Carlos Alcaraz has had Stefanos Tsitsipas’ number in the early stages of their rivalry, but Tsitsipas will have another chance to turn the tide when they meet again in the French Open quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
Even when Alcaraz was a heavy underdog, he still managed to beat Tsitsipas. That was the case at the 2021 U.S. Open, when the Spaniard was just 18 years old and upset the Greek 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(2), 0-6, 7-6(5) in a third-round thriller. Alcaraz has since prevailed–in much less surprising fashion–at the 2022 Miami Open (7-5, 6-3), a few weeks later in Barcelona (6-4, 5-7, 6-2), and again at this year’s Barcelona event (6-3, 6-4).
Nonetheless, Tsitsipas cannot be discounted–especially not at the French Open. The 24-year-old is 22-6 lifetime at Roland Garros with a semifinal showing in 2020 and a runner-up performance in 2021. So far this fortnight he has ousted Jiri Vesely, Roberto Carballes Baena, Diego Schwartzman, and Sebastian Ofner while dropping just one set to Vesely along the way.
To say that was a favorable path to the last eight would be an understatement, and now the competition level ratchets up in a major way. Alcaraz is 34-3 this season with four titles (Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, and Madrid) and he is through to the French Open quarters for a second straight time following defeats of Flavio Cobolli, Taro Daniel, Denis Shapovalov, and Lorenzo Musetti.
“I think we know that he is probably the best player in the world,” Musetti said following his 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 drubbing on Sunday. “At the moment it’s really tough to beat him, especially on clay.”
“I need to play good tennis,” Tsitsipas assured. “Carlos is someone that keeps the intensity high at all times. He’s someone that is not going to give you gaps where his attention is not there. He’s very energetic, and you can see that on the court. He adds a lot of that into the rallies, into his rituals when he is out there playing the game.”
In a best-of-five match on Tsitsipas’ favorite surface, the world No. 5 should be able to take a set. But a steady diet of punishing forehands to the one-handed backhand was a recipe that worked for Alcaraz in this matchup in the past and also worked to perfection against both Shapovalov and Musetti. In the end, Alcaraz will likely be too strong from the back of the court and maintain his mastery of this matchup.
Pick: Alcaraz in 4
who ya got?
Alcaraz woodshed
Charlie in 3.
Tsitsi will be lucky to get a set.
He has been a poor match for Alcaraz in the past..
Bring back Struffy!
#BringBackStruffy!
I am jumping on the wagon now.
Haha! You can join me and mira in the I love Struffy club!
Great set by Carlos! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
I can’t see anyone beating him at this tournament..
Federer-Youzhny H2H in the making, massive matchup issue here too.
Carlos has been fabulous. But Tsitsi really hasn’t been up to much.
Amy,RC!..Tsitsi is not himself after the loss to Novak in the final 2021 isn’t he?It’s been 2 years now!..and now he forever add Carlos in his head too..sealed,stamped & delivered!
And i think as long as he keep his dad as a coach,he’s not going anywhere!..he needs changes..what do u think gals?
I don’t think it’s because of that loss mira. That may have affected him for a few months but it doesn’t explain the entirety of 2 years.
Tsitsi has too many weaknesses which players can exploit. His bh is always breaking down and his ROS isn’t nearly good enough. Doesn’t really have e a slice.
Even if he was stronger mentally he would still be being smashed by players like Alcaraz because of his technical problems.
I definitely agree he should stop having his father as coach though. I was wondering last night at one point whether Stef was going to climb into his player’s box and assault him..!
Anyway, I hate to say it but I am a bit of a fan now.
No comparison with my love for Rafa but boy is he talented…
Amy, like i said in the previous thread, I have been watching the field and there is just no comparison to Rafa on this surface and hence you c y he has won it an amazing 14X!!! Rafa really missed out on a 15th trophy this year!!!
Completely agree Mona!
Just because I said I was impressed with Carlos last night doesn’t mean anything in relation to Rafa!
It’s very frustrating…
“Anyway, I hate to say it but I am a bit of a fan now.”
Sure you are, he is playing Nole next.