Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz may be the appetizer to the main course that is Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal.
Still, Tuesday’s opening Roland Garros quarterfinal contest offers plenty of intrigue.
The protagonists of this showdown may not be all-time greats (at least not yet), but they do provide plenty of storylines. Zverev is still in search of an elusive Grand Slam title, having finished runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open to Dominic Thiem (lost the final in a fifth-set tiebreaker). The third-ranked German is now a four-time French Open quarterfinalist–including a semifinal appearance last spring, when he came within one set of the championship match before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is the tour’s breakout star of 2022. Both are legitimate contenders for La Coupe des Mousquetaires.
At the moment, though, one appears to be in a league above. That would be Alcaraz, who is 32-3 this season and currently second behind Rafael Nadal in the live race to Turin. The 19-year-old’s 2022 campaign includes titles in Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, and Madrid. In the Madrid final he destroyed none other than Zverev 6-3, 6-1.
Alcaraz endured a huge scare in the second round last week, when he went five sets with compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas–even saving a match point in the process. That may have been a perfect wakeup call, however, as the world No. 6 has since erased Sebastian Korda and Karen Khachanov in easy straight sets. Zverev also saved a match point in the second round, outlasting Sebastian Baez 2-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 7-5. The 25-year-old followed that up with victories over Brandon Nakashima and Bernabe Zapata Miralles, but neither was routine.
Based on current form and the recent Madrid result, this could be straightforward for Alcaraz. In fact, in the entire draw perhaps only Nadal and Novak Djokovic would have a chance against the teenage sensation.
Pick: Alcaraz in 3
WWW?
Zverev in 4
Hard to imagine Zverev making much of a dent. Maybe one set if he serves well, but no more than that.
Zverev in five is my take. Zverev is experienced in slams and the more the match drags on, the better his chances against Alcaraz.
Alcaraz makes tons of errors in his matches but he hits plenty of winners as well, but if the match drags on to five sets, chances of him making more errors than hitting winners will increase.
Zverev may want to salvage his pride against this young prodigy; having played and lost to Alcaraz at Madrid final may give him some ideas of what to expect from Alcaraz. I think he’ll fare better than at Madrid, he may lose in four sets, but probably wins in five sets.
@ Lucky, I’m kinda leaning towards ure assessment! Zverev has played a bit scrappy but he’s winning his matches in tight sets. He’s serving quite well too! I believe he can beat Carlos if he fights like in his previous matches. His groundies r solid too! Zverev should be able to do this. I think both Carlos and Zverev faced match points so hoping this match is a cracker!!!
Zverev in 5.
Nadal in 5.
Poor Ricky cant get a prediction correct, so he has to try to make other people look bad.
Seriously, how bad are your predictions, and you run a “prediction website”. Might be time to find a new hobby.
shut up troll.
Thank you for your useless post
Aimed at the troll, not the anonymous reply!
Zv always tough in the Majors…he can get at least one set….Carlos in 4.
Zv already has the wrong strategy, y is he so FAR behind the baseline?!!! He needs to remain on top of the baseline to put pressure on Alcaraz! He should try to shorten points and not give Alcaraz any rhythm! Long rallies early is not a good idea!
Alcaraz is good to watch though. He has a nice game and is very mature too for his age.
Holger Rune comparatively is a bit cocky.
Eager to see a match between both some day.
Glad to c Zverev move closer to the baseline then it will force more errors from Alcaraz! This baseline slugging is not a good strategy, he needs to mix things up a bit to give himself a chance or to at least go to a fifth!
Zverev breaks. He is looking the stronger of the 2 atm…
He still standing way behind..imagine if he steps up ,how much damage he can do with his easy power.
Z has come to play. Carlos making way too many errors
Not easy to control the shots if he moves closer to the baseline, as he’s hitting as hard as possible, may overhit instead. I doubt he has the precision that the big three possess.
Lucky,
Great point. That is the problem with moving up closer to the baseline. Zverev is doing what he has to do right now. He won the first set. Alcaraz does not look sharp. We will see how he handles being behind.
Nobody seemed to give Zverev a chance. He is not no. 3 for nothing. He has had some tough matches and come through.
Will we get a nadal zverev sf.
.hehe
I like the way Zverev returns serves by hitting some of the returns DTL instead of going CC all the time, and that’s what I wish Rafa would do for a change.
These days, everyone is returning serves from very far behind the baseline on clay, hardly the case in the past. I wonder why, maybe the clay surface is getting quicker and so the returner needs more time to figure out the direction of the serve?
