It will be an all-Italian quarterfinal showdown in Jannik Sinner’s section of the French Open draw…but it won’t involve Jannik Sinner.
Instead, Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi will battle for an improbable semifinal spot at the season’s second Grand Slam. Almost as surprising is that these two compatriots — despite both having been around for quite a while — are going head-to-head for the first time in their careers.
Five-set thrillers have been the story on the men’s side throughout this fortnight at Roland Garros. It would be no surprise if another one takes place on Wednesday between two Italians who are no strangers to going the distance. Both Arnaldi (vs. Raphael Collignon) and Berrettini (vs. Francisco Comesana) played fifth-set tiebreakers in the third round. Arnaldi followed that up with another five-set marathon against Frances Tiafoe on Monday night, whereas Berrettini beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo in straights. The 104th-ranked Arnaldi has to be running on fumes, but perhaps he has at least one match — or most of one match — still left in his legs.
Strictly from a tennis standpoint, Arnaldi has arguably been more impressive this fortnight — and he can cope with Berrettini’s power on clay. But the former Wimbledon finalist and hard-court slam semifinalist (both Australian Open and U.S. Open) has the physical edge. The likely result is a long, back-and-forth contest that begins in Arnaldi’s favor before Berrettini gains the upper hand.
Pick: Berrettini in 5
WWW?
Arnaldi is a fighter….in 4
Berrettini in five
A few months ago, who would have seen this RG QF lineup
Agreed. Well done to the 2 Matteo’s!
Would’ve loved have seen Fonz make the final after beating Novak, but probably a little too much to hope for
BTW HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY clay GOAT Mr Rafael Nadal even though you’ve retired, time to let these younglings try to take over, although doubt anyone else can win 14 FOs 😍
24 Slams will be pretty hard too lol
Yes I know but this was about Nadals birthday, as it comes during the FO, not who can beat 24
Ok . By coincidence, Borg also his birthday now, usually in the final weekend of RG. Pity he retired early unbeaten
True
Arnaldi won 7-5 5-2 ret. The experts here are getting most of the important predictions wrong for this tournament.
Jodar over Zverev
Fonseca over Mensik
FAA over Cabolli
Berrittini over Arnaldi.
The only thing that we can predict is that we can’t predict anything
Hope Berretini is fit for SW19