Serena Williams (U.S.)

Serena Williams (U.S.)

Age: 22 Lives: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand Grand Slam titles: Six (U.S. Open 1999, 2002; Wimbledon 2002, 2003; French Open 2002; Australian Open 2003) Seed: 2
Record at the French Open: 2003-semi-final, 2002-winner, 2001-quarter-final, 1999-third round, 1998-fourth round
Serena will have a point to prove to the Parisian crowd after last year's semi-final shenanigans against Henin, when the American allowed herself to be distracted by cat-calls and jeering in a controversial defeat. She will hope for a little more respect this time but the powerful American will have to earn it and, like her older sister Venus, she is not in perfect condition following knee surgery in March. With her muscular physique and awesome hitting power the former world number one is still capable of outplaying any opponent however, and it would be no surprise if she were to repeat her 2002 success in the French capital.