TITANIC BATTLE

Djokovic, Alcaraz could meet in French Open semis

World number one Alcaraz, playing his first major as a Grand Slam champion, starts against a qualifier.

In Summary

• Djokovic is seeded third as he goes for a record 23rd men's major title and plays American Aleksandar Kovacevic.

• Cameron Norrie, one of only three British players in the singles, starts against France's Benoit Paire.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz Garfia celebrates after winning a past semifinal match.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz Garfia celebrates after winning a past semifinal match.
Image: /FILE

Novak Djokovic has been drawn in the same half of the French Open men's singles draw as Carlos Alcaraz, meaning the pair could meet in the semi-finals.

World number one Alcaraz, playing his first major as a Grand Slam champion, starts against a qualifier.

Djokovic is seeded third as he goes for a record 23rd men's major title and plays American Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Cameron Norrie, one of only three British players in the singles, starts against France's Benoit Paire.

Former world number one Andy Murray withdrew last week to focus on the upcoming grass-court season.

Emma Raducanu, who would have received a place in the main draw, is also not playing  following operation on both her wrists and an ankle.

As a result, no Britons feature in the women's singles after six players lost in the qualifying rounds.

It is the first time the nation is not represented in a Grand Slam main draw since the 2009 US Open.

The French Open, which is the second major of the season, starts on the Roland Garros clay on Sunday.