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 US Open (tennis) on her second championship point. This was the ninth Grand Slam tournament that Williams had won, and she did not drop a set on her way to doing so. At the time, Williams joined an elite group of six women who had won nine or more Grand Slam titles in the open era, equalling Monica Seles's tally with this triumph. Williams, who had dominated the sport from 2002 to 2003, but been ranked outside the top 125 in 2006, put her renaissance, not only in this tournament but for the whole of 2008, down to a better approach towards fitness.