Paris – Carlos Alcaraz will open his defense of the title of the France Open against veteran Kei Nishikori and said he is “excited” to return to Paris in the back of an excellent season of clay court.
Alcaraz has been the dominant player in the weeks leading to Roland-Garros and is the clear favorite after claiming trophies in Barcelona and Rome. Nishikori is a former player of the five best he has been fighting on Earth in recent years.
Alcaraz has a 15-1 record in Clay this season. Having returned to number 2 in the ranking, you can’t play First level jannik synner before the final in Paris because they are on the opposite sides of the draw.
“It has been a great clay season so far,” Alcaraz said after Thursday’s draw in Paris. “I am excited. Trust is really high at this time.”
Together, Alcaraz or Sinner have won the last five Grand Slam titles.
Back three -month doping suspensionSinner pushed Alcaraz when they met in the final of Rome this month, but lost in straight sets. Sinner opens against local hope Arthur Rinderknech.
Alcaraz beat Sinner in five sets in the semifinals of the France Open last year. Alcaraz successfully defended his Wimbledon title for his fourth Grand Slam trophy. Sinner has won only one of his 19 career titles in Clay, in Umag, Croatia, in 2022, when he beat Alcaraz in the final.
Novak Djokovic, who Finally he won a clay game This year at the Geneva Open on Wednesday, he will face Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in the first round. The 24-time Singles champion of Grand Slam won the gold medal of the Paris Olympic Games last August in Roland-Garros, but has fought against Clay since then.
Sinner could meet the sown No. 5 Jack Draper in the quarterfinals, with other possible clashes with Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Djokovic (6), Taylor Fritz (4) vs. Lorenzo Musetti (8) and Alcaraz vs. Casper Ruud (7).
In the female raffle, the four -time IgA Swiatek champion is still looking for its best form.
She has fallen out of the first four and has not won a title or has reached a final since her Victory in Roland-Garros last year. Sow No. 5 in Paris, Swiatek will open his campaign against Rebecca Samkova, in 41st position. He could meet the former United States Open Champion Emma Raducanu in the second round.
“I’m proud of my achievements here,” said Swiatek. “I am working hard to be ready. Surely this season he had more high than previous years. But I know my game is here.”
No. 1 Seed Aryna Sabalenka faces Kamilla Rakhimova, while No. 2 Coco Goteff will face Olivia Gadecki. An interesting confrontation will face No. 10 Paula Badosa against the four -time Grand Slam Naomi Osaka champion.
The possible quarterfinals are Sabalenka against No. 8 Qinwen Zheng, last year’s runner -up Jasmine Paolini against Swiatek, Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Andreeva myrrh (6), and a donation against Madison Keys (7)
The France Open begins on Sunday and concludes on June 8.
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