Dinara Safina could use something that's just like chocolate cake but without all the calories – confidence. Last year she was the woman to beat and now has a gazillion ranking points (or 1400) to defend. You have to think she's not obsessing about the points – maybe playing at all is better than, you know, a broken back – and you can't help but hope that will help her win a few matches and boost her confidence going into Wimbeldon.
The tournament is a chance for other players coming in with injuries or so-so form to get some ego-boosting wins too. This includes the three active former Grand Slam singles winners not mentioned above – Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Ana Ivanovic, who could play well knowing they've lit it up here before - yet aren't the subjects of much pre-tournament hype.
Momentum
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For those who've been in form on clay recently, the French Open is a chance to build momentum on the biggest clay stage. Think Aravane Rezai, who won Madrid, and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, who won Rome. Think also Shahar Peer, who's won more matches (27) than anyone else this year. And don't forget 20-year-old Anastasija Sevastova, who her first title at the Estoril Open earlier this month.
Also playing well are Li Na and Nadia Petrova, who have among the 15 best clay win percentages this year. Both also are among the 15 active women with the best Grand Slam win percentages. Li Na has a percentage that's higher not only than that of Petrova but also Wozniacki, Radwanska and Safina.
The French Open is also a chance for Elena Dementieva to regain the momentum she had early this year. She's one of two players to have won two singles titles this year (Venus is the other) and is currently the highest-ranked Russian. After an impressive 45 consecutive Grand Slam appearances (the longest active streak) she's still the best player without a Grand Slam title. She lost early in the last few tournaments, so the 46th time may not be the charm. It is, however, a chance to get back on track before she gets back on grass.
Legitimacy
Every major is another opportunity for the top young players to show they’re contenders to go all the way… someday. Think Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki and Yanina Wickmayer, who all may be subject to injury woes this year. And there's also the wily Agnieszka Radwanska, whom Richard Williams has praised more than once.
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Ranking Points
Those who didn’t play well – or at all – last year can also gain some ranking points. Consider some of the players who lost in the first round last year – Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone, Daniela Hantuchova, Alona Bondarenko, Alisa Kleybanova and Maria Kirilenko. Consider some who didn’t make it out of the qualifying rounds – Melanie Oudin, Andrea Petkovic, Kimiko Date Krumm and Sofia Arvidsson. Consider some who didn’t even play – Vera Zvonareva, Shahar Peer, Arantxa Parra Santonja and Alexandra Dulgheru. Think all these ladies have something to gain here this year?