but shouldn't be lacking motivation after arriving in Paris with a first-time opportunity to complete the career grand slam having added the Wimbledon crown to her CV last year.
PETRA KVITOVA (CZE)
Age: 29
Ranking: 6
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US29,883,061 ($A43.42 million)
Career titles: 27
Grand slam titles: 2 (Wimbledon 2011, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 23-10
Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2012
With titles in her past two events and 13 wins from 14 matches on European clay this season, the big-serving Czech with proven grand slam credentials looms as a serious title threat.
BEST OUTSIDERS
SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
Age: 37
Ranking: 10
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US88,692,106 ($A128.88 million)
Career titles: 72
Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)
French Open win-loss record: 63-12
Best French Open results: champion 2002, 2013, 2015; runner-up 2016
Rarely can the American great be considered an "outsider" but with only two clay-court matches under her belt this season she's not among the favourites but remains desperate to match Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 singles slams.
BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES
ASHLEIGH BARTY
Age: 23
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,466,380 ($A10.85 million)
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss record: 2-4
Best French Open result: second round 2013, 2018
The Queenslander arrives with a career-high ranking and could prove how far she's come in a potential round of 16 clash with Williams, who beat Barty in Paris last year.
SAMANTHA STOSUR
Age: 35
Ranking: 89
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US18,378,898 ($A26.71 million)
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2011)
French Open win-loss record: 39-15
Best French Open result: runner-up 2010
The former finalist is very much in her career twilight but has made the third round for 12 straight years, not to mention three semi-finals appearance to go with her charge to the 2010 title decider.
Australian Associated Press
