China's Peng Shuai hopes her form in Strasbourg, where she was runner-up to Czech world number 18 Nicola Vaidisova in her first tour final, will carry through to the French Open when she begins her campaign today.

The 20-year-old from Hunan (pictured) was beaten 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 in Strasbourg, but believes her form is solid enough to give her a sound base against Russia's Elena Vesnina in the first round at Roland Garros.

"I reached my first final and that is a good thing," Peng said. "Now I will forget about Saturday's loss and concentrate on the grand slams."

Last year, Peng was one of the fastest-rising players on the circuit, notching three top-10 wins (including a stunner over Kim Clijsters in San Diego, the Belgian's only loss on summer hardcourts) and going as high as number 31, a record for China. She is one of six players from China in the women's draw in Paris.

Li Na, the world number 39, who beat seventh-ranked Patty Schnyder in Berlin recently, faces American veteran Amy Frazier in the first round with Russian Anna Chakvetadze, the 27th seed, a possible second-round opponent.

Zheng Jie, who reached the fourth round of the French Open two years ago, takes on French 23rd seed Tatiana Golovin in her opener.

Yan Zi takes on America's Jamea Jackson, Yuan Meng plays qualifier Julia Vakulenko of the Ukraine while Sun Tiantian meets Ekaterina Bychkova of Russia.

 (AFP via China Daily May 29, 2006)