The year’s second Grand Slam has kicked off in France with the tennis’ world’s greatest competing for the grandeur prize of the French Open title.
The year’s second Grand Slam has kicked off in France with the tennis’ world’s greatest competing for the grandeur prize of the French Open title. There is prizes for guessing for who is the’king of Roland Garros’ – Rafael Nadal. The Spanish number one has high hopes of winning a record-extending ninth French Open title but that could be in jeopardy.
The world number is a favourite on the clay court but for the first time in a decade, Rafa Nadal lost three matches on red dirt in the build-up to the claycourt major to the likes of Nicolas Almagro, David Ferrer and Novak Djokovic. But, former world number one and tennis great, Roger Federer has still backed Nadal to win the French Open under the noses of Novak Djokovic.
Injuries, poor form has played its part in Nadal’s recent losses on the clay court. He also admitted to suffering nervousness following his quarter-final exits at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open, by Ferrer and Almagro respectively.
On the other hand, Serbian Novak Djokovic, who beat Nadal in the Rome Masters final in three sets last week, can to clinch a title here. Novak has yet to win a Grand Slam on the clay court and with the poor form of Nadal, it could be the Serbian’s year to win his first ever French Open title.
Besides Djokovic, whom he could meet in the final, Nadal has a possible semi-final match against Wawrinka, the man who defeated him in the Australian Open final. Australian Open winner Wawrinka has a powerful backhand that could send any opposition player packing their bags.
And then there is former world number one Roger Federer, who has won record 17 grand slam titles that includes a single French Open title. The Swiss Ace may not be at his superlative best yet, but still can pack a punch.
British number one Andy Murray is also in contention of his first Major French Open final. The Scot has a major hurdle to complete if he beats Nadal in a possible semis line-up. Murray, who did not play this year’s Australian Open due to injury, can still make the finals if he lives up to his billing.
Rafael Nadal still remains the numero uno contender to win his ninth Roland Garros title but given his recent poor form, the Spaniard may lose out his title to his fiercest rivals. Novak Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka and Andy Murray may be breathing down Nadal’s neck with Andy Murray not that far behind.
