The mood music is pumping out of the Chatrier sound system. The French announcer flicks his microphone - and his voice - into gear. That means the players are walking out on to court.

Safarova, decked out in pink top and lilac headband, bounds out first, with a headphone-wearing Williams trooping out moments later. The American does not look a bundles of laughs, not surprising really when you've been laid low with a bug.

How can Lucie Safarova win Roland Garros on her Grand Slam final debut? Here's some advice from a woman who knows a thing or two about triumphing on the Paris red clay - seven-time champion Chris Evert.

"Safarova she has got to serve out wide with that lefty serve and get a lot of first serves in because Serena will stomp all over her second serve," the American tells ITV Sport.

"She needs to keep hitting the angles because the beauty of Safarova's game is that she can create sharp, acute angles. Also she cannot be afraid of taking chances - she cannot play her normal game against Serena."

Image source, Empics

Williams, who is aiming for her third Roland Garros title, did not practise on site or do any pre-final news conference on Friday. Instead she was left festering in her Paris apartment, where she was visited by a doctor, presumably drinking plenty of water and boosting the Vitamin C levels.

"I think I have some kind of flu, which makes it tough, because it's just a matter of resting and keeping hydrated - there's not much else I can do," she said.

"I've felt really cold, so I'm just fighting that, trying to sweat it out. A doctor is coming to see me and we'll see if he can do anything else to help, but I don't think there's anything.

Image source, Getty Images

First round: beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (11-9)

Second round: beat Kurumi Nara 6-2 6-0

Third round: beat Sabine Lisicki (20th seed) 6-3 7-6 (7-2)

Fourth round: beat Maria Sharapova (second seed) 7-6 (7-3) 6-4

Quarter-finals: beat Garbine Muguruza (21st seed) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3

Semi-finals: beat Ana Ivanovic (seventh seed) 7-5 7-5

Total time on court: 10 hours 23 minutes

Average rank of opponent: 24

Image source, EPA

First round: beat Andrea Hlavackova: 6-2 6-3

Second round: beat Anna-Lena Friedsam 5-7 6-3 6-3

Third round: beat Victoria Azarenka (27th seed) 3-6 6-4 6-2

Fourth round: beat Sloane Stephens 1-6 7-5 6-3

Quarter-final: beat Sara Errani (17th seed) 6-1 6-3

Semi-final: beat Timea Bacsinszky (23rd seed) 4-6 6-3 6-0

Total time on court: 9 hours 59 minutes

Average rank of opponent: 67

Image source, AP

What do you mean you don't know much about Lucie Safarova? Luckily we are here to help.

The Czech leftie is contesting her second Slam semi-final, having lost in the last four to eventual champion Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon last year.

The 28-year-old 13th seed has not yet dropped a set at Roland Garros last year and, of course, beat reigning champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round.

We catch our first glimpse of Lucie Safarova, who is limbering up in the bowels of Court Philippe Chatrier. A few stretches, a few words of final encouragement from her coach. And a little bit of shadow smashing and volleying against a clean white wall. Almost time to enter stage left....

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Roland Garros

"Earlier Serena Williams took her first steps on court since Thursday, out on Court Four under the watchful eye of coach Patrick Mouratoglou, and after some gentle stretching she wielded a racquet. Well wrapped up in long sleeves and a pink baseball cap, she was not exactly moving much but hitting the ball fine.

"The American was given a pass on media duties for the last two days but, from her apartment, she told the WTA: 'I think I have some kind of flu, which makes it tough, because it's just a matter of resting and keeping hydrated - there's not much else I can do."'"

Image source, Getty Images

So Serena Williams is human like the rest of us. Sometimes that has not always looked the case as the world number one has aced and volleyed her way past opponents with consummate ease.

The 33-year-old's semi-final victory against Timea Bacsinskzy wasn't always easy though. She went a set down. And she felt rotten because of flu-like symptoms.

But she still won. Now, after missing her pre-final media commitments yesterday to recover, she is back on her feet and raring to go.

Image source, Getty Images

"Morning boss, it's me.

"No, I'm not alright to be honest - I feel terrible. I'm sneezing, coughing, wheezing....I can't get out of bed.

"I'm not going to be coming into work today I'm afraid."

Serena Williams might not be feeling 100%, but the chances of the American ringing in sick at Roland Garros are slimmer than the latest smartphone. The world number one has a 20th Grand Slam title to win.