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Sharapova, Ivanovic garner top seeds for French Open

Fri 23rd, May 2008

Paris, France (Sports Network) - Maria Sharapova of Russia and Serbia's Ana Ivanovic are the top seeds for the French Open, which gets under way Sunday on the famed red clay of Roland Garros.

Sharapova, the top seed, has been anointed the new No. 1 player in the world on the heels of the stunning retirement of Justine Henin. The Belgian stalwart won the past three French Open crowns, routing Ivanovic in last year's final by a 6-1, 6-2 count.

Ivanovic, the second seed, also lost to Sharapova in the final of this year's first Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

Another Serbian, Jelena Jankovic, is seeded third and is followed by 2006 French runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia, 2002 French champ Serena Williams of the United States, Russians Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Dementieva and American Venus Williams. Venus Williams was the 2002 runner-up to her sister, while Dementieva lost in the 2004 final to Anastasia Myskina.

Sharapova will open with Russia's Evgeniya Rodina and might not face a real test until the fourth round when a potential opponent is fellow Russian Dinara Safina. Dementieva is featured in Sharapova's quarter of the draw, while Kuznetsova and Chakvetadze are possible semifinal foes.

Ivanovic will meet Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson in the first round with a potential fourth-round match against Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic. Serena Williams, who is slated to take on fellow American Ashley Harkleroad in the first round, is a possible quarterfinal opponent for Ivanovic.

Venus Williams is also in the bottom half of the draw and will meet Israel's Tzipora Obziler in the first round. French favorite Amelie Mauresmo, seeded 22nd, could face Venus in the fourth round and the Williams sisters can only face each other in the semis.

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