The 2022 French Open rolls on and SportsTips.com are previewing all four of the men’s quarterfinal action. Read below to check out our tennis picks for the games over the quarterfinal round!
We are now into the quarterfinals at the French Open and boy are there some interesting matchups. The second and fourth seeds, Medvedev and Tsitsipas were knocked out in the last round, which certainly opens the door for other players still left in the draw, including one unseeded player.
Enjoy our free tennis picks and predictions for each round of the 2022 French Open tournament.
Alexander Zverev (3) vs Carlos Alcaraz (6)
The quarterfinal matchup we were all hoping to see when the draw was first released! We see German Alexander Zverev play 19 year old Carlos Alcaraz. The world #3 hasn’t had it all his way so far in the French Open, as his second round match went to five sets, but in all his other matches, he won in straight sets. It’s a very similar scenario for the Spaniard, who was pushed to five sets in his second round appearance, but won all his other matches in straight sets.
Jeffery Thomas
We are set for a rematch of the Madrid Open final with world #6 Carlos Alcaraz taking on world #3 Alexander Zverev in the French Open quarterfinals. Alcaraz’s path here did not start out the easiest as he had to save a match point in the second round against Albert Ramos-Vinolas but every other match has been a straight set victory. He has looked like one of the best players on tour this season and already has wins over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, so his confidence is at an all-time high right now.
Not to mention he owns a 6-3, 6-1 win over Zverev this year already. It’s going to be a blockbuster matchup between two of the games biggest stars of the next generation but there is not much Zverev can do in this matchup to trouble the young Spaniard. Alcaraz absorbs pace very well and has a much more dynamic game than the German, utilizing drop shots frequently. I don’t think Carlos will dominate to the extent he did in Madrid but I do see this being a fairly routine victory
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Match & Both Player to Win a Set – Alcaraz & Yes (+120)
Marko Nadin
Carlos Alcaraz has been the best player so far this season despite the fact that he recently turned just 19. The Spaniard is currently sixth in the ATP rankings. He is 32-3 for the season and 19-1 on clay. The only difficult match so far in the tournament Alcaraz had was in the second round against veteran Albert Ramos Vinollas who pushed him to five sets and Alcaraz managed to win despite the fact he was 0-3 down in the final set. Alcaraz is coming off a straight sets win over Karen Khachanov in the Round of 16 match, and he defeated Juan Londero and Sebastian Korda in straight sets previously.
Alexander Zverev is currently third in the ATP rankings which is his best career-ranking. He has a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head matchups against Alcaraz but the Spaniard won their last matchup 6-3, 6-1 in Madrid recently. Zverev saved a match point in the second round against Sebastian Baez and had no problems in the other three previous matches, winning in straight sets against Sebastian Offner, Brandon Nakashima and Bernabe Zapata Miralles. Zverev is 28-9 for the season and 14-4 on clay.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Alcaraz (-420)
Jack Hartman
Considering all of the buzz heading into the tournament, Carlos Alcaraz has enjoyed a smooth passage to the quarterfinals ever since his second round scare against Albert Ramos Vinolas. The Spaniard who is looking to be the first teenager to win a Grand Slam since Rafa Nadal won his first French Open, will be full of confidence in what is his first ever quarterfinal at Roland Garros. Alcaraz has been the buzz of the tennis world since his victory at the Miami Masters which he backed up with a victory in front of his home fans where he beat Nadal, Djokovic and Zverev in three consecutive rounds.
Alcaraz’s victory over Zverev in that Madrid final will have given him huge levels of confidence here and he deservedly starts as the favorite here. It must be tough for Alex Zverev who might fear that he is caught in the middle of some of the games best. Having yet to win a Grand Slam in the Djokovic, Nadal and Federer era, the emergence of Alcaraz who could dominate the game for years to come must fill the German with dread. It’s time for Zverev to try and make that breakthrough. A superb mover and a huge hitter, Zverev has all of the talents to win numerous Slams but he might have to wait a little longer.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Alcaraz 3-0 (+150)
Novak Djokovic (1) vs Rafael Nadal (5)
Despite the fact there are three other exciting matchups in the quarters, this one has to be the one everyone wants to see. World #1 Novak Djokovic will once again do battle with Rafael Nadal. It continues to be smooth sailing for the Serb, who is yet to drop a set, and has only been taken to a tiebreak once so far. It was looking good for Nadal up until the Round of 16, where he was pushed to five sets against Auger-Aliassime.
Jeffery Thomas
Two legends of the game will meet for the 59th time in their careers and the stakes could not be higher. Novak Djokovic leads the head-to-head 30-28 overall but on clay it has been all Nadal, especially at the French Open. Nadal leads 19-8 on clay and a whopping 7-2 at Roland Garros, with one of those two losses coming in last year’s final. Novak is still yet to have dropped a set on his road to the quarterfinals, with his last match being a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 drubbing of clay court specialist Diego Schwartzman. Nadal had a much tougher time getting past Felix Auger-Aliassime, needing five sets and over four hours of match time.
