For the first time ever, the Big 3 is on the same side of a Grand Slam singles draw.
That’s right; Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer all landed in the top half when the 2021 French Open draw ceremony was held on Thursday afternoon in Paris. Djokovic, the No. 1 seed, and the eighth-seeded Federer find themselves in the top quarter of the bracket. Nadal could meet one of his two biggest rivals in the semifinals.
Of course, Federer’s placement was never really going to be big news; and it still shouldn’t be despite the fact that he could hypothetically play Djokovic in the quarters and Nadal in the semis. It’s fun for the media to gush over a first-ever Big 3 section of a slam draw, but the reality is that Federer–by his own admission–is not expected to be a factor at Roland Garros. The 39-year-old is simply making an appearance because he is healthy and wants to get some matches under his belt in advance of Wimbledon and eventually the Olympics and U.S. Open.
The legitimately big story is that Djokovic and Nadal are on the same side. If there is a rematch of last year’s French Open final, it will come in the semis instead of with another title on the line. With Daniil Medvedev ranked No. 2 in the world, Nadal was left at the mercy of the draw as the third seed. Mercy is something Thursday’s ceremony did not show, as another Djokovic-Nadal semifinal showdown–which would invoke memories of their 2013 epic at the same stage–became a possibility.
And an imbalanced bracket became a reality.
That’s not to say the bottom half is completely depleted even without the likes of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. The good news for the Serb and Spaniard is that they avoided a potential quarterfinal clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has to be considered the third favorite for the Coupe des Mousquetaires even though he missed out on a top four seed as the No. 5 player in the world. Tsitsipas finds himself in the bottom quarter with arch rival Medvedev, a perfect spot for the Greek given that the Russian is a clay-court novice. A semifinalist last fall (he lost to Djokovic in five sets), Tsitsipas could be on a collision course for the semis with either Dominic Thiem or Alexander Zverev this time around. Thiem is a two-time French Open finalist, but Zverev is in superior form this spring. The German captured the title in Madrid, beating both Nadal and Thiem in straight sets along the way.
Roberto Bautista Agut and Casper Ruud could also cause some trouble in the Thiem-Zverev section, while Jannik Sinner is worth keeping an eye on in Nadal’s quarter.
Djoker-Rafa SF NID
I expect Zverev to be a bigger threat than Thiem.
Zverev could lose early to someone he is supposed to beat easily don’t you think?
Absolutely, Zverev could lose. Zev has an easy first round. Then he has Evans, RBA or Khachanov, then Ruud, then likely Tsitsipas. And there are other potential hazards but not sure, even though Medvedev is 2nd seed, will he even make it one round. It’s hard to pick a bracket these days. Not even sure I will attempt a WTA one.
Not sure Zverev has the focus and intensity to win this GS. Tsitsipas might be a better choice in the focus and intensity department. Theim would be the normal pick but not sure he is over what was bothering him.
Zverev is capable of losing at any point, but Thiem is so out of form….
Thinking it over, Tsitsipas is a better pick for making the final than Zverev. (Maybe)
Have to agree w/Tpas choice as a Finalist….he’s tough, he’s hungry, he’s usually pretty good under pressure. I would also watch out for: Sonego, Rudd,RBA, and Sinner.
I do not see Medvedev going far. He just recovered from COVID and clay is not his surface. He has no business being seeded 2.
Thiem does not seem to be in his best form. Whether he can get there in this tiurbanegt remains to be seen.
It’s a great opportunity for one of the young guys to get through to the final.
Its funny, on the TDC bracket Med is seeded 20,thats about right .
I have Tsitsipas in the final, and I have Ruud through in Thiem’s section of the draw. I would not be at all surprised if Ruud also took out Zverev or RBA to reach the semis.
I have been wondering if Ruud gets to the semis.
I have even been wondering if he gets to the final. He beat Tsitsi in straights at Madrid. I see Tsitsi as completely capable of losing matches he is supposed to win.
Ruud in the RG final!!😀
I don’t see Ruud taking out Tsitsipas in best of 5. Zverev, though? Yeah, I think so.
Cheryl who do u have in final 2
Medvedev is talking very confidently about his chances but it could be the Russian bs again..
Definitely BS!
Or, for Line of Duty fans.. DefinAtely!
Mother of God!😀😀