Rafael Nadal to Face John Isner in French Open First Round

Defending French Open champions Rafael Nadal and Francesca Schiavone both were given first-round matches in Friday’s draw against American who own a combined two career match wins at Roland Garros.

The top-ranked Nadal will look to tie Bjorn Borg’s record of six titles at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament, and will begin his quest against the 6-foot-9 John Isner. The American is ranked 39^th in the world and is best known for winning the longest match in tennis history, 70-68, in the fifth set at Wimbledon last year.

Schiavone is seeded fifth in this years’ French Open and will open up play against the 89^th-ranked Melanie Oudin. Oudin is just 6 and 16 this season, and 0 and 1 all-time at Roland Garros having lost her first round contest a year ago in her tournament debut.

French Open play begins on Sunday, where Nadal is 38 and 1, while Isner is just 2 and 2.