French Open 2015: 10 Under-the-Radar Players to Watch at Roland Garros
Rafael Nadal at the French Open has been as close as you can get to a sure thing in sports. However, even with someone as dominant as Nadal and players as consistent as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, some under-the-radar talents will emerge at the 2015 French Open to catch everyone by surprise.
Flying under the radar means more than being a dark horse or sleeper. Someone who is flying under the radar simply has avoided detection from media and oddsmakers.
These players have the skills, talent and even track record for a successful run at Roland Garros.
There are three types of players who are flying under the radar. First, we have those like Sara Errani, who are playing so far beneath their best that they escape even sonar detection. They are nevertheless still dangerous.
Second, there are those like Carla Suarez Navarro, who are within radar range, but the navigators—sports journalists, oddsmakers and prognosticators—are too narrowly focused on the favorites. These players find themselves flying in a blind spot.
Third, there are players who are young and getting some attention but remain outside the French Open radar.
With the exception of Nadal, the Big Four looks strong heading into Roland Garros. No matter how good or bad they are playing, none of them can fly under the radar.
Neither can Kei Nishikori, who last year was considered an up-and-comer. He has become a mainstay in the Top Five. He's also having a phenomenal year. He'll make a few sleeper/dark-horse lists.
Similarly, Angelique Kerber, who usually blends into the second-tier bunch of WTA stars, put herself on the map when she won back-to-back clay-court tournaments in Charleston, South Carolina, and Stuttgart, Germany.
Despite poor showings in Madrid and Rome, Kerber is no longer flying under radar. The following are 10 players who are.
Carla Suarez-Navarro: One-Handed Backhand Bandit
1 of 10
Carla Suarez Navarro has long been a solid clay-court player. Now she's become a more complete player.
Her appearance and performance in the finals of the Italian Open moved her to a career-high ranking of No. 8.
Still, according to oddsmakers, Suarez Navarro remains under the radar as a serious contender to win it all. She has the variety of shot and consistency it takes to outlast opponents in the grueling two-week clay-court tournament.
She also has a weapon rarely seen on the WTA Tour, a killer one-handed backhand. Not since Justin Henin and Francesca Schiavone has the woman's tour seen a one-handed backhand used so effectively on the clay.
Gael Monfils: The Playmaker
2 of 10
The French are so starved for a homegrown hero. Gael Monfils might deliver.
Monfils, ranked No. 14, is a streaky player who can heat up at any time. He is 7-3 on clay this season. He's such a showman that many fail to take him seriously. That's the reason he's flying under the radar. But with a supportive French crowd and enough focus, Monfils can beat anybody.
Caroline Garcia: The Young Slugger
3 of 10
One of Caroline Garcia's biggest assets is also her greatest liability: She comes out swinging. Like a big league slugger, she strikes a devastating blow when she connects. But she also mishits too often.
Still young, Garcia has a feel for clay and packs the power to cause serious damage. Ranked No. 31, she has yet to advance beyond the second round at the French Open. That's why she's flying under the radar. However, this could be the year for the 21-year-old Frenchwoman.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Nick Krygios: Kid Vicious
4 of 10
Flashy and entertaining, Nick Kyrgios certainly gets attention. However, he's not being touted as a real threat at the French Open. Perhaps that's because his career clay-court record stands at .500. Still, Kyrgios, like Monfils, can win a match on adrenaline.
Sara Errani: The Claymanator
5 of 10
Sara Errani reached the finals of the French Open in 2012, where Maria Sharapova destroyed her 6-3, 6-2. Still, Errani remains one of the best clay-court players on the WTA Tour.
She's flying under the radar because her singles rankings, No. 17, has taken a hit. She was ranked as high as No. 5 in 2013. No longer playing doubles with longtime partner Roberta Vinci, Errani perhaps has more time to focus on her singles run.
David Ferrer: The Grindmiester
6 of 10
David Ferrer is not going away. He's been so close and come up short so many times. However, his spirit, fight and determination never falter.
Just because Ferrer has never won the French Open, doesn't mean he never will. He was runner-up in 2013, reached the semifinals in 2012 and made it to the quarterfinals last year. With the Big Four gobbling up most of the trophies the past five years, Ferrer has been the forgotten "grindmiester."
He's been so consistent at winning a lot but never at winning it all that his presence in late rounds is taken for granted.
Svetlana Kuznetsova: Forgotten Champion
7 of 10
It's hard to imagine a two-time Grand Slam winner and 2009 French Open champion as flying under the radar. But that's the life of Svetlana Kuznetsova, the forgotten champion.
Kuznetsova, a Russian who was raised on clay in Spain, has the most "Nadalian" game of any player on the WTA Tour. She is a clay-court master whose body often fails her before her skill can seal the deal.
As much as people like to call Serena Williams and Sharapova the queens of clay, Kuznetsova has had almost as much success. She has made it to the fourth round or better at 10 of the last 11 French Opens. She was runner-up in 2006. She reached the semis in 2008. She won in 2009 and reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014.
Never sleep on a champion.
Fabio Fognini: Flights of Fancy
8 of 10
Fabio Fognini took out Nadal in Barcelona. No matter how diminished Nadal's game has been, a win over him on clay is still a big deal.
Over the past five years, Fognini has reached the third round or better. He made it to the quarterfinals in 2011. His biggest issues have always been focus and poise. He loses both often, which is why he's flying under the radar.
Garbine Muguruza: Gabby Got Game
9 of 10
Garbine Muguruza is best remembered as the young Spaniard who knocked Serena Williams out of the 2014 French Open in the second round.
Forgotten is how Muguruza dominated Sharapova early in the quarterfinal. She shocked Sharapova, the eventual winner, by taking the first set 6-1. She continued to control the match before Sharapova mounted a comeback.
Like Garcia, Muguruza packs power and is skilled on clay. She's also one-half of a doubles team with Suarez Navarro.
Ranked No. 21, Muguruza will enjoy a better draw than she did last year. Still, she's only 21, ranked just outside the Top 20 and has a Grand Slam upset over Serena Williams. Muguruza should not be flying under the radar, but she is.
Tomas Berdych: Mr. Consistency
10 of 10
Tomas Berdych is ranked No. 4, his highest ranking ever. So why is he flying under the radar? Because he's nearly cemented his status as an also-ran.
Like Ferrer, Berdych has been so close to capturing a Slam.
Last year, he reached the quarterfinals of the French Open. His best showing at the French Open came in 2010 when he lost in the semifinals. Berdych lost to Robin Soderling, who had beaten Nadal in the quarterfinals. Berdych was up two sets to one on Soderling before the Swede came roaring back.
Maybe it's Berdych's time to play spoiler.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
