Roland Garros 2023

Alcaraz and Djokovic drawn in the same half.

Alcaraz projected to meet Norrie in R4.
FAA projected to meet Tsitsipas in R4 - also projected to meet Alcaraz in the 1/4 finals.

Djokovic projected to meet 2023 Monte Carlo champion Rublev in the 1/4 finals.

Ruud projected to meet Rune in the 1/4 finals.

Medvedev projected to meet Sinner/Zverev in the 1/4 finals.

So who do we think is favourite? Alcaraz, clearly, has a good shot while Medvedev has much the easier half.

Despite some in-and-out form and fitness doubts, Djoko is still, for me, the man to beat.

Swiatek has already won the French twice and has to be considered the big favourite. But she has Rybakina in her half who, with Sabalenka, has provided some title-winning consistency to the women's game over the last few months.

Having no Rafa is particularly tough for his fans. But it does make for a far more interesting tournament. In many of the past years (perhaps all of them since 2005) the only uncertain thing about RG was who was going to lose to Rafa in the final.

Am hoping to watch some of the matches on some new thingy connected to BT Sport which can be found at bt.com/discoveryplus.

sirfredperry wrote:So who do we think is favourite? Alcaraz, clearly, has a good shot while Medvedev has much the easier half.

Despite some in-and-out form and fitness doubts, Djoko is still, for me, the man to beat.

Djokovic, whatever the issues with his elbow are, hasn't been serving as well. Alcaraz is my favourite. And I'd probably make Medvedev most likely to be his dance partner in the final.

If he was in the form of the last 2 or 3 years, I'd say Djokovic was clear favourite in Nadal's absence, but his form this year has been patchy at best, so he's certainly vulnerable.

Alcaraz has been a bit up and down, and I still think he's a better hard court player than clay, despite his Spanish heritage.
Medvedev has been consistently good so far this season, but while his clay results have been good, that is on the basis of him not being as strong on the surface.
Which leaves the likes of Tsistipas, Rune and Ruud - All good clay court players, but I don't (yet) see a champion's mentality from any of them

Interesting open tournament.

As for the women's side, since Swiatek's emergence, there seems to be more predictability in the upper ranks, with a couple of others stepping up their consistency to become significant challengers. For once, it doesn't look like a 'pick a name out of a hat' type of tournament.

I cant see past Alcaraz to be honest. Medvedev won last week but he has yet to really prove himself over 5 sets on clay at French open. Rune is in very good form but I think it still might be a bit soon for him. He was going great at Australian open and then inexplicably blew that big lead vs Rublev, he still needs more experience.

Tsitisipas is too flaky in the biggest matches. Djokovic form is very poor going into this and for the first time I wouldnt be at all shocked if he went out even before quarter finals. I think Fokina could be a real handful if he meets him in round 3. Hurkasz is also very dangerous on his day in round 4 if they meet.

Alcaraz also has the kindest draw all the way to the semis. I really cant see past him.

They're under way at RG. Thanks to the joys of bt.sport/discoveryplus I'm watching Goffin v Hurkacz which is a pretty tough opening match for both players.

Slasher - I certainly would not be surprised to see Alcaraz take the title. But The French is a hugely-demanding Slam physically and the Spaniard is still relatively inexperienced at five-set tournaments. Has he got the stamina/fitness to go all the way?

Aryna Sabalenka batters Marta Kostyuk 6-3 6-2 as the Australian Open champion makes an impressive start in Paris.

Some good points in the Goffin-Hurkacz encounter. The Belgian was a break up in the first and third sets but lost them both and now trails two sets to one.

11th-seeded Khachanov lost the first two sets to Frenchman Lestienne but has taken the third 6-2.

Thanasi Kokkinakis beats Daniel Evans 6-4 6-4 6-4. In terms of seeding it's a shock, but in terms of talent it cannot be considered an upset. The Aussie is very talented.

11th seed Karen Khachanov comes from two sets to love down to beat Constant Lestienne 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-3. Impressive comeback from the Russian, but you don't really want to be wasting so much energy in the early rounds, especially at Roland Garros.

Hurkacz finally saw off a spirited Goffin 6-4 in the 5th. The Pole looks very solid but you feel that he lacks a bit of oomph. His ground strokes are rather conservative. You feel that such a big guy should have a bigger game.

Khachanov finally came thru in five but not before his French opponent managed to get an early break back in that final set.

