French Open Preview: Stories to Follow at Roland Garros

All roads lead to a Nadal-Djokovic final. Photo credit: Getty Images

The French Open is only four days away! Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, while favourites, are not locks to defend their titles. Serena's battled exhaustion from a frenzied schedule over the last year, and Rafa's encountered an untimely lack of confidence during the clay season. The "Booty Twins" spoiled tennis fans with their dominance last year; that they've been unable to match that pace should not come as a surprise. Nonetheless, their results have panicked their respective fanbases this spring, and allowed for compelling stories to develop on both tours.

Let's examine some of the players and storylines we should all pay attention to in Paris:

ATP

• This French Open will feature Novak Djokovic's third attempt at a career Grand Slam. Nole has made no secret of how badly he wants this. With Nadal and Federer both owning a career Grand Slam, the pressure is on Novak to keep pace with the two GOATS. The last two attempts ended at the hands of Rafael Nadal, and look for them to meet for a third straight time this year. I imagine that potential showdown will be talked about ad nauseam. 
• We know Novak has a bullseye on Rafa's back; can Nadal fend him off one more time at Roland Garros? There's also the not-so-small matter of the #1 ranking at stake. Yes, Stan is big league now, but this is the final that everybody will be expecting. These two are the best in the game and a win for either will settle many a score. Rafa is also chasing Federer's 17 Slam titles. After failing to win his 14th in Australia, Nadal had to rebuild his confidence for this event. All the turmoil of the spring will be forgotten should he win a ninth French title.
• Kei Nishikori's arrival as a big threat to the top ballers is one of the ATP's most surprising wrinkles this season. He's beaten Federer, Ferrer (twice), Dimitrov, played Nadal very tough for three sets in Australia, and looked to be in command against him in Madrid before injury forced a retirement. Whoever gets Kei in the round of 16 will be very unlucky. He's made one Slam QF (Australia 2012) and looks ready to go at least one better in Paris. 
• I honestly have no idea what to expect from Roger Federer at Roland Garros. That in itself is a story to keep an eye on. He and Mirka just had another pair of twins, and that may propel him towards something truly special. Roger has enjoyed a resurgence in 2014, but anything more than a QF in Paris will be a bonus. 
• Grigor Dimitrov seems to be getting closer and closer to making that critical breakthrough. He battled Rafa valiantly in the Australian Open QF, and has followed that performance with titles in Acapulco and Bucharest. I don't think clay will be the surface for him to win a first Slam, but a SF showing would be more progress toward that end. His improved play has made his high profile relationship with Sharapova all the more interesting. The two won titles on the same day earlier in 2014 - can you imagine the press frenzy if they both make deep runs in Paris? 
  
• 2014 has been nothing short of awesome for Stan Wawrinka. He won Chennai, the Australian Open and Monte Carlo to lay claim to residency inside the "Big Four". He loves the red dirt and has all the weapons to win big again. The biggest concern for Stan is being able to avoid an off day that seems to plague him from time to time. Absolutely one of the favourites in Paris.  
• Players to watch: Roberto Bautista Agut, Ernests Gulbis, Dominic Thiem, Nicolas Almagro. 

WTA

• Serena Williams is chasing her 18th Grand Slam singles title in Paris, hoping to tie Martina Navatilova and Chris Evert on the all-time list. Like Rafa, it feels like Australia slipped through her grasp. Last week's triumph in Rome bodes well for her; barring injury it's difficult to imagine anybody getting in the way of her continued march up the Grand Slam ladder. 
• Apart from Serena, is Maria Sharapova the most consistent clay court player of the last two years? And how did this happen? If Serena doesn't make a deep run here, Sharapova is the easy favourite to win a second French title. Look for her to continue her fine run on the red dirt, especially after some good results in the lead-up events.   
• I have watched Ana Ivanovic intently this season and am very impressed with her consistency. She began by beating Venus to win Auckland, then Serena on her way to the quarters in Australia, and added another title in Monterrey. Her last three tournaments have yielded a QF, SF, and F - all on clay courts. She has the look of a legitimate contender in Paris. The question is: do you have the fortitude to throw your support behind her?  
• Simona Halep is the obvious candidate to have a big breakthrough at the remaining Slams in 2014. Since June of last year, she's won 7 tournaments and proven she has the game to beat almost anybody. Now, Halep is ranked #4 and expectations are higher than ever. She played Serena twice in 2013 and won only 7 games combined, including two bagel sets. There is still room for improvement and perhaps she will take that next step in Paris. 
• What on earth is going on with Sloane Stephens? Paul Annacone has yet to make any discernible difference for her game. To date, Sloane has been able to brush aside poor results in smaller tournament by performing at the Slams. A good showing at Roland Garros would enhance that reputation, because nothing she's done in 2014 indicates something special is in store for Roland Garros. Look for the U.S. media to run wild with picking apart Sloane's matches, and make grand proclamations about the state of American tennis. What's new? 
• Like Wawrinka, Li Na will be looking to make it 2/2 in Slams for 2014. Li is a favourite in any tournament she enters; along with Serena and Maria, she's got title expectations on her shoulders. Her win in Australia was dogged by complaints of weak competition throughout. It would be nice to see her play lights out and beat a slew of big names to hoist the trophy.
• I can't get enough of Taylor Townsend. Her back-to-back ITF titles scored her a wild card entry into Roland Garros. I want her to blaze her way to the top in no time, then switch allegiances to a country with a federation that doesn't shame its teenage talent about their bodies. Give 'em hell, TT!
• Players to watch: Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Garcia, Andrea Petkovic, Belinda Bencic.

Side Note: Below is a prime example of the blatant and systemic sexism in sport & society. 

Girls be emotional! RT @Sportsbook_com McIlroy shortened from 10-1 to 8-1 for this week. Wozniacki increased from 100-1 to 200-1 for French.

— SportsPickle (@sportspickle) May 21, 2014

I'll be rooting for Caro next week!

Serena looking for some Sugarpova in her trophy. Photo credit: Associated Press