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A toss-up: Alcaraz versus Sinner in the RG semis

June 6, 2024 by Matthew Cronin

The former No. 1, Rafa Nadal, has won Roland Garros 14 times. On clay, he is the best player, ever. However, the other Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, also really likes on the clay, and in the past 12 days, he has played very aggressively. He out hit Stefanos Tsitsipas in three tough sets, and while he did a few odd errors, he was composed, at the end.

Now in the semis he has to go against Jannik Sinner, who will soon be No. 1 on Monday. He will be thrilled, but if he loses in the semis or the finals, then he would be upset. Or maybe not. The first thing is he has to be super patient, and really go for it, when the time is right. Sinner has improved this year, and his forehand and his backhand can mix up, and smash it very hard. Alcaraz has an amazing ground strokes, and the two-time champion has improved his first serve. The young player is very fast, when he is running, and he also is very solid at the net. They are close when they have played each other, as they have had eight matches, 4-4. Is that close enough? Yes. They have only played on the clay once, and Umag, and the Italian Sinner won it. At the Slams, Sinner beat Alcaraz at Wimbledon, but at the 2022, the Spaniard defeated him, and he won the US.Open. They have played only once in 2024, at Indian Wells, and Alcaraz beat him in three demanding sets.

In a sense, they know each other, pretty well. Both of them think that if he is totally on, then he can really go for it, with his first serve, close to the lines.

“Everything [Sinner] does, he does it perfectly,” Alcaraz said. “The way that he hits the ball is unbelievable. The way he moves, it’s really, really [good]. He pushes you to the limit in every ball, in every point. I think it is the hardest thing to face Jannik. At the same time, I love that. I love these kind of matches. I love this kind of challenge, to have a really difficult battle against him.”

Sinner will try to slap with his forehand, somewhat deep, yet Alcaraz will attempt to go down the line with his quick spin. It will likely be a marathon, and in the end, in the fifth set, Alcaraz will win it 6-4, in four hours.

Can Alexander Zverev will finally win a Grand Slam?

Well, over the past week, he was struggle, but he made it. From the backcourt, he was so consistent, crosscourt, and down the line. He rarely gets tired now, and his goal is to win a Slam for the first time.

“I’m in another semifinal here, which I’m very pleased about. Of course I want to win one,” said Zverev. “I want to be in the finals. That’s my main focus.”

He has to face the 25-year-old Casper Ruud, who really loves on the clay, having reach into the final at the 2023 Roland Garros. He lost against Novak Djokovic, but in the semis, he beat Zverev. Yes, this year, he came big again, but in the semis, Ruud was on fire, while Zverev collapsed. Maybe the German will do some knew shots, that fool him. Or, Ruud can trick him, again.

“Okay, I won’t play perfect, but I’m going to be a tough player to beat in best-of-five sets on clay,” said Ruud. “That’s the kind of mentality that has been working for me. I know if the opponents want to beat me, they’re going to have to play really good tennis for at least three full sets, and I’m going to try to make it tough for them. Physically I’m going to try to be in good shape and make them suffer if I can.”

Ruud knows that Zverev can be very intense for hours, but he does know that on the clay, he can exhaust him. He will, and Ruud will win it 6-7, 7-7, 6-4, 6-3.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, french open, Jannik Sinner, Matt Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

Can Coco Gauff upset Iga Swiatek in the semis?

June 5, 2024 by Matthew Cronin

Is it possible that Coco Gauff will beat against Iga Swiatek for the second time? Maybe, but the Polish person has beaten the American 10 times, and Gauff beat her just one time, in Cincinnati, on the hardcourts. At Roland Garros on Thursday, Gauff is going to have to chance a few tactics, and make sure that she can try to crush her forehand, as Swiatek knows that she is more solid, and deeper, too. Last year at RG in the quarters, Swiatek beat Gauff 6-4, 6-2, with some amazing shots.

Yes, Gauff has a terrific backhand, and she is very quick, when she is running. Also, she loves the net, but Swiatek has a better serve, and she is not only can immediately attacks, but also, she can jump on the lines. Eventually, Gauff will beat her again, but exactly, when and where on the clay? Swiatek has won four Grand Slams — three at the French Open — and one at the 2022 U.S. Open. Gauff has won just one at a Slam, at the 2023 U.S. Open. Gauff has improved a lot of the past two years, yet she was unable to win a tournament since January, which is OK, yet Swiatek just won Madrid and Rome. She is on fire, beating Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in Rome.

