MARIA SHARAPOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 1
Date of Birth: April 19, 1987
Place of Birth: Nyagan, Siberia, Russia
Residence: Bradenton, Florida
Height: 6'2" (1.88 m)
Weight: 130 lbs. (59 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 2001

Career singles titles: 19
Grand Slam singles title: 3
Career prize money: $12 030 153
Best French Open result: Semifinals in 2007

Sharapova is back as the world number one thanks to Justine Henin's shock retirement, but proving it at Roland Garros and on the claycourts that she struggles on is a hard ask. A storming start to the season which brought her the Australian Open title in January has been stalled by a calf muscle injury at Rome last week. She has the game but can she keep it going for two weeks in Paris?

ANA IVANOVIC (SRB)

World ranking: 2
Date of Birth: November 6, 1987
Place of Birth: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 6'1" (1.85 m)
Weight: 152 lbs. (69 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 2003

Career singles titles: 6
Grand Slam singles title: 0
Career prize money: $4 239 837
Best French Open result: Runner-up in 2007

The rising star of women's tennis reached her first Grand Slam final here last year before falling apart against Justine Henin. The Serb beauty then lost to Sharapova in the Australian Open final in January. She has the talent and the game to reach the top, but question marks remain over her temperament and lack of killer instinct on the big occasions.

JELENA JANKOVIC (SRB)

World ranking: 3
Date of Birth: February 28, 1985
Place of Birth: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Belgrade, Serbia
Height: 5'9'' (1.77 m)
Weight: 130 lbs. (59 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 2000

Career singles titles: 6
Grand Slam singles title: 0
Career prize money: $4 453 068
Best French Open result: Semifinals in 2007

The hardest-working player in the women's game has yet to reach a Grand Slam final despite reaching the last four on several occasions. Won the Italian Open last week and this could be her best chance yet of a major title if she can retain her freshness and drive. One of the big characters in women's tennis.

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

World ranking: 5
Date of Birth: September 26, 1981
Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Height: 5'9" (1.75 m)
Weight: 150 lbs. (68 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 1995

Career singles titles: 31
Grand Slam singles title: 8
Career prize money: $19 211 927
Best French Open result: Winner in 2002

The big question mark as ever surrounds how fit and motivated will the younger of the Williams sisters be. She won the Australian Open against the odds last year, her eighth and to date last Grand Slam title, and has her sights set on a a second French Open crown as she says the one she won in 2002 is lonely. But a back injury sidelined her in Rome last week and she could be vulnerable in the early skirmishes.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 4
Date of Birth: June 27, 1985
Place of Birth: St. Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo
Height: 5' 8" (1.74 m)
Weight: 161 lbs. (73 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 2000

Career singles titles: 9
Grand Slam singles title: 1
Career prize money: $8 978 949
Best French Open result: Runner-up in 2006

Suprisingly still only 22, Kuznetsova is one of the most hardened and experienced players in the women's game. An accomplished clay-courter and finalist here two years ago, Roland Garros will suit her all-court game, but she lost badly to French teenager Alize Cornet in Rome last week and needs to find her form fast in Paris.

DINARA SAFINA (RUS)

World ranking: 14
Date of Birth: April 27, 1986
Place of Birth: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo
Height: 5'11'' (1.82 m)
Weight: 154 lbs. (70 kg)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro: 2000

Career singles titles: 6
Grand Slam singles title: 0
Career prize money: $2 365 893
Best French Open result: quarterfinals in 2006

Had a breakthrough win in the German Open two weeks ago, putting an end to Justine Henin's career on the way. Has lived in the shadow of older brother Marat since she turned pro, and this will be her chance to step into the sunlight and turn the tables on him. Has a big game, but movement about the court is not her strong point.

AFP