There are six former champions in this year's French Open draw.
Paris, France (Sports Network) -
Former champion Serena Williams has been installed as the top seed at the French Open and appears to have a friendly path to a deep run at the world's lone clay-court Grand Slam, where she could face reigning titlist Maria Sharapova in the final.
The world No. 1 star will open her latest stay in Paris against Georgian Anna Tatishvili and wouldn't appear to meet any resistance until the quarterfinals, where the American great could face eighth-seeded German left-hander Angelique Kerber or 10th-seeded former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
Potential semifinal opponents for the reigning Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Williams could be fourth-seeded 2012 Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska or fifth-seeded Sara Errani, who was last year's surprising French Open runner-up to Sharapova, this year's second seed.
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The 'Big Three' assembles in Paris
By Scott Riley, Tennis Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -
Russian superstar Maria Sharapova will attempt to defend her title against the likes of the great Serena Williams and fellow former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka when the 2013 French Open begins Sunday at Stade Roland Garros.
Sharapova completed the coveted career Grand Slam last year by capturing her first-ever French Open title, as the tall Russian capped off her Parisian fortnight by beating surprising Italian Sara Errani in the finale on Court Chatrier.
The 26-year-old Sharapova, however, will not head to Paris as the top seed, or even the favorite this year, as the incomparable Serena is playing some of the best tennis of her meritorious career, which includes a seemingly unstoppable career-best 24-match winning streak.
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