The 2011 French Open: What To Still Look For

To date, on the beautiful clay of Roland Garros, all is calm. The few mild upsets here have not diminished the organic, burgeoning excitement tennis buffs expect to experience when the sport's biggest stars appear in the semifinals and finals. Should they do so.

However, in a matter of hours there will be a much-watched and tenaciously scrutinized third-round encounter between Novac Djokovic and the formidable Juan Del Potro (the 2009 U.S. Open champ). Each could win the tournament.

But despite the potential of the Juan Del Potros and Andy Murrays this year, in the end, the 2011 French is all about messieurs Nadal and Djokovic.

(The women's side of things is a dissolving oxide of attrition of anything goes. What that means is that any one of the top women is liable to pull out with an injury or simply fail to play her best—or otherwise self-destructively disintegrate—so that the women's draw is more about the possibility of rescission than the anticipation of thrill.)

(But, reluctantly, a little more on the women later.)

Djokovic is the main attraction at the French Open. Rafael Nadal may be aiming to tie Bjorn Borg's record of six French Open titles, but Djokovic is set to break all kinds of records this year.

Djokovic is tennis fashion, so France, at the French Open, is currently the perfect place for him.

In 2011, Djokovic has swept the tennis courts clean. Before the start of this, the second major of the year, he had won 37 matches in a row. He is the athlete nonpareil in the world right now. No one can beat him. He indeed has sports “cred.”

Djokovic has reduced everyone else on the men's circuit to a guy named Joe. Just as John McEnroe did in 1984. Just as Rod Laver did in 1967.

The man formerly known as “The Joker” is not kidding around, anymore. He is as serious as a smash at the net. Djokovic has vanquished all international comers, rarely even losing a set.

Djokovic power strokes all along each baseline and moves like a demon in defense. He's a great retriever. Especially now, with his consummate fitness level. Thus the clay at the French is no obstacle.

And, his propriety of shot selection at the propitious moment enhances his present force field of invincibility.

Said 17th-ranked Jo Wilfred Tsonga about Djokovic (from the respected French sports publication L'Equipe): “Il exploite la moindre balle courte, il n'y a pas une balle jouée au hasard.” Translation: “He exploits every short ball, and there is no ball played at random.”

Further, as recently quoted from the well-known French newspaper Le Monde: “Le roi sur terre battue, c’est lui....Roland Garros 2011 a déjà son lauréat.” Yes, indeed, Djokovic is now king, and this title may already be his prize.

Despite Djokovic's present status, Nadal could conceivably upset Djokovic here. He could be Djokovic's Joe Frazier. Nadal is a true champion with a champion's will.

To accomplish what might be considered an upset, Nadal's serve will have to be super. And he cannot lag like he did in the first round against John Isner. Nadal needs to get ahead in such a match. For his self-esteem.

Elsewhere in the men's draw, the Federers , Murrays, Del Potros and Mardy Fishes will have to play unbelievably well to conquer either Nadal or Djokovic.

As for the women, it is believed Kim Clisters, world No. 2, is not in shape. Serena Williams is not here. Caroline Wozniacki, ranked number one, the 2010 ITF player of the year, has not won a major. Vita Azarena, world No. 4, has won two tournaments this year, but is untested in these pressurized circumstances. Vera Zvonereva, world's No. 3, has won only once this year.

Sam Stosur, a finalist in Rome this year, she of the sculpted build, could be a juicy pick. Stosur has exceptional strength, and unlike some more fragile players, stays on her tennis task.

Yet, the door seems wide open for the recent Italian Open champ Maria Sharapova. Once thought to be the game's next queen, the one possessing a whiplash power game combined with all-court guile, Sharapova has been patently up and down the last three years, with the Henins, Clisters and Williamses completely overshadowing her.

Can Sharapova step into the clear void in women's tennis and bring her gender back to prominence? The French Open would be the perfect place to prove her apparently new-found mettle.

Djokovic and Sharapova. Two figures, when at their apex, bring charisma to a sport with unique international appeal. If they win, it would certainly be good for tennis as a whole.