There should be plenty of entertaining tennis on day eight at the French Open as the fourth round gets underway in Paris. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, as well as all the action in the women’s draw, but who will secure their place in the quarterfinals and who will fall to defeat?
French Open Day 8 Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Jim: Carlos Alcaraz has had a slightly difficult season, but he’s looked very sharp so far in Paris. Felix Auger-Aliassime will be full of confidence following his best win in some years in the third round, but as good as he was against Ben Shelton this is a very dfifferent proposition.
Damian: The fitness of Alcaraz remains a bit of a question mark, but maybe he can delay giving us the answer until the next round. Auger-Aliassime has done a very nice job prevailing in what was a rather fortunate section of the draw and the quality of the competition is taking a huge step up now. Even if Alcaraz might not be quite at his best, on clay he’s got a good edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
Glenys: Alcaraz is favourite for this match. The Spaniard has steadily improved since arriving on the seen. At only 21-years-old Alcaraz already holds two Slam titles. The third seed reached the semifinal last year so will want to go one better. Felix Auger-Aliassime actually leads the head-to-head. However, the Canadian has lost both of their most recent matches.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
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Matteo Arnaldi vs Stefanos Tsistipas
Jim: It was some week for Matteo Arnaldi, with his victory over Andrey Rublev both a bolt from the blue and statement win for a rising start. He will face another stern test when he takes on former-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek can be inconsistent, but his overall record on the clay is very impressive and he usually plays well in Paris. He should just too strong for the Italian youn gun.
Prediction: Tstisipas in 4
Damian: Arnaldi posted one of the biggest wins of his career when he straight-setted Rublev in the third round. Tsitsipas is tougher (especially mentally), but the young Italian has the talent to push him as well. It’s just that the 2021 runner-up has this aura about him now that makes you think he’ll handle whatever’s thrown at him, at least for now.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 4
Glenys: Arnaldi needed four sets in the first round against 27th seed. Since then, the Italian has eased through in straight sets to set up the match with ninth seed. Tsistipas has also lost one set to get to this stage, but has not yet played a seed. Still, the Greek should have little difficulty getting beyond Arnaldi,
Prediction: Tsistipas in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs Grigor Dimitrov
Jim: Neither player has ever made it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, so this is a big chance for both. Grigor Dimitrov has dominated the head-to-head, but hasn’t always found it straightforward against Hurkacz. His deep returning position won’t help him either against a server of Hurkacz’s quality – particularly as the Pole has excellent hands in the forecourt.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 4
Damian: It’s a pretty shocking head-to-head, although plenty of their matches were as tight as nails. Neither is a huge fan of the clay but they can both make it work with especially Hurkacz having an exceptionally solid dirt season. Maybe this is his chance to finally get back at Dimitrov as he will also have a few hours of extra rest on the Bulgarian.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 5
Glenys: Hurkacz is the eighth seed and has needed to battle through previous rounds to get to this stage. The Pole will not be looking forward to this match up. This is because Grigor Dimitrov leads the head to head. The Bulgarian has won each of the five matches the pair have played.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 4
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Corentin Moutet vs Jannik Sinner
Jim: Corentin Moutet has captured the imagination of the French crowd, but he has not played anyone of even comparable quality to Jannik Sinner. The Italian, despite his injury trouble coming into the tournament, looks every inch the favourite and if he is to beaten its hard to see Corentin Moutet being the man to do it.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Damian: It’s been a fun run for Moutet, but it’s likely coming to an end now. The Frenchman was getting blown out by Ofner early in the third round, not able to handle his power until his opponent had nothing left in the tank. Sinner likely has all the tools to handle Moutet’s shenanigans, but it will be fun to see the crafty left-hander try to throw him off.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Glenys: Moutet has needed four set matches to reach this stage. Jannik Sinner is the second seed, and he has eased through in straight sets to get here. Moutet and Sinner have not met on the tour before this match. However, Sinner will not have any difficulty getting through.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
