Roland-Garros 2024: Swiatek with Gauff, Sabalenka with Rybakina
This time, the participants in the French Open have been decided. With no surprises in store, it's going to be a tough road, and it's going to be the two most resilient players who get to take to the Philippe Chatrier on Saturday June 8 to battle it out for the supreme crown.
In the top half of the draw, Iga Swiatek has inherited a draw within her grasp and may not really be tested until the quarters, although she could face Naomi Osaka in the second round, in what would be a duel between two Grand Slam winners. Swiatek is likely to face some tough opponents at the end of the tournament, with matches against Collins, Gauff and Sabalenka or Rybakina.
In the bottom half of the draw, Aryna Sabalenka must not falter if she is to challenge Swiatek in the final for the third time this season. After a relatively quiet opening round, she could find herself up against Madison Keys, who is in fine form on ochre, in the Round of 16. Thereafter, in theory, she would have to beat Sakkari or Kasatkina, then Rybakina or Zheng, before potentially meeting the world number 1 in the final.
This year's Roland Garros promises to be another exciting one, with plenty of surprises in store to muddy the waters.