Tim Henman faces Argentina's Juan Pablo Brzezicki in the French Open first round today after Italy's Potito Starace withdrew with an ankle injury.

Henman, who lives at Aston Tirrold, near Didcot, now begins his campaign against the world No 147 at Roland Garros, Paris where he will be last on court seven.

The change of opponent may benefit the 30-year-old British No 1 as Starace has had some notable results on clay, including a win over Carlos Moya in Rome this month.

Henman has never played Brzezicki, who enters the draw as a lucky loser.

And the Briton, seeded seven, heads to Roland Garros in confident mood after being a surprise semi-finalist last year.

"I now have strength in my belief that I can play very effectively on clay," said Henman.

"If you can be in the semis of a Slam why can't you go further?"

Henman is in the top part of the draw along with world No 1 Roger Federer, Carlos Moya, Spanish prodigy Rafael Nadal, defending champion Gaston Gaudio and French rising talent Richard Gasquet.

Federer is convinced he has what it takes to win the French Open.

Roland Garros is the only Grand Slam competition the 23-year-old Swiss has not yet got his hands on after winning the Australian Open and the US Open in 2004 as well as Wimbledon in 2003 and 2004.

Despite the dominance of Argentines and Spaniards on clay, Federer is adamant he has the weapons to lift the French trophy.

And he insists he will not join Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg on the list of legends who never managed to impose themselves on the red courts.

"I am confident I can win any tournament, I can win at the French," said Federer who, despite failing to retain his Australian Open crown at the start of the season, has won in Doha, Rotterdam, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami and Hamburg.

"If I did not get it last year it's because I got the other three, but with a little bit more patience it will happen.

"This is a bigger challenge for me.

"Roland Garros seems to bring more unknown players into the light such as Gaston Gaudio last year or Albert Costa (in 2002)," added Federer, who takes on Israeli Dudi Sela in the first round.

"Those are great stories when you see those guys reach their goals towards the end of their career.

"But I don't think this is going to happen all over again.

"I am not worried about playing anyone.