French Open 2016: The main contenders to challenge Novak Djokovic in the men’s draw

1. Novak Djokovic

Best tournament result: Runner-up (2012, 2014, 2015)

Tennis’ seemingly omnipresent champion has a rare gap in his trophy cabinet: the French Open. To truly be considered the ‘greatest of all time’ – though such arguments are futile – he has to chalk up a career Slam. Better yet, win them all in 2016. Djokovic has run amok for five straight years, but has wilted at Roland Garros’ final hurdle on three occasions. His preparations, usually flawless, have been hindered by clay-court defeats to Jiri Vesely and Andy Murray. The upshot? It could be another trophy-less tournament for the Serb.

Prediction: Runner-up

Odds: 4-5

2. Andy Murray

Best tournament result: Semi-finalist (2011, 2014, 2015)

It would be a minor catastrophe if Murray finishes his career with two Slam titles. His curtain call is some way off yet, but he can’t keep spurning opportunities in finals – ‘played nine, lost seven’ does not make strong reading. And this is a huge opportunity. Djokovic is not unflappable – he defeated him in Rome, and really should have in Madrid – while Rafa Nadal is not the same force that won nine titles. But how will Murray handle a fortnight without a coach, especially now he’s being spoken about as a genuine champion?

Prediction: Semi-finals

Odds: 4-1

3. Stan Wawrinka

Best tournament result: Winner (2015)

Can a third-seed defending champion really be considered a ‘dark horse’? Perhaps not, but we’re chucking that label on him anyway following his indifferent preparations. Defeats to Juan Monaco and Nick Kyrgios hardly make you scream ‘potential champ’, but he also struggled in his 2015 warm-up on clay… and we all know how that ended. Here’s the thing: if Wawrinka finds his groove, he’s probably unbeatable. His groundstrokes were too much for Djokovic in 2015 and he seems to find his best tennis on the biggest stage.

Prediction: Winner

Odds: 14-1

4. Rafa Nadal

Best tournament result: Winner (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Last year’s result: Quarter-finals

You can bet Nadal unleashed a sly fist pump when news filtered through of Roger Federer’s withdrawal. It promotes the Spaniard to fourth seed, meaning he can’t face the aforementioned trio until the semi-finals. Given his fragile frame, one more marginally easier match could be the difference between a miserable exit and a 10th title. He was the quickest to adjust to clay, winning in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, but Djokovic and Murray have since beaten him in straight sets. Sadly, the signs are he’s just short of title-winning form.

Prediction: Quarter-finals

Odds: 7-2

5. Kei Nishikori

Best tournament result: Quarter-finals (2015)

Too good for those ranked below; not quite good enough to nestle amongst the elite. Nishikori has only lost to Djokovic and Nadal on clay this season – but that’s a major problem, with at least one likely blocking his path to a maiden Slam. He impressed against the world No.1 in Rome, losing a tense final set tie-break deep into the evening, and must now convert fine performances into wins.

Prediction: Semi-finals

Odds: 25-1

6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Best tournament result: Semi-finals (2013, 2015)

It seems inevitable the Frenchman will finish his career without a Slam. He’s two years older than Djokovic – who will presumably dominate three of the four Majors for a while yet – leaving him with one option: win the French Open ASAP. Not since Yannick Noah and 1983 collided have Parisians had anything to cheer. And unfortunately for them, Tsonga’s unlikely to be their saviour in 2016. His warm-up has been mediocre, with a Monte Carlo victory over Federer now looking far less impressive following the Swiss maestro’s withdrawal.

Prediction: Third round

Odds: 50-1

7. Tomas Berdych

Best tournament result: Semi-finals (2010)

Last year’s result: Fourth round

His pre-Roland Garros results make grim reading: R32, QF, R16. The form of a champion-elect? Not at all. His sole semi-final appearance at the French Open came back in 2010, while he is without a final appearance since October 2015. The Czech seventh seed needs a monumental upturn in form just to reach the last eight.

Prediction: Third round

Odds: 66-1

8. Milos Raonic

Best tournament result: Quarter-finals (2014)

Last year’s result: Withdrew

An unknown quantity. Tasted defeat to Murray and Djokovic in Monte Carlo and Madrid respectively, before an early exit to Kyrgios in Rome, but has been rarely troubled by lower seeds in 2016. Probably not got enough to win, but should live up to his seeding. Also benefits from Federer’s withdrawal, meaning he won’t face any of the above seven until the quarter-finals at the earliest.

Prediction: Quarter-finals

Odds: 66-1