Players at this year’s French Open will have a lot to contend with – Eugene and Lucy break it all the way down
French Open Preview 1,000 spectators allowed on site, a new heavier ball and Autumn weather conditions – players at this year’s French Open have a lot to contend with. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka, the last woman to win a Grand Slam, is sitting this one out. The world No.3 is currently vacationing in Haiti.
Women Seeds Three-time Roland Garros champ Serena Williams [6] starts against Kristie Ahn in a repeat of their US Open first-round meeting earlier this month. Could face Tsvetana Pironkova in round two. Madison Keys [12], a semi-finalist in Paris back in 2018, opens against Shuai Zhang. The Chinese 31-year-old leads the head-to-head 3-2. Sloane Stephens [29], Roland Garros runner-up in 2018, begins against Vitalia Diatchenko in a first-time meeting.
Familiar Foes Venus Williams takes on Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (last met in Monterrey back in March, the Russian won in three sets). Possible Victoria Azarenka meeting in the second round. Heather Watson faces Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro who won in Palermo when tennis returned in August – Watson leads the head-to-head 2-0. Jasmine Paolini, looking to make it past the first round at a Slam for the first time, takes on Aliona Bolsova in what will be a second meeting.
Debuts Coco Gauff, competing in the main draw at Roland Garros for the first time, takes on Johanna Konta [9]. Gauff won the girls’ title in 2018 aged 14. Michael Mmoh will make his debut in Paris after coming through qualifying – faces Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Felix Auger-Aliassime [19], who missed the tournament last year due to injury, is another debutant and will start against Yoshihito Nishioka.
Men Gael Monfils [8], looking for his first win since the restart, opens against Alexander Bublik. Frances Tiafoe, who impressed in New York, takes on German Jan-Lennard Struff [30]. Mikael Ymer faces the toughest task of the lot… top seed and world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
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