Qualifying for Roland Garros has started, the main event is just around the corner. Last Word on Tennis takes a look at how the Brits will get on in Paris.
With Andy Murray out of contention due to injury, there are not many Brits around to fill the void.
We will take a look at the main draw contenders and some of those in qualifying. To start with, it’s clay. Brits have historically not fared well on the red dirt. Murray did improve on his least favourite surface, making the final in 2016.
Unfortunately, there has not been much more success at the French Open amongst the Brits. Based on the lead up to the event and their previous performances, here is how the remaining Brits will get on.
The Brits At Roland Garros
Johanna Konta
The British No.1 Jo Konta is the sole representative in the ladies main draw singles. Katie Boulter was due to join her, but had to withdraw with a back injury.
Konta has never previously gone past the first round at Roland Garros. Under normal circumstances, the same would be said this year. However, the Brit has recently discovered her clay feet. Making the final in Rome was historic, as the last British women to do so was Virginia Wade back in 1971.
Defeating Grand Slam champions on the way to the first clay final, Konta showed she is finally getting to grips with the clay court. Although Paris is a different scenario and the history the Brit has suffered here, Konta is the best chance the Brits have of going deep here.
Kyle Edmund
The British men’s No.1 has some company in the main draw here, and we’ll move onto them shortly. Edmund’s form coming into Roland Garros has been disappointing, losing in the first round in both Madrid and Rome. Not the ideal preparation for the French Open.
However, The Brit has done reasonably well in previous years in Paris. Historically Edmund has made the third round before suffering a defeat. One advantage is the best of five sets, the Brit does fairly well over the longer format. Similar performance to previous years would help confidence in the build up to the grass court season.
Cameron Norrie
Norrie has not had the best preparation for Roland Garros either. Like Edmund, he has lost early in several events, include a first-round loss in Lyon to Ugo Humbert. Norrie only won four games in the match.
Depending on the draw, Norrie could progress further than previous years, as once again the best-of-five sets suits the Brit. Certainly Norrie will want to progress beyond the second round.
Dan Evans
The final member of the British men with direct entry into the main draw. Evans is on his comeback after a ban. Rome was not the best for Evans either, with an early loss. However, Roger Federer invited the Brit to Switzerland where the pair practised together ahead of the clay.
Evans, like the other Brits, is not best on the clay court, never progressing beyond the first round here. Federer is returning to Roland Garros for the first time since his quarterfinal defeat in 2015. Selecting the Brit to accompany him to the training camp was great for the Brit.
Qualifying
On the men’s side of the draw, Bits James Ward and Jay Clarke have already lost in the first round. Heather Watson and Katie Swan could progress further. If Watson can win the first round match, she has the best chance of the pair to make the main draw
Doubles
Jamie Murray, with his regular partner Bruno Soares, head the field of Brits (and honourary Brits). Murray & Soares have made the quarterfinal in Paris previously. However, the pair has not had the best of build ups this year. 2018 saw the Murray & Soares pairing lose in the second round in Paris. They will want to progress further.
Dom Inglot has reached the third round in Paris before. Currently without a regular partner, the Brit tends to pair up with whoever he believes gives him the best chance in a tournament. This year, he is paired with Dutchman Robin Haase. Grass is the better surface for Inglot, having made the semifinal at Wimbledon and winning the ATP 250 event in Nottingham.
Additionally, Edmund and Evans will be teaming up to play doubles in Paris.
Main Photo:
