ROLAND GARROS - DRAW REACTION

Hi loves,

We are edging closer and closer to the second grand slam of the tennis season. The Roland Garros draw took place earlier today and it is always a nice occasion. Held in the orangery on sight, it is a lovely spectical. Now, I do not speak french so cannot give insight into any potential nuggets on information given, but I can give you my insights on the draw itself. As an avid Tennis Podcast listener, I always feel hyped about the draws before grand slams and there are some great matches that we can look forward to this year. This brings me on to the matches themselves, so let us dwell no longer. 

Personally, I am most looking forward to Fonseca taking on Hurkacz in round one on the men’s side. Hurkacz seems to have had a little resurgence these last couple of weeks, reaching a quarter final in Rome and losing to Djokovic in the Geneva final. In that Geneva final his serving was almost flawless and he will need to carry that forward into Roland Garros to keep his level up high. His serve is crucial to dominating the game and calling the shots - which he will need to do against Fonseca. The Brazilian has not been in his best form of late, but there is nothing he loves more than a big occasion and will thrive on being the underdog. The pressure to entertain could be the reason he has not had many results recently, and hopefully he can just let loose and have fun by bringing the crowd into the match. Here’s hoping they get a good court - and this doesn’t need to be a big stadium court, just one where the fans can pile in and bring the vibes.

Medvedev is taking on Norrie in their opening match, and as a Brit this one caught my eye. They only just played each other in Rome with Daniil winning fairly straightforwardly. But with Norrie making it to the semi-finals in Geneva and losing in three to Djokovic it seems as though he has finally found some form on his favourite surface. It could be an interesting vibe, as both players seem to attract some negativity from the crowds, and we all know how rowdy the French crowds can get. Medvedev has never gone past the quarter-finals at this slam, and I am sorry to say I don’t see him getting that far this year with his predicted fourth round opponent being Novak Djokovic (who, as we have already mentioned, seems to be finding some form at exactly the right time).

Shelton v Sonego has been scheduled as the first night match of the tournament - I think it has potential to be a good one too. This has five sets written all over it to me. Sonego loves a bit of clay, but Shelton not so much. Shelton has more talent and skill than Sonego so should come through (that sounds brutal, sorry Lorenzo) but Sonego has won their only meeting on clay 3 sets to 1. Oh, and yes you guessed it, that win came on the clay at Roland Garros in the first round in 2023. Could history repeat itself? If this one goes the distance I am certainly not complaining.

The winner of that match could face the winner of Tsitipas vs Etcheverry in round three, which also has potential be a fun one. They have only met once before and that was a battering in Monte Carlo last year which went the Greeks’ way 6-0 6-1 (it really was a battering, I told you). Etcheverry has not been performing well this season so far, and has found no consistency on the clay. His best performance is quarter-finals in Rome. Tsitsipas has not gone past the quarter-finals of any clay court tournament this swing, so it could be more evenly matched than at first glance. 

The projected quarter-finals are as below:

(1) Jannik Sinner vs Jack Draper (5)

(3) Alexander Zverev vs Novak Djokovic (6)

(4) Taylor Fritz vs Lorenzo Musetti (8)

(2) Carlos Alcaraz vs Casper Ruud (7)

I am predicting the semi finals to look like this:

(1) Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic (6)

(8) Lorenzo Musetti vs Carlos Alcaraz (2)

I know I said in my last post I thought it was unlikely to get a Sinner Alcaraz final after their long weeks' in Rome, I am taking that back and predicting exactly that. Sinner will get his revenge from Rome and take the title. Sticking with my pre-draw prediction there.

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I don’t see as much potential drama in the first rounds of the women’s draw this year. The big news is how much of a nightmare Iga Swiatek’s draw is. Pretty much all her least favourite players to play - with Ostapenko possibly waiting in round three. Will we get that match? I hope so. But Ostapenko is known to be unreliable. Both former champions in the French capital, it brings a new element to their head-to-head as it is their first meeting at Roland Garros. Swiatek could rediscover her form when she takes to the court in Paris, and if she can I reckon she takes out Ostapenko. But we are a long way from that match happening, if it even does happen.

I was just writing about how we had a hard-hitting match coming our way in the shape of Rybakina against Bencic, and have just now seen the news that Bencic has withdrawn due to an arm injury. What a shame that is for all of us who wanted to see power against power. I guess we will just have to talk about another power-fest - Osaka vs Badosa. Can I get a yes please? Both have games which are dominated by serve and a big forehand. Both players who, on their day, can hit anyone on court. Both players who have been inconsistent on tour the last few years, albeit one through injury and the other through pregnancy. An interesting prospect, no?

The projected quarter-finals are as below:

(1) Aryna Sabalenka vs (8) Qinwen Zheng

(4) Jasmine Paolini vs (5) Iga Swiatek

(6) Mirra Andreeva vs (3) Jessica Pegula

(7) Madison Keys vs (2) Coco Gauff

I am predicting the semi finals to look like this:

(1) Aryna Sabalenka vs Jasmine Paolini (4) 

(6) Mirra Andreeva vs Coco Gauff (2) 

I am thinking we get a Sabalenka-Gauff final, although I do personally hope Andreeva and Paolini can get there. Since it is such an open draw this year I would really love to see someone get their maiden grand slam title. Honestly, I really would love to see Paolini achieve this over anyone else, because who doesn’t love to see Paolini happy? It's so infectious.

Realistically though, I am still backing Gauff to come through and lift the trophy - her draw isn't scary and she should come through those early rounds relatively straightforwardly. If I were her I would be rubbing my hands together and licking my lips at this opportunity.

I am sticking with both my pre-draw predictions. Is this through stubbornness? Potentially. But I have been able to justify my reasoning so SHHHH.

Here we are. We are ready for the clay court slam to get underway. I am so ready. Are you

Until next time, keep serving!

E x