December 22, 2024
Rafael Nadal will hope to extend his Record 14th Roland Garros title when he face World No. 4 Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster first-round clash in what is likely to be the Spaniard’s final appearance at the clay-court major.
The 37-year-old, who holds a 112-3 record at the event, arrives in Paris off the back of a second-round exit in Rome. Nadal leads Zverev 7-3 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with their first-round clash a re-match of their semi-final in 2022, when Zverev was forced to retire with an ankle injury in the second set after nearly three hours and 13 minutes of gruelling play.
The winner will face former World No. 7 David Goffin or French wild card Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the second round. Two-time quarter-finalist Holger Rune is a potential fourth-round opponent for Nadal or Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Rome earlier this month.
Daniil Medvedev starts against German Dominik Koepfer and is seeded to meet fourth seed Zverev in the semi-finals. Medvedev’s best result at Roland Garros was a quarter-final showing in 2021.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic begins against French wild card Pierre-Hugues Herbert. Djokovic is a three-time titlist in Paris and is seeded to meet Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. The Norwegian begins against #NextGenATP Czech Jakub Mensik.
Djokovic has yet to win a title this year and is competing in Geneva this week in a bid to recapture his best form. The Serbian, who is seeded to meet Lorenzo Musetti in the third round and Tommy Paul in the fourth round, will chase a record-extending 25th major in Paris. He will also aim to hold onto top spot in the PIF ATP Rankings, with Italian Jannik Sinner hovering.
In the bottom half, second seed Sinner starts against Christopher Eubanks, while third seed Carlos Alcaraz plays a qualifier.
Sinner has won a Tour-leading three titles in 2024, including his first major at the Australian Open. He has not competed since Madrid at the end of April, though, due to injury. The 22-year-old will play French wild card Richard Gasquet or Borna Coric in the second round and is seeded to meet Cameron Norrie in the third round.
Rome finalist Nicolas Jarry is a potential fourth-round opponent, with Pole Hubert Hurkacz seeded to meet Sinner in the last eight.
Alcaraz will chase his third major this coming fortnight. The 20-year-old’s best result at the clay-court Slam came last year when he reached the semi-finals. Alcaraz could face 15th seed Ben Shelton in the fourth round and Madrid champion Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals. Rublev opens against Japan’s Taro Daniel.
The first round has thrown up some intriguing matches. The 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka meets former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Andy Murray, while 11th seed Alex de Minaur takes on #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen. French No. 1 Ugo Humbert leads home hopes and starts against Lorenzo Sonego. Two-time finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is in the bottom half and opens against Marton Fucsovics.
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