Spanish Armada set for French Open

Juan Carlos Ferrero sits a little higher than Moya in the world rankings, at number two, but five years after his first French Open triumph Moya is back among the elite and sensing a second Grand Slam victory.

Moya, Alex Corretja and Albert Costa, the defending champion, have all proved themselves adept on faster courts. But despite the rise of the Argentine men -- like Spain they have eight players in the top 50 -- Moya and his compatriots are still the ones to beat.

The French Open was an important tournament for a Spanish player, Moya said. "Paris is the biggest goal for me, especially as I am a claycourt specialist."

Though 13 of his 15 singles titles have come on clay, Moya has shown his capability on hard courts, winning the Masters Series in Cincinnati in 2002 and finishing runner-up to Andre Agassi in the Miami Masters Series this year.

"I have been playing really well on all surfaces, (although) not grass, but I still think clay is my favourite," he said.

Moya won in Buenos Aires and in Barcelona earlier in the year, and though his level has dipped slightly of late, he believes his game is in shape for another crack at the title in Paris.

HECTIC SCHEDULE

"It's not easy to play your best for 40

Ferrero has enjoyed another superb claycourt season, winning the titles in Monte Carlo and Valencia, but his hectic schedule finally caught up with him when he was forced to retire in the Rome semi-final against Roger Federer.

"It's nothing serious but it's hurting. It's an inflammation of six millimetres in my arm," Ferrero said. "I think because I've been travelling a lot and playing a lot of matches in a row, maybe I need some rest."

Ferrero froze on the big occasion 12 months ago when Costa beat him with surprising ease to take the crown.

While the rejuvenated Felix Mantilla and 16-year-old Rafael Nadal, nephew of former Barcelona and Spain footballer Miguel Angel Nadal, should not be discounted, spare a thought for Corretja, who was runner-up to Moya in 1998 but has lost his way a little in 2003.

A semi-finalist in Paris in 2002, Corretja has lost more matches than he has won this year and looks woefully short on confidence.

"The same thing happened to me a couple of years ago, you beat everyone in practice but can't win matches," Moya said. "When he starts to win a few of those matches that he is losing now, he will win a lot more."