World’s best set to compete at French Open

Gustavo Fernandez and Marjolein Buis are confident of defending their Roland Garros titles in the men’s and women’s wheelchair tennis singles events, respectively, when the second Grand Slam of the year starts on 8 June in Paris, France.

Fresh from winning the Korea Open on 27 May, Fernandez enjoyed from a successful start of the year, claiming the Melbourne Open title before going on to win the second Grand Slam of his career at the Australian Open.

But the Argentinian world No.5 will need to show top form if he is to win again at what he describes as his “favourite tournament” in Paris.

Fernandez faces strong competition from two local favourites; two-time Roland Garros champion Stephane Houdet and world No.4 Nicolas Peifer.

Great Britain’s world No.1, and Rio 2016 gold medallist, Gordon Reid will be another strong favourite, whilst The Netherlands' Maikel Scheffers will contest his latest Roland Garros after the withdrawal of Rio Paralympic bronze medallist Joachim Gerard, who is recovering from recent shoulder surgery.

The women’s tournament will be equally competitive, with the Netherlands’ world No.5 Buis looking to repeat last year’s performance at Roland Garros. The Dutch had a highly-positive first half of 2017, winning two singles and five doubles titles.

“It's always exciting to play the Grand Slams. Roland Garros is special, because it's relatively close to my home, so family and friends will come over to watch me play,” she said.

The seemingly-invincible world No.2 Yui Kamiji aims to extend her winning run, after claiming her 22nd consecutive victory to seal her sixth successive title at the Daegu Open in South Korea on Saturday (3 June).

The Netherlands’ world No.1 Jiske Griffioen is hoping to win her fourth Grand Slam title and second at Roland Garros after lifting the trophy in 2015. Griffioen’s compatriots Diede de Groot and Aniek van Koot will also be hard to beat.

More information about the event can be found on the International Tennis Federation’s website.