TONIGHT Australian time the 2024 French Open kicks off in Paris, with a super strong draw set to provide plenty of highlights in the women’s singles. We take a look at what the draw could provide, with the contenders and the Aussies to how they are placed.

REIGNING CHAMPION

Iga Swiatek (Poland)

The world number one and dominant player of the last couple of years had to fight for her title, but overcame unseeded Czech, Karolina Muchova. Swiatek won 6-2 5-7 6-4 and had beaten Coco Gauff and Beatriz Haddad Maia in the lead-up to the final. Muchova made it by stunning second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

In 2024, Swiatek faces French qualifier Leolia Jeanjean first up, before a massive potential second round encounter with former world number one, Naomi Osaka in the Round of 64. Russian 29th seed Veronika Kudermetova follows suit, with one of Ekaterina Alexandrova or Barbora Krejcikova in the Round of 16. Swiatek’s biggest challenge after Osaka will likely come in teh form of either the red-hot Danielle Collins or past French Open finalist, Marketa Vondrousova, whil landing in the same half as Gauff.

CHALLENGERS

Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus)

It seems like the final everyone is waiting for to add another chapter in the famed Swiatek-Sabalenka rivalry. Starting off with Erika Andreeva and then a guaranteed qualifier, it gets a little tougher after that with Katie Boulter and then Strasbourg champion Madison Keys the second seed’s likely next two opponents. Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, Russian Daria Kasatkina and her young compatriot Mirra Andreeva are all in the mix after that, with Maria Sakkari, Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng all in Sabalenka’s half of the draw.

Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)

The big danger to the top two, Rybakina is always capable of winning some huge matches, and is strong against Swiatek. She faces Belgian Greet Minnen up first and should have no issues reaching the fourth round where one of Elina Svitolina or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova will be waiting for her. Zheng looms large after that, before the potential blockbuster semi-final against Sabalenka.

Danielle Collins (United States)

It is not often a retiring player who is seeded 11th is among the top contenders, but that is the kind of form Collins is in at the moment. Coming off a Strasbourg finals appearance, the American has saved her best until last. She will meet countrywoman Caroline Dolehide, with Martina Trevisan, Marta Kostyuk and Vondrousova after that. Each match unsurprisingly gets more difficult with Swiatek set to be waiting in the quarter finals.

Beatriz Haddad Maia (Brazil)

Coming off a semi-finals appearance last year, the Brazilian is always a worry on clay but will have to fight her way to the title in what is a tough draw. After Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the first two rounds, she will likely take on Liudmila Samsonova, Coco Gauff and Jelena Ostapenko before likely Swiatek. Rough.

THE AUSSIES

Daria Saville & Ajla Tomljanovic

Australia has just two players competing in the women’s singles, with Tomljanovic (wildcard) joining top ranked Aussie Saville in the Grand Slam draw. The former has a tough ask first up against 30th seed Dayana Yastremska, which even if she gets past her, will more than likely have Gauff in the third round. Saville has an even tougher first-up encounter against Jasmine Paolini with the 12th seeded Italian always a threat on clay.