Five to watch

Eugenie Bouchard Canada Age: 23 Rank: 56 When Bouchard, with righteous fire seemingly in her belly, slapped the returning Maria Sharapova down in Madrid, it was a reminder of what this Canadian girl could still be. A good enough laugh to go on a date with a Twitter follower in February after a bet on the outcome of the Super Bowl, Bouchard recently sustained an ankle injury in Nuremberg which could threaten her progress.

Petra Kvitova Czech Republic Age: 27 Rank: 16 The feel-good story of this year’s Roland Garros. Twice a Grand Slam winner, the Czech has made a swift return from the horrific knife attack at her home in Prostejov and career-saving surgery to be on the start line in Paris. “I did miss the court, I did miss the fight,” she said. “Now I can just enjoy everything.”

Garbine Muguruza Spain Age: 23 Rank: 5 It seemed for all the world like this talented Caracasborn player was the heir to Serena Williams’ throne when she took care of her here 12 months ago, but she has been a shadow of that player ever since. Blessed with the kind of instinctive clay-court game which could take her the whole way, she has a troublesome neck issue and faces a tough opener against Francesca Schiavone.

Elina Svitolina Ukraine Age: 22 Rank: 6 Jamie Murray’s former mixed-doubles partner possesses star quality and has four titles to her name this year, including a win over Simona Halep in the Rome final. Could meet the Romanian again here, but may have to negotiate her way beyond Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan and Madison Keys first.

Venus Williams USA Age: 36 Rank: 11 Serena Williams may have been 20 weeks pregnant when she won in Australia but even she has had to admit defeat in the remaining three slams of the year. Don’t totally discount the chances of a Williams sister reigning in Paris. At 36, Venus, last year’s Wimbledon runner up, is still playing out of this world.