5. Sloane Stephens (Age: 23 years, Rank: 21)
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Sloane Stephens has had a strange season so far, vacillating between highs and lows like a pendulum. She has won three titles, one of which came on the green clay of Charleston.
But other than that, there has been nothing noteworthy as she has inexplicably slumped early in the rest of the tournaments, going a dismal 2-5.
If she keeps up that trend of alternating between a good and a bad performance, she is due for a memorable run in Paris as she lost very early in her last two events at Madrid and Strasbourg. On a serious note, why Sloane can be expected to make an impact is because the clay of Roland Garros always brings out the best in her.
This is the only Slam where she has not lost before the fourth round for each of the last four years. Her smooth strokes and athleticism simply come alive at this venue.
There is no reason why she cannot emulate that. The only threat the 19th seed can receive in the first week is from the 2012 runner-up Sara Errani who has not been at her best and Sloane, if she remains calm, can definitely cross that hurdle.
