Rafael Nadal moved one stepper closer to more French Open glory but now turn our attention to the ‘young blood’ of the tour.
One of the most public rivalries on the tour takes place tomorrow morning, while the women’s draw continues to be littered with upset results.
Best bets for all the Tuesday night and Wednesday morning action from Roland Garros are in.
Alexander Zverev vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
9th June 12:00am
Number six seed Alexander Zverev takes on the Spanish surprise packet Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as both both men vie to reach the semifinals of Roland Garros for the first time in their careers.
Zverev has only made it as far as the quarterfinals at this tournament and ensured that record continued after a straight set demolition job of Kei Nishikori.
On paper, it might seem as though a match up against the man colloquially known as ‘Foki’ should be a fair accompli in favor of the 24-year-old German, but Foki has been relentless in his pursuit of a maiden grand slam.
The ATP 46th ranked Spaniard followed up a thrilling five-set win over Casper Rudd with a four-set triumph over tour veteran Federico Delbonis.
Fokina and Zverev have faced each other twice with the German taking out both encounters in straight sets.
The hope Fokina might have here is the clay surface.
Zverev has defeated Fokina on the hardcourt but the pair are yet to face off on the dirt.
Could be in for the long haul here.
Suggested Bets:
Alexander Zverez 3-1 at $3.3
Total games over 32.5 at $1.83
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Daniil Medvedev
9th June 5:00am
The hottest rivalry on the ATP tour reignites again when Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev do battle in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
Both Tsitsipas and Medvedev have arguably been in career best form during their first week of the French Open with the pair only dropping one set through their first four rounds.
It is advantage Medvedev when it comes to the head to head perspective between the two players.
The pair have gone to battle on seven occasions with Medvedev winning all bar one match in 2019 at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Medvedev has won the sole clay match he has played against Tsitsipas which was at the ATP 1000 Monte Carlo Masters that preceded his first defeat to the 22-year-old Greek.
The gap in the market between these two players looks enormous and the value clearly lies with Medvedev in this contest.
Suggested Bet: Daniil Medvedev win at $2.70
Tamara Zidansek vs. Paula Badosa
8th June 8:00pm
It is probably the least likely of the draw-cards for the French Open women’s quaterfinals but Tamara Zidansek versus Paula Badosa is an intriguing game to analyse.
Both were considered outside chances to progress as far as they have into the tournament thus far and it is made even more amusing that these two women have never played against each other.
The pair have winning records on the clay this year with Zidansek boasting a 14-4 record but it is Badosa who holds fort with a domintant 17-2 win-loss count for 2021.
Badosas took the scalp of the number 20 seed Marketa Vondrousova in the fourth round on Sunday, while Zidansek only needed the two sets to despatch Sorana Cirstea with a 7-6, 6-1 victory.
The first serve in this match is going to be critical.
Both players tend to range in the mid 60 percent range on first serve but it is Badosa who cracked into the 70% range in her third round victory.
Given the evidence we have seen thus far, Badosa holds a slight advantage in this area of the match and it will probably prove to be the difference.
Suggested Bet:
Paula Badosa 2-0 at $1.70
Total games under 20.5 at $1.92