Unlike the men, where Rafa Nadal stands as the clear favorite, there are two women that will come into the French Open as clear favorites. Those two women are 2019 French Open Champion Ash Barty and 2020 French Open Champion Iga Swiatek. It’s only fitting that the last two champions are now the players to beat.

Swiatek will go into the French Open potentially as the eighth seed. She’s been steadily climbing the rankings with strong showings in the last few months, winning the Italian Open last week and Adelaide a few months back. However, it was at the Italian Open that she really showed flashes of the mesmerizing play that we saw at the French a few months back. She took out Svitolina, Gauff and Pliskova in succession. She also did it in dominating fashion, posting a 6-0, 6-0 victory against Pliskova in the final. Meanwhile, Barty has been posting some solid results on the clay as well, winning Stuttgart and making the Madrid final. Overall, Barty has been playing well and will be looking to add another French Open title to her name.

Both Swiatek and Barty will face some tough opposition in their quest for their second French Open title. The following are some players that can give them a run for their money at the 2021 French Open:

Garbine Muguruza (#13)

Muguruza did not get much match play during the clay-court tune-ups leading to the French Open. She had to withdraw from the Madrid Open with an injury and then bowed out early at the Italian Open to Svitolina. Do not count Muguruza out though, she has been steadily playing some good tennis and is a former champion. If she gets some confidence, she can make a run at the French this year.

Petra Kvitova (#12)

With a little more luck, Kvitova could have easily posted a big win during the clay-court swing. She reached the quarters of both Stuttgart and Madrid, losing in three sets to Svitolina and then three sets to Barty. If she would have got past those players, it’s very likely she could have captured her second title of the year. Do not bet against this two-time Grand Slam champion. She has the heart of a lion.

Elina Svitolina (#6)

Svitolina is playing with confidence again. She reached the semis at Stuttgart where she lost to Barty, and the quarters of the Italian Open, where she lost to Swiatek. Both those matches were extremely competitive. Anyone that can play competitively against both Barty and Swiatek has a good clean shot at the French Open.

Aryna Sabalenka (#4)

After Barty and Swiatek, the player that has posted the best results on clay leading up to the French Open is Sabalenka. Not only did she win Madrid, but she won it by beating Ash Barty in the final. Unlike Stuttgart, where she would lose to Barty in three sets, in Madrid she would beat Barty in three sets to claim the title. Back-to-back finals in Stuttgart and Madrid should provide her with enough confidence to post a solid run at Roland Garros. As a potential top-four seed, she can also guarantee herself a comfortable path to the quarterfinals. Sabalenka is my third favorite to win this tournament behind Barty and Swiatek.

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