New York (AFP)
A total of 20 players, 14 in the men's and 6 in the women's, will defend the French chances at the US Open starting Monday in New York, with overall hopes of reaching the second week.
. Men fit
Richard Gasquet: 33 years old, 34th in the world, semifinalist of the 1000 Masters of Cincinnati. "Physically, I've had a lot of games without injury, I just need to recover a bit, I'm playing well, so it's good for New York," he said after his elimination at "Cincy". He will have a difficult first round against Matteo Berrettini (25th), with the goal of the third round where he will face the 10th world Roberto Bautista.
Benoît Paire: 30 years old, 30th in the world, finalist of the ATP 250 Winston Salem. "It was a good week, so it's good for my confidence before going to the US Open," said the Tricolore choleric. He will make his entry against Canadian Brayden Schnur (92), with the goal of the third round expected to be the 6th world Alexander Zverev.
. The unlucky drawers
Adrian Mannarino: 31 years old, 57th in the world. Eliminated in 8th in Cincinnati by the finalist David Goffin (15th). Opposed Daniel Evans (58th) in the first round to eventually find Lucas Pouille.
Lucas Puglia: 25 years old, 26th worldwide. Beat in quarter in Cincinnati. First trick trick against Philipp Kohlschreiber (72) before eventually finding Mannarino 2nd. Goal 3rd round against Roger Federer (3rd).
Jérémy Chardy: 32 years old, 74th worldwide. Abortive injury in 8th at Winston Salem. All the more worrying as he faces Hubert Hurkacz (41st), the winner in North Carolina, on the first lap.
Corentin Moutet: 20 years old, 83rd worldwide. Eliminated in 8th at Winston Salem. He will have a very complicated first round against Goffin.
. The interrogations
Gael Monfils: 32 years old, 13th worldwide. Eliminated in the first round in Cincinnati. Where is the tricolor N.1 mentally and physically? If all goes well and he passes the first round against Albert Ramos, he will face Ugo Humbert (21, 62) to find one of the Canadian hopes Denis Shapovalov or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 3rd.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: 34 years old, 66th worldwide. Eliminated at the first round in Montreal where he was invited. Chaining physical glitches, he struggles to find the summits. "I know my level is high, but I have big variations in terms of energy and consistency," he said in New York. He will pass a real test of entry to the American Tennys Sandgren (73), before eventually competing in the 9th world Karen Khachanov.
Gilles Simon: 34 years old, 39th worldwide. Eliminated at the 1st round in Montreal. Will his physique allow him to fight? He will play a qualifier in the first round, Bjorn Fratangello, before falling on Stefanos Tsitsipas, 8th in the world.
Pierre-Hugues Herbert: 28 years old, 45th worldwide. Eliminated entry to Cincinnati, he will have to dismiss Alex De Minaur (36th) in the first round.
. The qualified
Elliot Benchetrit: 20 years old, 226th worldwide. If he passes Damir Dzumhur (105th), he can hope to face Roger Federer (3rd) in the second round.
Grégoire Barrère: 25 years old, 109th worldwide. It will remove Cameron Norrie (60) to rub Goffin.
. The guest
Antoine Hoang: 23 years old, 98th worldwide. If he honors his wild card against Leonardo Mayer (93rd), he can hope to compete against Nick Kyrgios (29th) in the second round.
. Les Bleues in difficulty
Caroline Garcia: 25 years old, 28th worldwide. Eliminated from the start in Toronto and Cincinnati. Begins against Ons Jabeur (61st), aiming for the third round where World No. 3 Karolina Pliskova should wait.
Kristina Mladenovic: 26 years old, 53rd world. Eliminated in the first round in Toronto, after a quarter in Washington. She will face in the first round the 14th world Angelique Kerber, winner of the US Open 2016.
Alizé Cornet: 29 years old, 64th worldwide. Eliminated in the Bronx quarter. If she passes the first round against Jessica Pegula (57th), she will likely face the 13th world Belinda Bencic.
Pauline Parmentier: 33 years old, 81st worldwide. First difficult round against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (46th), before eventually facing the 7th world Kiki Bertens.
Fiona Ferro: 22 years old, 72nd worldwide. Eliminated in the second round in the Bronx. First round against Daria Gavrilova (84) before facing the second round Kerber ... or Mladenovic.
Diane Parry: 16 years old, 333rd World and recipient of a wild card. First round against Kristyna Pliskova (86th).
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