Back in 2014, Petra Kvitova and Marina Erakovic met in the second round of the French Open to determine who would advance to the following stage of the prestigious tournament. This year, they will once again cross paths at the second Grand Slam event of the season. However, the contest will instead be in the opening round of the tournament and will mark their fifth overall meeting on the tour. Kvitova leads the head-to-head series with an unblemished 4-0 record that includes two clay court wins.

Following a weak start to her clay court season with an opening round loss in Stuttgart to Madison Brengle, Petra Kvitova rebounded with a title win in Madrid, that included a victory over Serena Williams – the world No. 1’s first loss since 2014. She then followed up with a quarter-final finish in Rome, where she lost to eventual runner-up Carla Suarez Navarro. She will now look to return to Paris, where she will cross paths with a familiar face.

“Yes, as I saw the draw it came to my mind I played her last year in the second round. It was not for the first time we played. In Cincinnati I think before. I know how she can be dangerous. I think she’s playing a little bit different style, which is a lot of slice and dropshots and really big forehand and great serve, actually. So of course first round it’s always very tricky. I have to be ready for everything and, you know, see what’s going to happen. Every shot is going to be different. That’s probably what I know now.”

Marina Erakovic compiled a 0-3 record on clay this season that included opening round losses in Charleston and Marrakech. She managed to qualify for Madrid but also lost in the opening round of that tournament. Most recently, she failed to qualify for Rome.

This marks the fifth time that these two competitors will cross paths on the professional tour, with Kvitova leading the head-to-head series 4-0. Given that her clay court wins over Erakovic were straightforward, there is little doubt that this will be another convincing win for Kvitova.