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

MARIA SHARAPOVA (1)

Age: 21

Country: Russia

2008 Match Record: 27-2

2008 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 19

Major Titles: 3 — Wimbledon ('04), U.S. Open ('06), Australian Open ('08)

Last 5 French Opens: '07-Lost in Semifinals, '06-Lost in 4th Round, '05-Lost in Quarterfinals, '04-Lost in Quarterfinals, '03-Lost in 1st Round

Topspin: French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament she hasn't won. ... Semifinalist or better at eight of her previous 11 majors, including two titles. ... Pulled out of Rome tournament on clay this month with calf injury. ... Took over top ranking when Justine Henin suddenly retired.

ANA IVANOVIC (2)

Age: 20

Country: Serbia

2008 Match Record: 20-6

2008 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 6

Major Titles: 0 — Best: Finalist, at French in '07, Australian in '08

Last 5 French Opens: '07-F, '06-3rd, '05-QF, '04-Did Not Play, '03-DNP

Topspin: After making it past the fourth round only once in her first nine career majors, has been at least to the semifinals at three of the four since. ... Arrives at Roland Garros on a two-match losing streak.

JELENA JANKOVIC (3)

Age: 23

Country: Serbia

2008 Match Record: 28-9

2008 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 6

Major Titles: 0 — Best: SF, at U.S. in '06, French in '07, Australian in '08

Last 5 French Opens: '07-SF, '06-3rd, '05-1st, '04-1st, '03-DNP

Topspin: Won second consecutive Italian Open title on clay this month, beating Venus Williams en route. ... Ranks No. 2 on tour in match victories this season. ... One of only two players ranked in top 10 who never has played in a Grand Slam singles final.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (4)

Age: 22

Country: Russia

2008 Match Record: 21-8

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 9

Major Titles: 1 — U.S. Open ('04)

Last 5 French Opens: '07-QF, '06-F, '05-4th, '04-4th, '03-1st

Topspin: Streaky player has quality wins over Maria Sharapova, Jelena Jankovic, Venus Williams in 2008 — along with third-round losses to Alona Bondarenko and Alize Cornet at last two tournaments. ... Only 3-2 on clay this season.

SERENA WILLIAMS (5)

Age: 26

Country: United States

2008 Match Record: 23-2

2008 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 31

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

Last 5 French Opens: '07-QF, '06-DNP, '05-DNP, '04-QF, '03-SF

Topspin: Only past women's champion in field. ... Might not be too disappointed to hear Justine Henin retired: She lost to the Belgian at three majors last season. ... Compiled 17-match winning streak that ended at German Open in early May. ... Comes in with a 9-1 record on clay in 2008, but pulled out of Italian Open with back problem.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (7)

Age: 26

Country: Russia

2008 Match Record: 22-7

2008 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 9

Major Titles: 0 — Best: F, at French in '04, U.S. in '04

Last 5 French Opens: '07-3rd, '06-3rd, '05-4th, '04-F, '03-1st

Topspin: Upset Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic during run to final at German Open on clay this month. ... Failed to make it past fourth round at any of past five majors.

VENUS WILLIAMS (8)

Age: 27

Country: United States

2008 Match Record: 12-6

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 36

Major Titles: 6 — Wimbledon ('00, '01, '05, '07), U.S. Open ('00, '01)

Last 5 French Opens: '07-3rd,'06-QF,'05-3rd, '04-QF, '03-4th

Topspin: Returned at Italian Open after being off tour for 1½ months while undergoing unspecified medical tests. ... In 11 previous appearances at Roland Garros, only once made it past the quarterfinals, losing to younger sister Serena in the 2002 final.

MARION BARTOLI (9)

Age: 23

Country: France

2008 Match Record: 8-12

2008 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 3

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: F, at Wimbledon in '07

Last 5 French Opens: '07-4th, '06-2nd, '05-1st, '04-1st, '03-2nd

Topspin: Quit during match on clay at Strasbourg on Wednesday with wrist injury. ... Highest-ranked Frenchwoman was 17-21 in Grand Slams before reaching fourth round at last year's French Open swinging two-handed off both wings. ... Followed that up with surprise run to final at Wimbledon — where she credited James Bond portrayer Pierce Brosnan with inspiring her.