The first two quarterfinals at the French Open are set and both promise to be hugely entertaining matches. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for both matches, but who will secure their spot in the semifinals?
French Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Alexander Zverev
Jim: Not for the first time, Alexander Zverev has not looked entirely convincing so far at the French Open, with the German needing to rally from two sets down to get past Sebastian Baez. Carlos Alcaraz, in contrast, was also taken to five set in the second round, by Albert Ramos Vinolas. But aside from that, the Spaniard has looked very assured and he has been in much better form than Zverev. Expect him to have the edge.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Jakub: Outside of his blip against Sebastian Baez in the second round, Zverev has looked good making his way through the draw, most recently dealing with a feisty Bernabe Zapata Miralles in straight sets. Alcaraz has had a similar run here, getting into a five-set battle with Ramos-Vinolas in the second round, but the 19-year-old has been even more dominant than Zverev since that match. The Spaniard defeated Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov without being pushed deep in a single set. The German has never beaten a Top 10 player at a slam and I have a feeling he will not be breaking that streak here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5
Yesh: Zverev has been solid this tournament, but not amazing. Alcaraz, meanwhile, has been nothing at all short of spectacular. The Spanish sensation is about to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Damian: Both players have already saved a match point in this event, but one has been significantly more impressive than the other. Alcaraz also defeated Zverev very comfortably in Madrid, although it could be argued that the very fast indoor conditions (which in the past also helped the German in other matches) gave him a big helping hand. Therefore, there is a possibility that the Spaniard will struggle more, especially if his ball-striking isn’t as crisp as it’s been in the past two matches from the get-go. But ultimately, Zverev usually falters mentally against better players at this stage of the slam and it feels like there’s not much he can do if Alcaraz is on top of his game.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Shane: Alcaraz is the gift that keeps on giving. The 19-year-old Spaniard is the most electrifying player on tour and has proven that in Paris, saving match points in the second round en route to this quarterfinal matchup. Alcaraz can have slight dips in his play throughout a match, but will world #3 Zverev be able to take advantage of them?
The German has been a force on the clay this season and has mostly controlled his serve well in Paris. With that said, Alcaraz did dismantle Zverev 6-3 6-1 earlier this month in the Madrid final. You have to believe the crowd will get behind the young Spaniard which could be the difference in what I expect to be a very tight match.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5
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Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal
Jim: This match really could go either way. The weight of history is very much on Rafael Nadal’s side, but the Spaniard has struggled with a serious foot injury of late and did not look at his best in the fourth round, despite managing to scrape past Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round. Novak Djokovic, in contrast, has been in imperious form of late and scored his second win at Roland Garros against Nadal last season. He looks to be in good position to get a third win over the Spaniard.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Jakub: What else is there to say about this rivalry? These two icons of our tennis are now both 35 and still on top of the sport. Djokovic leads 30-28 overall, and also won their most recent meeting in the semifinals here last year while Nadal leads their head-to-head at Roland Garros 7-2. It is likely the match will be scheduled for the night session which may benefit the Serb. Nadal also had a more difficult path, defeating Auger-Aliassime in five sets while Djokovic has only lost more than three games in a set once in four matches. It is very difficult to say what will happen here, either player could win the match but I will lean on the side of Djokovic.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Yesh: This matchup always has well-deserved hype, but possibly not this time. It’s hard to know what Nadal has left in the tank, and Djokovic is just playing better right now. Nadal played incredible tennis in the last round against Felix Auger-Aliassime to get this far, but winning another seems impossible.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Damian: This is a question of something else than tennis. It’s a question of logical arguments and believing the aura that Nadal has at Roland Garros. Am I a believer? Maybe not necessarily an atheist, but I trust science more. Since Madrid, Djokovic has been practically unstoppable, only losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a third set tie-break (in very fast conditions too). He beat Nadal here last year and as the match is going to be incredibly physical, he’s got the edge in this regard too. The longer it goes, the Spaniard’s foot might turn out to be an increasingly important issue. Nadal was vulnerable against Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic seems like an impenetrable fortress.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Shane: The history between these two is very well documented. These two titans will be meeting for the 59th time, and it is a shame it takes place as early as the quarterfinals. Djokovic has actually been the better player on the clay this season, holding a 15-3 record on the surface. He has yet to drop a set in Paris and is playing with extreme confidence.
Nadal cruised through his first three matches before a gruelling five-set battle with Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round. With that said, fatigue should not be a factor in this one. The smallest of margins separate two of the best to ever play the sport, but I have to favour the top seed here given his current form and hunger to capture Grand Slam title number 21.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
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