Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras could meet in the quarterfinals of the French Open. Venus and Serena Williams are in opposite halves of the bracket and would not square off until the finals.

When the second Grand Slam of the tennis year begins on Monday, there will be a few seeds sweating out tough opening matches. There are a couple of unseeded players paired off in interesting showdowns, as well.

The French Open has been known for its share of upsets. Last year, Franco Squillari was unseeded but still made the semifinals.

This year, defending men's champion Gustavo Kuerten and women's No. 2 seed Venus Williams have difficult first-round challenges. Here is a look at some first round matches to keep an eye on:

MEN
Gustavo Kuerten (1) vs. Gullermo Coria
Kuerten, the two-time French Open champion, faces a talented, up-and-coming 19-year-old Argentinian. Coria, currently 13th in the ATP Champions race, has a good record on clay this year. He won a tournament in Chile in February and reached the finals of the Mallorca Open in Spain on May 6. If Coria can keep his poise, this will be a battle.

Andre Agassi (3) vs. Thomas Johansson
After losing early on clay in a couple of warm-up events, Agassi should be relatively happy with this draw. Johansson has been tough in Grand Slams (quarterfinalist at last year's U. S. Open, round of 16 at Wimbledon), though he has never gotten past the second round at Roland Garros.

Juan Carlos Ferrero (4) vs. Stefan Koubek
Ferrero has been bothered by a groin injury. Koubek of Austria is tough on clay and made the round of 16 at the French Open two years ago. Not a cakewalk for the tough Spaniard.

Arnaud Clement (12) vs. Mariano Puerta
The fan favorite Clement might have a test against the Argentinian Puerta, who made the third round before losing to Ferrero at the 2000 French Open.

Greg Rusedski vs. Albert Portas
Portas was the surprise winner in Hamburg as he defeated Ferrero in an exciting championship match. Both of these players are in the top 25 of the Champions race. Rusedski lost two tiebreakers in a first-round setback at last year's French. Clay isn't his best surface.

Wayne Ferreira vs. Marcelo Rios
Which Rios will show up to this Grand Slam? He is one of the most erratic players in the game. When he is on, he can beat almost anyone. Rios has better career results than Ferreira at Roland Garros. This still has intrigue.

WOMEN
Martina Hingis (1) vs. Gala Leon Garcia
Leon Garcia is ranked 35th in the world, and she made the round of 16 in Paris two years ago.

Venus Williams (2) vs. Barbara Schett
Schett is ranked 24th in the world. She has consistently made the round of 16 at Grand Slams, including the fourth round of last year's French Open. At least Venus knows she couldn't face her sister until the finals!

Jennifer Capriati (4) vs. Emilie Loit
Capriati earned her first Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, so what can she do for an encore? Loit might have the fan support at home in France, but she is only 80th in the world.

Nathalie Tauziat (9) vs. Sylvia Farina Elia
Farina Elia is ranked 28th in the world and not an easy touch against the veteran French standout.