2017 French Open preview
Roland Garros, Paris
28 May - 11 June
The 2017 French Open at Roland Garros got underway on Sunday and will continue until 11 June at the famous clay courts in Paris. The Women’s Singles have already seen top seed Angelique Kerber eliminated in the first round and the race for the women's trophy is set to be one of the most open in years: not only has the top seed already exited the tournament, but Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams - who have won four of the last five Roland Garros titles between them - are both absent from Paris.This leaves defending champion Garbine Muguruza as the nominal favourite, but she will have to overcome a difficult first round match against a fellow former Roland Garros champion in the shape of Italian Francesca Schiavone. Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova will also be strong contenders for the title.On the Men’s side, Rafael Nadal looks a strong bet for his 10
th Roland Garros crown. The ‘King of Clay’ has been in great form of late and remains one of the finest exponents of the patience-and-power game needed to excel on Paris’ slow, dusty courts.With the top two seeds, Andy Murray and defending champ Novak Djokovic, both low on form and confidence (and Australian Open winner Roger Federer sitting this one out), Nadal’s real threat may come from Stan Wawrinka, or more likely a couple of exciting youngsters.Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are both superb clay court players looking to make their first major mark in a Grand Slam and this year’s French Open is primed for them to challenge the established order.Also keep an eye out for Milos Raonic, Marin Cilic, Kei Nishikori, David Goffin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France’s best hope of a home-town winner who will be looking to improve on his best performance at Roland Garros: semifinal showings in 2013 and 2015.
Last five winners - Men’s Singles
2016 - Novak Djokovic
2015 - Stan Wawrinka
2014 - Rafael Nadal
2013 - Rafael Nadal
2012 - Rafael Nadal
Top 10 seeds - Men’s Singles
- Andy Murray
- Novak Djokovic
- Stan Wawrinka
- Rafael Nadal
- Milos Raonic
- Dominic Thiem
- Marin Cilic
- Kei Nishikori
- Alexander Zverev
- David Goffin
Last five winners - Women’s Singles
2016 - Garbine Muguruza
2015 - Serena Williams
2014 Maria Sharapova
2013 - Serena Williams
2012 - Maria Sharapova
Top 10 seeds - Women’s Singles
- Angelique Kerber
- Karolina Pliskova
- Simona Halep
- Garbine Muguruza
- Elina Svitolina
- Dominika Cibulkova
- Johanna Konta
- Svetlana Kuznetsova
- Agnieszka Radwanska
- Venus Williams