French Open day two preview: Big guns in action including Swiatek, Nadal, Djokovic and Raducanu
- Seb Sternik
- 23 May 2022
The biggest stars in tennis are out in force for the second day of the French Open, with world number one Iga Swiatek and defending champion Novak Djokovic set to begin their Roland Garros campaigns.
Sunday proved a bittersweet day for football fans across the continent as club action came to an end for at least the next two months.
However, with sport there's always a silver lining, and fortunately for millions of underwhelmed sports fans, Roland Garros have served up a sensational Monday line-up to clear away any post-weekend blues.
As we look ahead to the day's schedule, there's only one place to start - Iga Swiatek.
The current world number one is in the midst of an Undertaker-like winning streak of 28-0. The Pole has won five straight tournaments and has dropped just one set in 20 competitive outings.
Swiatek kicks off her bid to reclaim the French Open title against Lesia Tsurenko.
Despite never facing the Ukrainian, it would be a major upset if the Pole were to even drop a single set considering her current form - never mind lose the match.
Novak Djokovic back to his best?
Novak Djokovic is in the house 🤩#IBI22 pic.twitter.com/ucDX4JGdTN
— We Are Tennis Italia (@WeAreTennisITA) May 9, 2022
Djokovic enters the French Open on the back of a dominant Italian Open championship-run in Rome.
The world number one didn't drop a single set as he powered to his 38th ATP Masters 1000 crown.
The Serb is looking to kick off the defence of his title against world number 99 Yishihito Nishioka. In two previous meetings with Djokovic, the Japanese player is yet to win a set, although he has won his opening match at Roland Garros in each of the last three years.
Another learning opportunity for Emma Raducanu
It's been a tough start to life on the WTA Tour for 19-year-old Emma Raducanu.
The US Open champion has suffered tough results, as well as a host of injury worries including hand blisters, foot blisters and a back problem.
Considering the Brit never played competitively on clay ahead of this season, the teenager has looked solid, reaching the quarter-final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
The world number 12 will kick off her French Open campaign against Linda Noskova who is just 17 years old.
The young Czech star dropped just one set during her three qualifying games and will be looking to make a name for herself against Britain's teenage sensation.
Rafael Nadal targets historic achievement
umm wow. this was the crowd for rafa’s practise today 😯🔥
— natalie (@_naterzzzz) May 21, 2022
📸: tim clayton/corbis pic.twitter.com/gIOAIPURzK
All eyes will be on Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard begins his search for a 14th French Open title.
The 35-year-old begins the tournament with a clash against world number 82 Jordan Thompson, who has reached the Roland Garros second round on two occasions
Nadal has struggled with his chronic foot injury during the recent Italian Open. However, when asked about it in his press conference, the Spaniard said: "It is something that I live with every day, so is nothing new for me and is not a big surprise.
"I am here just to play tennis and to try to make the best result possible here in Roland Garros. If I don't believe that this thing can happen, probably I would not be here."
