Preview: Rublev, Tsitsipas Seek Fast Start At Roland Garros

A host of top players seek a fast start to their 2023 Roland Garros campaign Sunday as main draw play begins at the clay-court major. Top 10 stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev are in first-round action, while fast-rising American Ben Shelton makes his debut at the second Grand Slam of the season.

ATPTour.com previews some of the standout matches on the Day 1 schedule in Paris.

[7] Andrey Rublev vs. Laslo Djere (SRB)

Having made his breakthrough into the ATP Masters 1000 winners’ circle at Monte-Carlo in April, has the time come for Rublev to make his mark on the major stage?

The 25-year-old is 12-3 for the season on clay, having also reached a championship match in Banja Luka. He is a seven-time quarter-finalist at Grand Slams, including twice at Roland Garros, and Rublev will bid to advance past the last eight at a major for the first time.

The seventh seed begins his Roland Garros run chasing a fourth win in four ATP Head2Head meetings against Serbian Laslo Djere. All three of the pair’s previous clashes took place last season, including a five-set thriller at the US Open. Djere’s ability to absorb and redirect Rublev’s powerful groundstrokes will be key if he is going to spring an early upset in Paris. The 27-year-old has proven himself on clay before, winning an ATP 500 event on the surface in 2019 in Rio de Janeiro.

[5] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) vs. Jiri Vesely (CZE)

The World No. 5 Tsitsipas has strong pedigree at Roland Garros. He has reached at least the fourth round every year since 2019 and led Novak Djokovic by two-sets-to-love in the 2021 final before falling in a thrilling five-setter on Court Philippe Chatrier. Having reached his second major championship match in January at the Australian Open, the Greek will enter Sunday’s clash against Jiri Vesely full of confidence about his ability to compete across five sets.

The pair’s maiden ATP Head2Head meeting will be Vesely’s first tour-level match since the US Open last September. The Czech has proven himself capable of upsetting top players before — he defeated then-World No. 1 Djokovic in the Dubai quarter-finals in 2022.

[30] Ben Shelton (USA) vs. Lorenzo Sonego (ITA)

#NextGenATP star Shelton had never competed on red clay prior to the ATP 250 event in Estoril in April. The American has made a solid start on the surface, notching two tour-level wins in the European spring so far.

The 20-year-old Shelton’s big-kicking lefty serve will be key to his chances as he takes to court at Roland Garros for the first time. Lorenzo Sonego will be out to avenge his defeat to Shelton in Cincinnati last year. The outcome of the match may depend on whether the Italian finds his rhythm behind his ultra-aggressive groundstrokes and is able to take advantage of his familiarity with the surface.

Also In Action…

Karen Khachanov has reached the semi-finals at the past two majors and the 11th seed begins his bid for another deep run against Frenchman Constant Lestienne. Thirteenth seed Hubert Hurkacz takes on David Goffin for the second year in a row at Roland Garros: The Pole prevailed in straight sets against the Belgian in last year’s third round in Paris.

Seventeenth seed Lorenzo Musetti plays Mikael Ymer, while an intriguing clash of gamestyles pitches the guile of 20th seed Daniel Evans against the free-hitting power of Thanasi Kokkinakis. Sebastian Korda, seeded 24th, is the other seeded player in action. The American will face countryman Mackenzie McDonald.

A pair of all-French affairs will be sure to draw the attention of local fans in Paris. French No. 1 Ugo Humbert plays Adrian Mannarino, while Corentin Moutet meets #NextGenATP talent Arthur Cazaux.