World number one Naomi Osaka begins her French Open campaign on Tuesday looking to take another step closer to a third successive Grand Slam title.
Former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro also features in his first major since finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the 2018 US Open while Simona Halep starts her title defence admitting "the pressure is off".
AFP Sport looks at three matches to watch on Tuesday:
Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) v Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK)
Head-to-head: First meeting
-- World number one and top seed Osaka begins her bid for a third successive major with half an eye on a calendar Grand Slam, a feat only previously achieved by Steffi Graf in 1988, Margaret Court in 1970 and Maureen Connolly in 1953.
"If you're talking about longer goals, of course I haven't won Wimbledon yet and it would be really cool to win everything in one year," said the Japanese star.
Osaka has yet to get past the third round in Paris and comes into the tournament under an injury cloud after an abdominal strain forced a pullout from Stuttgart and a hand injury sparked an early departure from.
A former top 30 player, the 24-year-old Schmiedlova is now at 90 in the world but boasts solid form at Roland Garros having defeated Venus Williams on her way to the third round in 2015.
The Slovak also has three titles -- two on clay -- and has been a runner-up on two occasions including at Hobart in January.
Simona Halep (ROM x3) v Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)
Head-to-head: Halep leads 1-0
AFP/File / CHRISTOPHE SIMONSimona Halep celebrates her final win over Sloane Stephens in 2018
AFP/File / Filippo MONTEFORTEJuan Martin Del Porto has only played three tournaments in 2019
Was this worth your time?
Reader conversation
0 approved comments