This Thursday, May 23, the draw for the Roland-Garros tournament held its share of surprises. Carried out in the Orangerie, near the Simonne Mathieu court, this always awaited moment has already left its mark on the spirits of this 123rd edition. Explanations.
A Nadal – Zverev from the start
You only had to hear the exclamations at the place of the draw to understand that it is the immense duel which is announced for this first round of Roland-Garros (May 26 – June 9).
Qualified directly for the final draw thanks to his protected ranking, the Spanish legend Rafael Nadal necessarily expected to face a heavyweight on the circuit. And Marie-José Perec, triple Olympic champion (1992, 1996), had a heavy hand since it will be the German Alexander Zverev. Quite a twist of fate: two years ago, the two men faced each other for a place in the final of the tournament. The Homeric duel was cut short after the violent injury suffered to the ankle, following a slip, by Zverev.
The German, recent winner of the Rome tournament, will have the opportunity to take his revenge against Rafael Nadal. On this occasion, the Spaniard, fourteen-time winner of the tournament, could have his last match on Parisian clay. The winner of this clash would then open the table with the prospect of challenging the Dane Holger Rune (13th) in the round of 16. Before a potential quarter against Daniil Medvedev and a half against Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal coming to the news after Zverev’s heavy injury in 2022 semi-final. | PHOTO: AFP See full screen Rafael Nadal coming to the news after Zverev’s heavy injury in 2022 semi-final. | PHOTO: AFP
The most nostalgic will also appreciate the other great duel of this first round between Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka, two legends of this sport, falling to 75th and 97th ranks respectively.
Unvarnished French people, even the top seeds
Among the men, this draw turned out to be unscrupulous. Of the sixteen French people qualified so far, five have inherited a seed. Special mention for Pierre-Hugues Herbert, first name drawn, who will challenge… world number one Novak Djokovic.
It also promises to be difficult for Arthur Cazaux, who came up against the Argentinian Tomás Martín Etcheverry (n°28), for Corentin Moutet against the Chilean Nicolás Jarry or even Hugo Gaston against the American Ben Shelton (n°15)…
Although seeded at Porte d’Auteuil, Ugo Humbert (n°17) will have to defeat the Italian Lorenzo Sonego, twice eighth finalist in Paris (2020, 2023).
READ ALSO. Roland Garros. The complete men’s table for the 2024 edition
The Frenchman Arthur Fils is not in a better position. Seeded n°29, he will challenge the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (36th).
On the other hand, and this is good news, it looks more open for Adrian Mannarino (22nd) against a qualifier or lucky loser.
Royal road for Swiatek?
Invited by the organization after the draw, the Polish Iga Swiatek, title holder, had something to smile about. His part of the table is largely favorable to him. After a warm-up against a qualifier or lucky loser, the Pole could be disturbed in the eighth by the Russian Alexandrova Ekaterina (n°16), in the quarters by the American Danielle Collins (n°11) before a tighter half against to the American Coco Gauff (n°3). A remake of the 2022 final.
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Same thing for Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (n°2). She could only challenge a member of the top 10 in the quarter-final with the Greek Maria Sakkari (n°6) before a semi-final against the Kazakh Elena Rybakina.
Duel between two French women
For French women, on the other hand, the matter promises to be much more difficult. For her last Roland-Garros, Alizé Cornet inherited the Chinese Qinwen Zheng (n°7). The Breton Clara Burel will have to achieve the feat against the Russian Anna Kalinskaya (n°23). Varvara Gracheva inherited from Maria Sakkari…
Top seed, Caroline Garcia (No. 21) will face a qualifier or lucky loser in the first round before a potential third act against the Latvian Jelena Ostapenko (No. 9).
Despite this very complicated draw, one truth emerges: there will be at least one Frenchwoman in the second round since Fiona Ferro (WC) will challenge Diane Parry (n°61).
2024-05-23 15:01:45
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