Leading French Open women's contenders

NAOMI OSAKA (JPN)

Age: 21

Ranking: 1

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US11,187,245 ($A16.26 million)

Career titles: 3

Grand slam titles: 2

French Open win-loss record: 4-3

Best French Open result: third round 2018

Yet to win a clay-court title but the Japanese superstar is riding a 14-match grand slam winning streak having swept to US Open and Australian Open glory in the past two majors. Can't be dismissed despite her tough draw.

KAROLINA PLISKOVA (CZE)

Age: 27

Ranking: 2

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US16,904,466 ($A24.56 million)

Career titles: 13

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 9-7

Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2017

The former world No.1 will be oozing confidence after rounding out her preparations with Italian Open success, having also reigned in Brisbane this season and finishing runner-up in Miami.

SIMONA HALEP (ROM)

Age: 27

Ranking: 3

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US29,677,869 ($A43.12 million)

Career titles: 18

Grand slam titles: 1 (French Open 2018)

French Open win-loss record: 24-8

Best French Open results: champion 2018; runner-up 2014, 2017

With three finals appearances already in Paris, the defending champion is a deserved favourite to shed her tag as a one-slam wonder after another consistent season.

KIKI BERTENS (NED)

Age: 27

Ranking: 4

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US8,610,305 ($A12.51 million)

Career titles: 9

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 11-7

Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2016

The big-hitting Dutchwoman knocked over four grand slam champions, including Halep in the final, en route to the title in Madrid this month to rocket to a career-high No.3 in the world.

ANGELIQUE KERBER (GER)

Age: 31

Ranking: 5

Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US28,263,838 ($A41.07 million)

Career titles: 12

Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2016; Wimbledon 2018; US Open 2016)

French Open win-loss record: 17-11

Best French Open results: quarter-finalist 2012, 2018

Hasn't been on top of her game in 2019 but shouldn't be lacking motivation after arriving in Paris with a first-time opportunity to complete the career grand slam having added the Wimbledon crown to her CV last year.

PETRA KVITOVA (CZE)

Age: 29

Ranking: 6

Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US29,883,061 ($A43.42 million)

Career titles: 27

Grand slam titles: 2 (Wimbledon 2011, 2014)

French Open win-loss record: 23-10

Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2012

With titles in her past two events and 13 wins from 14 matches on European clay this season, the big-serving Czech with proven grand slam credentials looms as a serious title threat.

BEST OUTSIDERS

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

Age: 37

Ranking: 10

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US88,692,106 ($A128.88 million)

Career titles: 72

Grand slam titles: 23 (Australian Open 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017; French Open 2002, 2013, 2015; Wimbledon 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; US Open 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

French Open win-loss record: 63-12

Best French Open results: champion 2002, 2013, 2015; runner-up 2016

Rarely can the American great be considered an "outsider" but with only two clay-court matches under her belt this season she's not among the favourites but remains desperate to match Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 singles slams.

BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES

ASHLEIGH BARTY

Age: 23

Ranking: 8

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US7,466,380 ($A10.85 million)

Career titles: 4

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 2-4

Best French Open result: second round 2013, 2018

The Queenslander arrives with a career-high ranking and could prove how far she's come in a potential round of 16 clash with Williams, who beat Barty in Paris last year.

SAMANTHA STOSUR

Age: 35

Ranking: 89

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US18,378,898 ($A26.71 million)

Career titles: 9

Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2011)

French Open win-loss record: 39-15

Best French Open result: runner-up 2010

The former finalist is very much in her career twilight but has made the third round for 12 straight years, not to mention three semi-finals appearance to go with her charge to the 2010 title decider.

Australian Associated Press