“I remember last year was really stressful for me, so every match was kind of like a relief,” Swiatek said. “Now I’m enjoying it more, and I have more satisfaction from just playing my game. Two years ago, I would say in my mind it felt pretty similar, because I just felt like I had already a great season, and now I can just go for it.”

Iga Swiatek will win it 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 in the third set.

All of a sudden, the 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva rose up, super high. In the third set, she was comfortable, while Aryna Sabalenka threw in some unusually bad shots, and she lost 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4.

Andreeva went for it a lot, down the lines, and closer into the corners. Her serve isn’t great yet, but her forehand and her backhand was huge. She has to face against the Italian, the Jasmine Paolini, who stunned Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, her first time at the Grand Slam semis. Over the past 10 days, she has been very impressive, pushing herself, trying to hit it harder and harder, rather then just putting it back in. She also scrambled, and managed to confuse with Rybakina, who almost won, but she missed some wild, out, shots.

So now, both Paolini and Andreeva have reached the semis at a Slam, so clearly, when they come on the court, they will be nervous, but when they start, one of them will lock it in. They will have some cool rallies, and some tremendous shots, but in the end, the veteran Paolini will win it 4-6, 7-6, 6-3.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: coco gauff, french open, Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, Matthew Cronin, Mirra Andreeva, roland garros, roland-garros

Tough matches, but Djokovic keeps winning

June 2, 2024 by Matthew Cronin

Given that Novak Djokovic played for four and a half hour, and when he finished, it was 3:00 a.m. at Roland Garros. It had rained a lot in Paris, but he stayed there, and he beat Lorenzo Musetti 7-5 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. He finally looked very good, but Musetti collapsed. The No. 1 Djokovic has been struggling this year, but each match, he could play very well, and more confident. His backhand is amazing, and he can return deep, close to the lines. Now he has to face against Francisco Cerundolo, who has had a so-so year, but the Argentine can rise up. He will have to, as Djokovic will push him into the fence. The Serbian will win it in four, tight, sets

Alexander Zverev is still playing darn good, while he almost lost in a marathon, but he managed to survive, but now he has to face versus Holger Rune, who really likes on the clay. Zverev can crush the ball, on the hardcourts, but the German can become impatient,with his forehand and his backhand, and he will rush it. Zverev has yet to win a Grand Slam yet, but he has come close, at the U.S. Open, yet in France, he has been up and down. “I kind of had this conversation with myself and I realized that you know I don’t do any good to myself and especially to people and kids watching so, I’m glad it’s working out,” he said. “I mean, I worked on myself quite a lot uh in that department.”

However, in the past month, Zverev was very smart, on the court, winning Rome. His confidence is there, but Rune is trying to reach the semis at the Slams for the first time. He can be steady, and he did have a fine year in 2023, and at Rome, he reached the final, beating Casper Ruud before he lost against Daniil Medvedev. Pretty good. Ruud knows that to beat Zverev, he must be super patient, and really mix it up. Unfortunately, Zverev will gringe him, in five, fun sets.

Taylor Fritz is the only American men are left, so to beat Ruud, he is going to play lights out. Ruud reached the final at Roland Garros, and recently, he won Barcelona and Switzerland. He is so confident when he can chuck it on to the lines, and he can be very creative. Toe to toe, he can also change his tactics. That should be a wild five setter, and Fritz will really be very aggressive, but Ruud will grab it 6-4.

On Saturday, the American Emma Navarro will face versus the No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. Gradually, Navarro is trying to add some new shots, and also, to be thoughtful.

“It allows for some unique tennis, which is what I like,” Navarro told WTA Insider. “I like problem-solving, I like figuring things out. I like that I can be creative. I like to play with some style. That’s what I enjoy about tennis and the clay allows for that, a little bit more than hardcourts.”

At Indian Wells in March, Navarro upset Sabalenka 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. That was one of the best day, ever. She did lose in the next round, but she seems to be better with her forehand, and her second serve. However, Sabalenka is much more close to the lines, hitting as hard as she can. Yes, Navarro will try to rallied her, but Sabalenka will take it, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Emma Navarro, french open, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Taylor Fritz

The picks at Roland Garros: Sunday June 11

June 10, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Novak Djokovic over Casper Ruud
It has been a long time that Novak Djokovic is right there, possibly if he wins, he will be the greatest player, ever. He is tied with Rafael Nadal with 22 Grand Slams, as he has beaten all four, at the Australian Open, Roland Garros (twice), Wimbledon and the US Open. He can do it again, but the pressure on Sunday will be pretty nervous. He knows that when he plays well, then he can attack, more quickly, as he is just so solid. His backhand is nearly perfect, crosscourt, down the line, with some spin, too. He can flat it out, or he can hit it deep in the middle. His serves can be remarkable, and he is darn good at the net. Yes, his forehand is not perfect, but when he is locked in, he will be much more comfortable.

