Roland Garros main draw action is set to begin on Sunday, May 22nd. But before the top players around the world step onto the court, players ranked outside the top-100 battle for a spot amongst the best in the qualifying tournament. There are 16 main draw spots up for grabs for each the men’s and women’s draw. The hectic week before the main draw will consist of high intensity, surprises, and emotions when 32 total players will live out their dreams by earning a main draw spot.
Top four seeds’ sections
Konstatin Kravchuk leads the men’s qualifying field as the top seed, and the Russian is fresh off of an ATP Challenger Tour title win in Korea. But his lack of play on the clay is concerning for his campaign as he has played two clay court matches in the past 12 months. Tobias Kamke will stand in the top seed’s way as he has recent success at Roland Garros, and has been in-form in his recent events.
Prediction: Kamke qualifies
Yoshihito Nishioka is seeded second in this year’s qualifying draw, but a veteran in Radek Stepanek will challenge the Japanese sensation. Nishioka looks to reach the first round of Roland Garros like he did last year. Stepanek, on the other hand, has reached the second week in Paris before, along with competing in the main draw 12 occasions in the past 13 years. The Czech veteran will control his destiny as the favorite to get through the three rounds of qualifying.
Prediction: Stepanek qualifies
Tatsuma Ito will be faced with loads of talent as Tommy Paul, Steve Darcis, and Ruben Bemelmans stand in his way of qualifying. Paul has had much success on the clay future events this year, but the firepower from Darcis could put away any of his fellow competitors. The Belgian will have the crowd in his favor as well considering many Belgians make the trip to Paris. Darcis will be making his first appearance since February, but his best result in a major has come on the red dirt of Roland Garros which will give the world number 177 confidence heading into his tournament campaign.
Prediction: Darcis qualifies
Jan-Lennard Struff has had great results thus far in 2016. The German pushed Dominic Thiem to three sets in Monte Carlo. The 26-year-old also recently defeated Vasek Pospisil, and his in-form clay-court play makes him the favorite to get through to the main draw. Andrej Martin and Andrey Rublev are heavy contenders in the fourth seed’s section. But if Struff executes to his full potential, then there is no doubt he will make noise at Roland Garros.
Prediction: Struff qualifies
Draw round-up
Yours truly expects nothing less than elite tennis from the qualifying field. The players are all near each other in skill, but it will be the players who handle their nerves and emotions that get through their three matches to earn a prestigious spot in the 128-player main draw. Many well-known players will be in action as well. Dustin Brown, Mischa Zverev, Jared Donaldson, Carlos Berlocq, Tim Smyczek, and more will take the court on Monday to commence play in the men’s qualifying tournament. Yours truly expects Noah Rubin, Carlos Berlocq, Kimmer Coppejans, Dustin Brown, Frances Tiafoe, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Elias Ymer, Maxime Hamou, Mischa Zverev, Luca Vanni, Marco Chiudinelli, and Radu Albot to earn their way into the main draw, along with Kamke, Stepanek, Darcis, and Struff.