It's rare that I've missed a French Open final in the last 23 years or so and with the tournament beginning today in Paris, I wanted to share what my favorite championship matches have been over the years. These are the matches that had me just jumping around the house or the bar or wherever screaming at the television. The women's finals have been so lackluster since Jennifer Capriati and Kim Clisters chokefest in 2001 which Capriati finally won 1-6, 6-4, 12-10. Hopefully this year, we can witness an epic between Justine Henin and Serena Williams...

Women's matches:
1. Steffi Graf def. Martina Hinigs 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 (1999 Final)
2. Steffi Graf def. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 6-4, 6-7, 10-8 (1996 Final)
3. Monica Seles def. Steffi Graf 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 (1992 Final)
4. Steffi Graf def. Martina Navratilova 6-2, 3-6, 8-6 (1987 Final)
5. Chris Evert def. Martina Navratilova 6-3, 6-7, 7-5 (1985 final)

NOTE: It should come as no surprise that Graf figured into most of my picks. She won six French Open titles in all (second only to Evert's seven) and appeared in three other finals, losing to Seles twice and Sanchez-Vicario once. Seles and Sanchex Vicario won three French crowns apiece. So between 1987 and 1999, the only woman other than Graf, Seles or Sanchex-Vicario to win the French Open was Iva Majoli in 1997 when she somehow upset Martina Hingis in the final. Hingis has never won the French and won't be playing this year.

A lot of the men's finals have been long, grinding affairs but fortunately for us, the two-time defending champ Rafael Nadal is always a joy to watch as was three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten. I remember Kuerten's second title being such a routine affair then suddenly getting riveting in that fourth set when Magnus Norman refused to fold. It was great stuff. And yes, the McEnroe loss in '84 pains me to this day.

Men's matches
1. Gustavo Kuerten def. Magnus Norman 6-2, 6-3,2-6, 7-6 (2000 final)
2. Andre Agassi def. Andrei Medvedev (1999 final) 1-6,2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
3. Jim Courier def. Andre Agassi (1991 final) 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Michael Chang def. Stefan Edverg (1989 final) 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Ivan Lendl def. John McEnroe (1994 final) 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5,7-5

I so hope we can add Roger Federer to the list of champions this year! Please reply with what your favorite French Open matches have been!!!