2016 French Open Women's Preview and Predictions

Champion: (1) Serena Williams
Serena is a three time champion, but Roland Garros is by far her least successful of the four majors. However, she seems to be the only consistent player on tour at the moment. Let's face it. When Serena's on, there isn't anything anyone can do to beat her. However, when her level drops, she becomes vulnerable to losses. Serena was not at her best, but still managed to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen last year. Add to the fact that Serena has had two tough losses in the past two majors, expect the fire and determination she needs to get back on track to tie Steffi Graf's 22 majors.

Toughest Road:  (1) Serena Williams
On paper, Serena has the toughest road to the championship. She could face (14) Ana Ivanovic (who won the 2008 French Open champion) in the round of 16, (5) Victoria Azarenka (two time Australian Open Champion) in the quarterfinals, (3) Angelique Kerber (2016 Australian Open champion) in the semifinals, and (2) Agnieszka Radwanska (2012 Wimbledon finalist) in the championship.

However, only Azarenka has displayed good form as of late. Since winning in Stuggart in April, she has lost in the first round in Madrid and the second round in Rome.

After winning consecutive titles at Indian Wells and Miami, Azarenka has struggled with a back injury. She withdrew from the third round at Madrid and lost in the second round at Rome because of the injury. Time will tell how her back has healed since her loss in Rome. To beat Serena, Azarenka will need to be 100 percent healthy.

Darkhorse: (13) Svetlana Kuzentsova
Picking Kuznetsova may sound crazy, but given the lack of consistent form on the WTA now, it shouldn't seem surprising. Here's why. Her road to the final potentially includes: Yaroslava Shvedova (first round), Nicole Gibbs (secound round), (24) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the third round, (27) Ekaterina Makarova in the round of 16, (10) Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals, (2) Agnieska Radwanska in the semifinals, and (1) Serena Williams in the final.

Kuznetsova sports a 6-1 record against her fellow Russian, along with a 2-0 record on clay. Makarova has only been able to win three sets against Kuznetsova in their meetings. If these two meet, I expect Kuznetsova to win.

2016 hasn't been kind to (10) Petra Kvitova. She lost in the second round in the Australian Open, and has fallen to 12 in the rankings. She has not won a title this year, and struggled mightily in the French Open tune-ups, losing in the third round in Madrid, and the first round in Rome.

Kuzetnova owns an 11-4 record all-time against Radwanska, which includes a 3-0 record on clay, and seven wins in their last eight meetings.

If Kuznetsova gets past a tricky and dangerous Shvedova (who is a former quarterfinalist at the French Open) in the opening round, I like her chances to make a deep run.

Most Likely to Be Upset in the First Round: (10) Petra Kvitova
See what I wrote previously about Kvitova's struggles this year. Add to the fact that Kvitova's first round opponent is up-and-coming Danka Kovinic, who has won eight titles on clay on the ITF circuit in her career. This doesn't bode well for someone struggling with her form.

Other Players to Watch:
(29) Daria Kasatkina
The 19-year old is one of the top rising young guns of the WTA. She has a huge opportunity to help herself and make a deep run in the tournment. With the unstable and inconsistent play of the WTA at the moment, she has a chance to potentially climb inside the top 20 for the first time with a deep run. I predicted she will stun (3) Kerber in the third round, upset (15) Madison Keys in the round of 16, and Laura Siegemund in the quarterfinals before falling to (1) Serena in the semifinals.

Laura Siegemund
In Stuggart, the veteran came out of the blue to notch upsets over Simona Halep, Roberta Vinci, and Agnieszka Radwanska before falling to Kerber in the final. In Madrid, Siegemund upset Kuzetsova in the first round. I predict Siegemund defeats Genie Bouchard in the first round, upsets (8) Timea Bacsinsky in the secound round, (31) Monica Niculescu in the third round, and Alize Cornet in round of 16.

Alize Cornet
Cornet, who once reached a career high ranking of 11 in the world, had her best performance at last year's French Open by reaching the round of 16. Look for Cornet to at least replicate this run this year. I predict Cornet will beat Kirsten Flipkens, (23) Jelena Jankovic, and (9) Venus Williams in the first three rounds. I have her losing to Laura Siegemund in the round of 16, but this is a toss-up. Cornet will have the French crowd behind her (and will give her extra motivation to do well at home) as she tries to reach her first major quarterfinal.

(25) Irinia-Camelia Begu
Begu is coming off a nice run that saw her reach the quarterfinals in Madrid, but she has a favorable draw to work with. I predict she beats Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Coco Vandeweghe, a struggling (7) Roberta Vinci, and Danka Kovinic en route to her first major quarterfinal.

Danka Kovinic
Like Begu, Kovinic should benefit from players struggling with their form. I've already mentioned my prediction of her upsetting (10) Kvitova in the first round, but I expect her to defeat Lara Arruabarrena in the second round, and upset (17) Karolina Pliskova in the third round.

(27) Ekaterina Makarova
Ekaterina has made deep runs at the majors as illustrated by a pair of semifinal runs at the Australian and U.S. Open. Her level dropped well below her best last year, and is working her way back up. Makarova has reached the round of 16 last year and is capable of doing more damage this year. I predict she'll be Varvara Lepchenko, Yanina Wickmayer, and (4) Garbine Muguruza in the first three rounds before a tough toss-up between

1st Round Matches to Watch:
Francesca Schiavone vs. (26) Kristina Mladenovic
(18) Elina Svitolina vs. (Q) Sorana Cirstea
Kurumi Nara vs. Denisa Allertova
(20) Johanna Konta vs. Julia Goerges
Donna Vekic vs. (15) Madison Keys
(Q) Louisa Chirico vs. Lauren Davis
Tatjana Maria vs. (23) Jelena Jankovic
Laura Siegemnud vs. Genie Bouchard
Danka Kovinic vs. (10) Petra Kvitova
(13) Svetlana Kuznetsova vs. Yaroslava Shvedova
(Q) Sara Sorribes Tormo vs. (24) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni vs. (Q) Daniela Hantuchova
Naomi Osaka vs. (32) Jelena Ostapenko
(21) Samantha Stosur vs. Masaki Doi
Bojana Jovanovski vs. (2) Agnieszka Radwanska