Karolina Pliskova concedes she surprised herself winning Rome.

When it comes to French Open favorites, the world No. 2 says there are no surprises.  Two players stand out: reigning champion Simona Halep and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.

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"I think for me still Simona because she's a fighter," Pliskova told the media in Rome. "Doesn't matter, she doesn't have to play well, but she's still tough to beat because she doesn't give you anything. On clay, double times tough to kill the ball to her.

"For me still, Simona. Of course there's going to be Serena. I don't know which shape she's going to be in. It's tough to say. She's going to be always favorite for me because she's always tough. "

Former No. 1 Pliskova fought off four match points roaring back to win six straight games to shock a hobbled and shaky Serena Williams, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5, in a breathtaking comeback to charge into her first career Australian Open semifinal in January.

The 37-year-old Serena, who withdrew from Rome with a left knee injury after her opening-round win, is a threat in Paris if she's healthy, says Pliskova. 

"I played her two times in last maybe six months," Pliskova said. "I feel like I know pretty much everything about her. It's true you never know in which shape she's going to come because she's not playing that much. If she plays one or two matches, then she withdraw, it's tough to say.

"I mean, for sure, if she's playing, she's going to fight. It's going to be super difficult to beat her. Doesn't matter it's going to be on clay because she's still powerful. She played a lot in the past. I think she knows what she's doing. Of course, she wants to be 100 percent healthy. Maybe that's why she is not playing as much as before. Still for me, she's always tough to beat."

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