Henin-Hardenne heads weakened field

Unlike the men's event, the women's event at next week's French Open would appear to be between just a few top players after injuries and illness saw some high-profile withdrawals on the eve of the tournament.

Justine Henin-Hardenne, the 2003 champion, tops the betting at 11/8 (2.37) having recovered top form after a six-month break because of a virus and then a knee injury. After reaching the quarter-finals on her return in Miami, she has showed her claycourt prowess by winning three successive titles in Charleston, Warsaw and Berlin. The Belgian's incredible battling qualities would have put her right at the top of the betting anyway, but the withdrawal of Serena Williams, who won the Australian Open in January, has enhanced her chances further.

World No 1 Lindsay Davenport won on the green clay of Amelia Island last month but winning seven matches in a row on her weakest surface is likely to be beyond her - this is reflected in her price of 14/1 (15.00). The same goes for 12/1 (13.00) chance Venus Williams, who continues to talk a good game, but who has reached the final in Paris just once, in 2002.

Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, chasing Davenport's world No 1 ranking, is 11/2 (6.50) and a doughty fighter but is also not at her best on clay, while Kim Clijsters, who returned with a miraculous double in winning the title in Indian Wells and Miami, is struggling with a knee injury and is not even sure to turn up. Clijsters is available at 6/1 (7/00).

Last year's winner Anastasia Myskina is rated at 25/1 (26.00) having had serious trouble with a shoulder injury, while French hope Amelia Mauresmo, whose game seems perfectly suited to clay, is second favourite at 5/1 (6.00). However, she has always struggled to cope with the pressure of playing in front of her home crowd and has never been beyond the last eight. Back her at your peril.

On paper, fourth seed Elena Dementieva, runner-up both in Paris and at the US Open last year, could be a threat to Henin-Hardenne, having pushed the Belgian in a tight final in Charleston last month. The Russian is a gritty battler who has been handed a nice draw in Paris, and 22/1 (23.00) definitely looks on the generous side.

Don't be surprised if eighth seed Patty Schnyder, a 20/1 (21.00) chance, comes through from the top half. The left-handed Swiss mixes up her angles and spins probably better than anyone on tour and she could be a real danger.