For the first time in a long time, Federer doesn’t feel like an unquestioned favorite to make the final going into a Grand Slam. Federer’s struggles in the spring are well documented, but he has still won three of the last four Grand Slam titles, including this year’s Aussie Open and last year’s French. A lot like Serena, he seems to have another gear reserved for the Slams. Look for him to be there at the end once again. RESULT: Lost in quarterfinals to Robin Soderling

After an up-and-down start to the year, Verdasco has come on strong in the clay stretch, making the Monte Carlo final, winning in Barcelona, and beating Novak Djokovic en route to the Rome semis. He’s never been past the round of 16 at Roland Garros, but he certainly has the skills to make a run. RESULT: Lost in fourth round to Nicolas Almagro

The Spaniard has very quietly had a fine clay season, reaching the final in Rome and the semis in both Barcelona and Monte Carlo. His losses in those tournaments? Twice to Rafael Nadal and one to Fernando Verdasco — no slouches on clay themselves. Ferrer has never been past the quarters at Roland Garros in seven attempts, but his recent play indicates this could be his year for a deep run. RESULT: Lost in third round to Jurgen Melzer

The knock on the 21-year-old Latvian is that he’s the great talent who just can’t seem to get himself straight on the court. Well, he may be starting to get himself straight. He made the quarters in Barcelona, then stunned Roger Federer in Rome before pushing Rafael Nadal to three sets in the semis there. Last week in Madrid, he pressed Federer again in the quarters, ultimately losing in three sets. A title contender? Maybe not. But he could be third- or fourth-round poison for one of the favorites. RESULT: Lost in first round to Julien Benneteau (retired in third set)

Djokovic retired from his hometown Serbia Open with breathing problems and then withdrew from the Madrid Masters, once again sticking a big question mark next to his name in the draw. We thought he might be the heir apparent to Federer after his 2008 Australian Open title, but he hasn’t been back to a Slam final since. He’s shown potential on the Paris clay in the past, but he has struggled in the big tournaments so far in 2010. It doesn’t feel like his year. RESULT: Lost in quarterfinals to Jurgen Melzer

Everyone keeps wondering if Cilic is the next Slam champion-to-be. His run to the Aussie Open semis was his best result at a major to date. That was also the last time he beat a player in the top 30. He could be around when week two starts, but don’t look for more than that. RESULT: Lost in fourth round to Robin Soderling

One thing’s for certain: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils will have the home crowd on their side. Neither player, though, has had a memorable year so far. Since making the Aussie Open semis, Tsonga is just 1-5 against the top 20. Monfils injured himself at Indian Wells and just returned at Madrid last week, only to get obliterated by Rafael Nadal in the quarters. Both players have the physical tools to go deep into the tournament — Monfils made the semis two years ago — but neither seems to be in the right groove in 2010. RESULTS: Monfils lost in second round to Fabio Fognini; Tsonga retired in fourth round against Mikhail Youzhny

Don’t get us wrong: an All-American clay-court final in Europe is a rare and beautiful thing. But the Serbia Open is not Roland Garros. John Isner and Sam Querrey don’t have any clay wins this season over anyone in the top 20 (Isner was No. 21 and Querrey was No. 22 when they met in the Belgrade final). And oh yeah … their combined career record at the French Open is 0-4. RESULTS: Querrey lost in first round to Robby Ginepri; Isner lost in third round to Tomas Berdych

This isn’t his tournament. Roddick knows it. We know it. Even his new-and-improved game — boasting a Wimbledon final, an Indian Wells final and a Key Biscayne title in the past year — isn’t going to save him in Paris. Add in his recent injury and illness issues and it’ll be a small miracle if he can improve on last year’s career-best showing at Roland Garros — the fourth round. RESULT: Lost in third round to Teimuraz Gabashvili

He’s title-less in 2010, and that’s not his biggest problem. Since reaching the Aussie Open final, his game has been a complete mess, punctuated by reports that he was losing his passion for the game. He has lost his first or second match in four of the six tournaments he has played since. A decent run in Madrid is cause for some optimism, but you’re better off waiting for Wimbledon to get on the Murray train again. RESULT: Lost in fourth round to Tomas Berdych