Andy Murray can challenge for a third Grand Slam title at French Open, says Barry Cowan

By Barry Cowan, Tennis Expert & Columnist

Image: Rafael Nadal can contend again says Barry Cowan

Ahead of the French Open, we asked Sky Sports expert Barry Cowan to answer five key questions about this year's tournament at Roland Garros.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic resumes his pursuit for that elusive first Grand Slam title as part of a fiercely competitive draw in Paris, including Britain's Andy Murray, nine-time winner Rafael Nadal, and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.

Barry Cowan answers the big talking points...

Murray's Roland Garros record

A look at how the British number one has fared in Paris

Will Andy Murray be happy with the draw?

The key was always going to be where Rafa was. It's great news for Andy that Rafa will not be in his side of the draw, but I think it's also great news for Djokovic that Nadal will be in his side. Meeting Rafa before the final would work out in his favour, I believe.

The rankings don't lie. Andy is the second best player in the world at the moment and he's shown that with his performances on the clay in the past few weeks.

Advertisement

Wawrinka is an unknown quantity. We didn't know which Wawrinka would turn up last year - he was in no form going in - and look what happened. 

I think Roger's days of winning the French are gone. It's a real pity that his run of Grand Slam appearances should end due to injury, but it was going to end at some stage. 

Also See:

French Open draw details

Stepanek first for Murray

Can Murray take positives from recent wins over Djokovic and Nadal?

Yes, absolutely. He can obviously draw confidence from last week's win over Novak in Rome, but could also take huge positives from the way he played Novak in Madrid and Rafa in Monte Carlo.  

He has consistently played great tennis, but he's going into the French Open having never made the final. It would be an all-new experience, but he's been able to pass new experiences throughout his career. Why not this time?

Highlights from the Rome Masters Final as Andy Murray faced Novak Djokovic in a repeat of the Madrid Open final a week earlier

Will Novak Djokovic end his wait for a French Open title?

Djokovic's Missing Major

Can Novak finally win at Roland Garros?

Yes, it think he can do. He's a better player than he was last year, but there's more mental baggage than last year. He had to experience that final defeat to Wawrinka when he was the best player in the world and wasn't able to win it. No matter what sport it is, whenever you go in as favourite and don't get over the finish line, it can get harder.

I think it's good that he plays Rafa before the final. Playing Rafa in the semis, it's playing Rafa with their recent head-to-head record. Playing Rafa in the final, all of a sudden it becomes a huge monster, because you're playing against a guy who has won it nine times and Novak has never won it.  

Image: Djokovic has yet to win the French OPen title

Can Nadal win the tournament for a 10th time?

Nadal's La Decima

Rafa in form as he seeks another French crown

You can never overlook a guy who has won it nine times. He's playing great. I thought that quarter-final against Djokovic in Rome was amazing quality, it was phenomenal. The only difference between the two was Djokovic having won so many big titles in recent years, whereas Rafa hasn't really.

His last few appearances at Grand Slam haven't been great, so he'll be looking to put the record straight on that. But he's in as good shape as he's been in a long time.

The weather also could be key as if it's quick in the second week, then that will definitely help him.

Who could emerge as a surprise contender?

Image: Nick Kyrgios is one of the names who could surprise the big guns

Two weeks ago, I would have said Dominic Thiem. He defeated Roger Federer and looked set to make a breakthrough at the Rome Masters, but the occasion got to him in the quarter-final and he was beaten easily by Kei Nishikori. I've got no doubt that he will be a player who reaches the latter stages of a major tournament in the future. 

There is also Nick Kygrios of course. You cannot rule this guy out and he could break through and win a slam at some stage. I'm not going to say it's going to be these two weeks, but he's a player who can beat anyone on any given day.  

Outsiders assessed

The surprise names to keep in mind

Outbrain