In the final, though, he has to make some different strokes, as Ruud has played some excellent ball over the past 14 days. He has been very steady, and his backhand was super fitting. His forehand is strong, and his return has improved a lot. Also, he is young, but when you play a lot, on the court, you become more familiar. He really wants to win Roland Garros, so to do so, he has to drive, deep, and really go for it. Last year in the 2022 Roland Garros, he was crushed by Nadal. Maybe he was physically tired, but when it happens, you have to forget about it, and just play, damned hard. He has to be formal, rotate it, and try to pound Djokovic’s forehand. Plus, Djokovic has a number of aces, so when he returns, and he can get it, he will have to put it deep, to start the rallies.

As the Norwegian Ruud said, “It’s going to be tough, for sure. He’s playing for his 23rd. I’m playing for my first. So I’m going to just try to play without pressure and just try to enjoy the moment. I think that was my mentality last year, as well, and it didn’t go my way. Obviously I would like to try to do better than last year. Let’s see if I have learned something from the two previous ones that I played last year. It just feels great to be back. I didn’t think or necessarily believe in the beginning of the tournament that I was going to be in the final. I gave it my best, of course, in every match. Took one match at a time. It is going to be toughest challenge on Sunday, to play Novak. We’re going to do our best to be ready and play our best level. “

Djokovic must be thinking about what eh will do in the court. He has won so many incredible matches, but he has also lost when he is not happy when he is hitting the ball. He can yell, inside, and shake his head. He knows that, but he also he will grasp, eventually, he can turn it around.

“I’m very self-critical, so I know that I can always do better. But I also try to remind myself, as also the people in my team try to remind me daily, that there are a lot of positives, that I have to try to stay optimistic and look ahead and be in the moment, try to make the most out of it, Djokovic said. “It’s normal that during the tournament, regardless of the history that I have or experience or whatever, that I have my doubts. We all have our doubts. It’s important to understand what are your strengths, and focus on those, and deal with what you have at the moment. I’m happy with where I am at the moment with my game. Can it be better? Certainly. Certainly.

They played each other four times, and the Serbian won them in eight sets, on the indoor hardcourts, and two on the clays. Clearly, Djokovic has a better backhand, serve, return and net game too. Yes, Ruud will try to unearth him, but Djokovic will change things, and he will win it in four sets. That will be 94 titles, which will be ridiculous.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Iga Swiatek over Karolina Muchova

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

36 out of 53, 67.9% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Casper Ruud, french open, men's singles final, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros, Saturday, June 10

June 10, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Iga Swiatek over Karolina Muchova
The Pole Swiatek is now one of the youngest woman to reach in the final at the French Open. It is three times, which is not easy.

From 1990-1992, Monica Seles reached three final at Roland Garros, and she won it. She was so young, but her forehand and her backhand were lethal. She consistently attacked, anywhere she wanted to. Her serve was never that great, or at the net, but her returns were fantastic. So was Justine Henin, who won it 2003-2005, three in a row, in the final, and she did not lose a set.

Swiatek has won it two times at Roland Garros, and maybe another one, but not three in a row. Regardless, over the past 12 days, she has played so consistently, and with some terrific variety.

However, she has to face again Muchova, who all of a sudden, in the matches, she does not check out. Her return is forceful, and she can string side to side. Her serves is not great, as she has yet to win a major yet, but the Czech seems to believe that she will be locked in, frequently.

As Swiatek said, “I really like her game, honestly. I really respect [Muchova], and she’s I feel like a player who can do anything. She has great touch. She can also speed up the game. She plays with freedom in her movements. And she has a great technique. So I watched her matches and I feel like I know her game pretty well. But obviously on matches, it’s a little bit different and I’ll be ready no matter what.”

