Names to watch out for in Roland Garros qualifying

While fans everywhere are eagerly awaiting the start of Roland Garros on Sunday, not may people pay attention to the qualifying rounds leading up to the tournament. Matches across the next few days will send a lucky group into the Grand Slam's main draw, allowing players to fight for the title alongside the greats.

In case you are unsure who to follow, here are six players you should keep an eye on:

1

The youngest player on this list, and possibly the one with the most potential, Osuigwe has already made a name for herself in a very short time. In 2017, the 17-year-old won the junior French Open, becoming the first American to win it in 28 years. She reached her career-high ranking of No. 139 just last month. This is a player that should be watched for months to come, not just during this Slam.

2

Sandgren has been a mainstay on the ATP Tour since cracking the Top 100 in 2017. After continuing to rise in 2018 by getting to the Australian Open quarterfinals and reaching his first ATP final, he finally broke through by winning his first title this season in Auckland. He's in Paris for just the fourth time in his career, having never won a main-draw match.

3

Brown is one of the flashiest players on tour, with a healthy appetitie for tweeners. The German ousted No. 2 seed Dennis Istomin in his first match in Paris, and could not be more of a crowd pleaser. Though grass may be his better-suited surface—call to mind the time he upset Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon in 2015—he's just as capable of beating anyone on clay. Ranking No. 175, Brown won an ATP Challenger title in Sophia last month for his first trophy in three years.

4

Unseeded, Troicki is a dangerous floater in the draw. The Serbian is a former world No. 12 currently sitting at No. 256 after dealing with a back injury. He's won three titles during his career, most recently in 2016, and has reached the fourth round of Roland Garros on three occasions. He'll play France's Alexandre Muller for a spot in the main draw.

5

Another day, another hard hitting American woman. Vickery has recently made a name for herself on the WTA tour by reaching the semifinals in Auckland and Monterrey in 2018. She also upset Garbine Muguruza at Indian Wells last year. She's won three singles titles at the ITF level, and is seeking her third main-draw appearance in Paris.

6

After quitting the game unexpectedly in 2013 due to depression at the tender age of 22, the Canadian returned to the tour last year. She won five ITF titles including her first first three events back, and then added her biggest career crown last week at a W60 in Japan. The former world No. 38 is back inside the Top 150. Her only main-draw appearance at Roland Garros was in 2011 when she reached the third round.