PARIS: Rafael Nadal is in the French Open field, after all, and the 14-time champion was set up for a challenging first-round matchup against Alexander Zverev from Thursday’s draw.
Nadal had been coy about whether he would compete Roland Garros after two seasons of off-and-on action because of injuries, including a surgically repaired hip that forced him to miss his favorite tournament a year ago.
After a loss at the Italian Open this month, Nadal said he needed to think about whether to play in Paris. But he has been practicing on the red clay at Roland Garros this week and his name was officially in the bracket.
Unseeded.
His matchup against the No. 4-ranked Zverev is a rematch of their 2022 semifinal that ended when Zverev tore ligaments in his right ankle.
The French Open begins on Sunday.
French Open: Nadal faces Zverev in first round
https://arab.news/reg7c
French Open: Nadal faces Zverev in first round
- Nadal had been coy about whether he would compete Roland Garros after two seasons of off-and-on action because of injuries
Swiatek wins in 58 minutes as Poland reach United Cup semis
- Swiatek will be among the favorites when the Australian Open starts on Jan. 18
- That tees up Swiatek against world number four Coco Gauff
SYDNEY: World number two Iga Swiatek defied a partisan crowd to thrash Australian Maya Joint in Sydney on Friday and help take Poland into a United Cup semifinal clash with the USA.
Joint is a talent at age 19 but she was blown away by the six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek teaching her a lesson in a 6-1, 6-1 victory in 58 minutes.
The 24-year-old Swiatek will be among the favorites when the Australian Open starts on Jan. 18 and this showed why as she won a third match in a row.
Alex de Minaur defeated Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the men’s singles to level the quarter-final at 1-1 and give the hosts hope.
However, Poland won the deciding mixed doubles to set up a last-four showdown with reigning champions the United States in a repeat of last year’s final.
That tees up Swiatek against world number four Coco Gauff.
The other semifinal on Saturday is between Belgium and Switzerland.
The United Cup is a mixed-teams competition featuring 18 countries and serves as build-up to the Australian Open.
