This Week In Tennis
Vol. 20b
Welcome to a prediction free preview of Men's Singles at Roland Garros. Rather than tell you who will win (a losing proposition), this special edition of "This Week in Tennis" will assess the form of the top eight seeds, offer some potential dark horses, and provide some etcetera information about tennis' second Grand Slam.
Click here for the WTA French Open preview.
Click here for the WTA French Open preview.
SEEDS (Click to see the full men's draw)
(1) Novak Djokovic
Best Result: F - 2012, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: 2R - Monte Carlo, W - Madrid, F - Rome
Like many of the greats, Djokovic holds three of the four majors; McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Wilander, Edberg, and Sampras all retired missing one piece of the career Grand Slam puzzle. The French Open has been Djokovic's bugaboo since 2012 when he lost his first Roland Garros final to Nadal. In his fifth attempt to complete the career Slam, Djokovic enters this year's event the dominant player on the ATP Tour for a second year running. Will he be able to get out of his own way and overcome the near misses of French Opens past? The mental question might be the one most pressing for the world #1 in Paris, one he will likely have to tackle against Nadal in the semifinals.
(2) Andy Murray
Best Result: SF - 2011, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: SF - Monte Carlo, F - Madrid, W - Rome
Murray has molded himself into one of the more accomplished clay court players on the ATP Tour. For much of his career, Murray's results on the dirt paled in comparison to his output on the other surfaces; that is no longer the case. Three of his five titles over the last 17 months have come on clay, and Murray enters this tournament fresh off a finals win over Djokovic in Rome. If he can summon his best aggressive tennis over the next fortnight, Murray might join Djokovic in the three-out-of-four club.
(3) Stan Wawrinka
Best Result: W - 2015
2016 Clay Results: QF - Monte Carlo, 2R - Madrid, R16 - Rome, Geneva
The mercurial defending champion enters Roland Garros after an underwhelming European clay season. His title one year ago came after reaching only one semifinal in his four lead-up events, so his lack of success means very little for his title hopes this time around. Considering his prodigious talent, Wawrinka remains one of the few players who can beat anybody on any given day.
(4) Rafael Nadal
Best Result: W - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2016 Clay Results: W - Monte Carlo, W - Barcelona, SF - Madrid, QF - Rome
What a difference a year makes. Nadal enters this French Open with the kind of form and confidence that he sorely missed in 2015. He won Monte Carlo and Barcelona for the ninth time each to start the European clay court season, matching his nine titles at Roland Garros. He ended his lead-up to the year's second Slam with a riveting two-set loss to Djokovic in Rome. While ultimately yet another loss to Djokovic, Nadal speaks of a renewed confidence and good feelings about his game. While not at his best level of tennis yet, it may not be too far away. All eyes will be on his potential semifinal match-up with Djokovic.
SEEDS (Click to see the full men's draw)
(1) Novak Djokovic
Best Result: F - 2012, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: 2R - Monte Carlo, W - Madrid, F - Rome
Like many of the greats, Djokovic holds three of the four majors; McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Wilander, Edberg, and Sampras all retired missing one piece of the career Grand Slam puzzle. The French Open has been Djokovic's bugaboo since 2012 when he lost his first Roland Garros final to Nadal. In his fifth attempt to complete the career Slam, Djokovic enters this year's event the dominant player on the ATP Tour for a second year running. Will he be able to get out of his own way and overcome the near misses of French Opens past? The mental question might be the one most pressing for the world #1 in Paris, one he will likely have to tackle against Nadal in the semifinals.
(2) Andy Murray
Best Result: SF - 2011, 2014, 2015
2016 Clay Results: SF - Monte Carlo, F - Madrid, W - Rome
Murray has molded himself into one of the more accomplished clay court players on the ATP Tour. For much of his career, Murray's results on the dirt paled in comparison to his output on the other surfaces; that is no longer the case. Three of his five titles over the last 17 months have come on clay, and Murray enters this tournament fresh off a finals win over Djokovic in Rome. If he can summon his best aggressive tennis over the next fortnight, Murray might join Djokovic in the three-out-of-four club.
(3) Stan Wawrinka
Best Result: W - 2015
2016 Clay Results: QF - Monte Carlo, 2R - Madrid, R16 - Rome, Geneva
The mercurial defending champion enters Roland Garros after an underwhelming European clay season. His title one year ago came after reaching only one semifinal in his four lead-up events, so his lack of success means very little for his title hopes this time around. Considering his prodigious talent, Wawrinka remains one of the few players who can beat anybody on any given day.
(4) Rafael Nadal
Best Result: W - 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2016 Clay Results: W - Monte Carlo, W - Barcelona, SF - Madrid, QF - Rome
What a difference a year makes. Nadal enters this French Open with the kind of form and confidence that he sorely missed in 2015. He won Monte Carlo and Barcelona for the ninth time each to start the European clay court season, matching his nine titles at Roland Garros. He ended his lead-up to the year's second Slam with a riveting two-set loss to Djokovic in Rome. While ultimately yet another loss to Djokovic, Nadal speaks of a renewed confidence and good feelings about his game. While not at his best level of tennis yet, it may not be too far away. All eyes will be on his potential semifinal match-up with Djokovic.
(5) Kei Nishikori
Best Result: QF - 2015
2016 Clay Results: F - Barcelona, SF - Madrid, SF - Rome
Nishikori has had as good a French Open lead-up as any player not named Murray, Djokovic, or Nadal. For that reason alone he is one to watch in Paris. Still, Nishikori has only advanced past the quarterfinals of a major once in his career - at the 2014 U.S. Open. Injury and durability have been longstanding concerns throughout his career, and the best-of-five requirements of Grand Slam tennis simply don't bode well for him to overcome multiple elite players over seven matches. Unless, of course, he turns the proverbial corner in Paris.
