PARIS, May 21: Maria Sharapova’s victory in Rome last week has marked her out as a serious title contender at the French Open but the Russian former world number one says Kim Clijsters is the player to beat.

“She (Clijsters) has a tremendous amount of experience behind her. I don’t think this is the first time that she’s come back after having a long lay-off.

“She’s certainly the one to beat here,” said Sharapova.—Reuters