Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek facing a rankings collapse – French Open picks
The second Grand Slam of 2025 is a little over a week away and the fog is clearing on some of the big talking points before the tennis world gathers at Roland Garros.
Jannik Sinner has made a successful return to the game after his three-month drug ban came to an end, with some shock results littering the big clay court tournaments over the last few weeks.
The tournaments scheduled to take place the week before the French Open are stacked with big names looking to get extra clay court matches under their belts, with these big stories set to dominate the agenda over the two weeks in in Paris.
SINNER vs ALCARAZ
The ‘Big 2’ in men’s tennis look set to be the top two seeds in the Roland Garros draw and that will ensure they can’t meet eachother until the final.
Alcaraz beat Sinner in Paris last and the balance of power between the players who shared the Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 is on a knife-edge.
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With injury doubts around Alcaraz, a fresh and hungry Sinner will fancy his chances of beating his big rival in what would be a mouth-watering French Open decider.
Verdict: Sinner has the edge on Alcaraz right now.
IGA’S COLLAPSE
Form is temporary and class is permanent, but that theory will be tested to breaking point by Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.
The Polish star has won the title in Paris four times since 2020, but her form heading into her title defence this year has been erratic to say the least.
Her 6-1, 6-1 defeat against Coco Gauff in Madrid was a shocker and the straight sets defeat against Danielle Collins in Rome was not much better.
Swiatek’s game has unravelled in both of those matches and unless she finds a gear that will allow her to regain confidence quickly, she will not be among the favourites to win the title at Roland Garros this time.
Verdict: Swiatek’s form has collapsed and she won’t recover in time for her to win the French Open for a fifth time.
WHAT ABOUT DJOKOVIC?
Novak may be asking that same question about himself right now.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has tried to enter more ATP Tour events in 2025 after skipping a host of big tournaments last year, but that plan has backfired as his motivation levels appear to be diluted.
He will hope to flick the switch and perform at his best when he needs it most at a Roland Garros venue that provided a stage for him to claim an Olympic gold medal last summer, but does this soon-to-be 38-year-old still have Grand Slam-winning tennis in his ageing body?
Verdict: You can never write off Djokovic, but he doesn’t appear to be in the kind of form to challenge for the title in Paris.
NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION?
Iga Swiatek’s fall from grace leaves Aryna Sabalenka as the outstanding favourite to win the French Open title, but the Belarusian has never reached the final in Paris and has much to prove.
Her defeats against Jelena Ostapenko and Zheng Qinwen during this clay court swing have highlighted her vulnerability on this surface against opponents who can live with her in the ground shot exchanges.
Sabalenka is a worthy favourite for Roland Garros, but Jasmine Paolini is emerging as a strong contender after her run to the final last year.
Paolini’s run to the Italian Open final has highlighted her prowess on clay and Coco Gauff could be the player to beat in Paris if he can overcome her serving glitches.
Verdict: Gauff should be the No 2 seed for the French Open and she will be tough to beat unless her own flaws undermine her efforts.
