DOB: 25.06.1975 Nationality: Spanish World Ranking: 22 Previous French Open results: 2001 :: first round 2000 :: quarter-final 1999 :: third round 1998 :: fourth round

The experienced Spaniard is a wily foe on clay who nobody will relish an encounter with.

Costa has won 11 Tour titles in a long career, but none since 1999. His biggest achievement since then is a bronze in the Sydney Olympics 2000 with compatriot and friend Alex Corretja.

He is a typical clay-courter - full of running, and keen to keep the point going as long as is necessary.

Happy to take his time, he can beat players by wearing them down with his ability to retrieve whatever is thrown at him - and put it back in their court.