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Rafael Nadal Set to Clash with Alexander Zverev in Opening Match of Farewell French Open
The draw for the French Open has set up a captivating opening match between Rafael Nadal (37) and world number four Alexander Zverev (27), marking Nadal’s final appearance at Roland Garros.
Nadal, the unparalleled 14-time champion at Roland Garros, finds himself unseeded this year due to injuries that have seen his ranking drop to 276.
The duo previously met in the semi-finals of the 2022 French Open, where Zverev was forced to retire after sustaining a severe ankle injury.
As Nadal, a holder of 22 Grand Slam titles, approaches his 38th birthday next week, this season marks his farewell tour.
In their head-to-head encounters, Nadal boasts a 7-3 winning record against the German, with five victories coming on clay courts.
Zverev arrives in Paris fresh off his triumph at the Rome Open last weekend.
Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic will commence his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title against local contender Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Djokovic has faced challenges in the first half of 2024 and remains title-less this year. His campaign in the Italian Open ended prematurely in the third round following a peculiar head injury.
The world’s top-ranked player, currently participating in the Geneva Open, aims to leave past disappointments behind and rejuvenate his season in Paris, where a potential quarter-final rematch against Casper Ruud awaits him.
Two-time Grand Slam winner and last year’s semi-finalist Carlos Alcaraz will kick off against a qualifier, while newly-crowned Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is set to take on American Christopher Eubanks.
Swiatek and Osaka in Potential Second-Round Showdown
Defending champion Iga Swiatek and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka could collide in the second round of the French Open following the draw announcement.
Swiatek, the top seed and world number one, will face a qualifier in her opener, while Osaka is slated to play against Lucia Bronzetti of Italy.
Swiatek, aiming for her fifth major and fourth French Open title, expressed her comfort on the Parisian clay after clinching titles in Madrid and Rome.
Osaka, ranked 134, seeks to navigate past her past struggles in Paris, while Bronzetti, ranked 48th, eyes her first main draw victory at Roland Garros.
The tournament holds significance for Osaka, who faced fines and withdrew from the 2021 edition, citing mental health concerns. She missed the 2023 event due to pregnancy.
Swiatek’s aspirations include securing a historic third consecutive women’s title in Paris, a feat not achieved since Justine Henin in 2007. She also aims to join the elite club of Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Henin with four Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen titles in the Open era.
Other notable matchups include Aryna Sabalenka versus Erika Andreeva and Elena Rybakina against Belgium’s Greet Minnen.
US Open champion Coco Gauff, a finalist at the 2022 French Open, will start against a qualifier and could potentially face Ons Jabeur in a thrilling quarter-final showdown.
