Billed as a battle of the old and the new, today's French Open final between Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis could prove a seminal moment in the women's game.

There is precious little sentimentality within the media regarding the accomplishments of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and their ilk. Weaned on the success of Graf and Seles over a protracted period, the media has sought out fresh angles and become attracted by the colourful outpourings of the new generation: the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, Anna Kournikova and to a lesser extent Martina Hingis.

Victory for Graf would be a throwback to the halcyon days when she amassed a staggering 21 Grand Slam titles, five of them at Roland Garros. It would also support the evidence of this year's French Open that the older generation are not quite ready to be shoved to the periphery at Grand Slam tournaments.

Graf's progress to the final has been impressive, not least in the tenacious way she has responded to pressure. Losing the second set to Lindsay Davenport simply spurred her to greater heights, while there wasn't a hint of panic when she finished second best to Monica Seles in a first set tie-break.

Her movement around the court and a very effective backhand slice are what sets her apart from her contemporaries. She is still far too error prone on her forehand and this facet of her game will have to improve considerably.

Hingis's progress through the tournament has been far more assured. She took the initiative in her games, imposing her huge talent on her opponents. She seems unburdened by the desperate desire to win at Roland Garros that dogged her in previous visits.

There is a patience, a focus that never extends beyond the match in hand. Despite her tender 18 years, she brings great maturity to the court. Hingis will need to serve well, occasionally a weakness. If she achieves that then she will be very difficult to beat.

When asked after her semi-final victory over defending champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario whom she would like to meet in the final, her answer was unequivocal: "Graf." Hingis maintains that Graf's style of play allows her to find a rhythm and she finds Seles's power more dangerous and unpredictable.

The Parisian crowd will favour Graf, but the final scoreline the world number one.