Sharapova seeded No. 1 for French Open

PARIS, May 23 (UPI) -- Newly installed world No. 1 Maria Sharapova was given the top seeding for the 2008 French Open.

Sharapova moved to the top spot in the rankings last week when Belgian Justine Henin unexpectedly retired from competitive tennis. That decision also left the French Open title undefended, as Henin, 25, had won the title each of the last three years.

Sharapova, who won the Australian Open early this year, needs a French Open title to complete her career Grand Slam.

Ana Ivanovic was placed as the No. 2 seed. She lost to Henin in the 2007 French Open final and was beaten by Sharapova in the Australian Open championship match. She is seeking her first Grand Slam title.

Jelena Jankovic was seeded third by French Open officials and Svetlana Kuznetsova, who lost the title match to Henin in 2006, is fourth. Serena Williams was seeded fifth, Anna Chakvetadze sixth with Elena Dementieva seventh and Venus Williams eighth.

The Williams sisters are in the same half of the draw and could meet in the semifinals.

The French Open begins Sunday with the women's singles final scheduled for June 7.