Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, and Félix Auger-Aliassime will be vying for the most coveted title on clay as the French Open takes center stage. The draw has been made, and the top four seeds have been handed some intriguing matches.
As we wait for the action to get underway at Stade Roland Garros, here’s the lowdown on the French Open draw for the top four seeds.
Jannik Sinner’s Path to French Open Title
Sinner arrives in Paris on a 29-match unbeaten run. After sweeping the three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments on clay, the Italian will be the clear favorite to triumph at the French Open. He will face France’s Clément Tabur in the first round.
In the second round, Sinner could be in for a possibly tricky assignment against clay-court specialist Juan Manuel Cerúndolo. Breakout star Martín Landaluce or Corentin Moutet could await the world No. 1 in the third round.
In the fourth round, Sinner may have to overcome Arthur Rinderknech, Matteo Berrettini, or Luciano Darderi. All three players are strong on clay, but only Rinderknech has beaten Sinner previously, and that win came way back in 2021.
If Sinner makes the quarterfinals, he could face Ben Shelton, Alexander Bublik, or Frances Tiafoe. Shelton has blown hot and cold throughout the clay-court swing and is on an 8-match winless run against Sinner. Bublik has beaten the Italian twice, but only on grass. Tiafoe has the potential to give Sinner a scare, but he hasn’t found his form on clay yet.
Sinner’s possible semifinal opponents include Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, and Flavio Cobolli. All three players are talented and capable of making deep runs in Paris. Medvedev did give Sinner a scare when they met in Rome earlier this month, and we could see an intriguing battle between the two if the Russian makes it that far.
Alexander Zverev’s Path to French Open Title
Zverev will be hoping to end his Major drought at the 2026 French Open, but he arrives in Paris after an underwhelming clay-court swing by his high standards. The German, who has also been dealing with a back injury, will face Benjamin Bonzi in his first-round clash at the French Open.
The Frenchman did take a set against Sinner when they met in Madrid last month and will be eager to pull off an upset against Zverev.
If the world No. 3 makes the second round, he could face another tricky test against Zizou Bergs or Tomáš Macháč. Ugo Humbert or Mattia Bellucci could be Zverev’s possible third-round opponents.
In the fourth round, another tough test could await Zverev with Arthur Fils or Karen Khachanov both in his section of the draw. The Frenchman has found his form on clay this year and will be determined to make a big impact on home soil.
If Zverev makes the quarterfinals, he could have to overcome Taylor Fritz, Rafael Jódar, or Jiří Lehečka. Zverev is on a six-match losing streak against Fritz, and his head-to-head against Lehečka stands at 1-1. Djokovic or Casper Ruud could await Zverev in the semifinals.
Novak Djokovic’s Path to French Open Title
Djokovic will be gunning for a record 25th Grand Slam title at the 2026 French Open. A shoulder injury meant he could compete only in the Italian Open in the lead-up to the French Open.
A tricky test awaits the Serb in the first round against the towering Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Things do not get any easier for the veteran after that, with a possible second-round clash against Valentin Royer, followed by a third-round meeting with Dino Prižmić or João Fonseca.
Prižmić pulled off an upset against Djokovic in Rome, while Fonseca will also be hungry to make a big splash in Paris.
If he makes it to the fourth round, Djokovic would likely have to overcome Casper Ruud. The 38-year-old has the head-to-head advantage against the Norwegian. But Ruud is one of the top clay-court players in the world, and arrives in Paris on the back of an impressive showing in Rome.
In the quarterfinals, Djokovic could face Alex de Minaur, Alexander Blockx, Jakub Menšík, or Andrey Rublev. Menšík defeated Djokovic in their last meeting in the 2025 Miami Open final, while Blockx is coming off a strong run in Madrid.
Things do not get much easier for Djokovic in the semifinals, with Zverev and Fritz among his possible opponents.
Félix Auger-Aliassime’s Path to French Open Title
Auger-Aliassime’s preparations for the French Open have certainly not been ideal, and his path to the title appears daunting. The Canadian begins his campaign against Daniel Altmaier, who will be full of confidence following his recent win over Ben Shelton. The head-to-head between these two players also stands at 2-2.
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A tricky test against Sebastián Báez or Román Andrés Burruchaga could await Auger-Aliassime in the second round. Both players are clay-court specialists and could cause problems for the fourth seed.
If Auger-Aliassime makes it to the third round, he will face Roberto Bautista Agut, Brandon Nakashima, or Luca Van Assche. In the fourth round, Cameron Norrie or Valentin Vacherot could await the 25-year-old.
Possible quarterfinal opponents for Auger-Aliassime include Medvedev and Cobolli, while Sinner could await him in the semifinals.
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Comparing the draws of the top four seeds, it is apparent that Djokovic has the hardest route to the final. The Serb could be in for a brutal gauntlet of matches, and the physical demands of the challenge could take its toll after his long injury layoff.
Zverev also seems to have a tough path to a maiden Grand Slam title, especially if he is not at full fitness. The German leads the bottom half of the draw, which is stacked with talented players all capable of defeating each other.
Auger-Aliassime also has a tricky path to the quarterfinals, but he will fancy his chances if he can overcome the unpredictable threats that await him in the early rounds. Of all four players, it is apparent that Sinner has the easiest route.
