Emma Raducanu has now learned who her French Open first-round opponent will be.
Having enjoyed a solid clay-court season, optimism was building for the Brit as she headed to the French capital full of hope.
And with good reason too after reaching the Round of 16 in Rome, just weeks after making it to the quarter-finals in Miami too.
With new coach Mark Petchey by her side there was an air of unpredictability to it all, but now the draw is out.
Positivity has certainly waned.
Emma Raducanu’s French Open first-round opponent revealed
And whilst her first-round opponent is not as tough as it could possibly be, the true fear lies if she is to beat Wang Xinyu.
A tough and impressive 23-year-old from China, last year saw her topple two top-ten opponents in Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula whilst also reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.
She will be no pushover for Emma Raducanu.
But then comes the dagger in round two, where Iga Swiatek is expected to await.
The reigning champion faces Rebecca Šramková in the first round, and then will face the winner of Raducanu’s match in the second. A true nightmare draw for the 22-year-old.
Iga Swiatek will wait for Emma Raducanu in Roland Garros second round
Although it is not certain that both players will win their matches, it is the high-profile match-up that many will hope for.
After all, it pits the plucky in-form Raducanu against a faltering Swiatek, who will be hoping to dispel her underwhelming clay-court season with another title in Paris.
However, Raducanu issued a worrying fitness update following Strasbourg that does not look promising for her chances.
It’s such a shame for the 2021 US Open champion that the draw has not been more forgiving, but to reach the pinnacle of the sport she will eventually have to find a way to start beating these elite players.
There is arguably no better time to start doing so than now.
