French Open 2018 - Contenders and Pretenders

#2 Alexander Zverev (Germany)

Alexander Zverev is the second seed in this year's draw

Current world ranking: 3

Best result: Third round (2016)

The German has claimed two titles so far in 2018, including his third Masters title at the Madrid Masters earlier this month.

While Nadal remains the man to beat at Roland Garros, the main rival for his throne is the second seed and current world number three, Alexander Zverev.

However, the Grand Slams remain his Achilles heel as he has not yet reached a quarter-final at a Grand Slam with his best result being reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon last year, where he lost to Milos Raonic and he also lost in the first round of the French Open last year, going down to Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco.

The German attributes his failures at major tournaments is due to putting too much pressure on himself to perform but this year’s French Open could prove to be his breakthrough.

Last week, Zverev narrowly failed to defend his title in Rome when he went down to Rafael Nadal in the final in three sets; he had led 3-1 in the final set but a rain delay halted his momentum as he suffered his second defeat in a Masters 1000 final.

Despite the loss, the result showed that he could take it up to the Spaniard, having also pushed him to five sets in the third round of last year’s Australian Open.