Week one of Roland Garros 2024 is now complete and after some brilliant clay court tennis the mens draw is left with 16 players. The third round demonstrated the fine form and confidence of favourites Sinner, Alcaraz and Tsitsipas. Whilst a shred of doubt was cast across the tournament hopes of Djokovic and Zverev who both managed to stave off defeats in two brutal five setters.
World Number 1 Novak Djokovic has survived an absolute thriller concluding at 3am against Lorenzo Musetti. The Italian managed to win a brutal 80-minute second set tiebreak before taking a two sets to one lead over the Serbian icon. However, in true Novak fashion he found a way to stay in the match eventually winning 6-0 in the deciding set, reminiscent of their battle on this same court back in 2021.
Novak will face big hitting Argentine Cerundolo in the fourth round. Taylor Fritz managed to take out Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in another thrilling encounter. Fritz is having a career best clay court season, however he will face a true test in Casper Ruud in the next round. Ruud who defeated 28th seed Etcheverry is looking right at home on the clay courts of Paris, he will be extremely dangerous should he meet Novak in the quarter finals.
Zverev on the edge
Alexander Zverev faced a big scare in his third-round match against Tallon Griekspoor. The German scraped through in a dramatic fifth set match tie-break that no one saw coming. Zverev will play Holger Rune in the fourth round. Aussie Alex De Minaur dispatched of Jan Lennard Struff in four sets and moves through to week two.
This was a great win for De Minaur as Struff has been in top form and is able to blast just about anyone off the court if he’s having a good day. Daniil Medvedev may consistently profess his deep hatred for clay courts, but the world number 5 has made it through the first week of the tournament. De Minaur and Medvedev will face off in the fourth round in what should be an epic clash, prepare for some lung busting rallies and world class movement, this one could go the distance.
Arnaldi a joy to watch
Now to what I view as the most exciting quarter of the draw, we see Arnaldi, Tsitsipas, Auger-Alliasime and Alcaraz still standing. Matteo Arnaldi has caused the upset of the tournament thrashing 6th seed Andre Rublev in straight sets. Arnaldi is a joy to watch on the clay, he glides around the court and possesses an array of weapons. The Italian hasn’t dropped a set so far and I think Tsitsipas should be on high alert going into the round of 16.
Check out our prediction for Tsitsipas vs Arnaldi and let us know your opinion!
Although the Greek is showing some great form and is a favourite for the title this year, I don’t think he’s been tested so far. Arnaldi is playing the tennis of his life and will be full of confidence in this fourth-round match up. Prepare for a great battle but I’m calling for an upset alert on this one.
Felix Auger-Alliasime has found some form after a rough 2023. He is back in the fourth round of a major after overcoming American Ben Shelton in straight sets. His next match up is tournament favourite Carlos Alcaraz, the Spaniard dispatched of Sebastian Korda in straight sets and has clearly found form. Alcaraz is looking unstoppable and is my pick to win Roland Garros this year.
Hubert Hurczak prevailed against Denis Shapovalov in four sets. Whilst Grigor Dimitrov took out Zizou Bergs to move past the third round. Dimitrov and Hurcacz have gone somewhat under the radar so far, however the Bulgarian has beaten Hubi in each of the five times they’ve played so he should be confident in progressing to the quarter finals. Sinner was too good for Kotov winning 6-4 6-4 6-4 while Corentin Moutet also moves on after beating Sebastian Ofner. Jannik is the player to beat in this quarter and should comfortably move through to the semi-finals.
So, with some blockbuster fourth round match ups on the horizon who are your picks to move through the draw in week two?
