Alcaraz plays Nishikori in opener, Swiatek gets tough draw

Carlos Alcaraz will begin his French Open title defence against Japan’s Kei Nishikori as Iga Swiatek faces a difficult route to a fourth successive Roland Garros title after a year-long trophy drought.

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Jannik Sinner takes on home hope Arthur Rinderknech in the world No.1's first Grand Slam match since serving a three-month doping ban.

Alcaraz and Sinner have combined to win each of the last five men’s Grand Slam titles and are the two chief contenders again in Paris.

Novak Djokovic, who had not won a clay-court match this season before this week, starts his latest quest for a record-setting 25th major against American Mackenzie McDonald.

Seeded sixth, Djokovic could have been drawn to meet either Alcaraz or Sinner in the quarter-finals, but Thursday's draw spared him from that prospect.

Instead, he could run into 2024 runner-up Alexander Zverev in the last eight before a potential semi-final against Sinner. Alcaraz is in the other half of the draw. Zverev opens against US teenager Learner Tien.

Alcaraz could play Fabian Marozsan or Luca Nardi in the second round, with towering Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard a possible third round-opponent.