Roland Garros Draw: Carlos Alcaraz Begins Title Defence Against Kei Nishikori - UBITENNIS

Roland Garros Draw: Carlos Alcaraz Begins Title Defence Against Kei Nishikori

Carlos Alcaraz begins his title defence at Roland Garros by taking on Kei Nishikori.

By Tony Fairbairn
3 Min Read
(@rolandgarros - Twitter)

Carlos Alcaraz will start his title defence against Kei Nishikori at Roland Garros as Jannik Sinner could face Jack Draper in the quarter-finals in Paris.

The Spaniard is favourite for the crown in Paris once again after claiming titles in Monte-Carlo and Rome.

Winning the title in Rome means Alcaraz is the second seed and will begin his quest for a fifth Grand Slam title against Kei Nishikori.

A potential third round showdown against big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard could await in the third round while one of Ben Shelton or Stefanos Tsitsipas could await in the last 16.

In the quarter-finals Alcaraz is projected to face former finalist Casper Ruud with the Norwegian starting against a qualifier.

Close rival Lorenzo Musetti could once again await in the semi-finals with the Italian beginning against a qualifier.

Also in this quarter of the draw is a tough match for Taylor Fritz as he takes on German Daniel Altmaier while Holger Rune is set to face Roberto Bautista Agut.

In the top half of the draw world number one Jannik Sinner will begin against Arthur Rinderknech with the Italian set to face a testing third round clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The fourth round will see a tough test against either Andrey Rublev or home favourite Arthur Fils with the Frenchman set to face Nicolas Jarry in the opening round.

A much anticipated quarter-final against Jack Draper could await for Sinner but the British number one’s route is far from easy.

Draper will face Mattia Bellucci in the opening round with a potential second round match against Gael Monfils awaiting the Brit.

In the third round Draper could face the winner of the electrifying first round between Hubert Hurkacz and Joao Fonseca while one of Jakub Mensik or Alex De Minaur could await in the fourth round.

Closing out the draw is a very favourable draw for Novak Djokovic who will meet Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round.

A third round against Denis Shapovalov could await with Daniil Medvedev awaiting in the fourth round as Medvedev begins against Cameron Norrie.

A struggling Alexander Zverev would await in the quarter-finals but that’s if he can get past Felix Auger-Aliassime and Francisco Cerundolo on his way to the last eight.

Main draw starts on Sunday.

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