Roland Garros Draws Released

The draws are out! The draws are out!

Men's Singles

Maria Sharapova's beau, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov

World #1 Novak Djokovic finds himself in the same quarter as Bulgarian cutie pie and unpredictable threat, Grigor Dimitrov, and we can't help but wonder if Dimitrov, AKA "Baby Federer" can pull off an upset and cost Djokovic the chance to avenge his finals loss to Nadal last year at this very tournament. Despite the lack of voiced complaints, the ankle may still be a factor for Nole going into this tournament. A guy like Novak, who relies heavily on his inhuman athleticism to outplay his opponents, may be more deterred by the sore ankle than he lets on..... But then again, he is #1 for a reason.

Speaking of Nadal, the defending champion better be mentally prepared to face the likes of Lukal Rosol, who shut him out of Wimbledon in the second round last year, and Horacio Zeballos, who denied him his first title of 2013 at Viña del Mar. Also in his quarter of draw: Nishikori, Wawrinka, Davydenko and Gasquet. Since there's no such thing as an easy win, there's no telling if the Spaniard can weave his way into the winner's circle a record eighth time.

Gael Monfils on the fly

Six Spaniards are in the third quarter together, including David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro. They share opportunities of advancing with the consistent Tomas Berdych and with players of unforeseeable talent, Milos Raonic and Ernests Gulbis. Frenchman Gael Monfils begins his French Open campaign against Berdych - now that will be an interesting match to watch.





Roger Federer rules his quarter of the draw, facing a horde of qualifiers before any true challenge comes his way. Power player American James Blake starts off by battling against Serbian Viktor Troicki. Gilles Simon of France will face Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt (nicknamed "Rusty") while Sam Querrey, the only other American in this quarter, will face Slovakian Lukas Lacko. With Mardy Fish out, there are only four other Americans in the entire men's draw and, among them, only John Isner (with an exceptional performance) seems capable of getting further than the round of 16.

First round predictions? No upsets in this round. Top seeds Djokovic, Nadal, Ferrer and Federer all make it through to the second round.

To see the full men's singles draw, click here.


Women's Singles

Former French Open champion Serena Williams seems to be in full control of her quarter of this year's draw. Is there a lady out there who can deny her a second round entry the way Razzano did last year? Possible candidates for a second straight Serena upset are: dainty Dane Caroline Wozniacki, who must first beat up-and-coming British sensation Laura Robson; compatriot Christina McHale;

Former world #1 but still without a GS title, Caroline Wozniacki

and lefty razzmatazz Angelique Kerber of Germany. A focused Williams dispatches these opponents with ease but if her shocking loss to Razzano from last year keeps bumping around inside her head, or if she has a meltdown resembling that at the 2009 US Open, anyone with the will to win has a fair chance.

Polish sisters Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska might have to square off against each other if they pull through the next couple rounds. Urszula has it tougher - she is set to play Venus Williams right off the bat. The infamous Razzano is among the numbers in this quarter, as well as Ivanovic, Lisicki and Errani.

Quarter three houses three potential finalists: 2011 winner Li Na, 2011 finalist Francesca Schiavone and world #2 Victoria Azarenka, all of whom are expected to pull through easily against their lower-ranked first round opponents. Other notable names in this quarter include Heather Watson of Great Britain, 12th seed Maria Kirilenko, francaise Marion Bartoli, and possibly Kaia Kanepi of Estonia.

Petra Kvitova, Jelena Jankovic and Samantha Stosur (who won the US Open in 2011) are all
formidable players in the bottom quarter. Yet another nightmarish opponent of Serena Williams is found in twenty-year-old US player Sloane Stephens. The Floridian defeated Williams in the quarterfinals of this year's Australian Open but then lost to eventual champion Victoria Azarenka. It would be a shame if Sloane hasn't used that to pep herself up in advance of this tournament, where some say she stands a good chance of making it to the closing rounds. However, Russian Maria Sharapova has an enormous debt to settle with Serena Williams and I doubt she will take an upset from anyone sitting down.

Serena look-alike? It's Sloane Stephens of the USA.

First round predictions: Serena is the easy favourite to win the whole thing and is only hampered by her own mental preparedness. She will use her embarrassing first round loss in 2012 to fuel a solid win in this round and the ones that follow. Sharapova will come through in her usual shrieking style. Expect Vika Azarenka and Aggie Radwanska to make it through as well. The remaining second round spots are up for grabs.

To see the full women's singles draw, click here.

Play is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am local time on Sunday, May 26. If possible, links to live streams will be posted.

Breathe tennis!!