The draw for the Australian Open was not kind to the French, many of whom will face a top seed from the start, like Lucas Pouille opposing Alexander Zverev (No. 2). Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Gaël Monfils will cross swords in a fratricidal duel.
Heavy, strong, brutal, it depends. The draw offered many French people a program of choice from the first round. The poster that we can both regret but which will also be the one not to be missed is of course this 100% French match between Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (seeded n°30) and Gaël Monfils. A real duel of generations since the first, revelation of the year 2024 on the ATP circuit, at 21 years old, the second 38 years old…
The men’s singles table
Monfils will therefore play a seeded entry. He will not be the only Blue in this case. The worst served is the guest (wild-card) Lucas Pouillewho will face world No. 2 Alexander Zverev. Then in the order of the ranking of their rivals, Arthur Rinderknech challenge Frances Tiafoe (n°17), Adrian Mannarinoeighth finalist last year, will attack Karen Khachanov (n°19), Corentin Moutet will be opposed to the “local Hero” Alexei Popyrin (n°25) and Arthur Cazaux (also eighth finalist in 2024) will face Sebastian Baez (n°28). If we look at this draw in a positive way, that's a lot of potential “perfs”…
There were French people better served, starting with the two best ranked. Ugo Humbert (n°14) is offered a qualifier to start. The Finnish Otto Virtanen will be the first opponent ofArthur Son (No. 20). Who could find himself in the 2nd round Quentin Halysopposed to the Australian Adam Walton. Humbert and Fils could face each other in the 3rd round if the logic of the ranking is respected…
Winner in Hong Kong, Alexandre Muller will be an outsider to watch. He will have to overcome the Portuguese obstacle Nuno Borges. Not easy… Benjamin Bonzi will have to get rid of the experienced David Goffin. As for Hugo Gastonhe is on paper best served with an Australian wild card, Omar Jasika, 180th in the world, for his first match.
-Less numerous on the starting line, the French women were barely spared. Diane Parry inherited a top-flight opponent, the Croatian Donna Vekic (n°18). Like last year, Caroline Garcia will face former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka, whom she beat in a night session at the Rod Laver Arena. Karolina Muchova (No. 20) could stand in her way in the 2nd round.
The women's singles table
Varvara Gracheva has a very playable first round in the person of the American Caty McNally, 540th in the world. Chloe Paquet was also rather well served with the Spaniard Cristina Bucsa as the first challenge. It now remains to know the distribution of the qualified to know all the French posters for this 1st round. Léolia Jeanjean is in the waiting room…
