PARIS: World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has a record-equalling sixth French Open in his sights, but the Spaniard believes undefeated Novak Djokovic will start Roland Garros as title favorite. Something has got to give over the next two weeks. Nadal, one triumph away from matching Bjorn Borg's six trophies in Paris, has a French Open record of 38 wins and just one loss – his sensational early 2009 exit to Robin Soderling. Djokovic, the world No. 2, has won all 37 matches he has played this year and is just five away from matching John McEnroe's 1984 record for successive wins at the start of a year. It's a streak which has garnered seven titles, including the Australian Open and all four Masters. “I think Djokovic is the great favorite. He hasn't lost a match since the start of the year and he's playing in an incredible way,” said Nadal, who has lost to the Serb in all the four Masters finals. Djokovic can also snatch Nadal's world No. 1 spot if he reaches the final in two weeks' time. The Serb is a two-time semifinalist in Paris, but he is desperate to play down the hype of an event which could see a shift in the sport's balance of power. “Let us be clear – he is the king of clay, the best ever to play on this surface,” Djokovic said about Nadal after his Rome triumph. The fascination with the Nadal-Djokovic duel has left 16-time Grand Slam title-winner Roger Federer in the unusual position of supporting role. Federer, the 2009 champion, will be 30 in August and is desperate to prove that he is still a threat at the majors. Federer has not reached a Grand Slam final since winning the Australian Open in 2010. “It's not like I'm struggling in the first or second round. It's a new situation with Novak not losing,” said Federer. Sharapova, Clijsters favorites Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters will start the French Open as favorites while world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki will be desperate to translate her undoubted talents into a Grand Slam title run. The 24-year-old Sharapova last won a major at the 2008 Australian Open after which she was wracked by a succession of injuries that left her wondering if her career would come to an abrupt end. The Russian, however, believes that Clijsters, the reigning US and Australian Open champion, is the woman to beat despite the Belgian not having played in Paris since 2006. “You can never count her out. She's a great champion, has won the last couple of Grand Slams and is number two in the world. She's certainly the one to beat here.” The women's event could be one of the most open in years with both Williams sisters out injured and four-time winner Justine Henin now definitively retired. Last year's surprise winner Francesca Schiavone of Italy and the woman she beat in the final, Samantha Stosur of Australia, will be amongst the contenders again. Also worth a look will be powerful Belarussian Victoria Azarenka who is up to a career-best fourth in the world after tournament wins at Miami and Marbella. It will be an emotional tournament for French fans with Virginie Razzano opting to play on despite the death on Monday of her fiance and former coach Stephane Vidal after a long battle with a brain tumor. – Agence France