Tsitsipas was two sets up but has now been taken to a 4th set by Vessely who is an experienced old hand.

Tsitsipas beats Vesely 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6(7). Vesely had three set points in the fourth set tie break.
Tsitsipas remains nothing more than hype.

Tsitsipas took the 4th set tiebreak and the match, saving set points. A long first outing for the number five seed who, if the seeding works out, will face a very tough end to the tournament.

No 8 seed Sakkari is out. Tough opening match against Muchova who has been as high as 19 in the world.

Isner has saved three MPs in his match against Portugal's Nuno Borges and they are now in to a final-set tiebreak.

LATER: Borges finally took it 11-9 in the tiebreak. Never been a big fan of Isner who seems to exist purely on being ultra tall with a huge serve who relies on tiebreaks to win matches. Well, he lost the two tiebreaks he had to play today.

7th seed Andrey Rublev sees off Laslo Djere 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4.
The champion in Monte Carlo could be a dark horse here.

Norrie and Draper in action today as well as Djoko and Alcaraz.

There were boos at the conclusion of the Belarus v Ukraine clash between Sabalenka and Kostyuk yesterday - but not for Sabalenka. The crowd jeered Kostyuk for not shaking hands at the end.

Norrie took the first set 7-5 against Paire but the Frenchman now 5-3 up in the second set.

Paire now two sets to one up on Norrie while Jack Draper has lost the first set 6-4 to Etcheverry of Argentina.

One woman who might trouble the top players is former GS champ Sloane Stephens. Today she beat Pliskova in straight sets.

Norrie was close to defeat when Paire went a break up in the 5th set but he took the last four games to squeeze thru 6-4. Next up is another Frenchman, Pouille.

FAA, who has not been having a great season, is out - beaten in straight sets by Fognini. This was a bad draw for the Canadian as the Italian can be something of a magician on clay.

As I write, Djoko is cruising in his opener. Shapovalov needed five sets to get past Nakashima.

Djoko needed a tiebreak in the third to win in the end.

Stan the Man was two sets to love up and had points for a double break in the third before R-Vinolas staged a tremendous comeback to take it to a 5th.

Eventually Stan arrived at MP at 5-2 in the 5th but still R-V wouldn't go away and Stan needed two more MPs to finally take it 6-4 in 4hrs 35mins.

Novak Djokovic eventually beat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3 6-2 7-1(1). Serb vs American Serb.

2015 champion Stan Wawrinka beats Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6(5) 6-4 6-7(2) 1-6 6-4 in a marathon match than nearly got away from the Swiss. Life in the old boy yet.

Diego Schwartzman cames from two sets to love down to beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles 1-6 6-7(5) 6-2 6-0 6-4.

Alcaraz was up against a young, inexperienced player tonight but even so he looked mighty impressive.

What struck me was his speed around the court. Next up for him will be Daniel of Japan followed, probably, by Shapovalov.

Doubt we'll see a better comeback at RG this year than that of Italian Vavassori who has just beaten 31st seed Kecmanovic in a 5th set tiebreak (11-9) after 5hrs 10mins.

Kecmanovic had four MPs in the third set and was a break up in the 5th before going down in a titanic struggle in which the unseeded Italian, a qualifier, often served and volleyed.

There was more MPs for K towards the end but Vavassori edged the tiebreak before, understandably, collapsing to the ground in triumph and relief.

Medvedev was close to going two sets down to Seyboth Wild but is now two sets to one up. Other winners today include Ruud, Zverev, Gauff and Jabeur.

Medvedev now in some trouble. S Wild levelled the match at two sets all and has now gone 2-0 up in the 5th. Can the number two seed dig himself out of a hole?

A word about 16-yr-old Czech player Brenda Fruhvirtova. Up against Wimbledon champ Rybakina, the teenager was by no means disgraced before going down in straight sets. Her elder sister Linda, 18, has already reached the top 50 and I guess it won't be too long before the younger sibling joins her.

Medvedev now staring down the barrel. He's 3-5 down in the final set.

Medvedev crashes out, beaten in five sets by qualifier Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil.

Truly bizarre effort from Medvedev. All the aggression he showed in Madrid and Roma was locked away again. He went back to being passive and hitting with no depth.
Seyboth Wild absolutely laid waste to every short ball.

