French Open 2023 attracts have been declared, and as anticipated Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz may conflict within the semi-final fixture. The second Grand Slam of the 12 months kicks off on May 28 with out its largest star Rafael Nadal, who’s lacking the event for the primary time since his debut in 2005. But followers could possibly be handled with a potential Djokovic-Alcaraz conflict within the semi-final spherical.
Djokovic has reached the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros for a file consecutive 13 instances and is tipped among the many favorites in 14-time champion Nadal’s absence. Djokovic endured poor outings on clay however stays a powerful contender to stretch his Grand Slam titles tally to 23. He slipped to no.3 within the ATP rankings as Daniil Medvedev gained the Italian Open, his maiden title on clay. With Alcaraz seeded no.1, it was evident that each Djokovic and the younger Spaniard will face one another in the primary draw.
Both Alcaraz and Medveded face qualifiers within the first spherical whereas Djokovic, the primary identify within the pot, will tackle world no.101Â Aleksandar Kovacevic within the first spherical. Meanwhile, final 12 months’s runner-up Casper Rudd may even face a qualifier within the first spherical. Fifth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas will play Jiri Vesely within the first spherical whereas one other favourite Andre Rublev faces Laslo Djere.
Iga Swiatek faces a tough draw
In ladies’s singles, the world no.1 and present French Open champion Iga Swiatek has been handed a tough draw. The Polish star may face the winner of the 2021 version Barbora Krejcikova within the fourth spherical after which is probably going to face final 12 months’s finalist Coco Gauff within the quarters. But followers are extra intrigued as she is projected to face the world no.4 and present Wimbledon champion Elen Rybakina within the semis.
The Russian star faces a qualifier within the first spherical however may face an enormous problem within the fourth spherical within the type of the world no.8 Maria Sakkari. The world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka will open her Roland-Garros marketing campaign in opposition to Marta Kostyuk. Coco Gauff, the finalist in each singles and doubles in 2022, will likely be going through Rebeka Masarova within the opening sport, whom she defeated within the Auckland final this 12 months.
