World  number one Iga Swiatek enters the French Open as the favourite off the back of some sparkling form and her own triumphant history on the clay at Roland Garros.

The Pole defeated world number two Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets earlier this month to win her third Italian Open title, and extend her unbeaten run on the surface to 12 matches.

The three-time winner and defending champion will face stiff competition from Sabalenka, who will be desperate to avenge her final defeats in Rome and Madrid this season.

Other contenders include U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, and world number four Elena Rybakina, who has already claimed three titles this season.

Former world number one Naomi Osaka, who returned to action in January after a 15-month maternity break, is back to try and turn around her struggles in Paris.

The four-times Grand Slam champion has never made it to a final on clay and has failed to advance beyond the third round at Roland Garros.

French hopes will rest with world number 23 Caroline Garcia, whose best result at the tournament was a quarter-final back in 2017.

(REUTERS)