French Open women’s draw: Iga Swiatek v Naomi Osaka potential round 2, Sabalenka and Rybakina in same half
Iga Swiatek could face a blockbuster second round tie against Naomi Osaka after the French Open women’s singles draw was revealed on Thursday.
Three-time Roland Garros winner Swiatek is the overwhelming favourite to claim a fourth crown in Paris, and will start against a qualifier or lucky loser in the opening round.
But she could then be in line for a battle of four-time major winners as early as round two if Osaka – playing in Paris for the first time since 2022 – overcomes Lucia Bronzetti.
She could face 16th seed and Miami conqueror Ekaterina Alexandrova or 2021 champion Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round, while she is projected to face fifth seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the quarter-final.
Third seed Coco Gauff has also been drawn in the top half of the draw, projected to face Swiatek in the last four.
Gauff and Swiatek have met at the tournament in the past two years, with the Pole winning their 2022 final and 2023 quarter-final.
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The US No 1 begins her campaign against a qualifier or a lucky loser, and is projected to face eighth seed and three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur in the last eight.
Before that, the American is set to face 30th seed Dayana Yastremska in round three, and 13th seed and 2023 semi-finalist Beatriz Haddad Maia in round four.
Another notable figure in the top half of the draw is the in-form Danielle Collins, with the 11th seed in the second section of the draw, and projected to take on Vondrousova in the fourth round.
While 2017 champion and ninth seed Jelena Ostapenko – who has a winning head-to-head over the world No 1 – could be a potential round four opponent for Jabeur.
Meanwhile, second seed and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka begins her quest for a maiden French Open title against Erika Andreeva.
World No 2 Sabalenka is on the same side of the draw as fourth seed Elena Rybakina, with the two set for a blockbuster semi-final clash.
Sabalenka is projected to face sixth seed Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals, while Rybakina is set to face seventh seed Zheng Qinwen at that stage.
2023 French Open semi-finalist Sabalenka could face 26th seed Katie Boulter or close friend Paula Badosa in round three, and then 14th seed Madison Keys in round four.
While former Wimbledon winner Rybakina opens her campaign against Greet Minnen, and could face 25th seed Elise Mertens and 15th seed Elina Svitolina before the last eight.
French Open women’s singles projected quarter-final line-up
(1) Iga Swiatek v (5) Marketa Vondrousova
(3) Coco Gauff v (8) Ons Jabeur
(7) Zheng Qinwen v (4) Elena Rybakina
(6) Maria Sakkari v (2) Aryna Sabalenka