(6) Jo Wilfried Tsonga
Best Result: SF - 2013, 2015
2016 Clay Results: SF - Monte Carlo, R16 - Madrid
A semifinalist one year ago, Tsonga is France's best bet for a deep run on the men's side this year, especially with Monfils' withdrawal. It's hard to believe that Tsonga is already 31 years old, a full eight years removed from his sole appearance in a Grand Slam final. Goffin is his biggest obstacle to a potential quarterfinal showdown with Nadal. Even if he gets past Nadal, Djokovic likely awaits in the semifinals. A final or championship run will require the tournament of his life.
(7) Tomáš Berdych
Best Result: SF - 2010
2016 Clay Results: 2R - Monte Carlo, QF - Madrid, R16 - Rome
The good news for Berdych: his only real threat to a quarterfinal with Djokovic is Ferrer, who is short on match practice and recovering from injury. The bad news for Berdych: his last competitive match was a double bagel loss to David Goffin in Rome. The loss led to him firing coach Daniel Vallverdu. He enters Roland Garros under a massive cloud of uncertainty.
(8) Milos Raonic
Best Result: QF - 2014
2016 Clay Results: QF - Monte Carlo, QF - Madrid, 2R - Rome
Federer's withdrawal bumped Raonic up to the eighth seed, a stroke of good fortune for the Canadian. With his absence from last year's event, Raonic (#9) has the opportunity to put some distance between himself and the cluster of players ranked 8-12, all separated by a little over 100 ranking points. He's got the benefit of a good draw to aid in that effort too; Pouille, Sock, and Cilic are potential opponents before Wawrinka in the quarterfinals. But, a healthy and very consistent Raonic should fancy his chances.
Best Result: QF - 2015
2016 Clay Results: F - Barcelona, SF - Madrid, SF - Rome
Nishikori has had as good a French Open lead-up as any player not named Murray, Djokovic, or Nadal. For that reason alone he is one to watch in Paris. Still, Nishikori has only advanced past the quarterfinals of a major once in his career - at the 2014 U.S. Open. Injury and durability have been longstanding concerns throughout his career, and the best-of-five requirements of Grand Slam tennis simply don't bode well for him to overcome multiple elite players over seven matches. Unless, of course, he turns the proverbial corner in Paris.
(6) Jo Wilfried Tsonga
Best Result: SF - 2013, 2015
2016 Clay Results: SF - Monte Carlo, R16 - Madrid
A semifinalist one year ago, Tsonga is France's best bet for a deep run on the men's side this year, especially with Monfils' withdrawal. It's hard to believe that Tsonga is already 31 years old, a full eight years removed from his sole appearance in a Grand Slam final. Goffin is his biggest obstacle to a potential quarterfinal showdown with Nadal. Even if he gets past Nadal, Djokovic likely awaits in the semifinals. A final or championship run will require the tournament of his life.
(7) Tomáš Berdych
Best Result: SF - 2010
2016 Clay Results: 2R - Monte Carlo, QF - Madrid, R16 - Rome
The good news for Berdych: his only real threat to a quarterfinal with Djokovic is Ferrer, who is short on match practice and recovering from injury. The bad news for Berdych: his last competitive match was a double bagel loss to David Goffin in Rome. The loss led to him firing coach Daniel Vallverdu. He enters Roland Garros under a massive cloud of uncertainty.
(8) Milos Raonic
Best Result: QF - 2014
2016 Clay Results: QF - Monte Carlo, QF - Madrid, 2R - Rome
Federer's withdrawal bumped Raonic up to the eighth seed, a stroke of good fortune for the Canadian. With his absence from last year's event, Raonic (#9) has the opportunity to put some distance between himself and the cluster of players ranked 8-12, all separated by a little over 100 ranking points. He's got the benefit of a good draw to aid in that effort too; Pouille, Sock, and Cilic are potential opponents before Wawrinka in the quarterfinals. But, a healthy and very consistent Raonic should fancy his chances.
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
(12 David Goffin
(13) Dominic Thiem
(17) Nick Kyrgios
(29) Lucas Pouille
OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH
(12 David Goffin
(13) Dominic Thiem
(17) Nick Kyrgios
(29) Lucas Pouille
EARLY ROUND INTRIGUE
Schwartzman v Pella
Gasquet v Bellucci
Coric v Fritz
Berdych v Pospisil
Troicki v Dimitrov
Kohlschreiber v Almagro
EARLY ROUND INTRIGUE
Schwartzman v Pella
Gasquet v Bellucci
Coric v Fritz
Berdych v Pospisil
Troicki v Dimitrov
Kohlschreiber v Almagro
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Roger Federer's withdrawal from this year's event marks the first time since the 1999 U.S. Open that he has missed a Grand Slam event.
2015 Champions:
Other withdrawals: Gael Monfils, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Tommy Robredo
TOURNAMENT NOTES
Roger Federer's withdrawal from this year's event marks the first time since the 1999 U.S. Open that he has missed a Grand Slam event.
2015 Champions:
- Singles - Wawrinka,
- Doubles - Ivan Dodig/Marcelo Melo,
- Mixed Doubles - Mike Byran/Mattek-Sands
Other withdrawals: Gael Monfils, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Tommy Robredo
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ON THE WEB
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Novak Djokovic's French Open Chase
Roger Federer Withdraws from French Open Because of Injury
Roger Federer Will Miss His First Grand Slam in 17 Years
Wertheim: 2016 French Open Seed Report
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