Victoria Mboko is the sole Canadian player carrying momentum into the French Open. The 19-year-old found her form at a recent Strasbourg tuneup tournament, reaching the final set for Saturday. However, other Canadian players, including Leylah Fernandez and three male singles competitors, face a mixture of setbacks like injuries and the challenges of the clay surface.
Gabriel Diallo struggled with back issues throughout the clay-court season, eventually requiring surgery after an accident. Felix Auger-Aliassime, the No. 4 seed, prepares to face Daniel Altmaier, aiming to break his streak of inconsistent performances since early March. Denis Shapovalov expressed concerns about a wrist problem affecting his gameplay on clay courts.
As the tournament approaches, players are optimistic despite their recent hurdles. Mboko, seeded 9th this year, faces Alycia Parks in the first round. Diallo and Shapovalov are determined to overcome their challenges and improve their performances. Fernandez, once a quarterfinalist, hopes to regain her form after recent losses.
In doubles, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani advanced to the final at the Strasbourg International, showcasing a strong performance in their recent match. Their upcoming final match against Ulrikke Eikeri and Quinn Gleason presents an opportunity to secure their second title of the season.