(Provided by Tennis World USA)
Iga Swiatek is there and in Paris for the Roland Garros 2023, and she has every intention of defending the title won last year. The Polish tennis player, number one in the world, leads the women’s draw at this edition of the French Open.
In her quarterfinal is last year’s finalist, number two from the United States of America, Coco Gauff.In the upper part of the women’s draw, however, there is the champion of the Italian Open, Elena Rybakina. After winning a Grand Slam title on grass at Wimbledon and reaching the final on hard in Australian, now the Kazakh is trying to cross the same. finish line on clay too.
In her fourth there is Ons Jabeurnot in the best physical condition but one who knows about Grand Slam finals. In the lower part of the draw, the challenge in the quarterfinals could be between Maria Sakkari and Jessica Pegula.
The American has a very particular first round: an all-American derby against Danielle Collins. It closes the possible challenge in the quarterfinals between Carolina Garcia and Aryna Sabalenkanumber two in the world, in search of the top of the WTA ranking.
On Swiatek’s side, a first round to report: challenge between Grand Slam champions, with Victoria Azarenka waiting for Bianca Andreescu.
Iga Swiatek defends the title among many pitfalls!
Martina Trevisan, who reached the semifinals of the French Open last year, debuted with wild card Elina Svitolina.
Also for Lucia Bronzetti an unlucky draw: in the first round there is the top seed Ons Jabeur. Petra Kvitova will challenge the other Italian Cocciaretto. For Camila Giorgi, an interesting challenge against Alize Cornet. The Roland Garros often gives very unconventional outcomes, and surprises and pitfalls, for the favorite tennis players, are just around the corner.
Especially for defending champion Iga Swiate. The Pole, who risks losing the WTA throne in Paris, is coming from a season with more downs than ups And, above all, from a physical problem that forced her to leave the tournament in Rome prematurely.
It won’t be easy to repeat last year’s success, also because her side of the draw is full of pitfalls. It will depend a lot on her physical condition: she’s the favorite for the final victory, but her margin over her rivals is much thinner and less stable than last yearand confirming her title will be more difficult.
Do Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina have chances to win Roland Garros? The answer is yesFor two reasons. One: both, despite being players on fast surfaces, have shown that they know how to fight well even on clay-courts, as we have seen from recent results. Two: Iga Swiatek, compared to the last two years. , seems to be more vulnerable on clay-courts.