It promises to be an entertaining ninth day at the French Open with the fourth-round action set to come to a close. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on day nine in Paris, including Iga Swiatek vs Lesia Tsurenko. But who will book their place in the quarterfinals?
French Open Day 9 Predictions
Holger Rune vs Francisco Cerundolo
Shane: Holger Rune and Francisco Cerundolo are two of the best young clay-court players on tour. Rune is 15-3 on the surface this year, while Cerundolo is 16-9. I like the Argentine’s ability to dig out of the corners, but the 20-year-old Dane has been too consistent to pick against him.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Damian: Another great matchup. Rune is relatively undercooked so far with just two matches against Christopher Eubanks and Genaro Alberto Olivieri, but maybe that actually helps him with the ongoing fitness issues more likely to pop up in a best-of-five scenario? You just know the mighty forehand of Cerundolo will be firing in some parts of the match, the question is whether he can keep pulling it off for at least three sets.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Andreas: Rune could not have asked for an easier first week at Roland Garros. Despite dropping one set to Eubanks in the first round, his walkover win over Monfils gave him extra time to practice, (and sleep as proudly declared in his press conference). Cerundolo took out Fritz in the third round, but that was hardly an upset given Fritz’s dreadful clay-court form and Cerundolo’s expertise on the dirt. This, however, is a huge challenge for Cerundolo. While the Dane isn’t battle tested and hasn’t played a lot of tennis this tournament, he should be too mentally and physically strong.
Prediction: Rune in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Grigor Dimitrov vs Alexander Zverev
Shane: Alexander Zverev is returning to form one year after his brutal ankle injury. He has dropped just one set this week and looked very confident in his win over Frances Tiafoe. Dimitrov has also been in excellent form of late. This is a match that has five sets written all over it. I slightly favour the German, who is gaining confidence with every match.
Prediction: Zverev in 5
Damian: Dimitrov finished runner-up in Geneva last week and has had such a low-key run to the fourth round here. No one’s talking about him, but it’s not his fault he just hasn’t been pushed. Zverev has and ended up delivering, although he’s undeniably still far off his best. He’s getting there though and at Roland Garros, he has more potential to go deep than Dimitrov if he can produce something vintage.
Prediction: Zverev in 5
Andreas: Both players have written a nice comeback story this week, with Zverev definitely catching more attention following a four-set victory over Tiafoe. I feel that Dimitrov has the higher ceiling with his skill, but Zverev’s been able to play more high-calibre opponents. This will definitely give the German an advantage, and his hunger to defend his semifinal points will act as extra motivation as well. Zverev did hit a couple more double faults than expected, and he’ll have to cut down on those in this match.
Prediction: Zverev in 4
Embed from Getty Images
Yoshihito Nishioka vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Shane: The winner of this match will reach the quarterfinals at a Slam for the first time. Tomas Martin Etcheverry’s three victories in Paris have been much more impressive than Nishioka’s. The Argentine is also the better clay-court player and should be able to control this match from the baseline.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Damian: Nishioka’s clay game leaves a bit to be desired, but he’s here mostly because of his ability to fight and grind out tough wins like those against J.J. Wolf and Thiago Seyboth Wild. Now he’s facing a player who just has a way better skillset for these conditions, super heavy forehand, and excellent fitness. It’s kind of hard for me to see the way to a Nishioka win, unless Etcheverry gets overwhelmed by the occasion.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Andreas: A huge opportunity for both players, all thanks to Medvedev’s shocking first-round loss. Nishioka took out the “Paris giant killer”, defeating Thiago Seyboth Wild in five sets. While he impressed with his counterpunching game, much of that win was due Seyboth Wild’s fatigue. Etchverry has definitely made a name for himself in Paris, not dropping a set and taking out seeds De Minaur and Coric. He should cruise through this one if his level doesn’t significantly drop.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Embed from Getty Images
Casper Ruud vs Nicolas Jarry
Shane: Nicolas Jarry has proven he is a top 20 clay-court player in the world, but he will have to raise his level to hang with Casper Ruud. Both men have dropped just two sets in three rounds. Jarry’s serve and baseline power will trouble the Norwegian, but I trust Ruud to hold his nerve and prevail when it matters most.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Damian: Jarry won this one in Geneva a week ago, but the conditions here really don’t resemble Paris at all. Jarry has looked good so far at the French Open though and he has been looking dangerous even in the longer rallies. This could end up having a similar pattern to Ruud vs Zhizhen Zhang with the Norwegian taking his time to ease his way into the match, but eventually coming out on top.
Prediction: Ruud in 5
Andreas: Ruud’s been solid in defending his 2022 finalist points, despite wandering off course in some of his sets. It hasn’t been the most complicated draw for Ruud, but it’s definitely allowed him to build confidence and work into form. Jarry is absolutely a step up for the Norwegian, winning Geneva and taking out Tommy Paul in Paris. However, Ruud’s heavy topspin and strong return game should neutralize Jarry’s big weapons like his serve. Ruud’s game forces errors, and he should be able to get through this one.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
