Men to watch at the French Open

HOW THE LEADING MEN SHAPE UP FOR THE 2017 FRENCH OPEN

ANDY MURRAY (SCO)

Age: 30

Ranking: 1

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US59,842,103 ($A80 million)

Career titles: 45

Grand slam titles: 3 (Wimbledon 2013, 2016; US Open 2012)

French Open win-loss record: 34-9

Best French Open result: finalist 2016

The world No.1 has been a shadow of himself in 2017, winning just five matches in four claycourt events, and must rediscover form quickly to challenge for the title.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)

Age: 30

Ranking: 2

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US108,940,597 ($A146 million)

Career titles: 67

Grand slam titles: 12 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015; US Open 2011, 2015)

French Open win-loss record: 55-11

Best French Open result: champion 2016

The Serb has turned to the legendary Andre Agassi for assistance after a barren one-title season, but the Serb showed signs of life with a run to the Rome final in a morale-boosting last hit-out before his title defence.

STAN WAWRINKA (SUI)

Age: 32

Ranking: 3

Plays: Right-handed

Career prize money: $US29,281,823 ($A39 million)

Career singles titles: 15

Grand slam titles: 3 (Australian Open 2014; 2015 French Open; 2016 US Open)

French Open win-loss record: 32-11

Best French Open result: champion 2015

The late-blooming Swiss has won at least one grand slam title every year for the past three seasons and is once again seeded to go deep on a surface in which he’s landed six titles.

RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)

Age: 30

Ranking: 4

Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US83,573,172 ($A112 million)

Career titles: 72

Grand slam titles: 14 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005-08, 2010-14; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013)

French Open win-loss record: 72-2

Best French Open results: champion 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

The claycourt colossus hasn’t won a slam since 2014 and few could have imagined the remarkable turnaround since his teary withdrawal last year with a wrist injury. The odds-on favourite after dominating on dirt once again.

DOMINIC THIEM (AUT)

Age: 23

Ranking: 7

Plays: right-handed

Career prize money: $US7,049,918 ($A9.4 million)

Career titles: 8

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 7-3

Best French Open result: semi-finalist 2016

The big-hitting Austrian has continued his meteoric rise with an eye-catching claycourt run in 2017. The only player to conquer Nadal on the surface all season and a serious title threat.

BEST OUTSIDER

ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)

Age: 20

Ranking: 10

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US3,610,598 ($A4.8 million)

Career titles: 4

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 2-1

Best French Open result: third round 2016

The youngest player in the world’s top 10 looms as a huge threat after crowning a fine claycourt season with victory over defending champion Djokovic in Rome.

BEST AUSTRALIAN HOPES

NICK KYRGIOS

Age: 22

Ranking: 19

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US4,373,015 ($A5.9 million)

Career titles: 3

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 4-4

Best French Open results: third round 2015, 2016

The grand slam champion in waiting was enjoying career-best form before a hip flexor injury cast doubt over his ability to go the distance on the sport’s most demanding surface.

BERNARD TOMIC

Age: 24

Ranking: 39

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US5,033,904 ($A6.7 million)

Career titles: 3

Grand slam titles: 0

French Open win-loss record: 3-7

Best French Open results: second round 2012, 2015, 2016

Has fallen down the rankings after cracking the top 20 for the first time last year and winning a match on his least preferred surface would be a good result.

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