Novak could face Rafa in semis
TOUGH DRAW Spaniard Nadal chases a 10th French Open title, Djokovic seeks to defend the only Major he still holds
Unfortunately for Rafael Nadal, the French Open draw didn’t make things easy. Fortunately, though, he is back in top form as he starts his quest for a 10th title at Roland Garros.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion was drawn in the same half as defending champion Novak Djokovic, Milos Raonic and up-and-coming Dominic Thiem on Friday.
In addition, the fourth-seeded Nadal will also need to deal with the talented and unpredictable Benoit Paire in the first round.
“I need to be ready since the beginning, because I have a tough opponent in the first round,” Nadal said. “So I am focused on trying to work the right way.” The 30-year-old Nadal, who retired last year before his third round match with a wrist injury, has a 72-2 record at the clay-court major and is the only player with nine trophies from one Grand Slam tournament.
This season, he has been the dominant player on clay, winning 17 straight matches on his favorite surface and three consecutive titles before Thiem halted his run in Rome last week.
In Paris, he could face Djokovic or Thiem in the semifinals.
“I had a lot of success on clay, winning three events out of four that I played,” Nadal said when asked about his fitness. “That’s great for me, no? It makes me happy to feel myself competitive and play well in every event that I played. I am very happy the way that I arrived here. Now I have to play well here. That’s all.”
STRUGGLING FOR FORM
Djokovic can’t boast the same confidence as his Spanish rival after struggling with form and confidence recently. “Rafa, next to Roger (Federer), has been the best player this year in terms of results,” Djokovic said. “Their level of tennis is quite fantastic. Rafa is playing on his favorite surface and playing with confidence, much better than last year. I definitely see him as probably the number one favourite for this title.”
The top-ranked Murray, who will open against Andrey Kuznetsov, was drawn in the same half as third-seeded and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka, who he could meet in the semifinals.
In the absence of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova, the women’s draw is looking wide open this year. An intriguing first round match-up will put defending champion Garbine Muguruza against 2010 champion Francesca Schiavone, while top-ranked Angelique Kerber will take on 40th-ranked Ekaterina Makarova. Among the other favorites, third-seeded Simona Halep will be up against Jana Cepelova in the first round if her right ankle injury does not prevent her from playing.