Maria Sharapova begins against Kaia Kanepi

Maria Sharapova will start the defence of her French Open title by facing Kaia Kanepi in round one at Roland Garros.

The Russian defeated Simona Halep to win last year's final in three sets, while Kanepi was dumped out by Monica Niculescu in the first round.

Sharapova and Halep cannot meet in the final of this year's competition, but could face each other in the last four, with the latter beginning with a clash against Evgeniya Rodina.

Top seed Serena Williams - winner in 2002 and 2013 - takes on a qualifier in the first round, but is on course for a last-eight encounter with Caroline Wozniacki, avoiding any upsets.

Wozniacki's first match is against Italy's Karin Knapp, while Williams may have to knock out sister Venus on her way to the quarters.

Elsewhere in the draw, sixth seed Eugenie Bouchard tackles Kristina Mladenovic of France, while Petra Kvitova is up against Marina Erakovic.

The second grand slam of 2015 starts on Sunday.

Top eight seeds:

Serena Williams (1) v Qualifier

Maria Sharapova (2) v Kaia Kanepi

Simona Halep (3) v Evgeniya Rodina

Petra Kvitova (4) v Marina Erakovic

Caroline Wozniacki (5) v Karin Knapp

Eugenie Bouchard (6) v Kristina Mladenovic

Ana Ivanovic (7) v Yaroslava Shvedova

Carla Suarez Navarro (8) v Monica Niculescu