Four spots in the French Open quarterfinals are on the line on day 9 at Roland Garros. The likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev will be taking to the court and looking to move one step closer to the ultimate prize in tennis, a Grand Slam title.
Andrey Rublev vs Jannik Sinner
Steen Kirby: Jannik Sinner won both their meetings on clay including this year in Monte Carlo and leads the h2h 2-1. Both players have put together solid weeks and are capable on clay, Sinner has been at a slightly higher level though and his talent on clay is remarkable. The Italian should have the upper hand once again in this matchup, even if Rublev makes it competitive. Sinner in 4
Shane Black: Jannik Sinner is in very strong form having dropped just one set thus far in Paris. The Italian is 10-2 during his short career at Roland Garros and holds a 2-0 record on clay against Andrey Rublev. This is a matchup between two of the biggest forehands on the tour. If he can control his emotions, I think Rublev has a slight edge. Rublev in 5
Jakub Bobro: The match of the day for me and mostly a coin flip. Rublev has lost a couple more sets along the way and had the toughest match between the two of them against Cristian Garin. Sinner’s wins have been a bit more straightforward but against slightly easier opponents. The Italian leads their head-to-head and won both their previous matches on clay, making him the slight favorite in my eyes. Sinner in 5
Marin Cilic vs Daniil Medvedev
Steen: Medvedev won all three meetings against the veteran Croatian and hasn’t dropped a set this week despite carrying a reputation as being allergic to clay as a player who hits the ball very flat. The Australian Open finalist this year is still hunting for another Grand Slam final, Cilic has dropped just one set this week and is looking to roll back the clock and continue his impressive run. Cilic was once a top player and he’s having a good week, but Medvedev looks dialed in through three matches and should be able to win his fourth. Medvedev in 3
Shane: Though this may seem odd to say about the No. 2 ranked player in the world, but Daniil Medvedev seems to be flying under the radar in Paris. Medvedev has won his first three matches in straight sets, holding a game advantage of 54-24 over his opponents. Marin Cilic has also found his footing in Paris using his big serve and first ball to his advantage. I see the veteran pushing Medvedev to the brink, with the world #2 ultimately pulling through. Medvedev in 4
Jakub: Medvedev has been surprisingly stellar at this Roland Garros, still yet to drop more than four games in a set even after facing Miomir Kecmanovic. Cilic has been slightly fortunate with the draw, facing two not fully fit opponents in Attila Balazs and Gilles Simon. Medvedev has won all three of their previous meetings and I expect him to come out on top again. Medvedev in 4
Casper Ruud vs Hubert Hurkacz
Steen: Hubert Hurkacz has redlined his game in the first week of the French Open, assisted by an injury from David Goffin, Hurkacz hasn’t dropped a set this week and is playing the kind of tennis that brings his level up to the game’s elite. Casper Ruud is an excellent player, especially on clay, but Lorenzo Sonego just made him work over five long sets in the third round and he also had a tough contest with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in round 1. Ruud would be the favorite on clay in a typical matchup but this feels like Hurkacz’s time in the sun. Hurkacz in 5
Shane: Hubert Hurkacz has yet to drop a set in Paris and is becoming somewhat of a main staple in the second week of Grand Slams. Casper Ruud, who led the tour in clay-court wins in 2021, has not had the same consistency this season. I like the serve and consistency of the Pole to win out in this one. Hurkacz in 4
Jakub: After sending Jo-Wilfried Tsonga off to retirement, Ruud struggled quite a bit in the third round with Lorenzo Sonego though the Italian played beyond his usual level. Hurkacz, who had only won one match in four Roland Garros appearances before this week, has made his way to the second week without dropping a set. The Norwegian is a superior clay player though and I expect him to win here. Ruud in 4
Holger Rune vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Steen: The teenager Rune looks competitive in this matchup despite the lopsided amount of experience and accomplishments tilting it towards Tsitsipas. Tsitsipas has bounced back from having a difficult time against Lorenzo Musetti in round 1 and Zdenek Kolar in round 2, now he has to deal with Rune who hasn’t dropped a set this week and looks like a veteran on the clay despite his youth. I’m willing to spot Rune a set but I’m not sure he can win three of them, Tsitsipas should able to raise his game in the most pivotal moments, similar to how he did against the young gun Kolar in the second round. Tsitsipas in 5
Shane: 19-year-old Holger Rune has looked more impressive than #4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas thus far in Paris. Rune has won all three of his matches in straight sets whereas Tsitsipas was pushed hard in his first two matches. Rune has shown a proclivity for the clay and is the ultimate battler. If he can avoid muscle cramps that have plagued him in the past, I liked the young Dane to advance. Rune in 5
Jakub: After spending almost eight hours on court in his first two matches, Tsitsipas finally got an easier win, allowing Mikael Ymer just five games. Meanwhile, Rune is yet to drop a set with impressive wins over Denis Shapovalov and Hugo Gaston. This has the feeling of a match going long but despite that I still see the Greek coming out on top. Tsitsipas in 5
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