Andrey Rublev vs. Lorenzo Sonego is a showdown between two players who know a thing or two about Grand Slam stumbling blocks. Rublev is a whopping 0-7 lifetime in slam quarterfinals; Sonego has gotten out of the third round only twice and has never advanced past the fourth round.
Sonego upset Rublev 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the 2021 Rome Masters, but that was when the Italian had home-court advantage amidst a raucous atmosphere. He still trails the head-to-head series 2-1, as Rublev prevailed at the 2016 Cortina Challenger and in the 2020 Vienna final.
On the big stage of a major with a spot in the second week at stake, Rublev should have a big edge. Sonego has never defeated anyone ranked higher than No. 30 at a Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Rublev has reached at least the fourth round at three of the last four French Opens, including the quarterfinals twice. The seventh-ranked Russian made relatively easy work of Laslo Djere and Corentin Moutet in the first two rounds and he will likely roll again.
Pick: Rublev in 3
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