World number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek faces world number 43 Karolina Muchova. The two pillars of tennis are right-handed, from Eastern countries and too often see their names flayed on French courts.

At just 22 years old, the world number one already has two Roland-Garros to her name. Opposite, the 26-year-old Czech, 43rd in the world, has never played a Grand Slam final. The experience, despite her youth, is therefore for former champion Mary Pierce.