DINARA SAFINA (RUS)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: Apr 27, 1986
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (182 cm)
Weight: 154 lbs (70 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 11
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $7 321 494
Best French Open result: Runner-up (2008)

The tenacious 23-year-old, younger sister of former men's number one Marat Safin, was comfortably beaten by Ana Ivanovic in last year's French Open final and looked equally out of her depth in a humbling 59-minute defeat to Serena Williams in the final of this year's Australian Open. Became world number one for the first time in April and has already won clay titles in Madrid and Rome this month, but needs to prove her No.1 credentials by winning a Grand Slam event.

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Sept 26, 1981
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 1995
Career singles titles: 33
Grand Slam singles titles: 10
Career prize money: 23,998,911 dollars
Best French Open result: Champion (2002)

The younger of the Williams sisters has won the last two Grand Slams and is bidding to repeat her 'Serena Slam' of 2002-03 when she won all four majors in succession. Injuries have hampered her this season and she has yet to win a single match on clay in 2009, but she remains the deadliest competitor in the women's game on her day and considers herself "the real number one".

VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)
World ranking: 3
Birthdate: June 17, 1980
Birthplace: Lynwood, California, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 1994
Career singles titles: 41
Grand Slam singles titles: 7
Career prize money: $22 764 763
Best French Open result: Runner-up (2002)

Has seven Grand Slam singles titles to her name but has never triumphed at Roland Garros and hasn't reached the final since her defeat to Serena in 2002. The reigning Wimbledon champion has already won on clay this year, at Abierto Mexicano Telcel in March, and moved up to number three in the rankings after reaching the semifinals of the Italian Open claycourt event in May.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (RUS)

World ranking: 4
Birthdate: Oct 15, 1981
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 1998
Career singles titles: 13
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $11 261 738
Best French Open result: Runner-up (2004)

The 2008 Olympic champion made a stunning start to 2009, winning back-to-back tournaments in Auckland and Sydney, but has not picked up any silverware since. Despite being a top-ten player since 2003, she has not appeared in a Grand Slam final since 2004.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 7
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Birthplace: St Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'8" (174 cm)
Weight: 161 lbs (73 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 10
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $10 877 002
Best French Open result: Runner-up (2006)

A skilled claycourt operator, Kuznetsova reached the French Open final in 2006, when she lost to Justine Henin, and reached the semifinals last year before falling to Safina. Claimed her first title in two years by beating Safina on the indoor clay of Stuttgart on May 3, but her compatriot got revenge in the Italian Open final a week later.

ANA IVANOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 8
Birthdate: Nov 6, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 6' (184 cm)
Weight: 152 lbs (69 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned pro: 2003
Career singles titles: 8
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $6 753 904
Best French Open result: Champion (2008)

The reigning champion has endured a torrid time since lifting her first Grand Slam title in Paris 12 months ago. Eliminated in the third round at Wimbledon, she was then dumped out of the US Open in the second round by French qualifier Julie Coin and has looked out of sorts ever since. Missed last week's Madrid Masters with a knee injury, but is hoping new coach Craig Kardon can inspire a repeat of her 2008 triumph.

AFP

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