French Open R3 preview and prediction: Zverev vs. Tiafoe

Alexander Zverev of Germany will take on popular American Frances Tiafoe as the third round wraps up in Paris on Saturday.

Alexander Zverev is not the player he was at the 2022 French Open. Zverev took out Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters last year and then pushed Rafael Nadal to a pair of tiebreakers before a season-ending ankle injury forced him to retire from the match. He was back in action at the start of 2023, but he has only managed to amass a mediocre 18-14 on the season. Although the world No. 27 made the semifinals in Dubai, he hasn’t really managed to make traction at any other events.

Frances Tiafoe had his big slam breakthrough last year at the U.S. Open, where he made the semifinals and pushed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz to five sets. He hasn’t had his best results on European clay, but his section of the draw has opened up with early losses by Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev–so this represents an excellent opportunity for the world No. 12.

Zverev holds a 6-1 record over Tiafoe. The single win for the American came way back in 2017; Zverev has won four matches on the trot against Tiafoe. That generally indicates a matchup issue, but in this case Tiafoe hasn’t played Zverev since he has found his best form. And there is the undeniable fact that the German still hasn’t gotten back to peak level since his injury, surgery, and recovery.

That the match comes on clay is a tick in the column for Zverev, who is a solid clay-courter in his own right. But this one should just be edged out by the American.

Cheryl pick: Tiafoe in 4

Ricky pick: Tiafoe in 5

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