French Open 2013 Schedule: When and Where to Catch Most Enticing Contenders

The 2013 French Open will be another fascinating tournament, because there are enticing challengers capable of making a deep run.

There are also interesting storylines on each side.

For the men's bracket, Andy Murray—according to BBC Sport—is out because of his back:

In addition, Juan Martin del Potro is not participating. As reported by Tennis World, del Potro has an illness:

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The withdrawals on the men's side at the French Open continues with world No. 7 Juan Martin del Potro becoming the second big name to withdraw officially from the second grand slam of the season.

Potro flew back to Argentina on the week to get treated for a respiratory illness.

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On the women's side, Serena Williams hasn't taken the French Open since 2002. And even though Maria Sharapova won the Roland Garros in 2012, the only woman to repeat this century is Justine Henin.

As a result, the following contenders have every reason to enter with an immense amount of confidence. Below is also the entire French Open schedule and the specific player previews thereafter.

Note: View men's and women's brackets courtesy of RolandGarros.com.

Where: Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France

When: Sunday, May 26-Sunday, June 9

Watch: NBC, ESPN2 and Tennis Channel

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Tournament Schedule

Schedule courtesy Tennis.com.

Date	Time (ET)	Round	TV
Sunday, May 26	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Sunday, May 26	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Sunday, May 26	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Monday, May 27	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Monday, May 27	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Monday, May 27	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Tuesday, May 28	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Tuesday, May 28	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Wednesday, May 29	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Wednesday, May 29	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Thursday, May 30	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Thursday, May 30	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Friday, May 31	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Third Round	ESPN2
Friday, May 31	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	5 a.m.-12 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	Third Round	NBC
Sunday, June 2	5 a.m.-1 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Sunday, June 2	1 p.m.-4 p.m.	Round of 16	NBC
Monday, June 3	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2
Monday, June 3	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	1 p.m.-7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Wednesday, June 5	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	NBC
Friday, June 7	7 a.m.-11 a.m.	Men's Semifinals	Tennis
Friday, June 7	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Semifinals	NBC
Saturday, June 8	9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Women's Final	NBC
Sunday, June 9	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Final	NBC

Sara Errani

A season ago Sara Errani reached the French Open finals, but lost to Sharapova. Still, that was her best performance in France by a wide margin and that proves her potential for 2013.

Errani has also done well of recent by reaching the semifinals in Madrid and Italy; Sharapova did withdraw from Rome Masters, per Courtney Nguyen of Sports Illustrated.

Back track a little further and Errani appeared in the finals three times—Paris (hard court), Dubai and Acapulco. As for the Roland Garros, Errani sits on the top half of the bracket and opposite of Williams.

Although she's likely to face sound competition in either Agnieszka Radwanska, Ana Ivanovic or Nadia Petrova, Errani's serve and quickness for volleys is to her advantage. Factor in Williams' recent disappointments at the Roland Garros and Errani is capable of reaching the finals.

Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki is definitely an underdog here, as evidenced by only making one quarterfinals appearance in her French Open history.

Obviously not a clay court specialist, Wozniacki's decent success early this year does provide confidence. She reached the semifinals in Dubai, the finals in Indian Wells and the quarterfinals in Charleston.

Now without question, her momentum was affected as evidenced by three straight first-match exits in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome. Thanks to a decently favorable draw that is away from Sharapova and Na Li, Wozniacki brings the talent to face Williams in the quarterfinals.

Despite Williams as a strong match, Wozniacki has the defense to immediately counter and score in long volleys.

David Ferrer

David Ferrer is quite an interesting competitor for the 2013 French Open.

He's in the bracket opposite of Djokovic and Nadal, which gives him an opportunity to reach the finals. Early on he'll have to avoid potential upsets from Marcel Granollers and Milos Raonic, not to mention get through Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals.

Fortunately, Ferrer has fared quite well this season.

He made the semifinals at the Australian Open, finals in Miami and Oeiras, as well as the quarterfinals in Madrid and Rome. Ferrer's Achilles' heel thus far, however, has been Nadal because in three opportunities this year, he is 0-3 (previous two have gone three sets).

Nevertheless, possessing the defense and marksmanship from the baseline to win volleys and Ferrer's entire repertoire of athleticism bode well for an impressive French Open in 2013.