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French Open 2020: Rafael Nadal earns tough draw, Novak Djokovic gets relatively easier one
Rafael Nadal is the record 12-time defending champion in the French Open. He has so far 19 Grand Slam titles and is just one short from equalling Roger Federer's record of 20. This the first time that the Slam is being held outside its regular schedule, owing to the delay caused by the pandemic.
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 "<p>12-time defending French Open champion, Rafael Nadal of Spain, has been handed a tough draw in his bid to win his record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros, while a win would also see him equalling Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles for men. Meanwhile, reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, was handed a relatively easier draw.</p>")
<p>12-time defending French Open champion, Rafael Nadal of Spain, has been handed a tough draw in his bid to win his record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros, while a win would also see him equalling Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles for men. Meanwhile, reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, was handed a relatively easier draw.</p>
12-time defending French Open champion, Rafael Nadal of Spain, has been handed a tough draw in his bid to win his record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros, while a win would also see him equalling Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles for men. Meanwhile, reigning world number one, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, was handed a relatively easier draw.
<p>The draw for the upcoming Slam was made on Thursday, as Nadal would begin his title defence against Egor Gerasimov of Bulgaria. Upon win in the next few rounds, he is likely to face Alexander Zverev of Germany in the quarters, following by the reigning US Open champion, Dominic Thiem of Austria, in the semis.</p>
The draw for the upcoming Slam was made on Thursday, as Nadal would begin his title defence against Egor Gerasimov of Bulgaria. Upon win in the next few rounds, he is likely to face Alexander Zverev of Germany in the quarters, following by the reigning US Open champion, Dominic Thiem of Austria, in the semis.
<p>Meanwhile, Djokovic is all set to begin his proceedings against Mikael Ymer of Sweden in the opening round. His only tough opponent in the draw would be Russia's Daniil Medvedev, with whom he can have a date in the semis, alongside facing Nadal in the final.</p>
Meanwhile, Djokovic is all set to begin his proceedings against Mikael Ymer of Sweden in the opening round. His only tough opponent in the draw would be Russia's Daniil Medvedev, with whom he can have a date in the semis, alongside facing Nadal in the final.
<p>Nadal, who missed the US Open to focus on clay, is being held as the firm favourite to win the title again this year. However, his shocking ouster in the quarters of the Rome Masters, against Argentian's Diego Schwartzman, last week, did raise some eyebrows.</p>
Nadal, who missed the US Open to focus on clay, is being held as the firm favourite to win the title again this year. However, his shocking ouster in the quarters of the Rome Masters, against Argentian's Diego Schwartzman, last week, did raise some eyebrows.
<p>Meanwhile, Djokovic was controversially ousted from the US Open, after he had inadvertently hit a lines-judge with the ball in the throat, which resulted in him getting defaulted. Following the ouster, he made a strong comeback on clay, by winning the Rome Masters on Monday, and is being deemed as one of the favourites to win his second French Open title.</p>
Meanwhile, Djokovic was controversially ousted from the US Open, after he had inadvertently hit a lines-judge with the ball in the throat, which resulted in him getting defaulted. Following the ouster, he made a strong comeback on clay, by winning the Rome Masters on Monday, and is being deemed as one of the favourites to win his second French Open title.
<p>Among women, USA's Serena Williams, who is in the hunt for her record-breaking 24th Slam title, would begin her proceedings against fellow American Kristie Ahn. She could face US Open runners-up Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the pre-quarters, followed by number one seed Simona Halep of Romania in the semis.</p>
Among women, USA's Serena Williams, who is in the hunt for her record-breaking 24th Slam title, would begin her proceedings against fellow American Kristie Ahn. She could face US Open runners-up Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the pre-quarters, followed by number one seed Simona Halep of Romania in the semis.
<p>Meanwhile, Switzerland's Federer has ruled himself out for the remainder of the season, owing to surgery on his right knee. Among women, world number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia has pulled out citing safety reasons. Also, world number three Naomi Osaka of Japan had pulled out earlier, owing to a hamstring injury.</p>
Meanwhile, Switzerland's Federer has ruled himself out for the remainder of the season, owing to surgery on his right knee. Among women, world number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia has pulled out citing safety reasons. Also, world number three Naomi Osaka of Japan had pulled out earlier, owing to a hamstring injury.
