A couple of all-seeded showdowns are on the quarterfinal schedule at the Paris Masters on Friday. Alexander Zverev is going up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Alex de Minaur battles Holger Rune for a place in the last four.
(3) Alexander Zverev vs. (10) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Zverev and Tsitsipas will be squaring off for the 16th time in their careers when they clash in the quarterfinals of the Rolex Paris Masters on Friday. The head-to-head series stands at 10-5 in favor of Tsitsipas, who won their previous tilt at this same Paris tournament via a 7-6(2), 6-4 decision during third-round action last year. However, things are not quite as bad for Zverev as the numbers suggests; he is 4-5 in their last nine encounters after winning just one of their first six meetings.
Current form massively favors Zverev, who is heading for yet another appearance in the Nitto ATP Finals. The third-ranked German has improved to 63-20 this season with Paris victories over Tallon Griekspoor and a red-hot Arthur Fils. Tsitsipas is through to the last eight following defeats of Roberto Carballes Baena, Alejandro Tabilo, and Francisco Cerundolo–two of the three coming from a set down. Although a lightning-fast court is not great for either guy, it’s better for Zverev. All signs point to the third seed taking care of business on Friday.
Pick: Zverev in 2
(13) Holger Rune vs. (9) Alex de Minaur
De Minaur’s quarterfinal run combined with Andrey Rublev’s second-round ouster means the world No. 10 is in position to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. Of course, that doesn’t mean that De Minaur is suddenly going to lose motivation. There is still another week to go following Paris (ATP 250s in Belgrade and Metz), plus Rublev is not the only other player in contention for one of the remaining spots. Tsitsipas could pass De Minaur with a title in Paris and Rune–the Aussie’s Friday opponent–could do the same by lifting the trophy and then reaching at least the Metz final.
A much-needed big week for De Minaur has come at the expense of Mariano Navone, Miomir Kecmanovic, and Vienna champion Jack Draper. Rune has advanced by taking out Matteo Arnaldi, Alexander Bublik, and Arthur Cazaux. The 13th-ranked Dane took each of the first two head-to-head contests in this matchup on indoor hard courts, but De Minaur has since prevailed twice in a row (last year in Acapulco and at Queen’s Club). An indoor setting at an event he won in 2022 certainly gives Rune a chance, but it’s tough to pick against an inspired De Minaur.
Pick: De Minaur in 3
WWW?
It takes something special to take out Rune in Paris geez
title wide open
It really should be a 500 these days.
Congratulations to Holger Rune!
Well done, beating Demon 😀
Good luck next match!