Men to watch at the French Open, which begins Sunday (rankings in parentheses):

ROGER FEDERER (1)

Age: 25

Country: Switzerland

2007 Match Record: 24-4

2007 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 48

Major Titles: 10 — Wimbledon ('03, '04, '05, '06), U.S. Open ('04, '05, '06), Australian Open ('04, '06, '07)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-Lost in Final, '05-Lost in Semifinals, '04-Lost in 3rd Round, '03-Lost in 1st Round, '02-Lost in 1st Round

Topspin: Only Grand Slam tournament he hasn't won. ... Like last year at Roland Garros, is bidding for non-calendar and career Grand Slams. ... Would be first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive major titles, and only sixth man with at least one title at each major. ... No. 1 since Feb. 2, 2004, the longest consecutive stay ever atop the computer rankings. ... Lost at French Open to eventual champion Rafael Nadal last two years. ... Improved to 1-5 vs. Nadal on clay by winning Hamburg Masters final this month.

RAFAEL NADAL (2)

Age: 20 (21 on June 3)

Country: Spain

2007 Match Record: 36-6

2007 Singles Titles: 4

Career Singles Titles: 21

Major Titles: 2 — French Open ('05, '06)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-Won Championship, '05-Won Championship, '04-Did Not Play, '03-DNP, '02-DNP

Topspin: Trying to become second man to win three consecutive French Open titles; Bjorn Borg won four in a row from 1978-81. ... Won 81 straight matches on clay — the longest winning streak on any surface — until loss to Federer at Hamburg. ... Career record of 27-0 in best-of-five-set matches on clay.

ANDY RODDICK (3)

Age: 24

Country: United States

2007 Match Record: 24-7

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 21

Major Titles: 1 — U.S. Open ('03)

Last 5 French Opens: '06-1st, '05-2nd, '04-2nd, '03-1st, '02-1st

Topspin: Hasn't won consecutive matches at Roland Garros since 2001. ... Last year, quit with an ankle injury after losing first two sets. ... Clay dulls the sting of his two most effective tools, first serve and forehand. ... Third on tour in aces.

FERNANDO GONZALEZ (5)

Age: 26

Country: Chile

2007 Match Record: 18-9

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 7

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: F, at Australian Open in '07

Last 5 French Opens: '06-2nd, '05-3rd, '04-1st, '03-QF, '02-3rd

Topspin: Made major breakthrough with runner-up finish to Federer at Australian Open this year. First time past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam. ... Five of seven career singles titles came on clay. ... Seemingly goes for broke on every shot.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (6)

Age: 20

Country: Serbia

2007 Match Record: 35-8

2007 Singles Titles: 3

Career Singles Titles: 5

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: QF, at French Open in '06

Last 5 French Opens: '06-QF, '05-2nd, '04-DNP, '03-DNP, '02-DNP

Topspin: Half his losses this season were to Federer or Nadal. ... Breaks opponent's serve 35 percent of the time, tied with Nadal for second on tour. ... Recently tabbed by John McEnroe as a possible future No. 1.

JAMES BLAKE (8)

Age: 27

Country: United States

2007 Match Record: 21-10

2007 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 9

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: QF, at U.S. Open in '05, '06

Last 5 French Opens: '06-3rd, '05-2nd, '04-DNP, '03-2nd, '02-2nd

Topspin: Hasn't won a tournament match over anyone ranked better than 40th this season (best victory came over top-10 Tommy Robredo in Davis Cup). ... Was last U.S. man left in French Open last year. ... Blake's take on his prospects this year: "If it's a first-round loss, but I did my best, I'll have to be happy with that."

RICHARD GASQUET (13)

Age: 20

Country: France

2007 Match Record: 24-11

2007 Singles Titles: 0

Career Singles Titles: 4

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: 4th Round, four times

Last 5 French Opens: '06-2nd, '05-3rd, '04-1st, '03-1st, '02-1st

Topspin: Troubled by blisters on right hand this week. ... If healthy, he and Gael Monfils give locals hope for first homegrown French Open champion since Yannick Noah in 1983. ... Reached final on clay this month at Estoril, losing to Djokovic.

GUILLERMO CANAS (22)

Age: 29

Country: Argentina

2007 Match Record: 22-8

2007 Singles Titles: 1

Career Singles Titles: 7

Major Titles: 0 — Best Finish: QF, at French Open in '02, '05

Last 5 French Opens: '06-DNP, '05-QF, '04-1st, '03-DNP, '02-QF