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Previewing the women Hingis looking to comeback after 1999 meltdown
Posted: Sunday May 28, 2000 02:16 PM
Sports Illustrated staff writer Jon Wertheim breaks down the women's draw at this year's French Open, predicting how the seeds will fare and looking at some darkhorses and intriguing opening matchups. Click here for the men's draw, and don't forget to check back at the end of Week 1 when Wertheim will be filing daily reports from Paris. 1. Martina Hingis: The body willing, odds are good she'll live up to her seeding and exorcise last year's demons. Could face an early test -- if not a stern one -- against veteran Sabine Appelmans in Round 1. 2. Lindsay Davenport: An ailing back doesn't augur well for success on her least favorite surface, nor does a first-round date against Dominique Van Roost, a player past her prime but still capable of inflicting damage. Say this: If the L-Train wins in Paris, she stands a strong chance of winning all four Slams this year. 3. Monica Seles: Having lost more than 10 pounds since Hilton Head, sentimental favorite stands a reasonable chance to win at Roland Garros for first time since 1993. 4. Venus Williams: An underrated clay-courter, but with her game covered in thick rust, it's hard to imagine her playing past the first week. 6. Mary Pierce: Still too erratic and impetuous to win seven matches on clay. When do extradition hearings commence? 7. Nathalie Tauziat: Controversial WTA Tour Herodotus -- and oldest player in the singles draw -- will be lucky to get past first few rounds on a surface that doesn't complement her swashbuckling style. 8. Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario: Provided she's not pre-occupied with wedding plans, she's a good bet to reach the semis. 9. Amanda Coetzer: Has never been as good a clay-courter as she ought to be. Winning Antwerp title ought to boost confidence, but it's hard to conceive of her outplaying her seeding here. 10. Sandrine Testud: Capable of anything, particularly with a soft draw. Still hasn't figured out a way to break through to the next level. 11. Anke Huber: Same old, same old. Might survive to round of 16, sure to play a spate of three-setters. No threat to beat a top-five seed. 12. Julie Halard-Decugis: The distaff answer to Cedric Pioline -- a funky, French shotmaker capable of brilliance -- could pull a few surprises. 13. Amelie Mauresmo: Results have been lacking since 1999 Australian Open, but she's shown some recent aptitude for clay. 14. Anna Kournikova: As usual, she'll be the talk of Week 1 and a doubles player only in Week 2. An easy draw until the round of 16 will guarantee plenty of face time, though. 15. Jennifer Capriati: Game has been in freefall since Australia. A good bet to lose opening match to Fabiola Zuluaga. 16. Barbara Schett: A heart ailment was supposed to keep her from competing.
First-round matches to watchJennifer Capriati-Fabiola Zuluaga: A huge win for Capriati if she pulls it off. Elena Dementieva-Nathalie Dechy Lindsay Davenport-Dominique Van Roost
Dangerous floatersChanda Rubin, Elena Dementieva, Gala Leon Garcia, Paola Suarez, Virginia Ruano Pascual and -- don't laugh -- Iva Majoli.
PredictionsSemifinals: Hingis-Seles, Sánchez-Vicario - Martinez Final: Hingis-Martinez Champion: Hingis
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