French Open 2012: Contenders (Women's)

A look at the leading contenders in the women's singles at the 2012 French Open which gets underway at Roland Garros. (All Images: AFP and AP)

World ranking: 6

Career singles titles: 41

Grand Slam singles titles: 13

Career prize money: $36,019,574

Best French Open result: Winner (2002)

- Has enjoyed another big return to form over last few weeks which saw her win 17 claycourt matches in a row before a lower back injury caused her to withdraw from the Italian Open semi-finals. Appears to be fully committed this year to adding to her collection of French titles which has been stuck at one since 2002.

World ranking: 1

Career singles titles: 12

Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (2012 Australian Open)

Career prize money: $13,458,503

Best French Open result: Quarter-final 2009

- The powerful baseliner from Belarus was easily the best player on the planet in the first four months of the year winning four titles, including the Australian Open, and rising to number one in the world. The efforts appeared to take their toll as she then lost in straight sets in back-to-back finals to Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams and withdrew from Rome with a shoulder injury.

World ranking: 2

Career singles titles: 26

Grand Slam singles titles: 3 (2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open, 2008 Australian Open)

Career prize money: $19,323,417

Best French Open result: Semi-final (2007 and 2011)

- Has gradually come to terms with claycourts over the last year or so boosted by her run into the semi-finals in Paris last year. Has enjoyed an injury-free year to date and has been one of the busiest and most consistent players on the tour capped by the defence of her Italian Open crown last weekend.

World ranking: 9

Career singles titles: 18

Grand Slam singles titles:: 0

Career prize money: $12,444,751

Best French Open result: Quarter final (2010)

- The young Dane has fallen badly from the world number one perch she filled for most of last year and is without a tournament win so far this year. Last year at this stage she had three wins under her belt. Early exits at Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome do not bode well for her, but maybe she can profit from the pressure to win a Grand Slam title being taken off her.

World ranking: 8

Career singles titles: 3

Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (2011 US Open)

Career prize money: $10,401,252

Best French Open result: Final (2010)

- Has developed into a formidable player on clay using her big serve and heavy top-spin to destabilise her opponents. Reached the semi-finals in 2009 and lost in the final the following year to Francesca Schiavone. Huge upset in New York last September when she defeated Serena Williams to lift the US Open. Form has been patchy since then.

World ranking: 3

Career singles titles: 7

Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (2011 Wimbledon)

Career prize money: $6,948,498

Best French Open result: 4th round (2008, 2011)

- Hailed as a dominant figure in the women's game after her impressive triumph at Wimbledon last year, Kvitova has struggled to maintain her momentum. Has no wins on the WTA Tour this year and her record to date at Roland Garros is not too good. But the potential is there for the young Czech player, who has the talent but maybe needs some more physical conditioning

World ranking: 9

World ranking: 5

Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (2011 French Open)

Career prize money: $7,698,821

Best French Open result: Winner (2011)

- Made history in Paris last year when she became the first Asian player to win a Grand Slam singles title. The win came as a surprise as prior to that she was more comfortable on hardcourts. Has failed to win a tournament since then but remained in the world top 10 and a run into the final in Rome last week could signal a return to top form at just the right time.