PARIS, May 23 (AFP) - French number one Mary Pierce is in the strange position of having to overcome an often-hostile crowd as well as a niggling left groin injury as she bids for her first French Open crown. Pierce, the Canadian-born eighth seed, lost the 1994 Roland Garros final to Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and has always had a love-hate relationship with the fans in her adopted country. The 24-year-old, who won her only Grand Slam title in Melbourne in 1995, should be in line for a place in the quarter-finals if her injury does not seriously trouble her. Pierce is seeded to meet last year's finalist Monica Seles, a three-time champion here, in the quarters if she can oust Spaniard Conchita Martinez, who could stand in her way in the second round. Pierce is in fine form having reached the finals at both Hamburg and Rome - and said she was playing "better and better" before suffering the injury. But she lags well behind Australian Open finalist Amelie Mauresmo in the home fans' affections. Those affections might soon have to be transferred, however, as the meaty Mauresmo faces a second-round encounter with top seed Martina Hingis. Pierce, who had the good fortune to be placed in the weaker bottom half of the draw, opens her campaign against South African Joannette Kruger.  