2010 French Open Top Contenders

While tennis fans continue to count downs the days until the 2010 French Open begins near the end of May, there are a few players who are being marked as the top contenders to come away as the tournament champion.

2010 French Open Contender # 1 - Rafael Nadal

Nadal is currently the top tennis player in the world and has been on a roll since Barcelona. Do not forget the fact that Nadal owns the French Open and has won the tournament four of the last five years.

Since Nadal has been especially dominant in his last two events on clay, he is hands down the top contender for the 2010 French Open. The only thing holding him back from a win would be a major injury or one of the other top players to play out of this world.

2010 French Open Contender # 2 - Novak Djokovic

Djokovic is currently the second rated tennis player in the world and for good reason. The only problem is that his performance ion clay court has been lacking. Especially the two times when Verdasco ousted him from tournament competition.

In 2009 Djokovic did not stay around long in the French Open, after losing in the third round. Djokovic needs a strong performance at the 2010 French Open if he is going to continue to stay at the top of the rankings and be regarded as one of the best in the game.

2010 French Open Contender # 3 - Roger Federer

While many people are placing their money on Nadal to win, the defending 2009 French Open Champion Federer will not go quietly without a fight. Recent upsets have dropped Federer in the rankings, causing some tennis fans to doubt his ability to win the 2010 French Open.

Federer could benefit from having an easier draw than Nadal and should find his groove as the tournament continues on. Remember that no matter how he is playing now, Federer always seems to save his best performances for the Grand Slams.

2010 French Open Contender # 4 - Fernando Verdasco

So far in 2010, Verdasco has already won two titles and is on his way to having his best season yet. A win at the 2010 French Open would be the perfect way to continue the momentum.

The odds maybe against Verdasco, but he does have a shot if he is able to survive to the final 16. The problem comes if he faces Nadal. Verdasco has been ousted by Nadal several times in the past year and proves to be troublesome for the player from Spain.

2010 French Open Contender # 5 - Andy Murray

Last year during the 2009 French Open, Murray was a Quarterfinalist, eventually losing out to Fernando Gonzalez. While 2010 has not been a spectacular year for Murray, he has started to play his way out of his slump and continue to improve on the clay surface.

Murray is the perfect dark horse candidate for the 2010 French Open, especially if he is able to create more break point opportunities.

Resources

Tennis Coverage on Yahoo Sports

Players Statistics at Tennis.Com