very heavy for Nadal within the first spherical, the French didn’t varnish – Libération

2024-05-23 13:51:18

Roland-Garros 2024file

The Spaniard, who returned to Porte d’Auteuil after two empty seasons, will face quantity 4 seed Alexander Zverev. French gamers are, for a lot of, nonetheless towards the chances.

Everybody solely has eyes for a reputation. Belonging to the Spaniard, he’s simply the 274th participant on this planet, and but 14 instances gained right here, at Roland-Garros. After two years with out enjoying or virtually as a consequence of an injured physique, Rafael Nadal has returned to Porte d’Auteuil. Not seeded for the primary time in a very long time, the Mallorcan is aware of that he can take a giant fish for his entry into the run. The drawing and harmless hand of Marie-José Pérec, this Thursday, Could 23, has very heavy issues in retailer for him: Alexander Zverev, seed quantity 4, in his factor on earth. The German, feeling the winner of 1000 masters in Rome, is in three finals at Roland-Garros, together with one misplaced in 2022 towards… Rafael Nadal.

The triple Olympic champion (over 200 and 400 meters) wouldn’t have been extra enthusiastic with the French athletes. Hugo Gaston, Arthur Cazaux, Corentin Moutet and Harold Mayot all inherited the seed. Particular point out to Pierre-Hugues Herbert who inherited the jackpot, Novak Djokovic, for his entry into the run. Gaël Monfils will probably be pitted towards Thiago Seyboth Wild who brought on a sensation final yr by knocking out the quantity 2 seed, Daniil Medvedev, within the first spherical. One colleague, humorously, summed it up: “The French, they’re unfortunate!”

Seded, Adrian Mannarino, Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils guarantee the perfect drawing. The primary, and the least comfy on the clay, will inherit a qualifier. Humbert will fall again towards Lorenzo Sonego, the Italian who knocked him out of the competitors, within the second spherical final yr. As for Son, he will even be an assault towards an Italian, younger Matteo Arnaldi, not the worst clay court docket participant obtainable. Lastly, the draw has saved a poster which is able to take advantage of nostalgic salivate: Andy Murray, 37 years previous, will play within the first spherical towards Stanislas Wawrinka, 39 years previous. The 2 males have six Grand Slams and 4 Olympic medals.

A qualification for Caroline Garcia

On the ladies’s aspect, the draw was quite type to Caroline Garcia, the one French girl with a seed place. Eradicated within the second spherical in 2023, this yr he’ll problem a participant to qualify for his entry into the operating, earlier than he can cross swords with Ons Jabeur within the spherical of 16 after which with Coco Gauff within the areas. Different French ladies are much less varnished. For his final Roland, Alizé Cornet, who will retire on the finish of the season, inherits the quantity 7 seed, the Chinese language Qinwen Zheng, whereas Varvara Gracheva will play towards Maria Sakkari within the first spherical.

Triple winner of Roland-Garros (at solely 22 years previous), double title holder and ultra-favourite this yr, Polish Iga Swiatek will face a qualifier for his entry into the run. Earlier than that, within the second spherical, possibly enjoying towards Naomi Osaka, former world number one with 4 Grand Slams to her credit score, who returned to Porte d’Auteuil after a yr’s break linked to her being pregnant.