Favorites check for the French Open: Swiatek and Djokovic too far ahead?
Iga Swiatek and defending champion Novak Djokovic are going into the French Open 2022 as big favorites. But among the men, several players could still have a say about the title.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 20, 2022, 11:24 am
In terms of building up form on ashes, Novak Djokovic seems to have done everything right again: the somewhat lax start against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte-Carlo was followed by a final appearance in Belgrade (which Djokovic lost to Andrey Rublev ), then the semi-finals in Madrid, which was true Djokovic's opponent Carlos Alcaraz went, but the Serbian industry leader could have left the field as the winner. Then last week in Rome, the victory in the Foro Italico was ultimately safe - the signs are pointing to defending the title in Paris.
Because Rafael Nadal is once again struggling with his notorious leg injury, Stefanos Tsitsipas looked pretty flat in the final in Rome, and Alexander Zverev is still waiting for his first tournament win this season. So does everything really depend on Carlos Alcaraz, winner of Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona and Madrid? Or is another man around the corner who nobody expected?
Daniil Medvedev can play freely, but the ashes are traditionally little for him. Jannik Sinner would also be an option, but doesn't seem quite fit. Or maybe an American? It's been a long time since a man from the USA last won, in 1999 Andre Agassi triumphed at the Bois de Boulogne. So maybe Taylor Fritz, who has already won in Indian Wells this year? Or FILA man Reilly Opelka, who showed in Rome in 2021 that he can definitely keep up with the best on ashes?
Who can claim Swiatek?
For women, the situation is a little different. Because Iga Swiatek travels to Roland-Garros with 28 match wins in a row, where she triumphed once before in autumn 2020. At that time, by the way, without losing a sentence. Who can stop the Pole? Most likely a rested Ons Jabeur , which is in second place behind Swiatek in the annual ranking, the WTA race. Maria Sakkari hinted at the French Open last year that a potential major winner slumbered in her - but she also worked on Iga Swiatek in the Indian Wells final in vain.
A few veterans remain: Angelique Kerber was the last woman who could really put Swiatek in danger, but she doesn't love the sand. Simona Halep has to get used to the new coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Of course, Karolina Pliskova, who carries the FILA banner after Ashleigh Barty 's resignation and who is getting the finishing touches in Strasbourg this week, is always an option.
What do you think Karolina is capable of in Paris? With FILA you can win a VIP trip to Berlin - just type on Facebook what you think the FILA players Pliskova and Opelka are capable of and have the chance of an unforgettable tennis experience.
Anything but a victory for Iga Swiatek would be a maximum surprise. Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova has also not been able to play for several weeks.
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