As much as 5 gamers may win this yr’s males’s French Open within the “widest open” Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal’s domination, in line with Marion Bartoli.
With 14-time champion Nadal sitting out a piece of the season forward of an anticipated swansong subsequent yr, Spanish hopes on the French Open now relaxation on Carlos Alcaraz’s broad shoulders.
The 20-year-old claimed his first Grand Slam title on the US Open final summer season however was pressured to sit down out the Australian Open by means of damage so shall be coming into a serious as a slam champion for the primary time.
He’s additionally the highest seed after surpassing Novak Djokovic following back-to-back titles in Barcelona and Madrid.
“That is going to be the widest open Roland Garros we’ll have since Nadal’s domination,” mentioned Bartoli, talking to Sky Sports activities.
“I’ve picked 5 names who may win this yr and they’re Djokovic, Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. I nonetheless really feel like a type of gamers would be the winner however selecting 5 names who may win the lads’s event has by no means occurred up to now in nearly 20 years.
“It was at all times Rafa, Roger Federer or Djokovic.
“A type of guys has an enormous shot to win Roland Garros which could be very stunning.”
Alcaraz may doubtlessly meet Djokovic within the semi-finals, whereas his swift rise and instantaneous recognition has been a present to the game because it faces dropping all of its long-time figureheads.
“Alcaraz is likely one of the favourites however he is not the overwhelming favorite. No, I do not suppose so. There may be not one participant who stands out within the pack,” continued 2013 Wimbledon champion, Bartoli.
Daniil Medvedev has overtaken Djokovic to say the second seeding by advantage of profitable his first tour title on clay on the Italian Open final weekend.
He misplaced within the first spherical on his first 4 appearances at Roland Garros earlier than reaching the quarter-finals in 2021 and the fourth spherical final yr.
“Rome got here and out of the blue for Daniil Medvedev to win it beneath very, very gradual situations as a result of it had been raining for 2 weeks within the Italian capital,” mentioned Bartoli, who made the semi-finals of the 2011 French Open.
“He is been capable of seize the title and you might suppose he is made for sooner surfaces, he is nonetheless capable of win beneath gradual clay-courts and go all the way in which to the title, beating Rune.
“Chances are you’ll consider gamers who you’d usually not give an opportunity even have an opportunity this yr and that is one thing new.
“Djokovic will not be 100 per cent so we must see how bodily he offers along with his small elbow damage and discover some kind because the event progresses.”
Can Swiatek make it a hat-trick of titles?
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are dominating ladies’s tennis having received seven of the most important
titles of the season to this point and maintain all 4 Slam trophies, burying the narrative of instability on the prime of the ladies’s recreation post-Serena Williams.
It could be a serious shock if the winner of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen doesn’t come from that trio and Swiatek, who cruised to her second Roland Garros title final yr.
“Swiatek has to have the ability to do it over once more,” mentioned Bartoli. “She’s been capable of win at Roland Garros on a number of events and she or he’s overwhelming favorite this yr, so it is about coping with the stress.
“You may see the stress in her face and stress-related pictures when she faces a big-hitter like Sabalenka and Rybakina however for her it is about having the ability to cope with the favorite tag and discover a option to keep calm to counter-attack the facility hitters.”
Which British gamers shall be competing on the French Open?
Cameron Norrie
Cameron Norrie has reached the third around the final two years in Paris
The British No 1’s kind has tailed off after a spectacular begin to the season, which included victories over Nadal and Alcaraz – the latter bringing him his second largest title on the ATP Tour occasion in Rio. Norrie’s heavy, spinning forehand and athletic prowess make him nicely suited to clay and his place within the prime 16 retains him away from the large weapons by means of the early rounds. A spot within the second week shall be his goal.
Dan Evans
Dan Evans received his first match at Roland Garros final yr
A dedicated ‘clayphobe’ for many of his profession, Evans has discovered his ft on the purple stuff during the last couple of seasons and eventually received his first match at Roland Garros final yr. After a tough spell put up Australian Open when he misplaced 5 straight matches, clay has seen the 33-year-old hit kind, with runs to the semi-finals of ATP occasions in Marrakech and Barcelona conserving him within the prime 25.
Jack Draper
Jack Draper shall be making his Roland Garros debut
There have been extra glimpses this season of what an outstanding participant the 21-year-old left-hander could possibly be, together with victories over Andy Murray and Evans in Indian Wells. However frustratingly he has once more been restricted by bodily issues, the most recent an stomach damage that dogged him for 2 months. Like his good buddy Emma Raducanu, an important precedence for Draper, who shall be making his Roland Garros debut, is making certain his physique will not be his most tough opponent.
Kyle Edmund
Kyle Edmund shall be taking part in on the French Open for the primary time since 2019
The highway again from a long-term knee damage that required three operations has been gradual for Edmund, who’s ranked down at 445. A protected rating of 48 has allowed him to enter the French Open for the primary time since 2019 and he’ll hope for a extra beneficial draw than in current main tournaments. The previous world No 14 is but to win a tour stage match this yr however he has had some success at decrease ranges and, at 28, nonetheless has time on his aspect if his knee permits.
Wheelchair attracts
Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett lead the cost for the Brits in each the Wheelchair singles and doubles occasions
Reigning males’s doubles champions Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid are set to guide the cost for the Brits in each the singles and doubles occasions.
Hewett – a three-time champion on the event – shall be motivated to choose up his second singles Grand Slam title of the yr, whereas Reid shall be hoping to problem his doubles accomplice to the title.
Having picked up their sixteenth Grand Slam title collectively on the Australian Open, the pair are set to affix forces for the doubles draw.
In the meantime, British No 1 Lucy Shuker could possibly be main the British line within the singles draw, and Andy Lapthorne shall be hoping to clinch the title within the quad draw.