Only saw a few bits at the end of the Medvedev match. As JN says above, Med was far too defensive. His opponent wasn't missing and more aggressive tactics were needed.

Swiatek has just won her opening match. After a few hiccups early on she got so on top that she ended up handing out yet another bagel in the second set.

Rune did not have things all his own way v Eubanks but came thru in four.

Gasquet now on court v fellow Frenchman Rinderknech. Richard is two sets to one down. Could this be his last RG?

Very surprised at Medvedev result, particularly after his win in Rome. I was very impressed by Sinner yesterday. Obviously as a Novak fan I want to see him reach 23 slams but can't see it happening. If anyone else is to win, I would like it to be Sinner. Seems a likeable chap and in full flow a lovely player to watch.

I still see Alcaraz winning, anyone but Rune who comes across a very unlikeable chap.

Stan the Man was a set up and a break up and proceeding serenely against Kokkinakis before one bad service game seemed to turn the match.

K got the break back, took the second set and then took the third as well.

Tsitsipas had little difficulty in winning in straight sets while Svitolina (aka Mrs Gael Monfils) followed her husband's late-night heroics by winning in three.

Caroline Garcia, the number five seed, is out. She saved EIGHT match points, including five in the final game, before going down to Russia's Blinkova in three sets.

Garcia's FH was all over the place and I, for one, could have done without her challenging line calls in what effectively amounted to cheating.

K bt Stan the Man in five after 4hrs 38mins. Epic stuff.

Alcaraz took the first set v Daniel by 6-1 but looked a little out of sorts in the second which Daniel won. But the number one seed was quite brilliant in the third, winning it 6-1 for two sets to one lead. Nice match.

24th seed Korda got knocked out in straights by a lowly-ranked Austrian qualifier Ofner.

Alcaraz came thru strongly to take it in four. His speed round the court is quite staggering. Daniel was not playing badly but got swept aside in the end.

Cam Norrie has just completed a straight-sets win over Pouille. Rublev is a set up against Moutet.

Seeds Sinner, Paul and de Minaur all dumped out today. Sinner's match lasted almost five-and-a-half hours.
Russian 16-yr-old Andreeva, who seems to have a crush on Andy Murray, advanced to the 3rd round.

Yet another bagel for Swiatek in her straight-sets win.

I try not to mention Italians as I always seem to jinxed them...sigh Sinner out  

Anyway to today's action:

Aryna Sabalenka outclassed Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2 6-2, the Belarusian looks eager to add Roland Garros to her CV.

Elina Svitolina beat Anna Blinkova 2-6 6-2 7-5.

Elise Mertens took out third seed Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3.

In the battle of the Anastasia's, 2021 runner up Pavlyuchenkova beat Potapova 4-6 6-3 6-0.

2018 runner up Sloane Stephens beat Yulia Putintseva 6-3 3-6 6-2.

And quite possibly my new favourite player, Elina Avanesyan beat Clara Tauson 3-6 6-1 7-5.

Big hitting Karen Khachanov had a bit to much for Thanasi Kokkinakis, winning 6-4 6-1 3-6 7-6(5).

Novak Djokovic beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6(4) 7-6(5) 6-2.

Sebastian Ofner outlasted Fabio Fognini, winning 5-7 6-3 7-5 1-6 6-4.

And the big upset, Lorenzo Sonego came from two sets to love down to beat 7th seed Andrey Rublev 5-7 0-6 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3.

Fokina played very well vs Djokovic today. Novak still doesn't look himself but that was a good win. I think Fokina today would have taken quite a lot of other high seeds out based on how he played.

Watching Norrie I genuinely am baffled how he has reached his ranking. Its not that I don't like him but I cannot think of any obvious weapon in his game. Musetti destroyed him today.

I will be curious to see how Musetti gets on vs Alcaraz assuming he wins today.

Bottom half of the draw is so weak. Top half is much tougher

Norrie is an honest trier, granted he’s not a superstar. But the boy puts in a lot of hard work.

Elsewhere Carlitos Alcaraz overpowers Denis Shapovalov 6-1 6-4 6-2. For me money the Spaniard looks the favourite thus far.

Alcaraz the big favourite at this point. If you were shapovalovs coach you would lose your mind. His shot selection is atrocious. I think he could be a very good player but he is so sloppy. How can a top pro make over 10 double faults in a relatively short match. For every ripper of a winner he hits he throws in countless inexplicable errors, would drive you crazy.