Muchova will have to make some big decisions, on the court. In the semis, she played over three hours, and she cramped a little bit, when she edged versus Aryna Sabalenka. But this time, she is going to have to hit some tremendous shots, and a lot of diversity. But on Saturday, the Czechs really think that she can win it. “I will for sure need to fight. I’ll need to play my best,” she said. “Yeah, just to bring the best out of me and play a perfect match to be able to win a Grand Slam.”

She might, sometime in the future, but once again, Swiatek will be more than patient, and she will hit some stunning forehands. She will beat Muchova in three hard-fought sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Carlos Alcaraz over Novak Djokovic
Alexander Zverev over Casper Ruud

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

35 out of 52, 67.3% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: french open, Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova, Matthew Cronin, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks at Roland Garros: Friday, June 9

June 8, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Carlos Alcaraz over Novak Djokovic
It will be a huge challenge with Carlos Alcaraz, who did win at the 2022 U.S. Open, but while he has won a few great tournaments on the clay, he has yet to grab Roland Garros. However, over the past 11 days, he has played amazing good. His forehand is vast, and his backhand is also phenomenal. Yes, he can over-hit, but each day, he thinks about what he is really doing, and then he can chuck some different strokes.

The Serbian Djokovic has won so many titles on hard courts, on grass, and on clay. Yes, he has won it twice at the French Open, but he badly wants to win it one more time, so if he does that, he will have 23 Grand Slams — a record.

However, he has a long way to go. In May, Alcaraz edged Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5). That was so close, but the Spaniard would not fold. This time, though, it will be three out of five, not two out of three, so the question is, will he be super fierce, or more patient? In the quarterfinals, he took down Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets. That was pretty simple.

The highly steady Djokovic totally loves going crosscourt, with his notorious backhand. His forehand is also sizable, and when he returns, you can see his bright eyes. He can really run, side to side, or sprint to the net. However, he has had a fantastic year — yet.

“It’s definitely the biggest challenge for me so far in the tournament. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Djokovic said. “He’s definitely a guy to beat here. I’m looking forward to that.”

There will be another extremely long rallies, and they will go into the fifth set. This time, as Stefanos Tsitsipas said after he lost, who will win between Alcaraz and Djokovic?

“I root for the young kids.” He must have, as Alcaraz will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Alexander Zverev over Casper Ruud
He looked very good when he took down against Holger Rune in the quarters. Last year he reached the final, and he looked terrific, but Rafa Nadal won it again, with his huge lefty forehand. Yet Rune is usually consistent, and he can also raid when there is a real opportunity. He still is pretty young, but much more than he used to be.

Zverev is really back, or is her a little bit early? He knows that each month, he will get better as last year, he took a bumper injury. But right now, the German believe that he can play against Rune, and who he really is.

“Ruud has been there before. He was in the final here last year, so he knows exactly what it means and what it takes….I couldn’t play for the first seven months of my injury,” Zverev. “Then for the next three, four months I was still in pain, so I wasn’t pain-free. I wasn’t able to move the way I wanted to. But sometimes it’s also just reminding yourself of who you were and what kind of matches you have won in the past. I’m at a stage now where I’m not thinking about the injury so much anymore. I’m just happy to be back where I was last year, and I have another chance. Hopefully I can take it.”

Zverev seems to think that while he is not 100 percent, yet, but he has won some big titles. Ruud had a great year in 2022, but now he has struggled at times. There for, Zverev will reach into the final at another Grand Slam, with some popping winners in four sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Iga Swiatek over Beatriz Haddad Maia
~~Aryna Sabalenka over Karolina Muchova~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

35 out of 50, 70% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, french open, Matthew Cronin, men's semis, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros

The picks from Roland Garros: Thursday, June 8

June 7, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Aryna Sabalenka over Karolina Muchova
Everyday now, the Belaruse is totally in control. She is running very fast, she is returning much more consistently, and she can also smash her forehand. Last year, mentally, Sabalenka had some very difficult months. However, on the court, now, she is lethal, much more.

Sabalenka can slip up, but so does Muchova. The Czech has a lot of variety, with her strong forehand and her consistent backhand. When she is feeling good, she can take over, but when she is not, she can fold.
Muchova knows that if she can win the match, she is going to play at least 90 percent to beat her.

“She’s very, very great player. Very aggressive,” Muchova said. “Tough match ahead. I’ll try to do my best to find a way how to make it complicated for her.”

Coming into the tournament, she was feeling good. Sure, she can lose, but when she is on, she can be so fitting.

