2024 French Open Day 2: Nadal Takes On Zverev Plus Swiatek, Gauff, Sinner

What an afternoon if you have a Chatrier ticket Monday at the French Open.

Fourteen-time champion Rafael Nadal might play what could be his final French Open match as he goes against the favored Alexander Zverev.

Nadal, who turns 38 next week, will have his work cut out for him to beat the in-form Rome Masters champion Zverev.

Head-to-head, Nadal leads 7-3 and 6-1 on clay but Zverev has been a beast against Nadal and that’s when Rafa has been at his top level. Right now, he isn’t.

“Of course on the paper is not the best draw,” Nadal said Saturday. “I play against one of the toughest opponents possible, and at the same time, he came here winning the last event and it’s a Masters 1000. It’s not a small one.”

Nadal added that he’s been improving but will it be enough?

Zverev, meanwhile, will go in as a rare favorite and with the attitude that Nadal is actually in full flight and at his best.

“I am focused on trying to play well. That’s it,” Nadal said. “You know, it’s a super-tough first round. Maybe I go there and I repeat the disaster of Rome. It’s a possibility, of course. I don’t want to hide that.”

Jannik Sinner opens on Chatrier against Chris Eubanks who had that torrid grass run last year. Sinner is coming off a hip injury which has hampered his training, but he’s happy to be back.

In the evening, Gael Monfils will light up Chatrier against the dangerous Thiago Seyboth Wild. The Brazilian Seyboth Wild stunned Daniil Medvedev a year ago.

In the women’s draw, tournament favorite Iga Swiatek will look to win her 15th straight French Open match as she meets Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean.

Former finalist Coco Gauff is out on Lenglen to face Slam debutant Julia Avdeeva. Elena Svitolina and Karolina Pliskova also battle for a 10th time — Pliskova leads 5-4.

MONDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe-CHATRIER – Début à 12h00
Sachia VICKERY (USA) contre Ons JABEUR (TUN)[8]
Iga SWIATEK (POL)[1] contre Leolia JEANJEAN (FRA)
Alexander ZVEREV (GER)[4] contre Rafael NADAL (ESP)

Pas avant 20h15
Gael MONFILS (FRA) contre Thiago SEYBOTH WILD (BRA)

Court Suzanne-LENGLEN – Début à 11h00
Christopher EUBANKS (USA) contre Jannik SINNER (ITA)[2]
Marton FUCSOVICS (HUN) contre Stefanos TSITSIPAS (GRE)[9]
Coco GAUFF (USA)[3] contre Julia AVDEEVA (—)
Elina SVITOLINA (UKR)[15] contre Karolina PLISKOVA (CZE)