The Roland-Garros draw (September 27-October 11) took place this Thursday. And promises some beautiful posters from the 8th, or even before.
Andy Murray had not played on Parisian clay since 2017, and this magnificent semi-final lost in five sets against Stanislas Wawrinka. And guess what? For his comeback at Roland Garros, three years later, the former world number 1 will face in the first round … Stanislas Wawrinka. The draw for the Paris tournament, which begins on Sunday Porte d’Auteuil, in fact brought the two men together this Thursday, like a wink of fate.
He also placed the favorite Rafael Nadal (seeded N.2) in the same part of the table as Dominic Thiem (N.3), recent winner of the US Open and unfortunate finalist of the last two editions. Part of the table where Gaël Monfils (N.8) and Alexander Zverev (N.6) are also found, while world number 1 Novak Djokovic will find Daniil Medvedev (N.4) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (N.5) on his path.
On the French side, Humbert will face a qualifier in the first round, such as Chardy, Moutet or even Herbert, Gasquet will play against Bautista-Agut, Mannarino against Ramos-Vinolas, Simon against Shapovalov, and Monfils against Bublik. Benoit Paire, if he can participate (in the event of a negative test for Covid), will face the Korean Kwon for his part. Also note a Franco-French duel between Gaston and Janvier.
The table is known ?Several shock clashes await us from the first round.Ladies’ Singles ? https://t.co/f2ZWmZRQTcSingles Gentlemen ? https://t.co/MGcf2cqg5a#Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/VypbRfUpmt
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) September 24, 2020
An Azarenka-Williams shock in the 8th?
In the Women’s side, the American Serena Williams, in search of a 24th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, and the Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, back in the foreground, could find themselves in the round of 16 in Paris. Placed in the same quarter of the table, the two thirties (38 years for Williams, 31 for Azarenka) will have three laps to go to afford a revenge of the last semi-final of the US Open, won by Azarenka.
In the most elevated half of the table, the survivor could be opposed to the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, seeded N.3, in the quarter-finals. If logic is respected, the chosen one of this quarter of the table will face for a place in the final the Romanian Simona Halep, seeded N.1 in the absence of the Australian Ashleigh Barty. Without Naomi Osaka, world No. 3 and winner at the beginning of September at the US Open, the other half of the table seems very open. Especially if Karolina Pliskova, seeded N.2, does not recover properly from her left thigh injury which forced her to withdraw in the final in Rome.
Among the French, Garcia will face Kontaveit from the start, Ferro will play against Watson, Dodin against Kvitova, Cornet will face a compatriot, Paquet, Parmentier will play against Kudermetova, and Mladenovic against Siegemund.