“This year I had a great tournament in Rome. Before I had a great preparation. Here I started well and with matches I gained some confidence. Of course now I’m feeling better on clay.”

Sabalenka has always felt much more honesty, in the court. They have played each only one time, a few years ago, and she won it, but it was very close. She will do it again, but this time they will go into the third set, and Sabalenka will grab it with somesizable forehands.

Iga Swiatek over Beatriz Haddad Maia
Pole has won 26 of 28 matches at the French Open, crushing so many people. She is so swift, and she can raid, ASAP when she can. Her forehand can go up and down, but when she is playing terrific, she can throw together a number of winners. Her backhand is also with some huge variety, and also, again, she can hit it so harsh.

In Toronto, she lost against Beatriz Haddad Maia, on the hardcourts. Now on Thursday, when they face off, it will be on clay. That is different, for sure.

“She’s the fighter, and she showed even today that she’s fighting until the last ball. It pays off,” Swiatek said. “For sure you have to be ready even when you feel like you’re leading or whatever. You have to play every point 100%. We played in Toronto, and I would say actually this was one of the matches that had similar conditions in terms of the wind. It was also windy that day. Obviously surface is different. I will focus on myself and what I want to do on court.”

It might even be a little bit windy, so Haddad Maia will make an attempt to have some very long rallies. She certainly meld it up, and she can also crush some fine backhands. But at the end, Swiatek will be more patient, and wait until she has a break to kiss it in the lines. Swiatek will win in three unreal sets.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Beatriz Haddad Maia., french open, Iga Swiatek, Karolina Muchova, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, semifinals, womens

The picks at Roland Garros: Wednesday, June 7

June 6, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Ons Jabeur over Beatriz Haddad Maia
The Brazilian has changed a few interesting tactics over the past year. Haddad Maia beat a number of the very good players. She can throw in some deep shots, with her spin and her slice. As she says that, “I think I had a very tough draw. I had to push myself.”

Yes, she does. However, Jabeur is more mature, even though in the matches, she can over think. She does have an incredible top spin, and she can also mix it up a lot, but at times, she isn’t hitting hard enough. She has to play if she is playing great, or mediocre, with everyone. “I have learned a lot how to accept things, either good or bad. For me, being injured was part of my path, how the season would have started here this year. I worked a lot on my mental health and worked a lot on how to manage all this, because I believe there is a lot of injuries are connected to our emotional part,” Jabeur said. “I’m trying to manage that.”

Over the past 10 days, she really does. It will be a very long match on the slick clay, and in the third set, Jabeur will win it with some eye-popping drop shots.

Iga Swiatek over Coco Gauff
At the 2021 Roland Garros in the final, Swiatek wiped Gauff in two easy sets. In the quarters on Wednesday, the American is going to have to play substantially better, especially with her up and down forehand. Her backhand is so solid, and strong, and at the net, she can put it away, many times. However, her second serve is so-so, and her return is OK, but not great, which is why she has never won a major yet. But she really wants to stun Swiatek.

“I guess the revisiting part for like the mentality, it’s in the past. In a positive way, not like I lost in the final, I don’t want to think about it,” Gauff said. “It’s more so I don’t want to make the final my biggest accomplishment, I guess. I want to keep moving forward and keep reaching further heights.”

Gauff will have a huge shot to upset Swiatek, as the Polish person is playing amazing again. She has not had a great year, but week after week, she makes another effort. She still thinks that she will jump it early, and go down the lives. Swiatek will once again beat her in three impressive sets.

Alexander Zverev over Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Frequently, the players can rise almost out of nowhere, but they do, and know that Martin Etcheverry is playing and incredible tennis. He is pretty young, so the Argentine has pushed with his forehand and his backhand. He is not very comfortable at the net, or his serve, too, but he is improving. As he said: “I have a lot of emotion right now. I think I am really, really happy. The best moment of my life,” he said.

He has to try to chop down versus Zverev. The German look better each day, and his forehand and his backhand are huge. Yes to beat Zverev, Martin Etcheverry is going to need more than 100 percent.

“I think he has a lot of more experience than me, but I feel really good to play against him. I am playing incredible tennis this week, and just I have to focus in my game and trying to do the same like I am doing all the day,” Martin Etcheverry said.

He might, but Zverev will hit him forehand to forehand, crosscourt, and he will win in three tough sets.

