French Open: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in same half of 2021 Roland Garros draw in Paris

Updated 27/05/2021 at 21:30 GMT

The draw for the 2021 French Open has been released and it has thrown up a number of fascinating early clashes on both the men's and women's sides of the tournament. Intriguingly, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are all in the same part of the men's draw, while Naomi Osaka will open against Patricia Maria Tig and Serena Williams will face Irina-Camelia Begu on the women's side.

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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have all found themselves in the same part of the men's draw at the 2021 French Open, while Naomi Osaka could take on Serena Williams in the semi-finals of the women's.

The draw looks particularly exciting for Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev with the quartet not having to face any of the 'Big Three' until the final at least.

A mouth-watering projected quarter-final line up could see Djokovic v Federer, Nadal v Andrey Rublev, Zverev v Thiem and Tsitsipas v Medvedev.

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Djokovic could take on Nadal in the semi-finals in Paris in what would be a repeat from last year's final in the postponed autumnal edition. The three most successful players in the history of the men's game have won 17 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles between them.

The world number one and Australian Open champion will take on Tennys Sandgren in his opener, while Nadal will face Alexei Popyrin. Second seed Medvedev will face Alexander Bublik, Dominic Thiem will take on Pablo Andujar and Federer will await a qualifier.

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On the women's side there are a number of fascinating early encounters and routes to the final stages.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek will start her campaign against Kaja Juvan, while last year's runner-up Sofia Kenin takes on 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko. Swiatek and Kenin could face off in the quarter-finals.

Second seed and Australian Open champion Osaka - who said she would not speak to the media throughout the tournament for mental health reasons - will make her comeback against Maria Patricia Tig.

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Osaka could take on Williams - who opens up against Irina-Camelia Begu - in the semi-finals with the seventh seed still bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.

World number one Ash Barty begins her campaign against American Bernarda Pera and faces the prospect of a potential semi-final against Swiatek.

A projected quarter-final line up could present the following encounters: Ash Barty v Elina Svitolina, Sofia Kenin v Iga Swiatek, Serena Williams v Aryna Sabalenka and Bianca Andreescu v Naomi Osaka.