Roland Garros has been electric the past week as the 128th French Open has displayed the finest tennis in the men’s and women’s game and promises to deliver the rest of this week all the way through the Finals. Here are my predictions for which players I like to keep advancing and which two players will hoist their respective women’s and men’s trophies on Saturday and Sunday in Paris in the year’s second Grand Slam event. In the 112th Australian Open, first major of 2024, 22 year old Italian Jannik Sinner, a rising superstar in men’s tennis, defeated Russian Daniil Medvedev, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, as he captured his first Grand Slam in thrilling, comeback fashion. Several more could be on the horizon for this talented, well-grounded young player.
On the women’s side, 26 year old Russian Aryna Sabalenka defeated Chinese player Qinwen Sang, 6-3, 6-2.to go back to back in Melbourne and earn her second major.
The Women’s Final will commence this Saturday at 8 AM CT on NBC and Peacock and the Men’s Final will transpire Sunday at 8 AM CT on NBC and Peacock.
Here are predictions for the quarterfinals through the championship match in the men and the semis and final in the women.
Men
Quarters
Casper Ruud over Novak Djokovic 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (8-6), 6-4
Joker is relentless having won the most men’s majors ever at 24 including three French Opens, but I’m seeing the same relentlessness from Casper. Ruud advances.
Alexander Zverev over Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
This should be an excellent match, and I like the West German to prevail in a major tussle over the Aussie.
Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
Carlos is playing terrifically, and while Stefanos will give him a tough match, I like Carlos to keep advancing.
Jannik Sinner over Gregory Dimitrov, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Jannik is an unstoppable force when he’s cookin’ and he is right now.
Semifinals
Ruud over Zverev 6-7 (8-6), 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
Casper grinds out a tough one over Alexander.
Alcaraz over Sinner 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
Carlos looks strong this week and has won two slams: 2023 Wimbledon and the 2022 US Open.
Final, 8 AM Sunday, NBC/Peacock
Ruud over Alcaraz, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
This will be an epic. I like the 25 year old from Snaroya, Norway native to prevail in an upset over the 21 year old Spaniard and capture his first major. He made the Roland Garros final last year but was upended by Novak, who was on fire at the time.
Casper Ruud is victorious at Roland Garros (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia).
Women’s Semis
Coco Gauff over Iga Świątek 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8)
Coco advances over the three time French winner who is going for three in a row in Paris.
Elena Rybakina over Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 3-6, 7-5
The 24 year old Kazakhstan native advances in a heavyweight match versus the Russian.
Women’s Final, Saturday, 8 AM, NBC/Peacock
Coco over Elena 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-7)
Should be a terrific match with 20 year old Atlanta native earning her second Slam after capturing the 2023 US.
Coco seizes second Major. (Photo courtesy of CNN).