With no standout favourite in the women's field, it could provide an ideal stage for American Serena Williams to finally end her quest for an elusive 24th Grand Slam title.
Halep had clinched the French Open in 2018 after defeating American Sloane Stephens in the final.
Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic recovered from a set down to beat Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula
Nadal said the two-week gap between the French Open and Wimbledon was not enough time for him to recuperate
The 13-time French Open champion is chasing a record-extending 22nd men's Grand Slam title. But time may be running out for Rafa who has been suffering from a chronic foot injury that had put his participation at the clay court major in doubt.
Carlos Alcaraz crashed to a humbling 6-3 7-6(4) defeat by Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan in the third round of the Italian Open.
An FFT statement said it had consulted with the ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation (ITF) to allow the Roland-Garros showpiece the benefit of an extra week.
The 20-year-old is on the longest unbeaten run in the women's tour since Serena Williams bagged 34 victories in succession in 2013.
The two great rivals meet at Roland Garros for the first time in eight years in Friday's tie.
Factbox on Romanian Simona Halep, who beat Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win the French Open title on Saturday:
Daniil Medvedev handed Novak Djokovic his first loss of the year, defeating the world no. 1 6-4, 6-4 in Dubai.
IMAGES from Day 10 of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Tuesday.
Factbox on Rafael Nadal, who beat Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday to win a record-extending 13th French Open title:
It wasn't just the tennis that amazed audiences at Roland Garros.
Images from Day 13 of the French Open, at Roland Garros, in Paris.
Venus Williams is a two-time mixed doubles winner at Grand Slams, triumphing at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 1998.
Fourth-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Norway's world number seven Casper Ruud also have a shot at top spot.
Rafael Nadal is hunting a record-extending and almost unbelievable 12th Roland Garros title is remarkable in itself.
Rafael Nadal's preparations for his Australian Open title defence got off to a wobbly start as Cameron Norrie handed him a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat in the United Cup on Saturday to give Britain a 1-0 lead.
Rafael Nadal warmed up for the French Open with a battling 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 win over world number one Novak Djokovic as the Spaniard claimed a record-extending 10th Italian Open title in Rome on Sunday in the latest chapter of their rivalry.
Images from Day 7 of the 2022 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Saturday.
Images from Day 6 at the French Open, at Roland Garros, in Paris, on Friday.
IMAGES from Day 8 of the French Open, at Roland Garros, on Sunday.
Herbert and Mahut added to their 2018 French Open title after recovering from a shaky start.
Roland Garros has always been his favourite Grand Slam venue but he knows he will face an uphill task their on its claycourt surface in a tournament he has yet to win.
Most importantly, and most prominently, is the name of Serena's three-year-old daughter Olympia.
Take a look at the five top contenders for the men's singles title at the French Open:
It was only 13-time champion Rafael Nadal's third defeat here since his debut in 2005 and the first time in 115 best-of-five-set matches on clay that he had lost after taking the opening set.
Images from the women's singles final at the French Open, in Paris, on Saturday.
Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic's reign to usher in a new era at Wimbledon -- a win that was being trumpeted as the changing of the guard in men's tennis.
Djokovic found a little girl who had held up a sign and ran over to give her a racket, then blew kisses at her.
IMAGES from Day 8 of the French Open at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Djokovic left little doubt that he would also be there trying to win major number 23.
'With all the foot issues, just turned 36, he adds his 22nd Major'
'Your results or your job or how much money you make doesn't define you as a person. As long as you love yourself, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.'
Images from the US Open women's semi-finals on Thursday.
IMAGES from Day 9 of the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz came through a testing third round encounter against Nicolas Jarry.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 2022 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris on Monday.
The US Open champion, who last played at the Miami Open at the end of March, was beaten 6-2, 7-6 (5) by Gasquet at the ATP 250 claycourt event in Geneva.
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