French Open 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction

French Open 2021 will commence from May 30, as some of the world’s finest players take the center stage in Paris. Novak Djokovic enters as the top seed, and will look to claim his second title, whereas, Rafael Nadal is the third seed this time around. The Spaniard is also the defending champion and will chase his 14th French Open title. Last year, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the finals in straight sets.

Among other top stars, Dominic Thiem will hope to regain his form in Paris. The Austrian finished as the runner-up in 2018 and 2019, and has an impressive record. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev are among other NextGen players who can make a mark at French Open 2021.

Tournament Details:

• Tournament: French Open 2021
• Date: May 30- June 13, 2021
• Number of Entrants: 128 (Singles), 64 (Doubles)
• Venue: Paris, France
• Surface: Clay Court
• Prize Money: 34 million euros
• Defending champion: Rafael Nadal

Top Seeds at the French Open 2021

• Novak Djokovic
• Daniil Medvedev
• Rafael Nadal
• Dominic Thiem
• Stefanos Tsitsipas

French Open 2021: Top Half

First Quarter

The first quarter includes the likes of Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini and Roger Federer. Novak Djokovic is the top seed in Paris, and will look to claim his second successive major title. He opens his account against American, Tennys Sandgren. In the second round, he is expected to face Lucas Pouille, who is a tricky opponent on clay courts.

Novak Djokovic will face another Frenchman, Ugo Humbert in the third round clash. The Serbian is expected to have a smooth sailing and book a fourth round berth with ease. In the pre-quarterfinals, he is likely to face Belgian, David Goffin who is an experienced campaigner. Expect Djokovic to progress into the quarterfinals without much trouble.

Matteo Berrettini, who claimed the Serbian Open 2021 title opens his campaign against a qualifier, who is yet to be decided. The Italian will face Federico Coria in the second round, who has had a good season on clay so far. In the third round, he is expected to face the Felix-Auger Aliassime.

Berrettini’s biggest challenge will come in the fourth round, when he faces Roger Federer. The Swiss opens has a straightforward draw, and is expected to go to the fourth round at the least. However, Berrettini will defeat Federer to book a place in the quarterfinals.

1st Quarterfinal: Novak Djokovic vs Matteo Berrettini

Player to Watch Out for: Ugo Humbert

Second Quarter

Rafael Nadal leads the second quarter of the draw, being the third seed. He opens his campaign against Australian, Alexei Popyrin in the first round. The Spaniard will have a challenging opponent in the second round in the form of Frenchman, Richard Gasquet. It only gets tougher for the defending champion, as he is likely to face Lorenzo Sonego in the third round clash. In the fourth round, he is expected to battle against Jannik Sinner in a replay of last year’s quarterfinal. However, Nadal will sail through and book a quarterfinal berth.

Diego Schwartzman, eighth seed in Paris has an easy draw, but will face the in-form Russian, Aslan Karatsev in the third round clash. Andrey Rublev, another in-form Russian has been given a straightforward draw. It is expected to be a battle between Andrey Rublev and Karatsev to book a place in the quarterfinals. The former has been in impressive form this season, and will set up a last 8 date with Nadal.

2nd Quarterfinal: Rafael Nadal vs Andrey Rublev

Player to Watch out For: Aslan Karatsev

Bottom Half

Third Quarter

Alexander Zverev, Madrid Open 2021 winner leads the third quarter. He has been handed an easy draw, as he will battle two qualifiers in the first two rounds itself. The German will face Dan Evans in the third round, who can spring up a surprise or two. His biggest test comes in the fourth round, where he will clash against the Spaniard, Roberto Bautista Agut.

Casper Ruud opens his account against Benoit Paire. The Geneva Open 2021 winner is in the form of his life, and should reach the fourth round at the minimum. Dominic Thiem, twice runner up in Paris, plays Pablo Andujar in the first round. The Austrian is expected to face Fabio Fognini in the third round. However, his run will be ended by Casper Ruud in the fourth round this time. The two clashed in the third round last year, where Ruud lost in straight sets.

Third Quarterfinal: Alexander Zverev vs Casper Ruud

Player to Watch out For: Aslan Karatsev

Fourth Quarter

Stefanos Tsitsipas opens his campaign against Jeremy Chardy, who is a seasoned player. The Greek, who reached the semifinals last year has an easier draw, and is first challenge will be against Pablo Carreno Busta in the fourth round. However, the fifth seed will win in a close battle and progress into his second successive last 8 appearance in Paris.

Daniil Medvedev is yet to win a match at the French Open. The Russian faces Alexander Bublik in the first round, and he is expected to win in five sets. The second seed has a wonderful opportunity to make his mark in Paris this time, as he can book a quarterfinal berth without any major obstacle. He might face Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, but the Bulgarian lacks match practice.

Fourth Quarterfinal: Daniil Medvedev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

Player to Watch out for: Pablo Carreno Busta

French Open 2021: Quarterfinals

The first quarterfinal will feature Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini. The latter has been a standout player on clay courts this season, and will put up a tough fight against the Serbian. However, expect Novak Djokovic to win in four/ five sets and book a place in the semifinals. Rafael Nadal should avenge his loss from the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev. The Spaniard will continue his quest for a 14th title in Paris, after his win over the Russian.

Alexander Zverev will end Casper Ruud’s run in Paris, as the German will progress into the last four for the first time at the French Open. Stefanos Tsitsipas will be the last man to book a semifinal berth, as he will defeat Daniil Medvedev in the fourth quarterfinals.

1st Semifinal: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal

2nd Semifinal: Alexander Zverev vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

Semifinals

Rafael Nadal will clash against Novak Djokovic in the first semifinal clash. The Spaniard has an astonishing record over Djokovic in Paris, having defeated him on seven occasions, and having lost only one time. The duo clashed in the finals of French Open last year, where Nadal won in straight sets. This year, the result will be no different as the King of Clay will march onto his 14th final at French Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev will clash in the battle of NextGen players in the other semifinal. The Greek has won two titles this clay court season, and is expected to defeat Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller.

Final: Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas

French Open 2021 Final

Rafael Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in a replay of the Barcelona Open 2021 final, where Nadal won in a three set marathon. The Spaniard will prevail once again in a tight encounter, that can go into the fourth set, provided Tsitsipas holds his nerve in a big finale. Rafael Nadal will reign supreme in Paris again, and claim his 14th French Open title.

To Lift the Title: Rafael Nadal

Also Read: Why Rafael Nadal will get to 21 Slams at 2021 French Open?