Casper Ruud over Holger Rune
He did win amazing match with Rune when he edged Francisco Cerundolo 7-6(7) in the fifth set. That wasn’t a stunner, but it was so close and his backhand was more than consistent. He has yet to win Roland Garros, but the smart player can really mix it around, and also he can smash his forehand. However, when he gets inside the court on Wednesday, he must be somewhat tired if it goes on for than three hours.

Ruud clearly know that, then during in the rallies, he can just sit on the baseline and wait for a decent chance into the corners. Ruud is pretty smart, and he can attack when it is right there.

The Norwegian seems to think that he is coming closer to beat anyone. Last year, he could not beat against the best players, at the Slams, but now he is coming close. Ruud will hit some fun drop shots, and he will win it in four exhausting sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Aryna Sabalenka over Elina Svitolina
Correct: Novak Djokovic over Karen Khachanov
Correct: Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
~~Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over Karolina Muchova~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

29 out of 40, 72.5% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Right, Lead Story Tagged With: Alexander Zverev, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Casper Ruud, coco gauff, french open, Holger Rune, Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Tomas Martin Etcheverry

The picks at Roland Garros, Tuesday, June 6

June 5, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova over Karolina Muchova
This was really surprising, that the Russian was mediocre this year, and all of a sudden, she started to be super aggressive. Her forehand is powerful, although she can miss it a lot, but her heavy backhand can be deep, close to the baseline. The reason why she has yet to win a Grand Slam because she isn’t very fast, when she is running, but at least she understands what she has to do. Two years ago at the French Open final, she looked great, but in the final, Barbora Krejčíková edged her in three very interesting sets, sending Muchova is a conundrum. She can look jacked up, and then she will disappear when it is close. In the doubles, she is fantastic, but in the singles, the Czech can suffer. At least at Roland Garros, she became super steady. However, Pavlyuchenkova will move around on the clay, and frustrate her. Pavlyuchenkova will win it in three wild sets

Aryna Sabalenka over Elina Svitolina
On Sunday, Sabalenka walked on the court and while she was upset, off the court, but when she was ready to play, then she was pretty intent. She did when she beat Sloane Stephens in a tough contest. Now though, she has to play even better, as Svitolina is on fire, hitting with some gigantic backhands. The former No. 3 Svitolina can be totally locked in, and her forehand is colossal. However, Sabalenka can also split her forehand and her backhand, and she can go for it, early. Her serve has improved recently, as last year, she threw in so many double faults. Sabalenka has really has matured this year, and she is also very thoughtful.

They both have gone deep at the Slams, so they probably won’t be to nervous. Without a doubt, it will be a very close contest, but this time, Sabalenka will beat her, with some amazing winners, in three hefty sets.

Novak Djokovic over Karen Khachanov
The Serbian Djokovic is gaining ground each day. He has rarely loved on clay, but over the years, he added some new shots. His backhand might be the best of all time, but his forehand is very good, but not insane. However, he can hit it some flat shots, and he can also spin it. He knows when he faces Khachanov, he can make sure to start in the rallies.

The Russian is a huge hitter, and he is really tall, but there are times when at the net, he can miss it. Khachanov had a very decent year, and overall, he has reached into the four Grand Slams in the semis and the quarters. Clearly, he is very good. However, Djokovic has beaten him all six times, so he will do it again, winning in four interesting sets.

Carlos Alcaraz over Stefanos Tsitsipas
The young Spaniard has beaten Tsitsipas all four times, when he recently took him down in Barcelona. At the 2021 U.S. Open, he edged him 7-6 (5) in the third round. Then, it was clear that he was going to go close into the sky. As Tsitsipas said, “The clash we’ve all been waiting for. I think everyone was expecting it, weren’t they? It’s here. It’s game on. Carlos is someone that keeps the intensity high at all times. He’s someone that’s not going to give you gaps where his attention isn’t there. He’s very hyper. He’s very energetic and you can see that on the court.”

That was a true analysis. Tsitsipas has come close deep at the Slams, but he has not been able to do it. His one-handed backhand is stable, and his forehand can be solid. He is pretty decent at the net, and he can also return in the second serve. At Roland Garros, Alcaraz was totally controlled. Sure, he can miss a few shots, when he goes too early, but he just keeps moving forward. It is possible that the Greek Tsitsipas will finally beat Alcaraz, but to do that, he is going to change a few tactics. He will, but in the fifth set, Alcaraz once again will hit some incredible shots. He will win it 7-5 in the fifth set.

