Paris [France], May 24: Even in the days of Rafael Nadal's dominance at the French Open, the tournament has rarely felt more of a one-horse race than this year.
Jannik Sinner arrived at Roland Garros on a 29-match winning streak dating back to February and having become only the second man after Novak Djokovic to win all nine of the ATP's Masters 1000 titles.
Sinner has usurped the Serbian by claiming six of those titles in succession, and only three men have even been able to take a set off him during his current unbeaten run.
Djokovic was seven years older than Sinner when he completed his set of Masters, and he said: "Being one of the two guys that have managed in the history to be the only ones to win the Golden Masters, I know how challenging that is and how difficult it is.
"I really congratulate him for that because it's quite an achievement, and he's really young.
"He's maybe in the form of his life, and without Carlos (Alcaraz) being here also increases his chances even more of claiming more grand slam titles. So we are all here to try to win against him and prevent him from taking more titles." When Alcaraz claimed his seventh slam title at the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam, it seemed he had taken a decisive lead over his big rival.
But, with the Spaniard sidelined by a wrist injury that will also keep him out of Wimbledon, Sinner has completely taken over and is priced around 2/5 to finish off his own career Grand Slam.
Djokovic is third favourite despite having played only one match since March because of a shoulder injury and having turned 39 on Friday.
Second seed Alexander Zverev could be the player to take advantage of Alcaraz's absence but he has not been in good form and the same can be said for nearly all of the top 10.
New Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar, 19, is sixth favourite despite never having played the tournament before while Sinner saw another potential challenger eliminated before the start when exciting Frenchman Arthur Fils pulled out with a hip injury in a major blow to the home nation.
The biggest danger to Sinner might well be the unseasonal Paris heat, with the Italian known to struggle in such conditions.
Fatigue could also be a factor, with Sinner saying: "It has been a very long but very positive period. I'm lucky to be in this position.
I think it's always better to be in a position where you win and you start to feel tired than you feel very good but you lose a couple of rounds.
"I try to have a good balance now at the practice court with understanding when to push and then hopefully be ready for the first-round matches. I think also the excitement helps you to find a bit more energy during the tournament." If Sinner was to lift the trophy, it would be quite the redemption story 12 months after his heartbreaking loss to Alcaraz from two sets and two match points up in one of the greatest finals of all time.
The 24-year-old's ability to bounce back from disappointments is one of his strongest qualities, and he added: "Of course I think back to what happened, but still very positive feelings."
In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka will also be looking to right the wrongs of 12 months ago, when she was accused of being a sore loser after Coco Gauff claimed victory in the final.
Sabalenka declared herself fully fit after injury struggles and a shock early loss in Rome while Gauff, Elena Rybakina and four-time champion Iga Swiatek appear her biggest potential challengers.
Source: Qatar Tribune
