Kuznetsova, Jankovic could upset in French Open

One look at Serena Williams going through her paces in Paris this week, and it is pretty clear why the smart money has her as a clear favorite to lift a second French Open title. She's fit, trim, rested and on a hot streak this year.

Money in the bank?

Well, maybe not.

There are five women tennisweek.com has picked after studying the draw that are most likely to pull off an upset win at Roland Garros. And, big surprise, Maria Sharapova isn't one of them. In fact, the only way that the Russian could get in Serena's way is if they both reach the final, and we don't see that happening.

Legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri thinks clay is too big a challenge for her to overcome.

"Her movement is a major weakness on dirt because her power is somewhat diminished making it easier to move her around," he said.

Her competitive streak may help, and Bollettieri notes she always seems to find a way to grind through to the later rounds.

Even so, she faces challenges that look insurmountable. Tennisweek.com's Richard Pagliaro thinks that two Russians will stop her from getting to the final.

Dinara Safina beat her in the fourth round in Paris in 2006, and they would meet at the same stage this year. If she did get past her, she would face Svetlana Kuznetsova.

"Kuznetsova could beat anyone on clay except Justine Henin," says Pagliaro.

And Henin herself told tennisweek.com just before she retired: "I keep thinking Kuznetsova is the biggest threat. She has a really heavy forehand, she hits with a lot of topspin and she's very powerful."

Bollettieri agrees.

"Kuznetsova does well on every surface because of her strong athletic foundation," he says. "Her balance on contact is fantastic."

Her one Achilles' heal, he thinks, is if she loses focus.

Therefore, Kuznetsova is certainly one big threat to Serena, assuming she makes it through to the final.

Dinara Safina has earned a place in the reckoning, too. She beat three top-10 opponents, including successive victories over Henin and Serena, to win her first career Tier I title in Berlin earlier this month.

But there is also a question mark over her.

"Can she lift her level of play in Grand Slam competition given the fact she has been a chronic underachiever in past majors, reaching just two quarterfinals in 22 career Grand Slam appearances?" Pagliaro asks.

Still, the fact that she dismissed Serena and Henin in Berlin was a timely confidence booster.

What about Jelena Jankovic?

The 5-foot-9 Serb is ranked No. 3 and won Rome. Bollettieri, meanwhile, is positive about her chances.

"This could be Jankovic's best shot at a Grand Slam title," he says. "The clay suits her game perfectly ... and let's not forget about her two-handed backhand, down-the-line passing shot. She hits that shot better than anyone on the WTA Tour, and she is able to get so low to the ground that her knees actually scrape the surface."

Jankovic could face Serena in the semifinals, but Pagliaro says, "Don't forget that she beat Williams in straight sets in the Australian Open quarterfinal in January."

Ana Ivanovic crushed Sharapova in the French Open semifinal last year before going down to Henin in the final. The 6-foot-1 Serb impresses Bollettieri.

"She is big, strong, hits hard and flat and relies on her serve in sticky situations," he says. "She is a threat on any surface, against anyone. With Justine Henin now retired, the door is open wide for her first Grand Slam title."

And then, of course, there is Serena's big sister Venus. She has reached the final here before and is the reigning Wimbledon champion. Venus is also well-rested, having played only Rome since the Sony Ericsson in April.

Venus also has a better record against Serena than any other serious contender at Roland Garros with seven wins. A quick check of the odds posted by Ladbrokes in London shows that the bettors haven't gotten her either.

Serena, though, has the edge on their meetings, 8-7, and Serena beat Venus in the final here in 2002.

"It's definitely the right time for me to win," Serena told reporters in Paris. "It's probably the best preparation I've had since 2002...I'm really comfortable out there on clay."

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