JUAN CARLOS FERRERO No.3 seed

FACTFILE DOB: 02.12.1980 Nationality: Spanish World ranking: 3 Roland Garros record 2002:: runner-up 2001:: semi-final 2000:: semi-final 1999:: -

The 22-year-old Spanish number one has been a powerful force at the French Open in recent years and is sure to be one of the favourites this time out.

He reached the final at Roland Garros last year, losing in four sets to compatriot Albert Costa, and won through to the semi-finals in the previous two years.

His powerful baseline game is best suited to clay, where he has enjoyed his best results, but he has proven increasingly adept on other surfaces.

This was vividly illustrated at last year's Masters Cup in Shanghai, where Ferrero was beaten in a thrilling five-set final by world number one Lleyton Hewitt.

A second successive title in the prestigious Monte Carlo event in April showed he is in fine form, and Ferrero was quick to highlight the French Open as his major aim for the year.

But an injury sustained in Rome meant he was forced out of the Hamburg Masters and could be the biggest barrier between Ferrero and the title.