By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday May 26, 2019

Day 1 of Roland Garros is upon us. So let’s preview this puppy, shall we?

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Allez! Roger Federer’s first appearance at Roland Garros since 2015, and if we’re being completely honest, maybe his last, kicks off on Sunday as the 2009 champion battles Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Chatrier (3rd Match on Chatrier).

For those thinking this will be a Federer-dominated snoozefest, I wouldn’t be so sure. Sonego is coming into his own on the clay (8 wins on the surface in 2019 including quarter-finals at Marrakech and Monte-Carlo) and he could potentially trouble Federer. Federer, who owns a 65-16 career record at Roland Garros, will need to manage his nerves and quickly take it to the 24-year-old, who is making his Paris debut.

Federer’s match isn’t the only one that will move the mainstream needle. There’s also the first ever match on the tournament’s new attraction, Court Simonne-Mathieu. Garbiñe Muguruza gets the honor of christening this époustouflant beauty against Taylor Townsend. The wins haven’t exactly been coming easily for the Spaniard, so it will be interesting to see how she performs.

Another delectable matchup will occur a few hours later on the same gorgeous showcourt which sits on the far east quadrant of the grounds. That will feature Venus Williams and Elina Svitolina—two players searching for a much needed triumph. Which woman will grab it?

Perhaps the one that is the least injured?

A Sneaky Good Match

Looking for a battle of ATP young guns on a quality sidecourt? Then head over to the well-appointed Court 14 where Alexei Popyrin and Ugo Humbert are set to battle. Both promising players have interesting games and a lot of potential. Both players are making their Grand Slam debut, and of course it’s very meaningful for Humbert who is on home soil and loves to be in Paris.

Six Top 10 Seeds in Action

Will there be any massive upsets on Day 1 in Paris? One never knows. No.5-seeded Angelique Kerber will be on alert early as she faces the very talented Anastasia Potapova on Court Philippe Chatrier. All eyes will be on Stefanos Tsitsipas as the Greek contests his first Slam as a Top 10 seed. The No.6 seed will face Maximilian Marterer, a player that reached the round of 16 last season before getting trampled by the King of Clay. Other seeds in action are No.2-seeded Karolina Pliskova (v. Brengle), No.7-seeded Sloane Stephens (v. Doi), No.3-seeded Federer (Sonego), No.7-seeded Nishikori (v. Halys).

Au revoir and enjoy the tennis!