French Open: Five sub-plots to follow

So, here we are at the beginning of yet another run at Roland Garros. The draw is out, the favourites are clear this time around, and we all have our rational views and fanciful wishes in place for the top tennis issues over the next fortnight.

Will Djokovic get his Slam? Will Federer get into his groove? Or will Nadal get it all over again?

Will Serena get into the zone? Or will Sharapova and Azarenka actually manage to get into contender mode?

While conversations around the top-tier players in a Grand Slam never run dry, there are always some interesting storylines elsewhere in the draw as well, waiting to develop around the corner. After all, each of the 250-odd men and women who walk into the championships come with a tale of their own, and a set of goals and dreams very specific to themselves. So, in a bid to look at issues not revolving around the Big 3 of the Men’s and Women’s tournaments, and also to help any Murray and del Potro fans who might be pondering the purpose of it all, here are five French Open sub-plots which could potentially be worth following over the next fortnight.

How high will the Next Gen fly?

There have been sporadic signs this year of the emergence of a new Next Generation of male players who might soon be challengers at the business end of Majors. Grigor Dimitrov, with the help of a star girlfriend and a smooth-as-silk game, has markedly increased his profile this year, and has already taken out Djokovic once on clay. Ernests Gulbis, he of the hot head and distinctive forehand, has run Nadal desperately close twice this year, and is playing (and talking) as well as he ever has. Benoit Paire has climbed up the rankings with his no-holds-barred game and even made it to the last four in Rome last week.

But can they actually do anything substantial on a stage as big as a Major? It would make for interesting viewing even if they manage to take a first step towards unseating the current tier-two of the men’s game in this tournament – the likes of Berdych, Tsonga and Gasquet, who have long been knocking on the doors of greatness without much response.

Will it be the day of the women-of-clay?

The women’s draw offers a few players who distinctly prefer plying their trade on clay and would be fancying their chances at the French Open, and no, they are not Spanish. Li Na made that famous Asian breakthrough at Roland Garros, and has always enjoyed the European clay swing. Though this season has been a bit erratic for her, she remains among the most legitimate contenders outside the Top3. Samantha Stosur, by virtue of her excellent kick serve and creditable history at the event, will continue to be worth following, even if she has had a disappointing clay court season so far. Sara Errani, last year’s finalist, can tentatively be said to be on an upswing at the moment. Could she actually peak at the right time? For all her wholehearted performances, she fails to inspire confidence as a Grand Slam champion. Perhaps this is where she proves us wrong.

The sight of any of these women lifting the winner’s trophy in a fortnight’s time would not shock, but would pleasantly surprise. Given the variety of their games and their pleasing personalities, this is one surprise we would not mind looking forward to.

Will the Spanish terrier step up a gear?

David Ferrer, for the brief time he was Number 4 in the ATP rankings, kept insisting he did not think he was the fourth best player in the world. In an act of self-fulfilling prophecy, he was pushed to Number 5 by his Spanish big brother, Nadal. Now, in a further act of twisted fate, he is back as the fourth seed for the French Open, thanks to the withdrawal of Andy Murray. Is this Ferrer’s best chance yet to step out of the long shadows cast by the Big 3? He is playing on his favourite surface, is in good form, and will not have to beat both Djokovic and Nadal enroute to the trophy. At age 31, could he hope for too many better chances?

How low will Wozniacki go?

Caroline Wozniacki, former World No. 1, has been on a dramatic swoon over the last few months. 3 consecutive first round exits on clay has been an unprecedented low for her. Though her game remains suspect against stronger, heavier hitters, this current drop in form doesn’t do justice to her undoubted fighting abilities and mental toughness. Could this French Open be where she changes all of that? She begins her campaign against Laura Robson in what should be one of the more compelling first round matches to keep an eye on. Unfortunately for Wozniacki, you must like the Brit teen’s chances in that encounter.

How French will it be at the French?

There’s something about the French crowd which makes you want them to get involved in a game. And what better way than to have a home player on a hot streak, running through the draw. The kind of atmosphere that can be built up on national pride remains one-of-a-kind (look no further than the Davis Cup for proof), and no one quite does it like the French. A Frenchman having an extended run is also a realistic hope, with Tsonga, Gasquet, Paire and Simon all posing reasonable threats; not to forget the likes of Benneteau, Llodra and Chardy throwing in an upset or two. And if we wished to be royally entertained, we can always hope for Gael Monfils to be in attendance in all his colours.

So, these sub-plots, among numerous other storyline threads, should give us quite a bit to look forward to over the next fortnight. At the end of it all, we will hopefully have more than just a couple of champions. A few stories of courage, some frittered-away chances, some improbable comebacks, and a few new talents breaking through, would do just fine. And knowing the French Open, it is unlikely we will be disappointed.