The 120th edition begins this Sunday at 11 a.m. Nine tricolor representatives enter the scene, as well as Dominic Thiem and Naomi Osaka.
Thiem for reassurance
Double finalist of the tournament in 2018 and 2019, semi-finalist in 2016 and 2017, the Austrian does not arrive in Paris in the form of his life. The world number 4 has only played three preparation tournaments before Roland Garros with a meager record of four wins, three losses, with a semi-final as the best result. A record unworthy of this tenor of the earth accustomed to the last four since 2016. His first round this Sunday on the Chatrier against the experienced Pablo Andujar, 35 years old and recently fallen Roger Federer in Geneva, will bring the first clues to the state of mind of the world number 4 who confessed: “It takes time for the body to recover from an injury. It’s the same for the head. “
Naomi Osaka with racket in hand
Opposed to Romanian Patricia Maria Tig, 63e world, opening on the Philippe Chatrier, Naomi Osaka created the buzz by declaring that she would not take part in the press conferences, however compulsory, during the Paris fortnight. A release that caused a lot of talk. Sunday, the Japanese will at least try to express herself well with her racquet and dispel doubts. On hard, she shines (23 consecutive successes between August 2020 and March 2021). On earth, the world number two is walking on eggshells. Forfeited last year due to a thigh injury, she never invited herself to the second week at Roland Garros with the best result being a third round. Results for the time being unworthy of his immense talent.
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Sabalenka, an outsider of choice
Behind Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek, 23-year-old Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, seeded 3, steps forward as one of the tournament favorites. If in three participations, she has not yet crossed the third round, the situation could change in 2021. Beaten by Barty in the final in Stuttgart, she took her revenge in Madrid at the same stage of the competition, winning the title on the way. most prestigious of his career. The pupil of Dmitry Tursunov made speak his power of strike in this earthly spring. Opposed this Sunday Ana Konjuh on the Suzanne Lenglen, she approaches the Parisian Grand Slam with some certainties. “I improved my game a lot. Of course, it gave me confidence. I used to think a lot about the Grand Slams that I wanted to win at all costs and that doesn’t really help to win any. It just puts more pressure on your shoulders. I feel ready. ”
Enzo Couacaud first Porte d’Auteuil, Elsa Jacquemot second
Invited by the organizers, Enzo Couacaud challenges Belarusian Egar Berasimov (78th in the world) in the first round. Ranked 177th in the world, the Franco-Mauritian offered his first baptism on Parisian clay at the age of 26, he who had long been hampered by multiple injuries. Winner in the Canaries of his second title in Challenger, Couacaud is getting closer to his goal. The top 100 he who was stopped in the third round of qualifying last year against the Canadian Steven Diez (3-6, 4-6). Benefiting from a wild card in 2020, Elsa Jacquemot had a painful first, beaten 6-1, 6-2 in by Renata Zarazua. The Lyonnaise then made up for it by winning the junior event, becoming the first Frenchwoman to lift the trophy since Kristina Mladenovic in 2009. The 17-year-old, ranked 493e World will attempt the feat this Sunday on the 14th against Elena Rybakina (22nd).
Jeremy Chardy assaulting Tsitsipas
The best French in the Race since January, it is him. At 34, the Palois is playing one of his best seasons. Semi-finalist in Antalya and Melbourne (ATP 250 version), quarterbacks in Rotterdam and Dubai, on 58e world is in confidence and has already brought down the big names Porte d’Auteuil (Nalbandian, Goffin, Isner or even Berdych). Facing Stefanos Tsitispas the challenge will be even greater against the leader of the Race, the most brilliant player on earth with Nadal in 2021. The semi-finalist of last season does not hide his ambitions: “Every time I play, I want to be the surprise of the tournament. It was the same in Toronto (in 2018 when he reached the final, beating Djokovic in passing, Editor’s note), I really took advantage of this week and the fact that no one considered me the favorite. I had surprised everyone. I just had to play my tennis and think of nothing else. I felt great. ” It’s up to Chardy to get the world number 5 out of his comfort zone.
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