Macgregor5389

German Open Preview: Nadal Will Slay The Clay Again

The next Grand Slam tournament of the 2006 golf season has arrived, as the French Open starts Sunday in Paris.

The French Open is the crown jewel of the clay court season, and the utmost effective players in the world have gathered to check their skills and persistence on the slow, red clay of Stade Roland Garros.

Listed here is a consider the title competitors, sleepers and long shots in the men's and women's pulls.

• Over all documents are as of 5/20/06

• • Betting chances at the time of 5/26/06

Men's Pull

Contenders

Rafael Nadal Spain

Tournament seed: # 2

2006 over all record: 28-3

2006 clay judge record: 17-0

French Open career record: 7-0

Best French Open finish: Success 2005

WagerWeb.com chances to get the title: 5/6

The 2005 French Open champion, Nadal may be the undisputed king of clay, having won 53 straight suits at first glance, tying the Open-era report of Guillermo Vilas in 1977. The clay court events were easily won by the young Spaniard in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Hamburg, dropping only six sets in the act. Nadals popularity on clay contains three straight victories against world #1 Roger Federer. That decades French Open is Nadals to reduce, and given his recent hot ability on clay the smart money will soon be on him next.

Roger Federer Switzerland

Tournament seed: number 1

2006 general record: 38-3

2006 clay court record: 10-2

German Open job record: 14-7

Best German Open finish: Semifinals 2005

WagerWeb.com chances to win the title: 19/10

Federer may be the opinion #1 person on earth and has been prominent in 2010 in winning four titles and producing a 38-3 record. His only failures have now been to Nadal in the finals in Dubai (difficult judge), Monte Carlo (clay) and Rome (clay). Federer is becoming more and more comfortable enjoying on clay and has begun to narrow the gap between himself and Nadal. In their previous encounter, in Rome, Federer held a lead in the fifth set before losing in a tiebreaker. It's Federer, if anybody in the tournament has a serious chance at dethroning defending success Nadal.

David Nalbandian Argentina

Match seed: # 3

2006 general record: 24-6

2006 clay court record: 11-3

German Open job record: 11-4

Most useful German Available finish: Semifinals- 2005

WagerWeb.com chances to get the title: 25/1

Nalbandian sports an 11-3 record on clay in 2010 and is an established clay court player. The tournament was won by him in Estoril in May without losing a group, beating Nikolai Davydenko in the finals. The semifinals were reached by nalbandian in Rome, dropping a set tiebreaker to Roger Federer. Nalbandian produced a to the French Open semifinals in 2004 and gets the game to produce a serious run this year.

Sleepers

Tommy Robredo Spain

Match seed: #7

2006 general record: 20-13

2006 clay court record: 13-3

French Open career record: 16-5

Most readily useful French Open finish: Quarterfinals 2003, 2005

Wagerweb.com odds to win the title: 75/1

Robredo began the entire year with a 7-8 record in early difficult court competitions, including two second round losses and four first round losses. However, he's turned his game around on clay, winning the big event in Hamburg, attaining the quarterfinals in Monte Carlo and dropping in the finals in Barcelona to Nadal. If Robredo has the capacity to keep on his new play, he may go deep into the lure Paris.

Fernando Gonzalez Chile

Tournament seed: # 9

2006 total record: 17-9

2006 clay judge record: 13-4

German Open career record: 9-5

Most useful French Open finish: Quarterfinals, 2003

Wagerweb.com chances to get the title: 70/1

Gonzalez, a clay court specialist, has had accomplishment in the early-season clay court competitions, including achieving the semifinals in Vina del Mar and Monte Carlo. Nevertheless, his current form has fallen somewhat, as he lost in the quarterfinals in Rome to Nadal and in the round of 16 in Hamburg. Gonzalez has proven he could get on clay, and he'd be a dangerous opponent proper in the pull.

