French Open 2023: Swiatek Likely to Face Rybakina in the Semifinals

According to the draw made public on Thursday, world number one Iga Swiatek will start this year's French Open crown defence against Spain's Cristina Bucsa in the first round. 

Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina might lock horns in the semis of the French Open if things go as expected throughout the rounds. The draw for the French Open has been announced, and the fight for the title looks challenging for both the top seeds, including Sabalenka.

Swiatek begins as the favourite for a third victory in four years in Paris as she approaches her 22nd birthday within the opening week of the French Open, though she may face more difficult competition than in her unbeatable campaign last year. There is no denying Swiatek's passion for clay. She lost just one set on her way to winning the title at Roland Garros in 2022, reaffirming her position as a clay queen.

Sabalenka's probable route to the semis

Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine will compete against current Australian Open winner and World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the first round. The Belarusian might face fifth-seeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in the round of eight.

Rybakina's potential opponents

Elena Rybakina, the current Wimbledon champion, begins her season against a qualifier or lucky loser. The seventh-seeded Ons Jabeur of Tunisia might be the opponent for the fourth-seeded Kazakh in the quarterfinals, with Swiatek being a probable opponent in the semifinals. Meanwhile, in the quarterfinals, Swiatek might play sixth-seeded American teenager Coco Gauff.

Route to the semis for Pegula

In the first round, Danielle Collins, the 2022 Australian Open runner-up, will be third-seeded American Jessica Pegula's opponent. The eighth-seeded Greek Maria Sakkari, who advanced to the final in 2021, will compete against the Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova in the opening round. The Pegula might be Sakkari's opponent in the quarterfinals.