Fourth round action at the French Open features the likes of Kei Nishikori and Stefanos Tsitsipas in action as this portion of the draw begins to take shape for the money rounds of the tournament.
Alexander Zverev vs Kei Nishikori
Damian: Nishikori has survived two five-setters here so far, and got a bit of rest due to Henri Laaksonen’s retirement. He’s not been too convincing though, and if Zverev can make this match physical, his body might start breaking down like against Giannessi and Khachanov. The German usually excels at just that and he should be able to outlast his opponent. Zverev in 4
Yesh: Alexander Zverev has not played well in a single match yet this tournament. Kei Nishikori is finally in good form, and while he has had some mental lapses this tournament, he should be dialed in and pull off the upset. Nishikori in 4
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Federico Delbonis
Damian: Brilliant opportunity for both and certainly very deserved. Delbonis has 25 match wins on clay this year already, while Davidovich Fokina survived a marathon against Ruud in the third round. The Spaniard sure can fight and as Delbonis isn’t great at closing out matches, a tight contest might go his way. He needs to recover well physically though, but we’ve got no way of knowing whether he will. Davidovich Fokina in 4
Yesh: Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has played five sets in his last two matches, and it’s clearly starting to catch up to him. Delbonis is playing the best tennis of his career, and he’ll be rewarded with a first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Delbonis in 4
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Pablo Carreno Busta
Damian: Tsitsipas survived one of the toughest possible matchups for him but it will be of no help coming into this one. Such is the nature of playing against the likes of Isner that matches against him will not help you tune in your groundstrokes. Therefore, Tsitsipas might struggle here a bit at first but in the form that he’s in, his aggressive baselining should quickly outweigh Carreno Busta’s rallying skills. Tsitsipas in 4
Yesh: Stefanos Tsitsipas hasn’t been perfect yet this tournament, but he is playing better as matches go on. He’ll need to, as the competition gets even fiercer from here. Carreno Busta is a top-level player, and unless the Greek can find another gear (which we all know he has), he is on upset alert. Tsitsipas in 5
Cristian Garin vs Daniil Medvedev
Damian: Garin would have been the favorite here pre-tournament but his performances have been very shaky so far. He defeated Medvedev in Madrid but it’s clear that the conditions in Paris suit the Russian very well this year. As it stands now, Garin’s chance is probably to rattle Medvedev’s cage and make him hate clay once again. He would need to drastically raise his level to do it. Medvedev in 4
Yesh: Cristian Garin has not been at his best this tournament. That’s a problem, because Daniil Medvedev finally looks like the deserved World #2 on clay. Watch out for the Russian. Medvedev in 3
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