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Beyond French Open Favorites, Some Who Could Surprise

Here is a look at some players to watch in the men’s and the women’s fields at the French Open, which begins on Sunday:

Men

KEI NISHIKORI Nishikori, who shocked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the United States Open last year, is a legitimate threat to win a Grand Slam. He is comfortable on red clay, where his stunning ball striking pushes opponents deep behind the baseline. Like Djokovic, Nishikori can transform a baseline rally off either side with breathtaking pace and accuracy. He has had a solid clay-court season, reaching the semifinals of Madrid with wins over David Goffin, Roberto Bautista-Agut and David Ferrer — all stellar clay-court players — before losing to a red-hot Andy Murray.