Roland-Garros- Men’s Singles – Tournament Preview
The eagerly anticipated Roland-Garros kicks off on the 22nd of May, with the battle for the title expected to be closely fought. More commonly known as the French Open, the Roland-Garros finishes on the 11th June, a mere four weeks before the start of Wimbledon. The competition represents a good chance for players to fine tune their form, and add another grand slam to their trophy cabinets.
Rafael Nadal
Rafa Nadal Photo Credit: skysports.com
Fresh from his win in the Madrid open, Nadal will be hoping to give another strong showing, following his sensational start to 2017. After narrowly missing out in the final of the Australian Open, the Spaniard dispatched of World number two Novak Djokovic in straight sets on his way to picking up his fifth Madrid title. Nadal has won the French Open nine times, which is the all-time-record. Often referred to as ‘the king of clay’, Nadal goes in to the tournament as huge favourite to win.
SKYBET: NADAL TO WIN OUTRIGHT- 8/11
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic Photo Credit: skysports.com
Reigning champion Djokovic will hope to avenge his semi-final defeat in Madrid by retaining the French Open. Djokovic won the competition for the first time in 2016, and will be keen to lay down a marker before he goes in search of his fourth Wimbledon title. Victory would also see Djokovic pick up his first grand slam of 2017.
SKYBET: DJOKOVIC TO WIN OUTRIGHT- 4/1
Andy Murray
Andy Murray Photo Credit: skysports.com
Reigning Wimbledon champion and world number one Murray goes in to the French Open looking to recapture his best form. Last year’s beaten finalist has never won the French Open, and this year he will be looking to go one step further. The Scotsman has struggled since winning Wimbledon last year, but this competition represents a final opportunity to impress before the London showcase.
SKYBET: MURRAY TO WIN OUTRIGHT- 7/1
Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka Photo Credit: skysports.com
World number three Wawrinka is also a favourite for the title in France. After picking up the US Open in 2016, Wawrinka has leap-frogged both Nadal and Federer in the world rankings. The Swiss has firmly established himself as a major force in Tennis, and won the French title back in 2015, beating then world number one Djokovic in the final.
SKYBET: WAWRINKA TO WIN OUTRIGHT- 10/1
Dominic Thiem
Dominic Thiem Photo Credit: skysports.com
Thiem recently lost in the final of the Madrid Open to Nadal, and will be desperate to win his first ever grand slam. Currently ranked seventh in the World, the Austrian has drawn praise from his peers. After beating Thiem in Madrid, Nadal said: “The truth is I was up against an opponent who, in the next five to 10 years, will be fighting for the most important titles, so I’m very happy to have won.” High praise for Thiem, and I fancy him as a dark horse to win the competition outright after coming so close before.
SKYBET: DOMINIC THIEM TO WIN OUTRIGHT- 12/1
