French Open 2018 - Contenders and Pretenders

Elina Svitolina (UKR)

Elina Svitolina in action at the Beijing Open

Current world ranking: 4

Best result: Quarter-finals (2015, 2017)

The most impressive player in WTA tournaments this year has been Elena Svitolina, the current World No.4.

The Ukrainian has scooped three titles so far, including the season-opening Brisbane International as well as successfully title defences at Dubai and Rome.

The 23-year-old thrashed world number one Simona Halep in the Rome Open final last week for the loss of just four games, all in the second set.

That has made her favouritism for the French Open but she needs to overcome a couple of demons she may want to bury if she is to go all the way and win her maiden Grand Slam title.

Of her three quarter-final losses at the majors, two of them came at Roland Garros, albeit to quality opponents in Ana Ivanovic (2015) and Halep (last year).

She also reached the last eight of the Australian Open earlier this year, but lost to unheralded Belgian Elise Mertens in straight sets.

Perhaps her best chance will come at the French Open, where she is seeded fourth. The Ukrainian has the chance to become world number one following the tournament, if and only if she wins the title.

Also watch out for: Garbine Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Jelena Ostapenko, Caroline Garcia, Petra Kvitova, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.