• Roger Federer. The 20-time major winner plays his first match at Roland Garros since 2015 against Lorenzo Sonego. Federer showed enough in Madrid and Rome that he can be competitive on clay so this should be a comfortable win. Reuters
    Roger Federer. The 20-time major winner plays his first match at Roland Garros since 2015 against Lorenzo Sonego. Federer showed enough in Madrid and Rome that he can be competitive on clay so this should be a comfortable win. Reuters
  • Elina Svitolina. The No 9 seed has a tough opening round match with Venus Williams. Clay is neither players best surface but Svitolina will be wary of her experienced opponent. AFP
    Elina Svitolina. The No 9 seed has a tough opening round match with Venus Williams. Clay is neither players best surface but Svitolina will be wary of her experienced opponent. AFP
  • Stefanos Tsitsipas. The men's No 6 seed is second on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Maximilian Marterer. The Greek is the breakout star of 2019 so far and having reached the Australian Open semi-finals he will look for a strong start to his bid to follow that up in Paris. Getty
    Stefanos Tsitsipas. The men's No 6 seed is second on Court Philippe-Chatrier against Maximilian Marterer. The Greek is the breakout star of 2019 so far and having reached the Australian Open semi-finals he will look for a strong start to his bid to follow that up in Paris. Getty
  • Garbine Muguruza. The 2016 champion is struggling for form these days and the Spaniard has a difficult start against Taylor Townsend. Getty
    Garbine Muguruza. The 2016 champion is struggling for form these days and the Spaniard has a difficult start against Taylor Townsend. Getty
  • Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player has had a poor clay season so far, only recording one win over a player in the top 50. The No 7 seed therefore is a contender for an upset when he takes on Frenchman Quentin Halys. AP Photo
    Kei Nishikori. The Japanese player has had a poor clay season so far, only recording one win over a player in the top 50. The No 7 seed therefore is a contender for an upset when he takes on Frenchman Quentin Halys. AP Photo
  • Sloane Stephens. The American was the surprise package 12 months ago as she almost won the tournament. She will hope for another strong showing and starts on Sunday against Misaki Doi. Getty
    Sloane Stephens. The American was the surprise package 12 months ago as she almost won the tournament. She will hope for another strong showing and starts on Sunday against Misaki Doi. Getty

Tennis

French Open Day 1: Federer, Tsitsipas, Venus Williams and other players to watch - in pictures

It is the opening day of action at Roland Garros for the second major of 2019 with play beginning from 1pm UAE time

Graham Caygill

May 26, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

The French Open, the second tennis grand slam of 2019, begins on Sunday.

There is plenty of action on the first day to watch out for.

From 2009 champion Roger Federer playing at Roland Garros for the first time since 2015, to Elina Svitolina and Garbine Muguruza competing in the women's draw.

Ahead of play beginning on the main courts at 1pm UAE time, here is a look at the players to watch for and the order of play.

Court Philippe-Chatrier

From 1pm (UAE time)

Angelique Kerber (5) v Anastasia Potapova

Stefanos Tsitsipas (6) v Maximilian Marterer

Lorenzo Sonego v Roger Federer (2)

Madison Brengle v Karolina Pliskova (2)

Court Suzanne-Lenglen

From 1pm

Thomas Fabbiano v Marin Cilic (11)

Kei Nishikori (7) v Quentin Halys

Fiona Ferro v Kristina Mladenovic

Sloane Stephens (7) v Misaki Doi

Court Simonne-Mathieu

From 1pm

Gabine Muguruza v Taylor Townsend (19)

Marco Cecchinato v Nicolas Mahut

Venus Williams v Elina Svitolina (9)

David Goffin (27) v Ricardas Berankis

TennisRoger Federer