I don’t mind they stand back to return serves, just move to baseline after u do so u can play more aggressive and be more offensive. When u stand so far back ure returns don’t have much pop and ure opponent can dictate play better. That’s all I’m saying !!
🤣😂😂😂😂 @ Sanju!!
Yes!! At least Zverev is playing well so far and is going for his shots, I like that! Alcaraz serving is horrendous and is making too many errors!! There is no way he is beating either Rafa or Nole playing like this!!
But it’s still early days yet, let’s c if Zverev can hold on and he needs to keep the pressure on Alcaraz serves!
Both of them hitting as hard as possible and see who misses first! I think they’re trying to overpower each other, maybe it’s no choice for Zverev as Alcaraz is simply too quick around the court and get to so many balls, so he has to force errors out of Alcaraz’s hard hitting.
Zverev takes the first set.
He looks like the better player today. Alcaraz hitting loads of ues.
Think some people are forgetting he was very fortunate to survive that match against ARV.
Good set from Zverev, good game plan. So happy that Zverev at least get the commentators to shut up! I can’t stand all hype over Alcaraz, as if he has already won the match without even playing, and as if Zverev is non existent!
I agree!! It’s not like he’s wiping the floor with Zverev like most were anticipating!! Carlos may still win but at least he knows it’s NOT going to be a walk in the park! Zverev still needs to keep the pressure on and move inside the court to finish points early! Keep serving well and give no rhythm to Alcaraz!!
Yes I agree with that!
Have they forgotten that ARV had match point which he blew!
The hype around Alcaraz is absurd…
He has beaten the top players when they have all been sub par. He hasn’t actually beaten any of them playing at their real , let alone top, level.
Well yes but that is bcoz Zverev has been missing his first serves so he has less chance to dictate play on second but once he gets first serve on Alcaraz has NO chance!!
I agree! The commies need to just shut up already! The hyperbole with Alcaraz is just way over the top. It is disturbing to see them assume that he has won the match before it started.
Even ppl on my streaming site r complaining about the commies saying that they r acting like Zverev is not even playing and it’s only Alcaraz they’re talking about!
It’s like ppl completely forgot that Ramos served for the match against Alcaraz! So he’s NOT unbeatable!!
Well, it’s quite bold to say that only Nadal or Djokovic could beat Alcaraz at RG considering that the “teenage sensation” almost got beaten by Ramos-Vinolas, who is a journeyman on clay.
I would not be surprised if a decent clay player like Zverev knocks Carlos out today. The junior is getting ahead of himself.
Zverev will get broken here!! He has lost his intensity already! He needs to serve well and keep pressure on like Alcaraz is pressuring him for the break! I need for Zverev to expose Alcaraz”s game today!!!!
Very impressive from Zverev!! He’s serving is the best in all those remaining in the tourney!! It’s tremendous even with his dfs!! Really playing well!!
Zverev studied his match with Alcaraz last time and came in with a strategy and so far he’s properly executing it!!
I like Alcaraz but I’ll be glad if he loses bcoz those commies need to get egg on their faces!! The always crowning someone the winner even b4 the draw is out! Like I said the other day, who knows? Even cilic could win this: Cilic vs Zverev!! They never even gave Zverev a chance in this match!!
Exactly. We don’t dislike Alcaraz, we just can’t stand the hype around him.
Like I said earlier, Zverev has learnt something from his loss to Alcaraz at Madrid. His team has come up with a good game plan, and Zverev has so far executed it very well. I hope he wins this match.
Zverev serving like a monster!!!!! That is some impressive serving!!! The did say yesterday that his serving stats were very impressive!!! And he seems calm out there bcoz he knows he can win this!! Lol!!
Sasha up 2 sets to 0.
Shocker
Yes! Zverev wins the second set! So happy for him! Now please wins this match!
If Rafa can’t win this FO, I hope Zverev can. Come on Zverev, beat the hyped up youngster now!
Hello! They just showed Rafa practicing!
Yeah, they’ve been showing both him and Novak practicing, lol!
So all is well! Rafa is out there! Looking good!
Zverev is winning 80% of his second serves. He really kept it together serving for
the second set. That is where matches are won and lost. If Alcaraz gets the break to tie it , he has a chance to win the second set.
Zverev is simply the better player in this match.
Yes Zverev is serving better, he’s more composed, more patient and his match is cleaner. I c no reason y this match should not be won in str8ts!!
