Ashleigh Barty is ready to make amends in Paris, a year on from the one that got away against Serena Williams.

The French Open eighth seed is second on court against American Jessica Pegula in her tournament opener on Monday, having never moved beyond the second round at the grand slam.

It was there the Australian’s 2018 run was halted by Williams, but not before the 17th seed had led the new mother by a set and a break on centre court.

“I have mixed memories and emotions from that match,” Barty recalled.

“I played well and had chances to beat one of the best ever and wasn’t able to do that, came up a bit short.”

Williams could meet the Australian again in the round of 16 this year and while Barty isn’t thinking that far ahead it’s clear she’s a much-improved player 12 months on.

“She’s a year older, year wiser, she’s a top-10 player and winning Miami (Open in March) brings a sense of belief,” Tennis Australia head of performance Wally Masur told AAP.

“Handling Fed Cup pressure as well (by steering Australia to a rare final later this year); it’s just another brick in the wall.

“Put her in a similar situation this year and she’ll get over the line.”

Barty is on a 14-match Fed Cup winning streak and, according to Masur, the Australian Open quarter-finalist boasts a skill set capable of sending her deep into the Roland Garros draw.

“I hate to say it because it’s easy to say, but another thing to do to, win a slam,” Masur said.

“But she’s putting herself in that position because the women’s game is quite open.”

Defending champion Simona Halep, the tournament’s third seed and a victor over Barty in Madrid earlier this month, is the bookie’s favourite ahead of in-form Kiki Bertens.

Beyond that top-seed Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Elina Svitolina, former champion Garbine Muguruza, Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova and three-time French Open winner Williams are all mentioned alongside Barty as realistic hopes.

Masur said 23-year-old Barty’s ability to mix up the pace and trajectory in her shot-making set her apart from many of those rivals though and could be the difference if she executes that well this week.

“She’s very versatile – she’s not a manufactured ball-striker – she’s very much a tennis player,” Masur said.

“We know what she’s capable and she’s showing us.”