Pakistani prisoners in UAE to be allowed to spend some duration of their sentence in their home country
Defending champion Novak Djokovic and 13-times winnner Rafael Nadal are on a quarter-final collision course at the French Open following the draw on Thursday.
World No.1 Djokovic, back on the Grand Slam scene after being deported from Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open following his decision not to have a Covid-19 vaccination, will start his campaign against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
He was drawn in the toughest half of the draw with Nadal as well as in-form Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz and world No.3 Alexander Zverev, who could clash in the last eight.
The French Open will operate at full capacity for the first time in three years after the last two tournaments were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s amazing to see all the fans who have already come here for the qualifications,” said Djokovic, who attended the draw ceremony at Roland Garros.
In the lower part of the draw, last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas faces a tricky first-round match against Italian Lorenzo Musetti, who last year took Djokovic to five sets in the fourth round.
World No.2 Daniil Medvedev could take on compatriot Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals as Russian players have been allowed to compete despite their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Wimbledon organisers have decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from taking part in the grasscourt Grand Slam this year.
In the women’s draw, hot favourite Iga Swiatek, looking to secure her second French Open title in three years, could face former champion Jelena Ostapenko in the last 16.
Ostapenko was the last player to beat the Polish world number one before she started her 28-match unbeaten streak, winning five titles before the start of the French Open on Sunday.
Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova is on a last-16 collision course with former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka in the lower part of the draw.
Naomi Osaka, who withdrew from the tournament last year after skipping her media duties and citing mental health issues, has been drawn to face American Amanda Anisimova, the 27th seed.
Pakistani prisoners in UAE to be allowed to spend some duration of their sentence in their home country
Earlier, Djokovic took a huge leap towards a record 23rd men's Grand Slam title with victory against an ailing Alcaraz
In a statement, he accused opponents of trying to drive him out
The UAE collapsed after being comfortably placed at 150-3 in the 23rd over
Norwegian could face Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final after the Serbian defeated world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz
The Mexican-inspired street food joint has shared a picture of the latest offering on Instagram
Australia ended Day Three with 296 runs lead
Chelsea have reportedly joined the race with Manchester United for the Brazilian