Paris draw puts Serena and Sharapova on collision course

THE draw for the French Open yesterday raised the tantalising prospect of Serena Williams facing Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, although it cannot be guaranteed that either player will get that far. On her return to Grand Slam action, the unseeded Williams was drawn against world No 70 Kristyna Pliskova, who has had a few decent wins on clay this season and should provide a proper test. It will be the first time that Williams has played on clay in two years and her first major since the 2017 Australian Open. Britain’s Jo Konta was handed an excellent opportunity to record a first career win at Roland Garros when drawn against world No 93 Yulia Putintseva. In the tournament which starts on Sunday, Heather Watson plays France’s Oceane Dodin, ranked 133. Kyle Edmund represents the best chance of maintaining British singles interest into the second week. As 16th seed — his first Slam seeding — he will first face Australian teenager Alex de Minaur. Cam Norrie drew German Peter Gojowczyk. Norrie scored his best career win by ranking yesterday when he beat world No 10 John Isner to reach the semi-finals of the ATP event in Lyon. Today he meets Frenchman Gilles Simon. Meanwhile, world No 84 Nicolas Kicker has been found guilty of match-fixing. The Argentine, 25, and will be sanctioned later.