Alcaraz Avoids Sinner, Djokovic, and Zverev Until the Final

Good fortune smiles on Carlos Alcaraz in the Roland Garros draw. The Spaniard has managed to avoid Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev until a potential final.

Alcaraz, seeded second after overtaking Zverev for the world number two spot in Rome, will face veteran Kei Nishikori in his opening match. Nishikori is not in peak physical condition after withdrawing from the Hamburg tournament this week. In the second round, Alcaraz might encounter childhood acquaintance Luca Nardi or his 2023 Rome conqueror, Fabian Marozsan.

In the third round, French server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard awaits, while the fourth round could see him face 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas or Ben Shelton. Quarterfinals may bring Casper Ruud, a two-time runner-up and recent Madrid champion, or Tommy Paul. Semifinals could feature Lorenzo Musetti, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune, with Djokovic, Zverev, and Sinner as potential final opponents.

The Italian, debuting against French server Arthur Rinderknech, might meet Alejandro Davidovich in the third round, Andrey Rublev in the fourth, and Alex de Miñaur or Jack Draper in the quarterfinals.

"This is one of the most important tournaments, and I am very excited," Alcaraz stated during the draw, which he attended as the reigning champion.

"I have great memories from last year, playing fantastic matches and achieving significant victories. That gives me confidence. This year, the preparation has been slightly different from last year. I need to keep moving forward and maintain my level," added the Spaniard, who also mentioned he would watch the upcoming Champions League final on May 31, supporting Paris Saint Germain's Ousmane Dembélé.

"I really liked it when Dembélé played for Barcelona. I will support him in the final," he expressed.

Alcaraz arrives at this Roland Garros, starting Sunday, May 25, though he won't debut until Monday, May 26, or Tuesday, May 27, in excellent form, having won in Monte Carlo, reached the final in Barcelona, and triumphed again in Rome.

The Spaniard has narrowed his gap with Sinner to 1,530 points but cannot gain any points at Roland Garros, where he won in 2024. In contrast, Sinner could extend the gap by improving on last year's semifinal finish.

As for other Spaniards, Davidovich will face a qualifier, Jaume Munar will meet Camilo Ugo Carabelli, Pedro Martínez will play Denis Shapovalov, Roberto Carballés will encounter Valentin Royer, Roberto Bautista will challenge Holger Rune, and Pablo Carreño will face Francisco Comesaña.

In the women's draw, Cristina Bucsa has the misfortune of facing Mirra Andreeva, this year's Dubai and Indian Wells champion. Paula Badosa will meet multiple Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, and Jessica Bouzas is set against ninth seed Emma Navarro.