 "Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner could face each other in the semi-finals of the French Open after being placed in the same half of the draw. Reuters")
Jannik Sinner, who recently made a comeback from a three-month doping ban , faces the possibility of a showdown with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the upcoming French Open with the two placed in a loaded top half of the draw that was unveiled on Thursday. Besides reigning world No 1 Sinner and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic, Alexander Zverev – Roland Garros runner-up last year – has also been included in the top half.
The top half of the draw also includes several French hopefuls, including a possible second round against the darling of the Paris crowd, Richard Gasquet, in the Frenchman’s farewell tournament.
Sinner had made his comeback from a three-month doping ban at the Italian Open in Rome recently, where he finished runner-up after losing the final against Carlos Alcaraz , who will be arriving at the French capital as the defending champion and a solid favourite.
Alcaraz and Sinner, who have claimed the last five Grand Slam titles between them, face potentially tricky first rounds with the Italian meeting France’s Arthur Rinderknech and the Spaniard playing Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori.
Jack Draper of Britain, seeded fifth, could play Sinner in the last eight while Djokovic may face German Zverev for a place in the semis.
Swiatek could face Sabalenka in women’s singles semi-finals
In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek, who is struggling for form, will open her campaign against Slovakian Rebecca Sramkova and faces a potential semi-final against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, after a quarter-final clash with last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini of Italy.
Belarusian Sabalenka takes on Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia in the opening round.
“This season has had ups and down, but I know my game is there,” Swiatek said after the draw, which was made by Paris St Germain and France forward Ousmane Dembele.
A first-round match to watch will feature Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-times Grand Slam champion, and Spanish 10th seed Paula Badosa.
On the other side of the draw, second seed Coco Gauff will start her campaign against Australian Olivia Gadecki with a possible all-American semi-final looming against Jessica Pegula, the third seed.
Another American, Madison Keys, could stand in the way of Gauff in the quarter-finals.
With inputs from Reuters