Top-seeded Osaka opens against Russia's 93rd-ranked Anna Blinkova and could face a third-round date against 15-year-old American Coco Gauff, who eliminated Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon in a run to the last 16 in her
Grand Slam debut.Romania's fourth-seeded Halep, coming off her second
Grand Slam title, opens against a qualifier and could face a semi-final against Osaka, who defends a Slam crown for the first time.
"This will be the most special
Grand Slam. I won't lie about that.
The tournament is the premier clay court tennis championship event in the world and the second of four annual
Grand Slam tournaments, the other three being the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
That Rhodes-powered title was the closest the Beermen came to a
Grand Slam, before they were ambushed in the semifinals of the Governors' Cup by sister team Ginebra.
The Championship title winners get [pounds sterling]4.5m, but there's an extra [pounds sterling]1m on the table if that team achieves a title win via a
Grand Slam.
Azerbaijan is represented at the
Grand Slam by 15 judo fighters.
Echoing similar sentiments, Tournament Director Salah Tahlak said: "Angelique Kerber is clearly a very special talent, having won
Grand Slam titles at the Australian and US Opens and Wimbledon.
In all
Grand Slam meetings, Nadal has a clear advantage with a 9-5 win-loss record.
The
Grand Slam Board announced on Thursday (Friday in Manila)that it has given up its earlier-stated intention to revert to 16 seeds in 2019.
Working his way back from elbow surgery he underwent following the Australian Open, Djokovic did not expect to feature in the
Grand Slam picture this season.