Lucic-Baroni plays second Strasbourg final 19 years later

In 1998, a teenage Mirjana Lucic-Baroni reached her career-high ranking of No. 32. A few years later, the Croat disappeared from the game after challenging personal problems held her down. Now well in her 30s and enjoying a second career, Lucic-Baroni has proved she’s a force once again, winning her third career-title last year in Quebec City and reaching the final of Strasbourg this week as a qualifier.

Her 6-1, 6-1 dismantling of Kristina Mladenovic in the semifinals isn't what’s most stunning about her performance in France.

The 34-year-old has been in this very same final before, 19 years ago. Alexander Zverev, who fell in the Nice final to Dominic Thiem, was a month old back when she first posed for the trophy presentation.

As a 15-year-old in 1997, Lucic-Baroni lost to then-world No. 2 Steffi Graf in the Strasbourg title match.

This century, Lucic-Baroni faced Carolina Garcia in her second chance, but lost 6-4, 6-1.

Next, the world No. 67 opens her Roland Garros campaign against qualifier Daniela Hantuchova. Last year in Paris, Lucic-Baroni upset Simona Halep in the second round.