French Open begins Sunday

Julia Vakulenko of Ukraine upset top qualifying seed Romina Oprandi and will compete in the French Open

The French Open is beginning a day early this year, I suppose as a hedge against rain days. First up is Maria Sharapova, who re-injured her ankle and asked the tournament officials to re-schedule her match so she could give her foot a rest. The tournament officials refused, and she may withdraw. If she does, Mashona Washington will get an easy walkover to the second round.

Kim Clijsters, a contender for the title, is also injured, though she says the injury is slight. Mary Pierce, last year's finalist, has already withdrawn because of injury, as has Lindsay Davenport.

Romina Oprandi, the talented Italian up-and-comer who stole the show at the Italian Open and made it all the way to the quarterfinals where she was lost a very close match, was seeded number one among those trying to qualify for the French Open, but she was upset in her final qualifying round by Ukraine's Julia Vakulenko. I think Oprandi may still get in, however, as a lucky loser. Vakulenko's career was stalled by problems with depression, but she appears to be back in form.