2008 French Open – Women's Singles 2008 French Open – Women's Singles Justine Henin was the three-time defending champion, but she retired from the sport on May 14, 2008. Her retirement left Serena Williams as the only former French Open champion remaining in the women's draw. Williams was defeated in the third round by Katarina Srebotnik, meaning that there would be a first-time French Open champion in 2008. Ana Ivanovic, the runner-up to Henin in 2007, won her first and only Grand Slam singles title, beating first-time finalist Dinara Safina, 6–4, 6–3 in the final. Ivanovic became the new WTA No. 1 singles ranking by reaching
2008 French Open Open titles in the open era. Other competitions included men and women's doubles, junior singles and doubles as well as wheelchair and 'veteran' competitions. The 2008 edition marked the first time in the Open Era no American man or woman reached the singles' quarterfinals at Roland Garros. On May 14, 2008, less than two weeks before the start of the 2008 French Open, defending champion and World No. 1 Justine Henin, announced in a press conference her immediate retirement from the sport. Four-time winner in Roland-Garros, where she defeated Kim Clijsters in 2003, Mary Pierce in 2005, Svetlana Kuznetsova in