Sport360°’s six dark horses for the French Open title

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  • Kei Nishikori (JPN)

    The world No10 is 10-1 on clay this season having won Barcelona and finished runner-up in Madrid. He retired from his final against Nadal in Madrid with a back problem but he skipped Rome and will hopefully be ready for Paris. Has upped his game and proven that he can rally with and beat someone like David Ferrer on clay, and test Nadal with pure aggression.

    Ernests Gulbis (LAT)
    The talented Latvian has had an average European clay season so far, making only one semi-final in Barcelona, but is a threat in Paris – a place where he made his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final back in 2008. Made his top-20 debut last month and can go deep in the tournament if he handles his emotions and nerves.

    Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)
    The Spaniard will be seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career having cracked the top-30 earlier this month. Had the biggest win of his career against Juan Martin del Potro at the Australian Open this year. Followed it up with a win over Tomas Berdych in Indian Wells. Recently split with his coach but made semis in Madrid without him.

    Ana Ivanovic (SRB)
    The 2008 French Open champion is approaching her form from six years ago that saw her ascend to No1 in the world. Has won two titles this season (Auckland and Monterrey), has beaten both Venus and Serena Williams in 2014 and made the finals of Stuttgart and semis in Rome leading up to Paris. Is playing with more conviction and confidence this year.

    Simona Halep (ROU)
    Assuming she has recovered from the abdominal injury that forced her out of Rome, Halep can definitely be considered one of the outside favourites for the title in Paris. She’s made a rapid ascent to No4 in the world rankings, won her first six WTA finals before falling to Sharapova in Madrid. Has incredible variety and high tennis IQ.

    Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)
    A three-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, the Spaniard with the elegant one-handed backhand only just won her first WTA title in Oeiras earlier this month. Made quarters in Rome where she played great against Ivanovic before falling in three. Is up to No15 in the rankings and her seeding could help her get far in the tournament.

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