French Open: Norrie spearheads British challenge in Paris
Published:
British hopefuls at the French Open
Cameron Norrie leads three British players in the French Open which starts this weekend.
Emma Raducanuโs withdrawal after undergoing three operations means no British woman is among the direct entrants, while Andy Murray is also missing after choosing to prioritise preparation for the grass-court season.
The tournament gets under way on Sunday as we look at the British hopefuls at the French Open and you can read about the main contenders by clicking on the link.
Cameron Norrie
The British number oneโs form has tailed off after a spectacular start to the season, which included victories over Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz โ the latter bringing him his second biggest title at the ATP Tour event in Rio.
๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐@cam_norrie is rewarded for a 2022 season which saw him achieve a career-high ranking of world No.8 ๐
โ LTA (@the_LTA) April 6, 2023
Norrieโs heavy, spinning forehand and athletic prowess make him well suited to clay and his position in the top 16 keeps him away from the big guns through the early rounds.
A place in the second week will be his target.
Dan Evans
A committed โclayphobeโ for most of his career, Evans has found his feet on the red stuff over the last couple of seasons and finally won his first match at Roland Garros last year.
After a difficult post-Australian Open spell when he lost five straight matches, clay has seen the 33-year-old hit form, with runs to the semi-finals of ATP events in Marrakech and Barcelona keeping him in the top 25.
Jack Draper
There have been more glimpses this season of what a phenomenal player the 21-year-old left-hander could be, including victories over Murray and Evans in Indian Wells.
But frustratingly he has again been restricted by physical problems, the latest an abdominal injury that dogged him for two months.
Like his good friend Raducanu, the most important priority for Draper, who will be making his Roland Garros debut, is ensuring his body is not his most difficult opponent.
French Open info
Where: Roland Garros
When: May 28-June 11, 2023
How to watch: Eurosport
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
