Gavrilova gunning for grand slam glory

Daria Gavrilova considers herself a French Open title contender after backing up her Rome Masters quarter-final showing with a finals appearance in Strasbourg.

Daria Gavrilova

Daria Gavrilova will be seeded for the first time in Paris after soaring to a career-high No.24. (AAP)

Daria Gavrilova's hot claycourt form has given the Australian belief that she can push for French Open glory.

While disappointed to have lost to Samantha Stosur in a seesawing three-set final in Strasbourg, battle-hardened Gavrilova believes the unprecedented depth in women's tennis, a wide open draw and injury clouds over the favourites have left the trophy up for grabs.

The 23-year-old will be seeded for the first time in Paris after soaring to a career-high No.24 in the world on the back of seven wins in a fortnight in Rome and Strasbourg.

"It's very open and anyone can win it and I consider myself one of those players," Gavrilova told AAP ahead of her opener on Monday against Belgian Elise Mertens.

"There's not the gap between, like, the top-30 players or someone outside the top 50. Everyone's playing well and literally anything can happen.

"Some players can lose and you'll think it's a shocking loss, but I don't think it is anymore in tennis. It's not predictable at all.

"It's very possible for me to make the second week or even make quarters. It's very open and then see how I go."

Gavrilova says controlling her emotions will be key to going deep in the draw.

The hot-head has twice unravelled mentally after reaching the Australian Open last 16 and again losing focus against Stosur after missing an opportunity to consolidate a service break in the deciding set.

"I was mentally a bit distracted and angry because I felt like I could have done something better in the third set, especially in the start," she said.

"I really felt like I should have been up two-love. I'm getting better at being positive, but I was just not happy with myself.

"But it was a great tournament. I played five good matches.

"I don't think I need to stress about getting ready for Roland Garros. I'm ready to go. I'm feeling confident."


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Source: AAP



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