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The 2022 French Open draw has placed 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the same quarter as defending champion Novak Djokovic. The duo are slated to meet in a blockbuster quarterfinal only a year after their memorable semifinal, which Djokovic won in four sets.
The top half of the draw also has Alexander Zverev, Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, two-time finalist Dominic Thiem and 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka. The bottom half, relatively light on star names, could see Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev potentially take on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals.
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However, there are a lot of dangerous floaters in both halves of the draw who might not win the title but could cause a few major upsets. Here's a look at five such players:
#1 David Goffin
Currently ranked 48th in the world, David Goffin is not one of the seeded players at this year's French Open.
The 31-year-old has one title to his name this year, winning in Morocco. He has had a decent claycourt campaign thus far, making the last 16 in Monte-Carlo and Madrid. Facing Nadal in the Spanish capital, Goffin squandered match points in the third set tie-break in a match that could have gone either way.
The Belgian beat Hubert Hurkacz in his opener in Rome, before losing in straight sets to Jenson Brooksby.
Goffin will start his Roland Garros campaign against Jiri Lehecka. If he beats the World No. 77, the Belgian could set up a second-round meeting with 24th seed Frances Tiafoe. Goffin has won three of his four meetings with the American and is more capable on the surface.
Given that Goffin is projected to face Hurkacz in the third round, he will fancy his chances of reaching the second week at Roland Garros for a fourth time. He will likely take on Casper Ruud in the last 16
#2 Aslan Karatsev
Aslan Karatsev lost in the second round to Philipp Kohlschreiber on his French Open debut last year.
The World No. 39 will open his campaign this year against Argentina's Camilo Carabelli, ahead of a potential meeting with ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Russian won his lone meeting against Auger Aliassime in the fourth round at the Australian Open last year. In the process, he became the first player in 25 years to reach the quarterfinals on his Grand Slam debut.
Although he has won just one of his five matches on clay this season, Karatsev could reprise his giant-killing role at the French Open and cause an upset.
#3 Lorenzo Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti was on the cusp of a monumental upset last year, leading eventual champion Novak Djokovic by two sets to love in the fourth round. However, the Italian, hindered by an injury, ran out of steam and had to retire four games down in the fifth set.
Musetti, ranked 59th in the world, faces a tough test against tournament favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas at the French Open this year. However, the Italian could draw inspiration from his runs to the round-of-16 in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid and make an impact in Paris.
The 20-year-old has lost both his meetings with the Greek, including one on clay in Lyon last year. Nevertheless, if the in-form Tsitsipas fails to hit the ground running, Musetti will fancy his chances of an upset.
#4 Holger Rune
Holger Rune has been one of the surprise packages on the men's tour this year. The 19-year-old Dane won his first career singles title on clay in Munich.
Touted as one of the most promising young players at the moment, the 59th-ranked Rune will make his French Open debut against 14th seed Denis Shapovalov.
Shapovalov has struggled for consistency on clay despite beating Rafael Nadal in the third round in Rome last week. The 23-year-old has historically struggled at Roland Garros, with a second-round appearance twice in his three appearances being his best result.
Shapovalov has won four of his seven matches on clay this season, but Rune has racked up seven wins on the surface. The young Dane will fancy his chances of beating Shapovalov in the pair's first meeting.
#5 Sebastian Baez
Sebastian Baez lifted his first ATP title at the ATP 250 event in Estoril earlier this year. The 21-year-old Argentine, ranked 38th in the world, has had a good run on clay this season. Baez is 6-3 in the European clay swing, with five of these wins coming in his triumphant campaign in Estoril.
After failing to qualify for the main draw last year, Baez will make his French Open debut against Serbia's Dusan Lajovic. Although the pair haven't met on tour before, Baez's recent form should see him prevail over the former World No. 23. Lajovic is 2-4 on clay this season.
