Defending champion Novak Djokovic might have to overcome nine-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal in the semifinals if he wishes to claim a second consecutive title at Roland Garros.
The draw has taken place for the men’s tournament with the Serbian world No.2 set to open up against Spain’s Marcel Granollers. Djokovic has already played the Spaniard on three previous occasions, winning all of them in straight sets. He then faces a second round showdown against either Portugal’s Joao Sousa or compatriot Janko Tipsarevic.
“It was one of my last dreams in terms of tournaments that I wanted to win here,” said Djokovic at the draw on Friday.
“It was missing from my list so I ticked it off and got the full set of Grand Slams.”
“Looking at the trophy again brings back lots of memories. It was one of my most special feelings.”
On route to the second week of the tournament, Djokovic may need to defeat Mischa Zverev, who stunned Andy Murray at this year’s Australian Open, and home favourite Lucas Pouille.
Camino de Djokovic
1R Granollers
2R Tipsarevic/Sousa
3R Zverev/Schwartzman
4R Puille
QF Thiem
SF Nadal
F Murrayhttps://t.co/MsQrQZYJ7y— Punto de Break (@PuntoDBreak) 26 May 2017
Title favourite Rafael Nadal will start his bid for a historic tenth title in Paris against the unpredictable Benoit Paire, who he has defeated twice before. This season the fourth seed has already achieved a win-loss of 17-1 on the clay. His only defeat was at the hands of Dominic Thiem in Rome. At this year’s French Open, Nadal is set to play the big servers with Jack Sock and Milos Raonic lurking in his path.
Camino de Nadal
1R Paire
2R Troicki
3R Simon
4R Sock
QF Raonic
SF Djokovic
F Murrayhttps://t.co/MsQrQZYJ7y— Punto de Break (@PuntoDBreak) 26 May 2017
World No.1 Andy Murray faces a stern test in his quest for his first title in Paris. The Brit enters the tournament with doubts cast over him after his recent lacklustre performance on the tour. Murray has also admitted to experiencing motivational issues.
Starting off against Andrey Kuznetsov, a player he dismissed 6-2, 6-1 last year, Murray’s campaign then faces stiff opposition. The third round could see him play Juan Martin del Potro in what will be a repeat of the 2016 Rio Olympics final. On the other hand, Del Potro has recently admitted to injury problems. Tomas Berdych, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka could then follow prior to the final.
Third seed Stan Wawrinka will start against a yet to be confirmed qualifier with Richard Gasquet or Gael Monfils potentially being a fourth round rival. Milos Raonic opens against Steve Darcis and Dominic Thiem faces Bernard Tomic.
Finally, Next Generation star Alexander Zverev will start against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco. The ninth seed, who recently won the Rome Open, could play Kei Nishikori in the last sixteen. Nishikori will start against Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is returning to the tour after a lengthy injury absence.
The draw
The #RG17 men’s draw! pic.twitter.com/QtgHJZpmYz
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 26 May 2017
Possible QF match-ups:
Murray vs Nishikori
Wawrinka vs Cilic
Raonic vs Nadal
Thiem vs Djokovic #RG17— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) 26 May 2017
