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Posted at 8:55 a.m., Saturday, May 26, 2007

French Open: Women's capsules

By Howard Fendrich
Associated Press

French Ope: Women's capsules

Women to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday (rankings in parentheses):

JUSTINE HENIN (1)

Age: 24 (25 on June 1)

Country: Belgium

2007 Match Record: 22-3

2007 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 32

Major Titles: 5 — French Open ('03, '05, '06), U.S. Open ('03), Australian Open ('04)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-Won Championship, '05-Won Championship, '04-Lost in 2nd Round, '03-Won Championship, '02-Lost in 1st Round

Topspin: Attempting to become the first woman to win three consecutive French Open titles since Monica Seles in 1990-92. ... 7-1 record on clay this season is best among players at Roland Garros. ... Generally regarded as most mentally tough player on tour.

MARIA SHARAPOVA (2)

Age: 20

Country: Russia

2007 Match Record: 14-5

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 15

Major Titles: 2 — Wimbledon ('04), U.S. Open ('06)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-4th, '05-QF, '04-QF, '03-1st, '02-Did Not Play

Topspin: Semifinalist or better at eight of her previous 11 majors, including two titles. ... French Open is lone Grand Slam tournament where she's never reached the semifinals. ... Missed nearly two months with a right shoulder injury before returning this week at clay-court tuneup in Istanbul, where she was upset in the semifinals.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (3)

Age: 21

Country: Russia

2007 Match Record: 28-10

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 8

Major Titles: 1 — U.S. Open ('04)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-Lost in Final, '05-4th, '04-4th, '03-1st, '02-DNP

Topspin: One of three players to beat Henin this season, and it came on clay. ... Also has quality clay-court victories in 2007 over Nadia Petrova, Dinara Safina, Daniela Hantuchova, Venus Williams.

JELENA JANKOVIC (4)

Age: 22

Country: Serbia

2007 Match Record: 39-10

2007 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 4

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: SF, at U.S. Open in '06

Last 5 French Opens: '06-3rd, '05-1st, '04-1st, '03-DNP, '02-DNP

Topspin: Pulled out of Strasbourg tuneup Friday, citing gastroenteritis. .. Tied with Henin for most titles on tour this season. ... Won Italian Open title on clay this month without dropping a set, beating Kuznetsova in final. ... Considered quitting tennis after a 10-match losing streak early in 2006.

AMELIE MAURESMO (5)

Age: 27

Country: France

2007 Match Record: 17-7

2007 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 14

Major Titles: 2 — Wimbledon ('06), Australian Open ('06)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-4th, '05-3rd, '04-QF, '03-QF, '02-4th

Topspin: Missed nearly two months after having an appendectomy in March. ... Broke through with two Grand Slam titles last season. ... Speaks freely about all of the pressure she feels as a French player at the French Open. Still the lone major where she's never advanced past the quarters.

NICOLE VAIDISOVA (7)

Age: 18

Country: Czech Republic

2007 Match Record: 17-6

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 6

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: SF, at French Open in '06, Australian Open in '07

Last 5 French Opens: '06-SF, '05-2nd, '04-DNP, '03-DNP, '02-DNP

Topspin: Pulled out of clay-court tuneup tournaments in Berlin, Rome and Strasbourg (where she was defending champion) because of a nagging right wrist injury. ... Broke through with semifinal run at Roland Garros last year, upsetting Venus Williams and Mauresmo.

SERENA WILLIAMS (9)

Age: 25

Country: United States

2007 Match Record: 18-3

2007 Singles Titles: 2

Career Singles Titles: 28

Major Titles: 8 — French Open ('03), Wimbledon ('02, '03), U.S. Open ('99, '02), Australian Open ('03, '05, '07)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-DNP, '05-DNP, '04-QF, '03-SF, '02-W

Topspin: Returns to French Open for the first time since 2004. Missed it last year with a knee injury, and in 2005 with an ankle injury. ... Climbed back into the top 10 in the rankings after entering the Australian Open at No. 81, then winning it. ... Vowed to "get even more fit" after losing in Italian Open quarterfinals this month.

VENUS WILLIAMS (29)

Age: 26

Country: United States

2007 Match Record: 19-5

2007 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 34

Major Titles: 5 — Wimbledon ('00, '01, '05), U.S. Open ('00, '01)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-QF,'05-3rd, '04-QF, '03-4th, '02-F

Topspin: In 10 previous appearances at Roland Garros, only once made it past the quarterfinals, losing to younger sister Serena in the '02 final. ... Missed the last two majors because of injuries.