Gaston Gaudio Argentina

Competition seed: #10

2006 total record: 15-10

2006 clay judge record: 13-7

German Open job record: 18-7

Most readily useful French Open finish: Success 2005

Wagerweb.com chances to get the title: 65/1

Gaudio, the 2004 French Open champion, is really a danger to get any clay court event he enters. Nevertheless, his new form on clay has not been around par along with his usual high standards. He lost in the round of 16, the next round in Hamburg and the initial round in Rome in Vina del Mar and Costa do Sauipe (Brazil). Gaudio did reach the quarterfinals in Valencia, and dropped to Nadal in the semifinals in Monte Carlo. His play has been too irregular to bet on an extended walk through the pull.

Long photos

John Blake USA

Tournament seed: #8

2006 total record: 24-11

2006 clay judge record: 2-3

German Open career record: 3-3

Most readily useful French Open finish: Second spherical, 2002, 2003, 2005

Wagerweb.com odds to win the title: (Field) 50/1

Blake has achieved #8 on the planet ranks and has gained difficult court events in Sydney and Nevada this year. The finals were also reached by him in Indian Wells, where he dropped to Federer. Blake has played in only three clay judge events this season, and his best result was reaching the third round in Hamburg. With a favorable sketch and some chance, Blake could reach the second week in Paris.

Juan Carlos Ferrero - Italy

Tournament seed: #24

2006 overall record: 13-11

2006 clay judge record: 10-7

French Open career record: 26-5

Most readily useful French Open finish: Winner - 2003

Wagerweb.com chances to get the title: 115/1

Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, has struggled mightily in the 2006 clay court period, publishing an average 10-7 record. He has numerous clay court titles to his credit, and as a previous French Open champion, Ferrero should never be ruled out of the mixture.

David Ferrer Italy

Match seed: #15

2006 over all record: 18-13

2006 clay court record: 7-5

German Open career record: 6-3

Best French Open finish: Quarterfinals - 2005

Wagerweb.com odds to get the title: 70/1

Ferrer is a young, up-and-coming Spaniard who has shown he's a force to be reckoned with on clay. He achieved the quarterfinals in Hamburg, dropping to Robredo, and dropped in the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo to Federer.Like the other members of the Spanish armada, Ferrer is most comfortable on the slow clay surfaces, and he might be a spoiler in the primary draw.

Women's Bring

Contenders

Amelie Mauresmo - England

Match seed: #1

2006 total record: 27-6

2006 clay court record: 4-2

French Open career record: 19-11

Most useful French Open finish: Quarterfinals 2003, 2004

Wagerweb.com chances to get the title: 6.25/1

Mauresmo started 2006 with a return by catching the Australian Open, and she followed up with tournament wins in Paris (carpet) and Antwerp (carpet). She chose to play in only one clay judge event leading up to the French Open, dropping in the semifinals in Berlin to Justine Henin-Hardenne. For Mauresmo, the French Open is the most critical tournament of the year, and the force of success her countrys Grand Slam tournament has negatively impacted her play in years past. May Mauresmo overcome the weight of the French state resting directly on her shoulders? With such a field to overcome, and with the overwhelming expectations of her fellow countrymen, I would not bet on Mauresmo winning the event.

Justine Henin-Hardenne - Belgium

Event seed: # 5

2006 general record: 27-5

2006 clay court record: 6-1

French Open career record: 21-4

Most useful French Open finish: Winner 2003, 2005

Wagerweb.com chances to win the title: 2.35/1

Henin-Hardenne is the defending French Open champion and has the 2006 event having an remarkable 27-5 record. She has won two competitions this year (Sydney and Dubai) and dropped in the finals of the Australian Ready to accept Mauresmo. In her only clay court tournament of the season, Henin-Hardenne lost in the semifinals to Nadia Petrova. Henin-Hardenne is a genuine danger to repeat as champion at Roland Garros.

Betty Clijsters - Belgium

Tournament seed: # 2

2006 over all record: 15-5

2006 clay judge record: 6-2

German Open career record: 17-5

Most readily useful French Open finish: Finalist 2001, 2003

Wagerweb.com odds to get the title: 2.15/1

Clijsters has received mixed results with this year's clay court period, winning the event in Warsaw but dropping in the round of 16 in Rome. When Clijsters is healthy, anyone can be beaten by her. Nevertheless, her longevity and health have again come into question. Through the Australian Open, when she was forced to retire from her semifinal match against Mauresmo with a divided ankle ligament. Clijsters also changed a career-threatening hand damage, which caused her to miss a majority of the 2004 season. The French Open, a lot more than any Grand Slam event, is just a test of strength, and Clijsters' propensity for wearing down might be a concern.