At his age and with foot concerns, you have to worry about Rafa’s fitness coming into this match especially given how fresh Djokovic will be. It’s hard to pick against Nadal as he only has 3 losses at the French Open out of 112 career matches, but two of those have come to Djoker. At this point in their careers, Novak is the better and more fit player so I think he prevails and marches on in his quest to defend his title from last year. It won’t be an easy victory though.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Match & Both Player to Win a Set – Djokovic & Yes (+128)
Marko Nadin
We wanted to see this matchup in the final of the French Open but the current ranking of Rafael Nadal and the draw brought this matchup in the quarterfinals. The two of the greatest players ever have met 58 times so far with Djokovic leading the series 30-28. The Serbian is currently ranked no. 1 in the world and has made it this far in the tournament without losing a single set in his matches against Yohishito Nishioka, Alex Molcan, Aljaz Bedene and Diego Schwartzman. Djokovic is 16-4 for the season and 14-3 on clay. He has won only one title so far this season at the ATP Masters tournament in Rome.
Rafael Nadal does not lead in the head-to-head series against Djokovic but has won a record 13 French Open titles compared to Novak’s two titles including the one from last year. Nadal is currently fifth in the ATP rankings and is coming off a five-setter against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last match. Previously in the tournament, Nadal had no difficulties in the matches against Jordan Thompson, Corentin Moutet and Botic Van De Zandschulp. Nadal has won three tournaments so far this season, the Australian Open, Melbourne and Acapulco.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Djokovic (-245)
Jack Hartman
Does it get any better than this? Ever since the draw was made the entire tennis world has waited with bated breath at the prospect of this huge quarterfinal match between two of the game’s greats. In some ways this is more than just a tennis match. Despite what both Nadal and Djokovic say, both are determined to finish their careers as the man who has won the most Grand Slams in history. Currently Nadal leads the way by one, and if he can defeat Djokovic here he will be the huge favorite to go onto win Grand Slam number 22. For Djokovic, after a slow start to the season, he looks to be at his imperious best as he has breezed through to the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
Playing Nadal on clay won’t hold any fear for Djokovic as he has beaten the Spaniard numerous times at Roland Garros. With the match scheduled to be played at night, the pundits believe that the colder conditions will boost the Serbian’s chances. It’s almost impossible to pick who will win this match, but for me it’s Djokovic who will emerge on top. It’s hard to believe that the two haven’t played against each other in almost a year, with their last meeting coming in last year’s semi final, which Djokovic won by three sets to one. With Nadal just coming through a five set battle in his last round and some questions still surrounding his foot, I’m going to back Djokovic to win in straight sets.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Djokovic 3-0 (-220)
Casper Ruud (8) vs Holger Rune
An interesting matchup in the quarterfinals that many probably didn’t expect to see. Norwegian Casper Ruud has successfully navigated some challenges to get through to the final eight, beating Tsonga, Ruusuvuori, Sonego and most recently, Hurkacz. Rune got one of the biggest wins of his career in the Round of 16, beating the fourth seed, Tsitsipas, in four sets. Other victories of note include defeating 14th seed Shapovalov in straight sets in the first round.
Jeffery Thomas
This is a very unexpected quarterfinal matchup as we get two guys who are making their first appearance this far in a Grand Slam event. Casper Ruud got past Hubert Hurkacz in four sets in the Round of 16 to silence all the doubters who thought he could not have success at the big events. His path has been tricky though, having to come back from down a set to Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in his farewell match and from two sets down to Lorenzo Sonego in the third round. He answered all challenges and now gets teen sensation Holger Rune who took out one of the top favorites to win it all in Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Rune has only been playing ATP main draw matches since last year so his ride up the rankings and onto the scene has been rapid, but also overshadowed by his fellow teenage peer Carlos Alcaraz. I’m afraid his Cinderella run ends here though against Ruud, who owns three straight sets victories over him in all three matchups. Casper is the superior clay court player and I trust his body to hold up better in this best of five format so I think he gets it done and moves on to the semis.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Ruud (-230)
Marko Nadin
Both Casper Ruud and Holger Rune are for the first time in the French Open quarterfinals. Ruud is currently 8th in the ATP rankings with his best result being at no. 7. The Norwegian is 28-9 for the season and 19-5 on clay. He started this year’s French Open with a 3-1 win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 4 sets, then defeated Emil Ruusuvuori in straight sets in the second round. The third round was the most difficult for Ruud as he had to come back from 1-2 sets down in the match against Lorenzo Sonego. In the Round of 16, Ruud defeated Hubert Huirkacs in 4 sets.
