It promises to be an entertaining start to the second week at the French Open with four intriguing fourth-round matches on the schedule on day eight in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the schedule,
French Open Day 8 Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Juan Pablo Varillas
Jim: It’s been a great tournament for Juan Pablo Varillas, but it is hard to see it continuing past the fourth round. Novak Djokovic has looked sharp so far, winning all three of his matches in straight sets, and the great Serbian still has gears to go through. Winning the title may well be beyond him – beating Varillas won’t be.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
What a run for Varillas, who ended up winning three five-setters in a row. That’s not gonna help his chances against Djokovic though and the run is almost surely coming to an end here. The Peruvian is such a great ball-striker, but he’s also not steady enough to hit through one of the best (if not the best) players of all time.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
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Jakub: Varillas has had a brilliant event, fighting through five-setter after five-setter, taking out Hubert Hurkacz and moving inside the top 60 in the live rankings. We will see how much the Peruvian has left but awaiting him is Djokovic, who weathered the storm very well against Fucsovics and Davidovich Fokina and is yet to drop a set.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
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Karen Khachanov vs Lorenzo Sonego
Jim: Karen Khachanov flirted with disaster in the first round and has had some challenging moments since, but has managed to battle into the second week. He will need to raise his level if he is to get past Lorenzo Sonego, however, with the Italian delivering a reminder of his quality by beating Andrey Rublev in the third round. Khachanov is good enough to win this match, but Sonego looks the likelier winner.
Prediction: Sonego in 4
Damian: Khachanov struggled so much in the opening round, but that was mostly due to Lestienne’s unique style. Now he’s already doing much better and has to like his chances here after Sonego eliminated Rublev. The Italian pulled off a great comeback and probably won’t be ready to repeat that in the next round.
Prediction: Khachanov in 4
Jakub: After coming back from two sets down to take out Rublev, Sonego will face another Russian in Khachanov. Khachanov has recovered well from his initial stumble against Constant Lestienne but Sonego will be his toughest opponent yet. I see the Italian coming through again.
Prediction: Sonego in 5
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Sebastian Ofner vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Jim: Another player having a tournament to remember in the Paris sunshine is Sebastian Ofner. The Austrian has dropped just one set in beating Maxime Cressy, Sebastian Korda and Fabio Fognini, earnong him a shot at one of the world’s best in Stefanos Tsitsipas. But the Greek is one of the world’s best for a reason. Expect Ofner’s dream run to end here.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Damian: This run clinches the top 100 debut for Ofner and it’s incredibly deserved after a phenomenal season so far. But can he go a step further and punch above his weight a little bit? The matchup is actually quite decent for his power game and he should come closer than Tsitsipas’s last two opponents. Not sure he has the tactical discipline to win this though.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Jakub: Ofner has taken full advantage of his favourable draw, beating Cressy, Korda, and Fognini to reach the second week as a qualifier. Tsitsipas will be a class above and while I expect a good contest from Ofner, the Greek should be winning here.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
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Lorenzo Musetti vs Carlos Alcaraz
Jim: Carlos Alcaraz has been largely untroubled in reaching the second week – barring a loss of concentration in the second set against Taro Daniel. But he will need to avoid a repeat of that against Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian has been in an exceptional form and dismantled Cameron Norrie in the third round. This may be a challenge too far, but it should be a great watch.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5
Damian: This will be the first serious test for Alcaraz. It didn’t have to be, but Musetti was excellent last week, playing with awesome focus and tactical awareness. He’s matched up well against the world #1 in the past two meetings, coming close in Trieste three years ago and beating him in Hamburg in 2022. Alcaraz will prevail, but he’ll have to deliver.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Jakub: First Slam meeting between Alcaraz and Musetti and the expectations are high. After Alcaraz dropped a set to Taro Daniel, the top seed didn’t make the same mistake against Denis Shapovalov, coming back from 1-4 down in the second to win seven straight games and the match. Musetti has not dropped a set yet and I expect him to give Alcaraz a real run for his money here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 5
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
