Daniel Altmaier is the only remaining unseeded player in the bottom half of the French Open draw and he will try to keep his run going against Frances Tiafoe on Sunday. Lorenzo Musetti meets Holger Rune in the fourth round.
(8) Lorenzo Musetti vs. (10) Holger Rune
Musetti has been one of the best players in the world dating back to Wimbledon last summer and his reward is a career-high ranking of No. 7. With a French Open final appearance–which is looking like a real possibility–he could be top five at the end of the fortnight. The 23-year-old Italian was the bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics and his current clay-court swing features a runner-up showing in Monte-Carlo and semifinal performances in Madrid and Rome. Musetti has cruised so far at Roland Garros with victories over Yannick Hanfmann, Daniel Elahi Galan, and Mariano Navone.
Up next for the eighth seed on Sunday is a fourth-round showdown against Rune, who leads the head-to-head series 2-0. The 10th-ranked Dane prevailed 6-4, 7-5 at the 2023 Queen’s Club event and 6-2, 7-6(5) last year in Indian Wells. Musetti promises to be a much different test at what is one of his favorite venues, plus Rune has been all over the place of late. The 22-year-old captured the Barcelona title in April, but he retired from his first match in Madrid, lost to Corentin Moutet in the Rome third round, and needed five sets to defeat Quentin Halys on Friday. A red-hot Musetti might win this one in surprisingly convincing fashion.
Pick: Musetti in 3
(15) Frances Tiafoe vs. Daniel Altmaier
Tiafoe can never be entirely trusted to deliver a businesslike performance as a considerable favorite, but Grand Slams can sometimes be the exception to that rule and right now he is looking extremely reliable. The world No. 16 has not dropped a single set at Roland Garros, beating Roman Safiullin, Pablo Carreno Busta, and Sebastian Korda. Tiafoe is seeking his fifth slam quarterfinal appearance, and he has also reached the U.S. Open semifinals twice.
Altmaier stands in the No. 15 seed’s way of sixth quarterfinal, and the German–who trails the head-to-head series 2-0–is bidding for his first such result. He had been to a fourth round only once (2020 French Open) and had advanced past a second round just one other time prior to this fortnight. Altmaier upset Taylor Fritz on Monday and then benefited from a favorable draw thereafter, taking out both Vit Kopriva and Hamad Medjedovic in four sets. On paper a fourth-round draw against Tiafoe isn’t a bad one, but Tiafoe at major is different from Tiafoe in any other setting. The American should advance–and he will if his level from the first three rounds is once again on display.
Pick: Tiafoe in 3
WWW?
I wont be fooled that easy. Musetti is a much better matchup for Rune than Halys is in different ways.
His stats against Navone were actually not that impressive with 69% on first serv and 48% on second.
Rune will be a lot more confortable in this matchup where he can find his rythm plus its the late match on Chatrier.. seeya Musetti
Wasn’t me
The safe Bet in Musetti vs Rune is the over and probably Tiafoe in 4
Both Rune and Musetti will like their chances here to go in the semis, facing either Tiafoe or Altmaier in the quarter.
It will be some fight. Could see 5 sets
Rune playing better than expected and he is used to pressure situations…in 4; and Tiafoe in 3.
so is Moose!
As long as he stays Loose 🙂
Rune had a tough match last round. Musetti NEEDS to get out of the gate quicker and avoid going down a set and a break like in his last match. Musetti when locked in can be more consistent than Rune. I think Musetti can REALLY seize an opportunity in this Quarter on his favorite surface. I think Musetti in 4 with 2-3 tight sets.
Musetti is in great form but Rune’s abilty to elevate in big moments make this very unpredictable.
Could be the match of the tournament so far
Looks like Rune is in for the fight. Musetti was a bit underwhelming last match, so upset could be on the cards. I actually said during his last match that if he will need to play better or he will lose. He’s been too passive against against opponents he’s confident of winning. You still need to play each match to your highest level.
Moose routine
Here it is again:
Looks like Rune is in for the fight. Musetti was a bit underwhelming in his last match, so upset could be on the cards. I actually said during that match that he would need to play better or he would lose. He’s been too passive against opponents he’s confident of beating. You still need to play each match at your highest level otherwise you get comfortable with underperformance.
Last I looked Moose was heading to victory but that could change the way this day has gone. Paolini,Rybakina both could easily have won