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ATPWorldTour.com looks at which #NextGenATP stars are poised for a Grand Slam breakthrough in Paris
#NextGenATP now? Denis Shapovalov, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz all meet the #NextGenATP age qualification by being born in 1997 or later, and they're all looking like they'll qualify for the 2018 Next Gen ATP Finals, to be held 6-10 November in Milan.

The four, in that order, top the ATP Race To Milan, which will determine seven of the eight players who compete in Milan. For the second consecutive year, the eighth player will be determined by an all-Italian qualifying tournament.

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But just because they're #NextGenATP doesn't mean they haven't been thriving on the ATP World Tour now. The quartet all have posted career-best results during this clay-court swing, and all four look ready to continue that at Roland Garros.

Shapovalov

Canadian Denis Shapovalov: 19 years old, at a career-high No. 26 in the ATP Rankings
The 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals qualifier hadn't won an ATP World Tour match on clay before this year. But in Madrid, he played like someone who had spent their formative years training on the surface.

The 19-year-old left-hander beat Houston finalist Tennys Sandgren, French veteran Benoit Paire, then-top Canadian Milos Raonic and British No. 1 Kyle Edmund before falling to eventual champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.

It was Shapovalov's second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final (Montreal 2017). A week later, on the slower courts in Rome, the Canadian backed up his Madrid run with two three-set wins against No. 17 Tomas Berdych and Dutchman Robin Haase before falling 6-4, 6-1 to Rafael Nadal in the third round.

Shapovalov didn't play Roland Garros last year – he fell in the first round of qualifying – but this year he is seeded (24) for the first time at a Grand Slam.

Tsitsipas

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas: 19 years old, No. 40 in the ATP Rankings
Crack the Top 50. Reach first ATP World Tour final. Celebrate a second – and third – Top 10 win. Tsitsipas has done just about everything during this European clay-court swing, and it all started at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the season's first clay-court Masters 1000 tournament, where he beat Shapovalov before losing a tight one to then-No. 10 David Goffin.

The next week, at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, the #NextGenATP Greek sprinted to the final (l. to Nadal), not dropping a set against Rio Open presented by Claro titlist Diego Schwartzman, 2017 Monte-Carlo finalist Albert Ramos-Vinolas, then-No. 7 Dominic Thiem and then-No. 11 Pablo Carreno Busta.

“I feel very confident when I step on the dirt. I always show my best tennis on this surface,” Tsitsipas told ATPWorldTour.com.

Another semi-final in Estoril (l. to eventual champion Sousa) and a second-round finish in Rome (l. to Del Potro) wrapped up Tsitsipas' pre-Roland Garros clay-court results. Before Monte-Carlo, he was No. 71 in the ATP Rankings. Thirty-one spots later, he's a sleeper pick to make the second week in Paris.

Tiafoe

American Frances Tiafoe: 20 years old, No. 61 in the ATP Rankings
Three years ago, Frances Tiafoe was a scrawny 17-year-old, wearing a wide smile and feeling overjoyed to be making his Grand Slam debut in Paris. The American, the youngest player in the draw, had won the USTA's wild card for the clay-court Grand Slam and faced Slovakian veteran Martin Klizan, then a two-time clay-court titlist. Klizan dominated 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

Now 20, Tiafoe comes to Paris in a far better place. He's an automatic entry into the Grand Slam, and he's carrying belief from the best five months of his career. In February, Tiafoe won his maiden ATP World Tour title at the Delray Beach Open, beating 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals champion Hyeon Chung, Shapovalov and Juan Martin del Potro en route. Earlier this month, Tiafoe made his first ATP World Tour clay-court final at the Millennium Estoril Open (l. to Sousa), knocking off Carreno Busta 6-2, 6-3 in the semi-finals.

This fortnight, Tiafoe won't be pleased because he's simply making an appearance. This will be his third main-draw showing. He fell to Italy's Fabio Fognini in five sets last year.

Fritz

American Taylor Fritz: 20 years old, No. 70 in the ATP Rankings
The 6'4” American's power game might be Taylor-made (pardon the pun) for hard courts, but Fritz has shown aptitude for the red dirt as well throughout his young career.

Last month in Houston, the 2015 Roland Garros boys' finalist (l. to Paul) made his second ATP World Tour semi-final at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship, beating compatriots Ryan Harrison and Jack Sock along the way.

Last week week, he beat Sock again to reach his second ATP World Tour quarter-final of the season at the Open Parc Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes before falling to Madrid quarter-finalist Dusan Lajovic of Serbia. Fritz, like Tiafoe, has Roland Garros experience to remember. He fell to Croatian Borna Coric in the first round last year.

