RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: June 3, 1986
Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 188 lbs (85 kg)
Plays: Left-handed
Turned Pro: 2001
Career singles titles: 36
Grand Slam singles titles: 6
Career prize money: $24 910 508
Best French Open result: Champion (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Could become the first man to win five successive French Opens, something that even Bjorn Borg, who won six overall, never managed. Has never lost a match at Roland Garros, boasting a record of 28 wins in 28 matches. Lost his 33-match claycourt winning streak to Roger Federer in Madrid last weekend, the same man who ended his 81-match run in 2007 at Hamburg.

ROGER FEDERER (SUI)

World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Bottmingen, Switzerland
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 187 lbs (85 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1998
Career singles titles: 58
Grand Slam singles titles: 13
Career prize money: $46 588 210
Best French Open result: Runner-up (2006, 2007, 2008)

Still needs a French Open to complete a career Grand Slam. Has lost his Wimbledon title to Nadal and was reduced to tears after losing this year's Australian Open final to the Spaniard. Buoyed by win over his great rival in Madrid and believes he has discovered a game plan which will finally unravel Nadal's superiority.

ANDY MURRAY (GBR)

World ranking: 3
Birthdate: May 15, 1987
Birthplace: Dunblane, Scotland
Residence: Dunblane, Scotland
Height: 6'3'' (190 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2005
Career singles titles: 11
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $7 306 740
Best French Open result: 3rd rd (2008)

The Scot boasts a remarkable 6-2 record over Federer, but is 2-7 against Nadal and has never beaten him on clay. Should the big two slip-up, he is probably best-placed to take advantage and become Britain's first men's champion here since Fred Perry in 1935.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)

World ranking: 4
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6'2'' (187 cm)
Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003
Career singles titles: 13
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $12 291 794
Best French Open result: Semifinals (2007, 2008)

Despite losing to Nadal on clay four times in 2009, Djokovic wasted three match points against the Spaniard in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters last week. Has recently lost his world number three place to Murray and French Open hopes always accompanied by doubts over stamina.

JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG)

World ranking: 5
Birthdate: Sept 23, 1988
Birthplace: Tandil, Argentina
Residence: Tandil, Argentina
Height: 6'6'' (198 cm)
Weight: 182 lbs (83 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2005
Career singles titles: 5
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $2 698 118
Best French Open result: 2nd rd (2008)

Giant Argentine, who is hoping to become the first winner from his country since Gaston Gaudio in 2004, certainly possesses the armoury but could struggle with claycourt movement. Has a 1-4 record against Nadal and 0-5 against Federer. Would be happy with a quarterfinal run.

ANDY RODDICK (USA)

World ranking: 6
Birthdate: Aug 30, 1982
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Residence: Austin, Texas, USA
Height: 6'2'' (187 cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (89 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 27
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $15 724 962
Best French Open result: 3rd rd (2001)

Despite winning five claycourt titles in his career, Roddick has never come to terms with the slow, numbing pace of Roland Garros which neutralises his booming serve, his game's foundation. Has won just four matches in seven visits. Recently married, Roddick returned to the tour in Madrid and reached the quarterfinals.

AFP

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