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French Open: Men’s ‘big 3’ — Nadal, Djokovic, Federer — in same half of draw

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/05/28/20210518-tennis-geneva-roger-federer.jpg"/><figcaption>Switzerland&#x27;s Roger Federer in action at the ATP 250 Geneva Open during his Round of 16 match on May 18, 2021. <em>Denis Balibouse, Reuters</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>PARIS—Thirteen-time champion Rafael Nadal, 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, and world No. 1 Novak Djokovic were placed in the same half of the French Open draw on Thursday.</p><p>The three most successful players in the history of the men&#x27;s game have won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles between them and Federer and Djokovic are on a quarterfinal collision course.</p><p>Title holder Nadal, who starts against Australian Alexei Popyrin, could face Italian prospect Jannik Sinner, the 18th seed, in the fourth round a year after beating him in the quarterfinals.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/27/21/tennis-no-one-is-invincible-rafael-nadal-says-ahead-of-french-open">Tennis: &#x27;No-one is invincible&#x27;, Rafael Nadal says ahead of French Open</a></li></ul><p>In the other half of the draw, two-time runner-up Dominic Thiem&#x27;s path leads to a potential quarterfinal clash with German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.</p><p>In the women&#x27;s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan while one of the matches to watch will feature last year&#x27;s runner-up Sofia Kenin, the fourth seed, against 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko.</p><p>Kenin could face Swiatek, who turns 20 on Monday, in the quarter-finals.</p><p>After missing last year&#x27;s event, second seed Naomi Osaka will make her comeback against Maria Patricia Tig.</p><p>The Japanese player, who said she would not speak to the media throughout the tournament for mental health reasons, is in the other half of the draw.</p><p>She could take on American Serena Williams in the semifinals with the seventh seed bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/27/21/tennis-citing-mental-health-concerns-osaka-wont-do-press-at-french-open">Tennis: Citing mental health concerns, Osaka won&#x27;t do press at French Open</a></li></ul><p>World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia starts her campaign against American Bernarda Pera and faces a possible semifinal against Swiatek. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/24/21/tennis-birthday-boy-djokovic-building-up-to-shine-at-roland-garros">Tennis: Birthday boy Djokovic building up &#x27;to shine&#x27; at Roland Garros</a></li></ul><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1632827" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>In the women's draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan; after missing last year's event, Naomi Osaka will make her comeback.</p>

In the women's draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan; after missing last year's event, Naomi Osaka will make her comeback.