Ruud has won all three previous matches against Holger Rune without dropping a single set. The last time they met was this year in Monte Carlo with Ruud winning 7-6 and 7-5. Holger Rune is the second youngest player left in the tournament as he is only 19 years old. The Danish is currently at his highest career-ranking at no. 40. He is 27-13 for the season and 21-7 on clay. Rune lost only one set on his way to the quarterfinals, against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, In the first three matches, Rune defeated Dennis Shapovalov, Henri Laaskonen and Hugo Gaston.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Total Games – Over 37.5 (-135)
Jack Hartman
The third quarterfinal in the draw see’s an all Scandinavian clash as Norway’s Casper Ruud takes on Danish teenage sensation Holger Rune. Both men are competing in their first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal and with the bottom half of the draw being wide open, the winner of this clash will have a great chance of reaching the final. When it comes to talking about the future of the game, all of the attention has shone on Carlos Alcaraz. The same age as the Spaniard, Rune is the forgotten man but he showed in his Round of 16 victory over 4th seed Stefanos Tsitispas what a good player he is.
The talented Dane has a huge forehand and certainly didn’t look intimidated playing on such a big stage. He produced a performance belying his relative inexperience and he will go into this clash full of confidence. Casper Ruud has made steady improvements each year and it’s a reward for his progress that he has finally reached this stage of a Slam. Ruud was tested by Hubert Hurkacz in the previous round but he came through the match in flying colors. Ruud is incredibly comfortable on clay and he will be eyeing up a place in the final.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Set Betting – Ruud 3-1 (+290)
Andrey Rublev (7) vs Marin Čilić (20)
We were probably expecting an all Russian line up in this quarterfinal clash, but it seems as though Marin Čilić had other ideas. The seventh seed, Andrey Rublev, had his first three matches at the French Open go to four sets, and in his Round of 16 match, he received a walkover in the early stages of the third set. At 33 years of age, Čilić is showing he has still got what it takes to roll with the big players. In his last round appearance, he demolished second seed Medvedev, in straight sets.
Jeffery Thomas
Andrey Rublev got the benefit of a retirement from his opponent Jannick Sinner in the Round of 16 to make it through to the quarterfinals here at Roland Garros. Sinner rolled through the first set 6-1 over Rublev before reinjuring his knee early in the second set. Rublev to his credit was able to take advantage and win the set 6-4 before going up a break in the third, which is when Sinner finally called it quits.
Marin Cilic earned his right to be in this round, putting together one of the best performances of his career together in taking out world number 2 Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The Croatian blasted 33 winners and never faced a break point to avenge his loss to the Russian at last year’s Wimbledon. He’s full of confidence right now and with the way he’s playing I’m just going to keep riding the wave. Rublev owns the overall head to head, but Cilic owns the edge 1-0 on clay and I think he pulls off yet another upset on his way to the semifinals.
Jeffery’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Cilic (+136)
Marko Nadin
Marin Cilic made the biggest upset so far in the tournament as the Croat defeated world no. 2 Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the third round. Cilic lost only one set so far in the tournament, in the second round against Marton Fucsovic. The other two players who had no chance in the matches against Cilic this year at the French Open were Atila Balacz and Gilles Simon. The former US Open winner is currently 23rd at the ATP rankings and has a 17-11 record this season with 8-4 on clay.
Andrey Rublev leads Marin Cilic in the head-to-head matches but the Corat is the one who won 3-2 at the Australian Open earlier this year. Rublev is currently 7th in the ATP rankings with 5th place being his career-best. The Russian is 29-7 this season, including 11-3 on clay. He has won three tournaments so far this season in Dubai, Belgrade and Marseille. Rublev needed 4 sets to go past in the first three rounds of the French Open against Soon Woo Kwon, Federico Delbonis and Cristian Garin, while Yannick Sinner retired during the Round of 16 match.
Marko’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Rublev (-164)
Jack Hartman
Marin Cilic rolled back the clock to smash current world number 2 Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The win saw Cilic return to the quarterfinal stage of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2018. Cilic played a superb all round game to dismiss Medvedev with every part of his game seeming to be in perfect working order. His reward for his stunning victory is to take on Medvedev’s compatriot Andrey Rublev. The matchup against Rublev won’t hold any fears for the big-hitting Croat who beat Rublev earlier this season at the Australian Open. Rublev will be looking for revenge.
With all the noise being on the likes of Djokovic, Nadal and Alcaraz, even at this stage of the tournament Rublev is flying completely under the radar. Rublev has beaten some solid clay court players to reach this stage of the draw and received a boost in the last round when his opponent Jannik Sinner was unable to finish their match, pulling out with an injury. Rublev isn’t on his favorite surface and will be pleased to have reached his second career quarterfinal at Roland Garros. For a player of Rublev’s ability, it’s somewhat of a surprise that he is still yet to reach the semi finals of a Grand Slam. He will be thinking he has a great chance here.
Jack’s French Open Pick: Moneyline – Cilic (+136)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
