DOB: 05.07.1979 Nationality: French World Ranking: 12 Previous French Open results: 2001 :: first round 2000 :: fourth round 1999 :: second round 1998 :: first round

A former Junior French Open champion, Mauresmo has only once been further than the second round in senior singles.

Last year, many touted her as favourite only for the Frenchwoman to crumble under the weight of expectation and crash out in the first round to Jana Kandarr.

She has been in mixed form in 2002, winning her seventh Tour title in Dubai where she overcame compatriot Sandrine Testud in the final.

But she followed that by making the earliest exit ever of a defending champion when she lost to Anne Kremer at Amelia Island.