French Open 2021 Draw and Bracket: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Same Half

The French Open 2021 is finally here, and it is set to give tennis fans some of the greatest clashes in the sport, right in Paris. The draw for this tournament is like the other Grand Slam draws and features 128 players. There are 32 seeds and the first seed is Novak Djokovic. The second seed, surprisingly, is Daniil Medvedev, followed by defending champion, Rafael Nadal. The fourth seed is the two-time runner-up at Roland Garros, Dominic Thiem.

The draw also features Roger Federer, who is seeded eighth. The Big 3 have been seeded in the same half, so who could face who this year?

Read More: French Open 2021 Seeds: Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Ashleigh Barty, and Naomi Osaka Lead the Power-Packed Field

Let’s find out.

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on collision at French Open 2021

Djokovic first will face Tennys Sandgren in the first round. Then he could potentially face Pablo Cuevas in the second round and then a third-round clash against Ugo Hubert or David Goffin according to the seeds.

Novak’s first test could come against arch-rival Roger Federer in the quarterfinals and then he could face Rafael Nadal in the semifinal.

Read More: How Can Daniil Medvedev Dethrone Novak Djokovic From World No.1 Spot at French Open 2021?

Djokovic has had an inconsistent clay-court season this year. He saw shock defeats at Monte Carlo and Serbia Open. However, he produced his best form at the Italian Open 2021 where he lost a close final against Rafael Nadal.

Daniil Medvedev’s French Open 2021 draw

Medvedev could face a stern first-round test against Alexander Bublik. His perilous French Open 2021 draw puts him in a potential quarterfinal clash with World No.5 Stefanos Tsitsipas. And Medvedev then has World No.4 Dominic Thiem in his company for the semifinal as well.

Despite his high ranking, Medvedev is not considered a favorite on clay because of his abysmal clay record. He is yet to capture a clay title in his career and 2021 was no different than yesteryears. He had his outbursts against the surface at Madrid and Italy and suffered embarrassing losses in the lead-up to Roland Garros.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal’s French Open 2021 draw

Nadal first faces the challenge of Alexei Popyrin in the first round. He could face a stern clash against Italian Open semifinalist Lorenzo Sonego in the third round. And later in the fourth round, a Jannik Sinner-Rafael Nadal clash could happen.

Nadal could face Andrey Rublev or Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals before a high voltage clash against Djokovic in the semifinals. He even has Federer on his side of the draw.

Read More: French Open 2021 Draw and Bracket: Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka Handed a Tough Path, Ashleigh Barty and Iga Swiatek on Collision Course

The Spaniard started the clay season on a slow note. He first lost early at Monte Carlo before winning Barcelona Open, then lost early in Madrid before clinching the Italian Open. If he plays in Paris like in his last performance against Djokovic in the Italian Open final, then a 14th title will be a surety.

Dominic Thiem’s road towards French Open 2021 title

Thiem has a relatively easier draw but faces Federer-conqueror Pablo Andujar in the first round. In the third round, he could face Fabio Fognini. And in the fourth round, the Austrian could face Casper Ruud or Miami Open champion, Hubert Hurkacz.

Next in the quarterfinals, Thiem could face his best friend, Alexander Zverev. World No.2 Medvedev is also in his half of the draw.

Read More: French Open 2021 Draw: Live Stream, When and Where to Watch Federer, Nadal and Djokovic’s Draw

In his normal form, Thiem is the third favorite on clay after Djokovic and Nadal. But in 2021, Thiem has had troubles mentally and physically. He has admitted to being struggling for motivation and that has shown on the court. He is yet to reach a final in 2021, and his best result is a semifinal at Madrid Open. Thiem is currently on a two-match losing streak and evidently struggling ahead of French Open 2021.

So, who are you rooting for this year? Let us know in the comments!