What tennis storyline excites you most coming into Roland-Garros 2018?
Alex Sharp: I've found Novak Djokovic's rocky return from injury fascinating. His early rounds will be intriguing, whether the Serb can recapture his former gladiatorial performances. As for the women's draw, it’s all about the French contingent – I always find a deep home run adds a special facet to a Grand Slam.

What tennis storyline excites you most coming into Roland-Garros 2018?
Alex Sharp: I've found Novak Djokovic's rocky return from injury fascinating. His early rounds will be intriguing, whether the Serb can recapture his former gladiatorial performances. As for the women's draw, it’s all about the French contingent – I always find a deep home run adds a special facet to a Grand Slam.

THE BIG QUESTIONS: PART 1
SATURDAY 26 MAY 2018
Best matches, early-exit fears, the next Ostapenko and more - the RG.com writers make their predictions!

Jelena Ostapenko Roland-Garros 2017
©Julien Crosnier/FFT
What tennis storyline excites you most coming into Roland-Garros 2018?
Alex Sharp: I've found Novak Djokovic's rocky return from injury fascinating. His early rounds will be intriguing, whether the Serb can recapture his former gladiatorial performances. As for the women's draw, it’s all about the French contingent – I always find a deep home run adds a special facet to a Grand Slam.


Kate Battersby: I want to see if Denis Shapovalov’s European clay court swing has already peaked, or whether he can carry the momentum of Madrid and Rome onto the supreme stage of the Parisian terre battue. Remember, just 12 months ago the Canadian went out in the first round…of qualifying. He’s come a long way.

Dan Imhoff: Jelena Ostapenko’s lights-out brand of tennis with her back to the wall in last year’s final was a welcome breath of fresh air. The chance to see the Latvian silence rivals and critics alike to become the first maiden slam-winner since Monica Seles in the women’s draw to defend her title would be great for the sport. A similar revelation would be seeing a player able to hit through Rafael Nadal and end his extraordinary reign on the clay in a display of fearless, lights-out aggression.

The debate continues:
The Big Questions: Part 2

Sarah Edworthy: Seeing how the two former world No.1 tennis mums Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka fare as unseeded floaters in the women's singles. It was one thing for Serena to win the Australian Open when she was eight weeks pregnant, but to get to the sharp end of another Slam at her first attempt as a mother would confirm her GOAT status.

Ian Chadband: It has to be Serena’s return to the big-time. Can Superwoman materialise into Supermom? If anyone can… On the men’s side, with my union jack striped knotted-hankie on, I’m looking forward to seeing how far Brit Kyle Edmund’s big game will transport him after his breakthrough run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.


Which big name is most likely to suffer an early upset?
KB: Grigor Dimitrov has rarely looked convincing of late, although he has a kind draw. Meanwhile either Maria Sharapova or Karolina Pliskova is destined for an early exit by the time the third round is done.

AS: Stan Wawrinka fell in the opening round to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez back in 2014 and could be set for a repeat as he searches for form following knee surgery. Caroline Wozniacki has been handed a tough opener, too – American Danielle Collins has proven in recent months she relishes tackling the top players.

DI: Grigor Dimitrov bowed out here in the opening round in a five-setter to Viktor Troicki two years ago. Seeded fourth, he might survive that opener but as with every year he’s already got one eye on the grass. Ostapenko avoided first-time slam winner’s curse – falling in the first week of the subsequent major – at Wimbledon last season, but it would be no surprise to see Caroline Wozniacki to fall prey in the first week.

SE: I also fear for Caroline Wozniacki…

IC: Serena Williams won't be as vulnerable as in her first match for more than two months when she’s tested by the big serves of leftie Kristyna Pliskova, but if she survives that, she’ll probably have the talented Ashleigh Barty hounding her in the second round.

THE BIG QUESTIONS: PART 1
SATURDAY 26 MAY 2018
Best matches, early-exit fears, the next Ostapenko and more - the RG.com writers make their predictions!

Jelena Ostapenko Roland-Garros 2017
©Julien Crosnier/FFT
What tennis storyline excites you most coming into Roland-Garros 2018?
Alex Sharp: I've found Novak Djokovic's rocky return from injury fascinating. His early rounds will be intriguing, whether the Serb can recapture his former gladiatorial performances. As for the women's draw, it’s all about the French contingent – I always find a deep home run adds a special facet to a Grand Slam.


Kate Battersby: I want to see if Denis Shapovalov’s European clay court swing has already peaked, or whether he can carry the momentum of Madrid and Rome onto the supreme stage of the Parisian terre battue. Remember, just 12 months ago the Canadian went out in the first round…of qualifying. He’s come a long way.

