The qualifiers have been added, bringing the French Open picture into much clearer focus.

The biggest impact may be made by Mirjana Lucic. Once a Wimbledon semifinalist, Mirjana had to play the R.G. qualies. She's landed in a plum spot: she's in Daniela Hantuchova and Tatiana Panova's section of the draw. Lucic could conceiveably upset both women for a spot in the fourth rd. vs. Monica Seles.

On the men's side, the most dangerous qualifier appears to be Mariano Puerta. The Argentinian is a solid clay-courter and could meet Federer in the second round.

Some "hot spots" I'm having a hard time figuring out:

MEN'S DRAW * TOP HALF: If Moya gets through to the 4th rd to face Hewitt, he can make a run to the semi's. Thing is, I'm not sure I like Moya's chances with the crappy draw he has; Carlos has never played particularly well against Philippoussis, who looms as a second round opponent. Also, seeing that Canas played very well at the World Team Cup event, it's hard to confidently predict a fourth round finish for Moya.

The draw for Sampras actually ain't that bad!!! He's never lost to Gaudenzi or Albert Costa, including matches played on clay!

Kuerten on the other hand has a nasty forecast: Nicolas Escude has a decided edge in their head-to-head series.

MEN'S DRAW * BOTTOM HALF: Am I dreaming, or thinking wishfully, to see a potential Xavier Malisse vs. James Blake 4th rd encounter?

Here's how I see the women's draw shaking out:

Round of 16
Capriati d. Schnyder
Dokic d. Myskina
S. Williams d. Smashnova
Henin d. Farina Elia
Mauresmo d. Suarez
Clijsters d. Maleeva
Seles d. Lucic
V. Williams d. Rubin

Quarterfinals
Capriati d. Dokic
S. Williams d. Henin
Mauresmo d. Clijsters
V. Williams d. Seles

Semifinals
S. Williams d. Capriati
Mauresmo d. V. Williams

Final
S. Williams d. Mauresmo

My take on the men's draw:

Rd of 16
Canas d. Hewitt
Escude d. Sampras
El Aynaoui d. Haas
Clement d. Kafelnikov
Ferrero d. Federer
Agassi d. Novak
Blake d. Malisse
Enqvist d. Safin

Quarterfinals
Escude d. Canas
El Aynaoui d. Clement
Ferrero d. Agassi
Enqvist d. Blake

Semifinals
El Aynaoui d. Escude
Ferrero d. Enqvist

Final
El Aynaoui d. Ferrero

I also forsee Capriati playing a Williams sister for the whole she-bang. Was reading a big articly about J-Cap in my morning sports section. Guess she has been watching some prior matches to get her inspired to play well in Paris.

Well, I think they'll be some upsets, B-Man...including Chanda Rubin possibly taking out a less than healthy Venus Williams. Myskina, Schnyder, Smashnova and Farina Ellia may also pull some surprises...

Myskina is out.
Heavy sigh...