French Open: Marion Bartoli expects ‘widest open’ Roland Garros since Rafael Nadal’s domination | Tennis News
As much as 5 gamers might win this 12 months’s males’s French Open within the “widest open” Grand Slam since Rafael Nadal’s domination, in response to Marion Bartoli.
With 14-time champion Nadal sitting out a bit of the season forward of an anticipated swansong subsequent 12 months, 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 take a seat out the Australian Open via damage so will probably be coming into a significant 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, chatting with Sky Sports activities.
“I’ve picked 5 names who might win this 12 months 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 choosing 5 names who might win the boys’s match has by no means occurred previously in nearly 20 years.
“It was at all times Rafa, Roger Federer or Djokovic.
“A kind of guys has an enormous shot to win Roland Garros which could be very shocking.”
Alcaraz might doubtlessly meet Djokovic within the semi-finals, whereas his swift rise and on the spot recognition has been a present to the game because it faces dropping all of its long-time figureheads.
“Alcaraz is without doubt one of the favourites however he is not the overwhelming favorite. No, I do not suppose so. There’s not one participant who stands out within the pack,” continued 2013 Wimbledon champion, Bartoli.
Djokovic isn’t 100 per cent so we should see how bodily he offers along with his small elbow damage and discover some type because the match progresses.
Daniil Medvedev has overtaken Djokovic to assert the second seeding by advantage of successful 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 12 months.
“Rome got here and out of the blue for Daniil Medvedev to win it underneath very, very gradual circumstances 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 in a position to seize the title and chances are you’ll suppose he is made for quicker surfaces, he is nonetheless in a position to win underneath gradual clay-courts and go all the best way to the title, beating Rune.
“Chances are you’ll consider gamers who you’ll usually not give an opportunity even have an opportunity this 12 months and that is one thing new.
How match is Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic has two French Open titles on his CV however what number of extra would there be had he not frequently ran into Nadal? This might look like a golden likelihood not simply to win in Paris once more but additionally to maneuver previous his nice rival and change into the primary man ever to succeed in 23 Grand Slam singles titles. All has not been effectively with the Serbian since he gained the Australian Open once more, although, and he goes into the match with doubts over an elbow drawback.
“Djokovic isn’t 100 per cent so we should see how bodily he offers along with his small elbow damage and discover some type because the match progresses.”
Can Swiatek make it a hat-trick of titles?
Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are dominating ladies’s tennis having gained seven of the largest
titles of the season to date and maintain all 4 Slam trophies, burying the narrative of instability on the high of the ladies’s recreation post-Serena Williams.
It might be a significant 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 12 months.
“Swiatek has to have the ability to do it over once more,” mentioned Bartoli. “She’s been in a position to win at Roland Garros on a number of events and she or he’s overwhelming favorite this 12 months, so it is about coping with the strain.
“You’ll be able to 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 with the ability to cope with the favorite tag and discover a solution to keep calm to counter-attack the ability hitters.”
Which British gamers will probably 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 type 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 effectively suited to clay and his place within the high 16 retains him away from the large weapons via the early rounds. A spot within the second week will probably be his goal.
Dan Evans
Dan Evans gained his first match at Roland Garros final 12 months
A dedicated ‘clayphobe’ for many of his profession, Evans has discovered his toes on the crimson stuff over the past couple of seasons and at last gained his first match at Roland Garros final 12 months. After a troublesome spell submit Australian Open when he misplaced 5 straight matches, clay has seen the 33-year-old hit type, with runs to the semi-finals of ATP occasions in Marrakech and Barcelona conserving him within the high 25.
Jack Draper
Jack Draper will probably be making his Roland Garros debut
There have been extra glimpses this season of what an outstanding participant the 21-year-old left-hander may very well 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 belly damage that dogged him for 2 months. Like his good pal Emma Raducanu, an important precedence for Draper, who will probably be making his Roland Garros debut, is guaranteeing his physique isn’t his most troublesome opponent.
Kyle Edmund
Kyle Edmund will probably be enjoying on the French Open for the primary time since 2019
The street 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 12 months 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 match – will probably be motivated to choose up his second singles Grand Slam title of the 12 months, whereas Reid will probably 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 may very well be main the British line within the singles draw, and Andy Lapthorne will probably be hoping to clinch the title within the quad draw.