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, karen khachanov, Karolina Muchova, Novak Djokovic, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, Stefanos Tsitsipas

The picks at Roland Garros: Sunday, June 4

June 3, 2023 by Matthew Cronin

Sloane Stephens over Aryna Sabalenka
This could be wrong, because Sabalenka is playing darn good, but yesterday, the Belarusian was upset because her country’s involvement in Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine. She decided not to go into the press conference. As she said: “I know they still expect some questions that are more about the politics and not so much about my tennis,” Sabalenka said. “For many months now, I have answered these questions at tournaments and been very clear in my feelings and my thoughts. These questions do not bother me after my matches. I know that I have to provide answers to the media on things not related to my tennis or my matches, but on Wednesday, I did not feel safe in the press conference.”

That is likely true, and because of that, she must be pretty sad. When she gets on court , Sabalenka might be thinking about the situation, so then she won’t be able to be very calm, with her massive forehand and her backhand.

Stephens has heard it, so now she will totally be in control. She has had a difficult year, but once and a while, she can not just be patient, in the back, but she waits until she can smash it, down the line or crosscourt. Stephens is now saying that she loves playing at Roland Garros. This week, she has looked very good, with very few errors. This time, Stephens will dust down Sabalenka in the third set, putting together some tremendous shots.

Carlos Alcaraz over Lorenzo Musetti
This should be a terrific match, as Musetti won Hamburg in 2022, beating Alcaraz in three wonderful sets. However, at the USOpen, Alcaraz won it all. The Italian finally became much more real.

“The match in Hamburg gave me a lot of confidence… Of course, it’s a completely different position, different status but I think we will enjoy our match.” “I see (him as) a friend. He started a (new) way, a new generation,” Musetti said. We are trying to push him and to get closer.” The Spaniard added, “It’s a big challenge for me. I remember the match in Hamburg. It was really, really tough. He’s a really talented player. I know him very well. We played tournaments when we were kids… It’s going to be a really fun match.”

There will be some extremely rallies, with there backhands, flat or spin. They don’t chop it much, but with the forehand, they can push it very close on the backcourts. They are still working to improve there returns, especially with there second serve.

Alcaraz is on fire again, and while Musetti thinks he has to be more steady, he won’t be able to change a few important tactic in the fifth set. Alcaraz will win it with a few insane shots.

Stefanos Tsitsipas over Sebastian Ofner
The Greek is quietly playing as he knows that in the second week, many of the fans will go to watch him. He has not had a fantastic year in 2023, as there were times when he would lose his head. But currently, he is more serene, just like he did at the Australian Open. In the final, he was there but then he went down. After that, he lost some odd matches, but in Paris, he decides that he was going to think hard, every second.

“I’ve produced some really good tennis when I’m at a psychological state of ‘nothing matters and I don’t care anymore’. And I just want to play it, I don’t care what the outcome will be,” he said. “I have broken back. I’ve suddenly found my rhythm back into the game. I guess there is lack of expectation, lack of thought… when you’re out there because you’re constantly analysis every decision.”

Ofner just played three hours and 50 minutes, and while he ran for hours, and he looked a little bit tired, but his backhand was so sober. However, the 27-year-old has yet to reach the top 100, ever. He will eventually, but he won’t be able to out-hit him. Once again, Tsitsipas will reach into the second week once again. He will win it in straight sets.

Elina Svitolina over Daria Kasatkina
The No. 9 has had a pretty decent year, as the Russian has improved with her forehand, as well as her first serve. She can be somewhat consistent, and on occasion she can chuck in some fun drop shots.

However, Kasatkina has played six times again Svitolina, and she lost every time. She is more oomph, as her forehand and her backhand are stronger. There are times when the former No. 3 would disappear, with some crazy shots, but the older you get, you can be much more proper. Without a doubt, Kasatkina will try to change something new, but even if she does, Svitolina will find her way again, and she will win it in two long sets.

Matt’s yesterday picks

Correct: Alexander Zverev over Frances Tiafoe
Correct: Coco Gauff over Mirra Andreeva
Correct: Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova over Kayla Day
~~Taylor Fritz over Francisco Cerundolo~~

Matt’s picks from Roland Garros

19 out of 28, 67.8% correct

Filed Under: Featured Bottom Left, Lead Story Tagged With: Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, french open, Lorenzo Musetti, Matt Cronin, Matthew Cronin, paris, roland garros, roland-garros, sloane stephens, Stefanos Tsitsipas