Nadia Petrova - Italy

Event seed: # 3

2006 overall record: 33-7

2006 clay judge record: 15-1

German Open career record: 15-5

Best French Open finish: Finalist Semifinals 2003, 2005

Wagerweb.com chances to get the title: 6/1

Petrova has emerged as a force on the WTA Tour, earning four events and compiling a 33-7 match record. She has established herself as a dominant clay judge player by placing a good 15-1 record on the soil. Petrova won clay court events in Amelia Island, Charleston and Berlin, where she beat Henin-Hardenne in the finals. With her clay court titles and a over 2005 French Open champion Henin-Hardenne, Petrova is my personal favorite to win the competition.

Sleepers

Maria Sharapova - Spain

Event seed: # 4

2006 over all record: 21-4

2006 clay court record: 0-0

French Open job record: Quarterfinals 2004, 2005

Best French Open finish: 8-3

Wagerweb.com chances to win the title: 14/1

Under as one of the tournament favorites normal conditions, Sharapova will be stated. However, she's maybe not played a match on clay in 2010, as she was compelled to withdraw from the event in Rome with the right foot bruise. Sharapova has most of the shots to be a power at Roland Garros, and has proven she can win on the Grand Slam point with her victory at Wimbledon in 2004. Nevertheless, her not enough match play on questions and clay about her fitness diminish her likelihood of winning.

Martina Hingis - Switzerland

Event seed: #12

2006 over all record: 31-10

2006 clay court record: 10-2

German Open career record: 31-7

Most readily useful French Open finish: Finalist 1997, 1999

Wagerweb.com odds to win the title: 9.5/1

In among the most memorable comeback stories of the year, Hingis has came back from a three-year absence to yet again become a force in women's tennis. With her foot and leg problems obviously behind her, Hingis has compiled a 31-10 record, including a mark on clay. Hingis dropped in the quarterfinals in Berlin to Mauresmo, but returned to win the Italian Open in dominating style, dropping one emerge six matches. Hingis victory in Rome vaulted her back to competition to get the only real Grand Slam title that has eluded her.

Dinara Safina - Russia

Event Seed: #14

2006 general record: 24-11

2006 clay judge record: 10-3

German Open career record: 1-3

Best French Open finish: 2nd round - 2004

Wagerweb.com odds to win the title: 27.5/1

Safina has easily made a name for himself on the clay court signal, posting a 10-3 record this season. She reached the quarterfinals of the tournaments in Charleston and Berlin, and then where she logged amazing victories over Clijsters, Elena Dementieva and Svetlana Kuznetsova before dropping to Hingis in the finals, reached the finals of the match in Rome. If you feel on driving a player on a streak, Safina may be an excellent bet.

Long photographs

Venus Williams - USA

Competition seed: #11

2006 general record: 6-3

2006 clay judge record: 6-2

French Open job record: 27-9

Most useful French Open finish: Finalist - 2002

Wagerweb.com odds to get the title: 16/1

Williams has played a very limited schedule in 2006 due to a right elbow injury. She returned to the trip in Warsaw and lost in the quarterfinals to Kuznetsova, and then achieved the semifinals in Rome, where she lost to Hingis. Williams has got the power from both sides to dominate on clay, and if she can remain healthy will make a run deep to the event.

Svetlana Kuznetsova - Italy

Competition seed: #8

2006 general record: 29-9

2006 clay court record: 13-5

French Open job record: 6-3

Most readily useful French Open finish: Fourth round 2004, 2005

Wagerweb.com odds to get the title: 10/1

Kuznetsova has enjoyed a good clay court year, reaching the quarterfinals in Charleston and Berlin, the semifinals in Amelia Island and Rome, and losing in the finals in Berlin to Clijsters. She's found the ability to conquer the top-tier players in major events, but also has experienced some negative defeats to lower-ranked players. If she can make the same kind of tennis that forced her to the 2004 US Open title, a run deep to the tournament is possible.