Nadal the big favourite but women's draw wide open

With Roland Garros just days away, we assess the runners and riders in both the men's and women's draw.

Rafael Nadal is proving far from invincible on his favourite clay - whatever its colour.

The daily dominance of Novak Djokovic is not quite what it used to be. But the bookies still believe this year's Grand Slams are a foregone conclusion.

The world's top two are almost unbackable favourites for the upcoming French Open, despite Roger Federer being poised to usurp Nadal in the rankings following his impressive triumph in Madrid.

Yet former champion Federer is as distant as 8-1 to win again at Roland Garros, with the rest, headed by Andy Murray but also including the likes of Juan Martin Del Potro and clay-court expert David Ferrer - are almost also-rans.

Put simply, even in a tournament so renowned for upsets it has crowned the likes of Albert Costa and Gaston Gaudio as singles champions, there is no sight of a bright young star sailing over the horizon.

Usual suspects

The odds for Wimbledon are a little more open, with Murray brought seriously into the equation, and that bright young thing factor finally emerging in the shape of Milos Raonic, a recent winner over Murray in Barcelona.

Marathon man John Isner could be said to have a chance on account of his booming serve, youngster Bernard Tomic reached the last eight last year, and former runner-up Tomas Berdych is showing signs of a return to form.

By contrast, the next two women's grand slams remain wide open affairs, and it says it all when Serena Williams has been shunted up to a big favourite at Roland Garros on account of her crushing win over Victoria Azarenka in Madrid.

For all her stunning start on the clay this season, it has never been her favourite surface, and she has not won at Roland Garros since 2002.

Nor, though, do Azarenka, Petra Kvitova or Maria Sharapova particularly inspire on the surface.

Instead, unlike the men, there are realistic outsiders. Reigning champion Li Na, last year's runner-up Samantha Stosur, and in particular the in-form Pole Agnieszka Radwanska could all be better bets.

As for Wimbledon, Williams is again tipped to reign supreme.

But Kvitova's power on grass was seen last year and both she and Azarenka must be tipped to come through again.

Unlike the men's game, it still seems up for grabs.