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The sports world will once again turn its collective attention towards Paris for two weeks, as tennis’ best and brightest stars gather at Roland Garros for the 2018 French Open.
In the United States, coverage of the tournament will be split between the Tennis Channel and NBC. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a television, you can still watch both channels live on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services:
Watch Tennis Channel & NBC Coverage
DirecTV Now: While NBC (live in select markets) and NBC Sports Network are both included in all four of DirecTV Now’s main channel bundles, the Tennis Channel is in the “Just Right”, “Go Big” and “Gotta Have It” packages. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial no matter what package you choose, and you can then watch both channels live on your computer via the DirecTV Now website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the DirecTV Now app.
Watch NBC Coverage
Hulu With Live TV: In addition to their extensive Netflix-like streaming library, Hulu now also offers a bundle of live television channels, including both NBC (live in most markets) and NBC Sports Network. You can sign up for “Hulu with Live TV” right here, and you can then watch a live stream on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Hulu app.
FuboTV: NBC (live in most markets) and NBC Sports Network are both included in the “Fubo Premier” channel package, which is largely tailored towards international sports fans. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial, and you can then watch live on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the FuboTV app.
Preview
As has long been the case, the men’s side comes down to Rafael Nadal and everyone else.
At 31 years old, the King of Clay continues to be astoundingly dominant on his preferred surface. Over the last two months, the World No. 1 captured his 11th Monte-Carlo Masters title, his 11th Barcelona Open title and his eighth Rome Masters title, losing just one match and five total sets along the way, and now he’s a heavy favorite (-225) for title No. 11 at Roland Garros.
With Roger Federer sitting out the clay swing, Andy Murray sidelined with injury and Novak Djokovic still working his way back from injury, the two biggest threats to Nadal over the last couple of months have been 24-year-old Dominic Thiem (+700) and 21-year-old Alexander Zverev (+1000). Thiem is the only player to beat Nadal on clay the last two years–and he’s done it twice–while Zverev is coming off a title win in Madrid (in which he beat Thiem in the final) and a final appearance in Rome (in which he took Nadal to the full three sets).
That said, Djoker (+1400) shouldn’t be written off completely. The 2016 French Open winner showed positive signs in Rome last week, as he advanced to the semis and played Nadal close before ultimately losing in two sets, and if he continues to consistently look like the old Djoker, he’s obviously capable of a deep run in Paris.
On the women’s side, things are much more wide open.
World No. 1 Simona Halep (+550) is the favorite, as she continues to seek her first Grand Slam title. She was a finalist here in 2014 and ’17, and after rolling through the likes of Caroline Garcia and Maria Sharapova to reach the final in Rome, she looks ready to go.
Elina Svitolina (+800), the woman who destroyed Halep in Rome to capture her second-straight title Italian Open title, is considered the co-favorite. That victory pushed the World No. 6 to 6-1 on clay this year after going 14-2 on the surface and reaching the French Open quarters a year ago.
There are plenty of others with legitimate chances in Paris. 23-time major winner and three-time French Open titlist Serena Williams (+1000) can never be counted out, even if she’s unseeded and hasn’t played a match on clay since before she gave birth. Both Garbine Muguruza (+900) and Jelena Ostapenko (+1600) have struggled on clay this year, each going 2-2, but they’re also the last two to win the French Open. Maria Sharapova (+1600) is a two-time winner and looked good in advancing to the Rome semifinals last week. Petra Kvitova (+1800) doesn’t have a great track record at the French Open, but she’s 11-1 on clay this year and coming off an impressive Madri Masters title.
The last 10 years at Roland Garros have seen seven first-time French Open women’s winners, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see that trend continue in 2018.
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