Maria Sharapova Gunning for French Open Title in Resurgence

The last time Maria Sharapova won a Grand Slam was at the 2008 Australian Open, which just so happened to be the last year she was ranked No. 1 in the world.

After two years of battling shoulder problems and inconsistent play, Sharapova has stormed back into the top 10 in 2011, a remarkable turnaround that has some pegging her as the favorite at this year's French Open.
As Sharapova gets set to face Mirjana Lucic of Croatia in the women's first round at Roland Garros tomorrow, the question is, will Sharapova win the French Open?

This year didn't exactly start off that grand for Sharapova, but in the Sony Ericsson Open and Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Sharapova played spectacularly. Her problems hitting unforced errors post-2008 seemed to evaporate, at one point hitting 21 winners and 23 unforced errors against Victoria Azarenka before Azarenka retired due to injury in the third set.

It's not a reach that she's been playing at the same level as her peak years.

I think her biggest competition will be Kim Clijsters, who's coming back from a freak ankle injury at her cousin's wedding back in April.

Clijsters won this year's Australian Open and is the No. 2 women's tennis player in the world. She will give Sharapova a run for her money.

But, in the end, I predict continued resurgence from Sharapova. She's looked that good recently.

In fact, if she doesn't make it to the final, it would actually be a disappointment.

If Sharapova wants to show us all and herself that she's back, she'll do it in the French Open.