Dan Imhoff: Jelena Ostapenko’s lights-out brand of tennis with her back to the wall in last year’s final was a welcome breath of fresh air. The chance to see the Latvian silence rivals and critics alike to become the first maiden slam-winner since Monica Seles in the women’s draw to defend her title would be great for the sport. A similar revelation would be seeing a player able to hit through Rafael Nadal and end his extraordinary reign on the clay in a display of fearless, lights-out aggression.

The debate continues:
The Big Questions: Part 2

Sarah Edworthy: Seeing how the two former world No.1 tennis mums Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka fare as unseeded floaters in the women's singles. It was one thing for Serena to win the Australian Open when she was eight weeks pregnant, but to get to the sharp end of another Slam at her first attempt as a mother would confirm her GOAT status.

Ian Chadband: It has to be Serena’s return to the big-time. Can Superwoman materialise into Supermom? If anyone can… On the men’s side, with my union jack striped knotted-hankie on, I’m looking forward to seeing how far Brit Kyle Edmund’s big game will transport him after his breakthrough run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal Stan Wawrinka Roland-Garros 2017
Which big name is most likely to suffer an early upset?
KB: Grigor Dimitrov has rarely looked convincing of late, although he has a kind draw. Meanwhile either Maria Sharapova or Karolina Pliskova is destined for an early exit by the time the third round is done.

AS: Stan Wawrinka fell in the opening round to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez back in 2014 and could be set for a repeat as he searches for form following knee surgery. Caroline Wozniacki has been handed a tough opener, too – American Danielle Collins has proven in recent months she relishes tackling the top players.

DI: Grigor Dimitrov bowed out here in the opening round in a five-setter to Viktor Troicki two years ago. Seeded fourth, he might survive that opener but as with every year he’s already got one eye on the grass. Ostapenko avoided first-time slam winner’s curse – falling in the first week of the subsequent major – at Wimbledon last season, but it would be no surprise to see Caroline Wozniacki to fall prey in the first week.

SE: I also fear for Caroline Wozniacki…

IC: Serena Williams won't be as vulnerable as in her first match for more than two months when she’s tested by the big serves of leftie Kristyna Pliskova, but if she survives that, she’ll probably have the talented Ashleigh Barty hounding her in the second round.



Is there an unseeded player who could "do an Ostapenko" and surprise everyone with a deep run?
IC: Probably not, but how about a couple of Greeks bearing serious gifts? Maria Sakkari is coming off a fine Italian Open where she KO’d Kiki Bertens and Karolina Pliskova, while Stefanos Tsitsipas, finalist in Barcelona, has the stylish power game to go deep.

KB: Stefanos Tsitsipas, perhaps – now ranked 40, he didn’t miss a seeding by much. That potential second round clash with Dominic Thiem looks intriguing, after the Greek’s demolition of him in Barcelona. If Tsitsipas can produce a repeat outcome, he has possibilities here.

AS: As Kate and Ian said, Stefanos Tsitsipas could become a crowd favourite with his firebrand of tennis. Look out for former world No.7 Belinda Bencic, who has been sidelined by a foot injury since March and can build momentum with her powerful play.

SE: They’re long shots, but: Frances Tiafoe, the youngest American to reach a clay-court final in 28 years (at Estoril), has the requisite confidence and joie de vivre, as does Francesca Schiavone, the 2010 champion, after a dynamic run through qualifying.

DI: Another vote for Stefanos Tsitsipas, and, if she’s injury-free, Kaia Kanepi is always one of the most dangerous ball-strikers in the women’s game. The Estonian is a six-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist – including twice in Paris – but would have to beat No.14 seed Daria Kasatkina at the first hurdle.

Which first-round match-up excites you the most?
AS: I think in-form Kyle Edmund and fledging Aussie youngster Alex de Minaur could produce a cracker, while Andrea Petkovic and Kristina Mladenovic promises to be a right rollercoaster.

IC: Garbine Muguruza’s dust-up with Svetlana Kuznetsova looks pretty splendide, although when you look at their head-to-head, you can’t really back against the Spaniard. Then there’s Nick Kyrgios versus Bernie Tomic – awww, mate! How can you not get enthused by this? It could be the maddest thing served up by Australia since Bananas in Pyjamas.

DI: If it materialises, with both players injury-free, Nick Kygrios versus a resurgent Bernard Tomic is intriguing. While not the preferred surface for either, it’s a story of Tomic’s slow road back to potential redemption and the unpredictability of which Nick Kyrgios will turn up. It’s not a match either will want to lose. On the women’s side, it’s hard to go past Serena Williams versus Kristyna Pliskova purely for the anticipation of seeing where the American great’s game is at as her comeback gathers pace.

KB: The thought of Kyrgios and Tomic prompts a certain smile…

SE: I too am looking forward to Kyle Edmund vs Alex de Minaur, the former young upstart taking on a hungry young player of great potential.