French Open 2018: Ash Barty facing possible Serena Williams clash; Nick Kyrgios draws first round qualifier

James Pavey

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French Open 2018: Ash Barty facing possible Serena Williams clash; Nick Kyrgios draws first round qualifier image

An Australian hasn't won a singles title at Roland-Garros since Margaret Court in 1973.

Considering the star power that will be on show for next week's French Open, there's every chance that streak could continue - however, with one of the strongest Aussie contingents in Paris for years, don't rule anything out.

That was the case for young Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko, who went all the way in 2017 to claim her maiden Grand Slam crown.

However, normal transmission resumed for Rafael Nadal in 2017, who won an unprecedented 11th French Open title.

MORE: French Open 2018: Draw, schedule, how to watch at Roland-Garros | Doing the unthinkable - the men most likely to topple Rafael Nadal

The 2018 tournament will be a busy one for Aussie tennis fans, with 11 Australian players confirmed for the main draw.

Australia's top-ranked player, Ash Barty, faces a potential showdown with Serena Williams, who was given a wildcard.

Barty will open her account against Russian world No.81 Natalia Vikhlyantseva, with the winner lining up a possible clash with Williams in the second round.

This year's French Open marks Williams' first Grand Slam appearance since she won last year's Australian Open, after which she took time off with her pregnancy.

Sam Stosur will line up for her 15th Roland-Garros campaign, which will kick off against Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer, with third-seeded 2016 champion Garbine Muguruza or 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova potential third-round opponents.

Daria Gavrilova will play Sorana Cirstea, Ajla Tomljanovic will up against Elina Svitolina, and wildcard playoff winner Isabelle Wallace will make her Roland-Garros debut against Alison Van Uytvanck.

There were happier times for Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson, who both drew qualifiers. Either could face Bernard Tomic, who will take on Portugal's Goncalo Oliveira on Friday night for a main draw spot.

John Millman will play towering Canadian Denis Shapovalov, with Matt Ebden to take on Thomas Fabbiano.

James Duckworth is facing a big challenge in Marin Cilic, while young gun Alex de Minaur will play Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund.

AUSSIES IN FIRST ROUND AT ROLAND-GARROS

Men's singles

Nick Kyrgios (21) v qualifier (TBA)

John Millman v Denis Shapovalov (24) (CAN)

Matt Ebden v Thomas Fabbiano (ITA)

Jordan Thompson v qualifier (TBA)

Alex de Minaur v Kyle Edmund (16) (GBR)

James Duckworth v Marin Cilic (3) (CRO)


 

Women's singles

Ash Barty (17) v Natalia Vikhlyantseva (RUS)

Daria Gavrilova (24) v Sorana Cirstea (ROM)

Samantha Stosur v Yanina Wickmayer (BEL)

Ajla Tomljanovic v 4-Elina Svitolina (UKR)

Isabelle Wallace v Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL)


 

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo