French Open 2022: Best first-round matches ft. Naomi Osaka vs Amanda Anisimova, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti & more
Top names have begun arriving in Paris as the tennis fraternity's focus shifts to Stade Roland Garros for the season's second Grand Slam. This year's field is led by top seeds Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek. Women's singles defending champion Barbora Krejickova and 13-time winner Rafael Nadal also feature.
The 2022 French Open draw, which was announced on Thursday, has thrown up quite a few eye-catching first-round matches. Here, we take a look at some of the matches that cannot be missed.
#1 Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Lorenzo Musetti
Stefanos Tsitispas will enter the 2022 French Open as a firm contender for the trophy, but he won't have it easy at the start. The Greek will open his campaign against a tricky opponent in the form of talented youngster Lorenzo Musetti.
The Italian is in decent form, having scored wins over the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime and Dan Evans on clay this year. That said, his results do not quite match up to Tsitsipas' two ATP Masters 1000 finals (one title). The Greek has beaten Musetti twice in as many meetings.
#2 Naomi Osaka vs Amanda Anisimova
Naomi Osaka suffered a third-round exit at the 2022 Australian Open after losing to an inspired Amanda Anisimova. Having drawn the American in the first round in Paris, the former World No. 1 now has a chance at exacting revenge.
Both women possess similar games built around huge groundstrokes. While Osaka has had the more illustrious career of the two, it is Anisimova who boasts of a better record at Roland Garros. If she can maintain the level that she has shown in the lead-up, the former semifinalist could well see off Osaka once again.
Anisimova 
There are no easy rounds 🍿
Stock up on the popcorn for these opening women's matches Including Osaka 🆚 Anisimova 👇
#RolandGarros
#3 Garbine Muguruza vs Kaia Kanepi
Garbine Muguruza will open her 2022 French Open campaign against an evergreen threat in the form of Kaia Kanepi, who is fresh off a semi-final run at a WTA 125k event in Paris. The duo last met way back at the Australian open in 2014, a match the Spaniard won in three sets.
The big-hitting Estonian completed her set of Grand Slam quarterfinals in Melbourne this year and continues to break new ground at the age of 36. Her powerful groundstrokes could prove to be a huge asset on clay. Add Muguruza's dismal form in 2022 to the equation and this match-up starts to look ominous for the 2016 winner.
#4 Casper Ruud vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga announced his decision to retire after the 2022 French Open earlier this year. The Frenchman, who has reached the semifinals twice, will need to find his best tennis if he wishes to extend his stay past the first round as he takes on claycourt maverick Casper Ruud.
Tsonga comes into the tournament having played only three matches on clay this year. The big-serving Frenchman has played intermittently over the last few years due to injuries, but still possesses enough firepower to give Ruud something to think about.
Grand Slam finalist, two-time Masters 1000 Champ, and former World No. 5 @tsonga7 will retire at the 2022 Roland Garros 👏
What a run 🙌
Merci pour tout, Jo! ❤️ https://t.co/nSU1EGVXKt
#5 Ons Jabeur vs Magda Linette
One of the most in-form players on the WTA tour, Ons Jabeur, is slated to play Magda Linette in an enticing opening-round match at the 2022 French Open. Fresh off a WTA 1000 title in Madrid and run to the final in Rome, the Tunisian is riding a wave of momentum.
Jabeur, however, will need to be wary of Linette, who has put together a string of decent results. The Pole is yet to beat Jabeur in a completed match, but possesses a tenacious game.
Linette has posted wins over the likes of Leylah Fernandez and Kaia Kanepi, as well as lifted a doubles title on clay in the last couple of months, which should give her a measure of confidence heading into the encounter.