Men's draw wide open

Age: 22

Lives: Bottmingen, Switzerland

Grand Slam titles: Two (Australian Open 2004, Wimbledon 2003)

Record at the French Open: 2003-first round, 2002-first round, 2001 quarter-finalist, 2000-fourth round, 1999-first round

Federer started 2004 with a bang by lifting the Australian Open crown in Melbourne. His Paris form is patchy, however, and the top seed has not won a match at Roland Garros since 2001. Federer's run in Hamburg last week, when he crushed Carlos Moya and Lleyton Hewitt before stopping Argentine Guillermo Coria's impressive clay-court streak in the final, was a clear indication that he can beat anybody on the slow surface.

Age: 21

Lives: Boca Raton, Florida

Grand Slam titles: One (U.S. Open 2003)

Record at the French Open: 2003-first round, 2002-first round, 2001-third round.

Like Federer, Roddick won his maiden grand slam last year and reached number one in the world. But he too has a poor Roland Garros record. The American has suffered two first-round defeats in as many years. However, Roddick has become more composed and confident since winning the U.S. Open last September and has shown in smaller events that he can be a force on clay.

Age: 22

Lives: Venado Tuerto, Argentina

Grand Slam titles: None

Record at the French Open: 2003-semi-final, 2002-third round, 2001-first round, 2000-second round

The outstanding clay-courter so far this season, Coria has already bagged two titles on the slow surface in Buenos Aires and Monte Carlo. He was unfortunate to lose in the semi-finals here last year to Martin Verkerk when the sense of occasion seemed to overwhelm him. Coria has tasted success on the Parisian clay, lifting the boy's singles cup in 1999. This year could see him add the men's version.

Age: 24

Lives: Villena, Spain

Grand slam titles: One (French Open 2003)

Record at the French Open: 2003-winner, 2002-finalist, 2001-semi-finalist, 2000-semi-finalist

The champion comes into Roland Garros with little of the form, which swept him to the 2003 crown. Ferrero has struggled with illness and injury all year. He most recently withdrew from the Tennis Masters in Hamburg with a wrist injury. Earlier in the year chicken pox drove him out of the Indian Wells Masters and he injured his leg and stomach at the Australian Open, causing him to miss Spain's Davis Cup first-round tie.

Age: 28

Lives: Geneva, Switzerland

Grand slam titles: One (French Open 1998)

Record at the French Open: 2003-quarter-finalist, 2002-third round, 2001-second round, 2000-first round, 1999-fourth round, 1998-winner, 1997-second round, 1996-second round

Another clay-loving Spaniard, although his recent showings at Roland Garros have been disappointing. Only once since he won the title as a 21-year-old in 1998 has Moya been past round four. This year, though, Moya has been in great form, winning titles at Chennai, Acapulco and the Rome Masters. The former world number one has all the tools required to win in Paris, the most impressive of which is his thunderous forehand.

Age: 34

Lives: Las Vegas, Nevada

Grand slam titles: Eight (U.S. Open 1994, 1999; Australian Open 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003; Wimbledon 1992; French Open 1999)

Record at the French Open: 2003-quarter-finalist, 2002-quarter-finalist, 2001-quarter-finalist, 2000-second round, 1999-winner, 1998-first round, 1996-second round, 1995-quarter-finalist, 1994-second round, 1992-semi-finalist, 1991-finalist, 1990-finalist, 1989-third-round, 1988-semi-finalist, 1987-second round

Still capable of bewitching passing shots and great court coverage, Agassi's motivation remains high and, after eight grand slam triumphs, his experience is second to none. The Las Vegan became one of only five men to win all four grand slam titles when he won the French Open in 1999. Seems to be stuck at the quarterfinal stage in Paris, falling at that round for the last three years. The heart is willing but it remains to be seen if his body can drive him to more success on the most taxing of tennis surfaces.

Age: 22

Lives: Cordoba, Argentina

Grand slam titles: None

Record at the French Open: 2003-second round, 2002-third round

Like compatriot Coria, Nalbandian is a grand slam champion in waiting. A fierce competitor with a boxer's physique, the Argentine enjoyed his best season to date last year, finishing in the world's top 10 for the first time. Has a surprisingly poor Roland Garros record considering his strengths. Was runner-up at Wimbledon in 2002 - his first tournament on grass - and a semi-finalist at the U.S. Open last September.