French Open Draw Hands Emma Raducanu Early Challenge

US Open winner Emma Raducanu has been handed a tough first-round test after being drawn against Argentine Solana Sierra.

British number one Raducanu missed out on a seeding for the clay-court Grand Slam after falling to 37th in the world rankings.

Her opponent, Sierra, finds herself ranked 64th in the world, and despite it being a tough assignment for Raducanu, she could’ve faced any of the world’s best due to missing out on seeding.

21-year-old Sierra recently showed her ability by taking a set from reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in Madrid.

The 2024 runner-up, Jasmine Paolini, could await Raducanu in the second round.

British number two Katie Boulter will start her campaign against American wildcard Akasha Urhobo, while Francesca Jones faces Brazil’s 2023 semi-finalist, Beatriz Haddad Maia.

In the men’s draw, Cameron Norrie will play Paraguay’s Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner starts his bid to become only the 10th man to complete the career Grand Slam against French wildcard Clement Tabur.

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic did not receive a favourable draw as he bids once again for a standalone record 25th major victory.

Djokovic, who turns 39 on Friday, opens against huge-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who is now coached by former British number one Greg Rusedski.

Two-time champion Alcaraz’s absence with a wrist injury has deprived Roland Garros of one of the sport’s biggest stars.

It also means that we will not see the renewal of the Spaniards rivalry with Sinner, with the pair winning the last 9 Grand Slams between them.

Sinner, who has lifted the Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome clay-court titles as part of a 29-match winning streak, is now the overwhelming favourite to win his maiden French Open title.

Djokovic is the only man other than Alcaraz to have beaten Sinner at the majors since Wimbledon in 2024.

Other notable first-round draws

Women’s singles:

Aryna Sabalenka [1] v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spa)

Coco Gauff (US) [4] v Taylor Townsend (US)

Emerson Jones (Aus) v Iga Swiatek (Pol) [3]

Men’s singles:

Hugo Gaston (Fra) v Gael Monfils (Fra)

Stan Wawrinka (Sui) v Arthur Fils (Fra) [17]

Benjamin Bonzi (Fra) v Alexander Zverev (Ger) [2]