Bottom half of the draw looks so weak

I agree Norrie is an honest trier but watching him I would be surprised if he was a top 50 player. I find it incredible he is in top 20, just can't see any particular weapon, maybe its just me.


quote="Jeff Navarro"]Norrie is an honest trier, granted he’s not a superstar. But the boy puts in a lot of hard work.

Elsewhere Carlitos Alcaraz overpowers Denis Shapovalov 6-1 6-4 6-2. For me money the Spaniard looks the favourite thus far. [/quote]

I said at the beginning that Alcaraz may not be the firm favourite that some people claimed. May well have to change my opinion having seen him in action.

Djoko won't now have to face Hurkacz and I still think it's too soon to write Novak off. He's often won Slams having looked out of sorts in some of the rounds.

Have thought Norrie has been over-ranked for around three years now. Just shows what fitness, competitiveness and consistency can achieve. The Slams are a truer reflection of his ability. Apart from Wimbledon and the USO last year he's never got beyond the 3rd round.

Bet Svitolina enjoyed beating a Russian yesterday. Trouble is, she now has to play another one and, after that, it's probably Belorussian Sabalenka.

Wonder whether this young girl Andreeva can beat Gauff today?

Bad luck on Rybakina who has had to pull out thru illness. Gives defending champ Swiatek a clear path to the final.

Ruud dropped the first set v Zhang but will now serve for the match in the 4th set. Medvedev's conqueror S Wild is two sets to one up v Nishioka.

S Wild lost those last two sets with Nishioka going through. Swiatek who often serves up a bagel, managed two today in a demolition of Wang.

Watched a bit of the Andreeva-Gauff match. The Russian started brightly but only won two games in sets two and three to bow out. Good effort, though, for someone so young.

Rune will play the winner of Cerundolo-Fritz, with the Argentinian leading two sets to one at present.*

Looking at the bottom half of the men's draw I wonder if a case could be made for Dimi to have deep run. Knowing how he can lose to anyone, though, it's probably too much to ask.

*LATER: Cerundolo takes it 7-5 in the 4th. The bottom half of the draw is wide open.

Dimi came thru in straight sets tonight and will now play the winner of the match currently on court - Tiafoe v Zverev. Dimi has a good chance of improving his decidedly underwhelming GS stats. A player of his ability should have made far more QFs and SFs.

Entertaining match between Zverev and Tiafoe. Zverev looks to be in decent form. So much for him comes down to his serve, can be lethal when in the zone but in equal measure he can make so many double faults. His backhand is impressive

Good win for Zverev who now takes on Dimi. This is a great chance for either of them to at least make the semis.

The night match today features Stephens and Sabalenka. Stephens has had an up-and-down career, winning the USO, dipping down the rankings, reaching the French final and rather disappearing again. At her best she's capable of beating anyone but I have to go with Sabalenka for this one.

Karen Khachanov ensures he doesn’t get the Lorenzo Sonego treatment(like Andrey Rublev) as the Russian fights back to reach the quarterfinals. Khachanov winning 1-6 6-4 7-6(7) 6-1.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova comes from a set and a break down to reach the quarterfinals again at Roland Garros. Pavlyuchenkova winning 3-6 7-6(3) 6-3.

Djoko won in straight sets and Alcaraz, despite losing the first two games, is two sets up and a break up v Musetti.

Svitolina finally got home against Russian Kasatkina having twice failed to serve it out for the match at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set, winning the ensuing tiebreak 7-5.

Real anti climax of a match between Alcaraz and Musetti. Very poor performance by Musetti, just hasn't showed up at all

Aryna Sabalenka beat Sloane Stephens 7-6(5) 6-4 and will face Svitolina next.
Sabalenka was 5-0 up in the first set, then Stephens pulled it back by winning 5 in a row herself.
Ultimately Sabalenka was the better player and remains on course to add Roland Garros to her Melbourne title.

Sabalenka again refused to turn up at her post-match press conference. She's upset about questions on her close links to Belarus president.

Most intriguing match today is Dimi v Zverev. Could be the only 4th round match today where the lower-ranked player wins. Just looking at the other matches I can't help thinking it's a fairly lack-lustre second Monday for a Slam tournament.

I agree, very lacklustre second Monday today. Outside of Zverev vs Dimitrov, no matches I would be interested in watching