The 2013 French Open is upon in at the conclusion of this month. There will be plenty of new stars to keep your eyes on as the usual top ranked players will have to watch their backs out for these young ladies, who are still teenagers.
Well, Sloane Stephens isn't a teen anymore, she is at the doldrums of being a 20-year-old. However, when still 19 at the beginning of the year, Stephens made it to the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open. Last year, in her first full year participating in grand slams, she avoided first round eliminations in all four majors. Last year at Roland Garros, Stephens went all the way to the fourth round, making her success follow her into Wimbledon when she began attracting more attention. She is currently ranked in the ATP's Top 20.
Other youngsters people will have to keep their eyes on include international sensations: Annika Beck of Germany, Britain's Laura Robson and the hometown kid, Kristina Mladenovic.
France's Mladenovic has been a pro since age 15 when she competed in the 2009 Australian Open. She will be turning 20 at the beginning of the tournament and will look to have more success in the tournament. So far, in four previous French Opens, Mladenovic hasn't passed the first round. However, after some success at the 2012 U.S. Open where she advanced to the third round and second round advancement in the 2013 Australian Open, there is some hope for the No. 51 ranked in ATP's Women's Singles.
Beck is 19 years old and comes into the tournament as No. 66 and is playing in just her third grand slam. She made it into the second round of the 2013 Australian Open and will be playing her first French Open tournament. Robson comes into this tournament also at the age of 19. She has been playing grand slams since the age of 15, but this will be her first French Open as well. Robson is No. 43 in the ATP rankings and her most successful grand slam tournament came at the 2012 U.S. Open when she advanced all the way to the fourth round.
The French Open sets off on May. 26.
