French Open order of play, Day 2 - Nadal meets Zverev, Sinner, Gauff and Swiatek in action

The second Grand Slam of the year is underway with the French Open continuing on Monday, May 27 at Roland-Garros, and a host of stars of tennis will be in action on the second day.

Contents

Top men’s match – Alexander Zverev v Rafael Nadal Top women’s match – Iga Swiatek v Leolia Jeanjean Brit Watch Show courts order of play, singles – Monday May 27 (All UK times)Court Philippe Chatrier – From 11:00 Court Suzanne Lenglen – From 10:00 Court Simonne Mathieu – From 10:00 Court 14 – From 10:00

Rafael Nadal is back at the French Open where he could be making his last competitive appearance in the Paris major after years of struggling with injury.

His opponent will be the man he defeated at the 2022 French Open, Alexander Zverev, who retired in a wheelchair in their semi-final match after more than three hours of play.

Iga Swiatek is in action too, the defending champion and three-time winner and world No. 1 who is a hot favourite to beat France’s Leolia Jeanjean.

Coco Gauff will be expected to defeat qualifier Julia Avdeeva, and Jannik Sinner faces America’s Chris Eubanks.

For Britain, Cameron Norrie and Harriet Dart will also feature in their first-round matches.

Top men’s match – Alexander Zverev v Rafael Nadal

Zverev is, on paper, the huge favourite, but for many observers – and perhaps the players – the result is far from the only point of interest as he prepares to take on Nadal.

It is tough to separate Nadal’s career from Roland-Garros’ history. Nadal is the most-successful player at the Grand Slam, winning it 14 times so far.

Another title seems close to impossible, as the Spaniard has been out of action for most of the year, and he has been openly discussing the possibility that this will be his final year participating at the tournament.

Zverev is the clear favourite, but there is history between the 27-year-old German and Nadal. At the 2022 French Open, Zverev rolled his right ankle and tore three lateral ligaments, and had to be escorted from his semi-final with Nadal in a wheelchair.

Last year saw him reach the semi-finals again, losing to Casper Ruud in straight sets, meaning he has left the tournament at that stage for three consecutive years.

Top women’s match – Iga Swiatek v Leolia Jeanjean

]Swiatek defeated her rival Aryna Sabalenka at the Italian Open, beating other big names such as Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Angelique Kerber along the way.

A Madrid Open win, also against Sabalenka, as well as titles at Indian Wells and the Qatar Open make her one of the in-form favourites in France.

The 22-year-old Polish player is defending her title, and a title win in Paris would be the fourth of her career so far.

In contrast, Jeanjean came through qualifying meaning any success would be a huge early upset.

Brit Watch

Harriet Dart is in action as she represents the United Kingdom, against 27th ranked Linda Noskova.

Dart lost her last singles match against Sara Sorribes Tormo in the round of 32 at the Moroccan Open last week, and went out at the same stage against fellow Brit Katie Boulter at the WTA 125K event earlier in the month.

Noskova’s preparation was an appearance at the Italian Open, losing to Qinwen Zheng in the round of 32 a couple of weeks ago.

Cameron Norrie takes on Pavel Kotov. Norrie may have the best chance of succeeding in Paris after a semi-final place at the Rio Open, and more recently in April he reached the quarters at the Barcelona Open.