Hit-and-miss Warm-up Threatens Williams' Chances

The return of the Williams sisters as a family unit - Serena missed the Australian Open in January and both were absent from last year's United States Open - brought back the usual mix of celeb chit-chat interspersed with just a little tennis on the eve of the French Open.

"Yes I was in Cannes for the festival," said a beaming Serena. "I had a blast." On court or off? "Oh, they have wonderful clay courts there." Venus, as well as battling against an ankle injury, is currently knitting her brows over the perplexities of the guitar.

"I'm supposed to be learning the Blackbird song from the Beatles. Do you want me to sing now?" This audience demurred.

The big question is whether either Williams can win here. In 2002 they met in the final with Serena capturing the first of four consecutive major titles. Last year Serena was beaten in the semi-finals by Justine Henin-Hardenne; Venus lost in the fourth round to Vera Zvonareva.

This year women's tennis has been in almost perpetual flux after the Australian Open, when Henin beat her fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters, as she had at Roland Garros last year. Clijsters, the world No 2, is missing this time with a wrist injury and Henin has just recovered from a glandular illness.

"It was pretty serious but I'm feeling better," said Henin, while admitting she may not be fully recovered. "I started practising again three weeks ago but it has been a difficult decision. A few weeks ago it seemed impossible I would be here."

The Williams sisters have always been a law unto themselves in tournament preparation. Serena has had very little in the way of clay-court build-up, losing to Jennifer Capriati in the the Italian Open semi- finals. Venus, meanwhile, was winning in Warsaw and reaching the Berlin final before an ankle injury stopped her in her tracks.

"I'm doing OK," said Venus yesterday. "I try not to think about it too much. I'm dealing with it when it comes. Hopefully it won't come at all."

As usual it is impossible to be certain how either sister will perform. Clearly Serena has a proven record here whereas the title is one Venus has never won. The only certainty is it will not be an all-Williams final.

Amélie Mauresmo, world No3 and this year's champion in Berlin and Rome, would normally, given the uncertainty surrounding the Williamses and Henin, be regarded as favourite.

Unfortunately few would willingly place many euros on the gifted Frenchwoman, given her propensity to crack under pressure, particularly at Roland Garros. But how wonderful it would be if she triumphed over her own adversity.