French Open 2016: Schedule, Dates, Times, Live Stream and Predictions
Roland Garros opens its doors once again on Sunday as the 2016 French Open gets under way, and the tennis world welcomes one of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year.
Novak Djokovic returns to Paris once again looking to complete the career Grand Slam, having lost in three of the last four finals, but second-seeded Andy Murray will hope to rain on his parade with a maiden French crown of his own.
Serena Williams, meanwhile, is searching to become the first woman since Belgian Justine Henin to claim back-to-back French Open titles, having struggled against illness to win her third French Open in 2015.
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We provide a comprehensive breakdown of the Roland Garros schedule, complete with dates, times, live stream information and predictions of which champions will emerge come June 5. Check out the schedule in full at the official Roland Garros website.
| May 22 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | First Round |
| May 23 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | First Round |
| May 24 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | First Round |
| May 25 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Second Round |
| May 26 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Second Round |
| May 27 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Third Round |
| May 28 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Third Round |
| May 29 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Fourth Round |
| May 30 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Fourth Round |
| May 31 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Quarter-Finals |
| June 1 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Quarter-Finals |
| June 2 | 11 a.m. BST/6 a.m. ET | Women's Semi-Finals/Mixed Doubles Final |
| June 3 | 1 p.m. BST/8 a.m. ET | Men's Semi-Finals |
| June 4 | 12 p.m. BST/7 a.m. ET | Women's Final/Men's Doubles Final |
| June 5 | 10 a.m. BST/5 a.m. ET | Men's Final |
Streaming available at WatchESPN, NBC Sports Live Extra and Tennis Channel Live.
Men's Singles Champion: Andy Murray
With Roger Federer out of the running through injury and faith in the likes of Stanislas Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal somewhat slim, it looks to be a toss-up between Murray and Djokovic to taste success in France.
Murray's form on clay this season has been impressive thus far, and the official Roland Garros Twitter account posted footage of him training alongside an expert on that surface in the lead-up to Saturday's kick-off:
World No. 1 Djokovic has enjoyed an almost seamless 2016 calendar, but Murray's 6-3, 6-3 win over the Serb in the final of the Italian Open last Sunday was proof Britain's poster child can contend at his best.
That said, Murray does face a stiff task in his opening round, where Radek Stepanek, the oldest competitor in the men's singles, promises to give him an experienced examination, per Christopher Clarey of the New York Times:
But a difficult opener could come to have its positive effect on Murray, preparing him for the onslaught to come, albeit not with a test he's incapable of overcoming.
Combined with his win over Djokovic in Rome and the homework he's been handed from three finals against the Serb already this year, Murray has the means to deny the top seed his first French Open, while winning his own in the process.
Women's Singles Champion: Serena Williams
As far as championships go, Williams' 2015 triumph at Roland Garros was just about as hard-fought as they come, with the American having to come back from a set down in four of her six matches prior to the final.
Speaking to the media after being drawn opposite Magdalena Rybarikova in the first round, Williams opened up on her struggles against the flu during that competition, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN): "I think about it a lot, and I still don't know how I got through it. My eyes were glassy, and I was just not doing well."
The 34-year-old dropped opening sets to Anna-Lena Friedsam, Victoria Azarenka, Sloane Stephens and semi-finalist Timea Bacsinszky but showed remarkable fortitude to strike back and emerge victorious.
Fit and healthy, the irrepressible veteran is better prepared for this year's French fanfare, and a landmark win at the Italian Open last weekend puts her in good stead for Roland Garros, per Press Association:
A Williams sister fighting against illness remains a scary concept; a Williams sister fresh and motivated to claim her 22nd career Grand Slam title is an entirely more daunting prospect.
Dark horses may emerge in the women's title race, but none look capable of defeating Williams as long as her tournament can proceed without any more interruptions.
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