It is in a difficult context, with in particular restrictions to 1000 people in the stands, that the final tournament of Roland-Garros will begin on Sunday.
The drawing of lots for male and female paintings, carried out this Thursday evening, already gives some certainties.
Thiem and Nadal in the same part of the painting
An Austro-Spanish duel looms in the semi-final.
Winner at the US Open, Dominic Thiem (n ° 3) has every chance to find Rafael Nadal, the legend of Roland-Garros (12 victories).
At 34, the latter is at home at Roland Garros, where he arrives with a big question mark: in what form is he after the Covid, knowing that he has just lost in quarters in Rome?
In the other half of the table, Novak Djokovic, winner Monday in Italy, has already forgotten his American disappointment.
To win his second title on clay in RG, and in the absence of Roger Federer, the Serbian will have to overcome the Russian Medvedev (n ° 4) or the Greek Tsitsipas (n ° 5).
The mixed Habs
As for the Blue (s), the draw was not always lenient.
In boys, things are already going to be complicated for Gilles Simon, who will play the Canadian Denis Shapovalov (seeded n ° 9), for Richard Gasquet, opposed to the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (n ° 10), for Grégoire Barrère against Grigor Dimitrov (Bul, n ° 18), and for Eliot Benchetrit against the American John Isner.
Gaël Monfils (n ° 8), who finds himself in the same part of the table as Dominic Thiem, will play the Kazakh Alexander Bublik, Benoît Paire will challenge the Korean Soonwoo Kwon.
Among the girls, there are seven of them in the last part of the table.
The prize goes to Océane Dodin, opposed to the Czech Petra Kvitova (n ° 7).
Caroline Garcia will start against Estonian Anett Kontaveit (n ° 17).
The 24th for Serena Williams?
The former world No.1 (current No.9) has 23 Grand Slam victories, including three at Porte d'Auteuil (2002, 2013, 2015).
Except that Venus' little sister has not lifted a trophy in one of the four major tournaments since the Australian Open in 2017!
If she wants to join the Australian Margaret Smith Court in the pantheon (24 titles), she will have to win seven matches in a row.
Even in the absence of the Japanese Naomi Osaka, the challenge is therefore very large for the 38-year-old American, facing talented players who make her more than fifteen years old.
“Today they all serve better, hit harder, move faster… Serena is older and no longer intimidating.
Her best chance might be Wimbledon if she stays on top and plays a lot, ”Mats Wilander said in an interview with AS.
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