Albert Costa (Spain)

Albert Costa (Spain)

Age: 27 Lives: Barcelona, Spain Plays: Right-handed Grand Slam titles: One (French Open 2002) Seed: 9
At Roland Garros:
Year  2002 2001  2000 1999 1998  Performance  W 1R QF 3R 4R  Year 1997 1996 1995 1994    Performance 3R 2R QF 1R
W: Winner SF: Semi-finalist QF: Quarter-finalist R: Round
The defending champion saw off compatriot Ferrero in last year's final and he has a strong record in Paris on a surface that suits his rear-court game. But Costa has struggled for form on clay this year, suffering a series of shock defeats, notably an embarrassing loss to 16-year-old compatriot Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo. The 27-year-old Costa has reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros three times and that may be the best he can hope for as he defends his only grand slam crown.