Aryna Sabalenka
Sinner isn’t the only world No. 1 who came close last year.
Sabalenka snapped Iga Swiatek’s ridiculous 26-match Roland Garros winning streak in the semis before losing a thriller against Coco Gauff in the final, 6-4 in the third. And who knows how that final would’ve turned out if Sabalenka had cut out even just a few of the 70 unforced errors she made in the match.
A four-time Grand Slam champion on hard courts, she was so close to finally winning one on a natural surface last year in Paris, a near miss that—should she make the final again this year—could motivate her to take that final step this time.
Alexander Zverev
Statistically, the German might be the most accomplished men’s tennis player ever to not win a Grand Slam title, but he’s come close several times—including on the terre battue.
The closest he got to the Coupe des Mousquetaires was two years ago, when he not only reached the final, but led Alcaraz by two sets to one before the Spaniard bounced back to win in five sets. He’s been to another three semifinals AND another three quarterfinals in Paris, too, just constantly within striking distance.
As this year’s No. 2 seed, Zverev has a good chance to reach another Roland Garros final, and wouldn’t have to play Sinner until then—but if the Italian is there waiting for him, he’ll have to snap a nine-match losing streak against him…
