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Well, it barely feels like a year since the last French Open. That time, Nadal schooled Novak while we witnessed a Pole go through to her first winning grand slam without dropping a set.
This year, we have 2 returning defending champions in the girls while Osaka has won the last 2 grand slam titles she has competed in. Looks good on paper.
Ash Barty is back at RG for the first time since her 2019 triumph as the world number 1 this year +2019/20* and is playing ripping tennis. Won in Stuttgart, the best non-1000 event on WTA tour, and she lost in the final in Madrid. This outstanding clay form coming on top of her win in Miami. She retired in Rome with an arm injury, but she would have 2 weeks off since then and should be rearing to go. Her record against top 10 players is scary good. It is the players outside that at slams who can cause issues.
The girl who beat her in Madrid, Sabalenka, is, outside Barty, the form player of the tour. Those 2 have played several epic matches(and a couple of finals) this year already. Sabelenka has always shown form outside of majors, especially the Asian Swing at the end of the season. She has yet to reach a quarter-final in a grand slam. For me, breaking that "curse" should be seen as a success for her. Not ruling her out by any means. anything can happen for Sab. the match is always on her racquet.
Iga Swiatek is the latest defending champ at RG. she double bagelled Pliskova in the final at Rome. It was reminiscent of her run last year at the French. Basically untouchable tennis. It was scary good. She has only had 1 loss on clay this year. that was against Barty. for me, it is these 3 players who are the most likely. Give me a Swiatek Barty final please. That would be something.
Quickly touch on other things. We are missing Halep due to injury. She was the best player on clay for the last couple of years and it will be sad to not see her name in the field. I don't think Serena will be a threat. I expect a "shock" loss there. Osaka is similar. her form on clay will make her very vulnerable to an early exit, especially if she plays an in-form player like Badosa or Gauff(who will be seeded). If she can gains confidence, perhaps, but I don't think that will happen and even if it did, I don't think her best is good enough on this surface. Svitolina and Pliskova, forget about them. We know their record at slams. Muguruza is an outside chance and a former winner. Not someone to discount out of hand unlike the other 2.
Ohh...ATP. Nadal will win. the end.
Maybe he won't....there have been small cracks. he has ONLY won 2 title this clay season. and there has been some good tennis outside of him. The (quarter) final between Tsitsipas and Novak atBarca Rome being a clear highlight and perhaps the 2 most dangerous players for Nadal. Zverev also beat him in Madrid. Still, be a brave man to bet against Nadal in Paris. Theim is struggling with motivation, which is a shame as I was really looking forward to him on his favourite surface taking it up to Nadal. Hopefully, he can find something.
on others, welcome back Federer. doubt he will stay long. hopefully comes out of Paris on 2 good legs. The #3 seed, Medvedev, hasn't won 1 match at Roland Garros yet, so there will be a weak quarter of the draw. Even longer odds than Fed to win here. No Sharapolov in the field either due to injury
My (boring) predictions
Barty over Swiatek
Nadal over Novak
This year, we have 2 returning defending champions in the girls while Osaka has won the last 2 grand slam titles she has competed in. Looks good on paper.
Ash Barty is back at RG for the first time since her 2019 triumph as the world number 1 this year +2019/20* and is playing ripping tennis. Won in Stuttgart, the best non-1000 event on WTA tour, and she lost in the final in Madrid. This outstanding clay form coming on top of her win in Miami. She retired in Rome with an arm injury, but she would have 2 weeks off since then and should be rearing to go. Her record against top 10 players is scary good. It is the players outside that at slams who can cause issues.
The girl who beat her in Madrid, Sabalenka, is, outside Barty, the form player of the tour. Those 2 have played several epic matches(and a couple of finals) this year already. Sabelenka has always shown form outside of majors, especially the Asian Swing at the end of the season. She has yet to reach a quarter-final in a grand slam. For me, breaking that "curse" should be seen as a success for her. Not ruling her out by any means. anything can happen for Sab. the match is always on her racquet.
Iga Swiatek is the latest defending champ at RG. she double bagelled Pliskova in the final at Rome. It was reminiscent of her run last year at the French. Basically untouchable tennis. It was scary good. She has only had 1 loss on clay this year. that was against Barty. for me, it is these 3 players who are the most likely. Give me a Swiatek Barty final please. That would be something.
Quickly touch on other things. We are missing Halep due to injury. She was the best player on clay for the last couple of years and it will be sad to not see her name in the field. I don't think Serena will be a threat. I expect a "shock" loss there. Osaka is similar. her form on clay will make her very vulnerable to an early exit, especially if she plays an in-form player like Badosa or Gauff(who will be seeded). If she can gains confidence, perhaps, but I don't think that will happen and even if it did, I don't think her best is good enough on this surface. Svitolina and Pliskova, forget about them. We know their record at slams. Muguruza is an outside chance and a former winner. Not someone to discount out of hand unlike the other 2.
Ohh...ATP. Nadal will win. the end.
Maybe he won't....there have been small cracks. he has ONLY won 2 title this clay season. and there has been some good tennis outside of him. The (quarter) final between Tsitsipas and Novak at
on others, welcome back Federer. doubt he will stay long. hopefully comes out of Paris on 2 good legs. The #3 seed, Medvedev, hasn't won 1 match at Roland Garros yet, so there will be a weak quarter of the draw. Even longer odds than Fed to win here. No Sharapolov in the field either due to injury
My (boring) predictions
Barty over Swiatek
Nadal over Novak
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