If Alcaraz loses here this will lessen the pressure on both Rafole bcoz the buzz that would be surrounding that match will be insane!! Yes they r both experienced players but playing a youngster with so much hype around him is sure to be unsettling!!
Meanwhile, I have to say this again, inspite I’d the occasional dfs, Zverev is serving off the charts today!! It’s hard for Alcaraz to get his teeth in Zverev”s serves.
Alcaraz’s shot selection under pressure being exposed as a bit underdeveloped in this match.
Double faults creeping into the Zverev game now though. Might be too little too late for Alcaraz.
When u look at it Zverev is not even doing anything particularly special, he’s just serving well, playing the important points well! OTOH Carlos is making way to many errors and that’s bcoz Zverev has given him NO rhythm whatsoever!!
Carlos however has started serving better!! Zverev needs to maintain his service games and hopes this at least goes to a TB
I have to say that Alcaraz doesn’t have a plan B. It’s as if he has only one game plan and if that fails, he has no where else to go to.
He lacks experience as a player, there are still many game styles that he has yet to play against and this may be one, that of overpowering with hard hitting plus great precise serving.
Zverev is simply overpowering him with his great hitting, forcing errors out of Alcaraz.
I find Zverev didn’t seize this bp opportunity there!! He might have just given Alcaraz a lifetime there!! He really should have broken here! Hope Zverev can hold!
Fourth set coming. I hope Zverev could still maintain his high level of play.
I knew that would come back to bite Zverev in the ass!!! He was too passive on Alcaraz last service game! He should have made him pay for that df!! Zverev was doing so well with his serving and then falters!! Is he mad?! Hope he ups his level in the 4th!!
Those droppers will be Zverev undoing he needs to be prepared for them!! U is he not flattening his groundies though? Zverev should be careful this doesn’t go to five then he’ll lose! Carlos is serving much better Zverev is serving worse! Playing worse!!
Is Zverev going to choke? Last year in the semis he gave up the first 2 sets then was really in control for sets 3 and 4 and went into the fifth with all the momentum and had Tsitsi on the ropes early on and then just faded for no reason. All the commies said he let Tsitsi off the hook…
I can’t imagine Zverev is so nervous serving for the match at a QF; it would be even worse if he serves for the title match!
Well we all know what that means right! That’s just pretty disgusting!! What exactly is it about Alcaraz that Zverev can’t put away?! U mean ppl r so fraud to serve out a match against him!!! This is just ridiculous!!!! Severs was serving well ALL along as soon as he get to the finish line he poops on him!! It’s not ure first rodeo for f@&k sake!!!
If Zverev ends up losing this match, he has himself to blame! He’s serving for the match yet failed and let the match dragged on.
TB time now, let’s see whether Zverev can take this.
We all know that if a player chokes against Alcaraz the commies will spin it that Alcaraz was going to win all along…
Amazing that I am rooting for Zverev! But I simply can’t stand this hype…
Lol.. Same feeling.. but Alcarez is way mature than his age and handling things nicely. He will shine better
It’s better I support Carlos bcoz at least he would definitely serve out the set and match!! I can’t stand ppl who choke like this!! He would fair much better against Novak if Nole wins the quarters! Zverev is not ready yet!!
Carlos far too inexperienced for Djoko. Zverev can blow anyone off the court, but of course he has to do it consistently for three to five sets!
So finally Zverev won! Incroyable!!
The 1st GS dream is over for Carlitos for now.
The only reason I’m happy Sasha won is because I was dreading the hyperbolic comparison of Carlitos with Rafa had he magically won RG at the age of 19. I was dreading having to listen to that ad infinitum for the next year.
There is no comparison between Rafa at RG in 2005 and this kid!! It’s utterly absurd!
He arguably should have lost to ARV!!
If he played like that against either Rafa or Novak they would destroy him…
@ Nadline, me too!! That’s the only reason y I supported Zverev. However, Carlos gave it his all and will have chances in the upcoming slams!! But sorry, he’s NO Rafa!!
Wow finally!’ But I’m not sure how much Zverev has to be proud of!! Not serving out match is just unacceptable to me!! I just really HATE that!! After playing and serving so well then when it comes to closing U do this?! He’s lucky he even won!!
Rafa has not served our matches too Mona ,let’s not forget .they all get the hibbie jibbies
Yes and it really pisses me off!!! Look Sanju, I know we all get nervous but after playing so well all along and then u do this closing out the match. Don’t care I just HATE it!! The best person to close out a match I’ve seen is Roger save for that 40:15 tragedy! No messing about, extremely efficient!!
