HOW THE LEADING MEN’S CONTENDERS AND BEST AUSSIE HOPE SHAPE UP FOR THE FRENCH OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY:
CARLOS ALCARAZ (ESP)
Age: 20
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US15,536,017
Career titles: 10
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2022)
French Open win-loss document: 6-2
Best French Open consequence: quarter-finalist 2022
With no Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros since earlier than Facebook existed, the stage seems very a lot set for his 20-year-old compatriot, world No.1 and title favorite to finish the right altering of the guard in Paris.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 27
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US31,343,187
Career titles: 20
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2021)
French Open win-loss document: 7-6
Best French Open consequence: quarter-finalist 2022
It wasn’t so way back the Russian was moaning about how a lot he hated enjoying on clay. But with a well timed first title on the floor coming in Rome, possibly the mercurial Muscovite must be taken severely, particularly with out Nadal.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 36
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US167,296,242
Career titles: 93
Grand slam titles: 22 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023; French Open 2016, 2021; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
French Open win-loss document: 85-16
Best French Open outcomes: champion 2016, 2021; runner-up 2012, 2014, 2015, 2020
The Serb’s surgically repaired elbow has confirmed a problem of late however, with historical past and an unprecedented twenty third males’s grand slam singles crown at stake, anticipate the 22-times main winner to rise to the event as soon as once more.
CASPER RUUD (NOR)
Age: 24
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US14,159,428
Career titles: 10
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss document: 13-5
Best French Open consequence: runner-up 2022
After being pummelled by Nadal in final 12 months’s last, the Norwegian senses a possibility within the nice Spaniard’s absence. Nine of his profession titles have come on clay, together with his newest in Estoril final month.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 24
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US25,960,665
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss document: 18-6
Best French Open consequence: runner-up 2021
The Greek famous person continues to knock on the grand slam door, dropping to Djokovic within the Australian Open last in January after surrendering a two-set lead towards the Serb within the Roland Garros decider two years in the past.
HOLGER RUNE (DEN)
Age: 20
Ranking: 6
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US4,914,007
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss document: 4-1
Best French Open consequence: quarter-finalist 2022
The younger Dane’s breakout run to final 12 months’s quarter-finals is proving something however a fluke. Has already reached three claycourt finals in 2023, profitable in Munich, and crushed Djokovic, Ruud and twin Roland Garros runner-up Dominic Thiem on the floor.
BEST OUTSIDER
JANNIK SINNER (ITA)
Age: 21
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US8,674,960
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss document: 10-3
Best French Open outcomes: quarter-finalist 2020
It appears a matter of when, not if, the younger Italian breaks by for grand slam glory. Has loved a constant claycourt season and made the second week 3 times in Paris, together with falling twice to Nadal.
BEST AUSSIE HOPE
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 24
Ranking: 19
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US8,952,730
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
French Open win-loss document: 2-6
Best French Open outcomes: second spherical 2019, 2021
The Australian No.1 has made some extra progress on clay this marketing campaign and as 18th seed has a draw promising sufficient to boost hopes of a first-time foray to the second week.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