Anyway, Rafa next! Gosh, let me make sure my pepto bismol is near!! 😂🤣🤣🤣
But mona he has multiple 40 15 tragedies that too in big matches 🙂
Well, Roger did (does??) possess the best serve in mens’ tennis! And to give the devil his due, Djoker has the best ROS.
Why all the Alcaraz hate? He will be, maybe is, a great player. But he’s not Rafa and never will be!!! Give the commies a break. They haven’t had anyone to hype in awhile. The latest “nextgen” has been a major disappointment slam-wise. It’s still the rather long-in-the-tooth Big Three (now Big Two, alas) when you talk about slam winners. Yes, Thiem sneaked one through and the covid NY Open in 2021, and promptly disappeared from tennis, alas. Medvedev whomped a depleted and dispirited Djoker, also at the USO. Nadal, overage, half crippled and undercooked, then made him look silly at the next slam. The remaining Big Two have done their damnedest to hand the kiddies a slam or three, but they can’t even reach out to grab it.
If Rafa can’t beat Djoker today he might as well tie a bow on the trophy and hand it to him on the spot. I do not think anyone else remaining in the tournament has a prayer.
No I’m not going to give the commies a break!! As commies and analysts their job is to put things in perspective and not reflect recency bias!! I mean the big 3 has been winning matches for years and r not big 3 for nothing!! Carlos beats top players in a best of 3 and they anoint him as God and Savior, he hasn’t even been to a semi of a slam!! Give me a damn break!! They deserved all the hate the get!!!
And when u watch the match again with Zverev he didn’t even do anything special except hold serve!! They make it look like the kids game is so unbeatable, hope they lean their lesson……but I’m not holding my breath!!!
Quite right
Mona, it’s nerves and the opponent goes for broke with nothing to lose.
It was a hugely entertaining match .loved it
The tb was top notch..
So the fav lost in first qf, i hope the same repeats in second semi..
Good thing abt Alcaraz losing is Rafa will be seeded 4 at wimby as med won’t play ,so no qf with Novak at wimby n Felix too will get no 8 , so no 4th round there
The good thing abt this match is I really liked Alcaraz and his sensibility n maturity .I’ll support him except when against rafa .
Yes finally, Zverev wins it with a BH DTL winner! So happy for him, at least that puts a stop to the Alcaraz hype for the time being until the next slam.
So, it’s really not easy winning a slam especially when you’re a teenager with not so much experience playing at a slam. Alcaraz still has three chances as a teenager.
Zverev is really playing very well in this match, he should play like this more often, having the firepower and the big serve.
Alcaraz, as I expected, makes tons of errors because he’s playing very aggressive tennis, trying to hit winners amidst all those errors.
But if Zverev had gone down in this tb I don’t c how he would beat this kid!! Carlos was playing better and better and was really going for his shots!!
Ricky’s prediction for this match was one of his worst, he just went with the hype instead of putting things in perspective. I just hope that his other prediction for today proves incorrect as well and Rafa wins 3-0 instead of losing 1-4!
Zverev was pretty fired up against Alcaraz because of all of the rather unjustified attention (and scheduling favouritism) that the kid gets. He proved his point and Carlos hopefully learns his lesson. The youngling will have to wait for the HC season if he is to shine again.
As for Wimbledon, they have their own seeding system and Alcaraz may even end up outside top 8. Not that I give him many chances on grass for now. However, it all depends on which players will actually play Wimbledon this year.
(I meant losing 1-3 of course)
No they have stopped it..now follow rankings
Alcaraz had 56 UE’s for the match. His go for broke tennis did not get it done. A slam is a whole other thing. He lacks experience. Zverev came out with his best. It is important that these young guys make the effort and come to play. I would not have picked Alcaraz in straight sets. We furget that he’s got the game. Mentally not always that strong. But today he was. Good for him.
Now the attention goes to Rafa and Novak. As it should. They have more than earned it.
I was talking about Zverev when I said that he’s got the game to do well.
Zverev has looked terrible this RG except for today. I think Ricky was looking at that. But he’s hard to beat when his serve is clicking.
And some ppl look great and then they still falter!! Zverev only played as good as needed in his previous matches but he was still winning them. Alcaraz didn’t fair any better in his previous matches either he had match points against him. But Zverev was clearly up to the task!
I have said that I think the other players were not that familiar with Alcaraz. Zverev seems to have learned from the final in Madrid. Players will have tactics and a game plan to counter Alcaraz. We saw it today. Zverev may have not looked good in his previous matches, but he brought it today.