The up-for-grabs bottom half of the French Open draw will be back in action on Monday, headlined by Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. Medvedev meets Marin Cilic, while Rublev is set for a big-hitting showdown with Jannik Sinner.
(7) Andrey Rublev vs. (11) Jannik Sinner
Considering what’s at stake, Rublev vs. Sinner is arguably the marquee matchup of the entire French Open fourth round. Both players are in search of their first true Grand Slam breakthrough of their careers, and this particular draw could not afford a better opportunity. Although Monday’s matchup is a rough one on paper for each man, whoever wins will have a real chance of reaching a major final for the first time.
For Rublev, a slam semifinal (he is 0-4 lifetime in quarterfinals) or a Masters 1000 title is the next piece to his career puzzle. The world No. 7 looks poised to accomplish at least one of those feats in 2022, as even though he may not be in absolute peak form he boasts a 28-7 record this season. So far in Paris he has ousted Soonwoo Kwon, Federico Delbonis, and Cristian Garin all in four sets. Sinner has improved to an awesome 27-6 this year with victories over Bjorn Fratangelo, Roberto Carballes Baena, and Mackenzie McDonald–dropping just one set to Carballes Baena in the process. Unfortunately for Sinner, his 2022 campaign would be even better if not for numerous physical problems. He picked up another one against McDonald in the form of an apparent left-knee injury. It doesn’t seem terrible, but if the Italian is anything less than 100 percent against Rublev it won’t be enough.
Pick: Rublev in 4
(20) Marin Cilic vs. (2) Daniil Medvedev
Both Medvedev and Cilic are in resurgent form–Medvedev following a month’s absence because of a hernia and Cilic following a multi-year slump. The result is a somewhat surprising fourth-round encounter at Roland Garros on Monday. Their only previous Grand Slam meeting went the five-set distance, with Medvedev surviving 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 at Wimbledon last summer. The 26-year-old is sweeping the overall head-to-head series 3-0, having also prevailed 6-4, 7-6(7) at the 2019 Washington, D.C. event and 7-6(7), 6-2 during Davis Cup competition last fall.
Aside from a first-set hiccup for Cilic against Marton Fucsovics in round two, both guys have been absolutely destroying opponents in Paris. The 33-year-old Croat opened with a 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 beatdown of Attila Balazs and ended Gilles Simon’s French Open career on Saturday (6-0, 6-3, 6-2). Medvedev did not drop more than four games in any set during week one while disposing of Facundo Bagnis, Laslo Djere, and Miomir Kecmanovic. The world No. 2’s 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 whitewash of an in-form Kecmanovic was especially impressive. Given Medvedev’s level and his history of success against Cilic, this should be a mostly straightforward result for the favorite.
Pick: Medvedev in 4
WWW?
Rublev in 5, I think this will be very entertaining match. Meda easily, in 3.
Sinner in 4 if fit.
Its a pretty even matchup of baseline slugging but I think Sinner is the slightly better player in this match
sinner n cilic
“For Rublev, a slam semifinal (he is 0-4 lifetime in quarterfinals) or a Masters 1000 title is the next piece to his career puzzle. The world No. 7 looks poised to accomplish at least one of those feats in 2022”
Why does he? It seems that for several years now Rublev has been talked about as a future slam winner, always on the cusp of a breakthrough, yet all he’s ever really proven to be at the biggest tournaments is a fringe contender. He’s a lower top-10 guy, that seems to be his ceiling, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but, for some reason, he appears to get the same kind of fanfare as someone like Zverev, who – by comparison – is FAR more accomplished in his young career.
For what it’s worth, Rublev also doesn’t seem to get anywhere near the same amount flak as Sascha does for ‘choking’ or generally not performing on the biggest stages. People also talk down Zverev’s chances of ever winning a slam, but his track record is far more proven than Rublev’s is, and they’re practically the same age.
I just don’t get it?!
I agree that Rublev doesn’t look like achieving either of those goals. He is routinely disappointing in slams which is reflected by how low down he is on the list of bookies ‘ faves.
He is very unlikely to win a masters. Especially with the rise of Alcaraz and Felix becoming an elite player.
Maybe he wins if Sinner is injured but he won’t beat Med.
rublev in 3 (because of Sinner knee injury)…and Med in 3.
Can’t see the thread for this match. Just coming here to say Tsitsi is playing crap.
I think Rudd will be in the semis. Most likely Rudd against Med.
Yeah, and like Rafa always says, it’s what happens on the court on the day that counts!! Everyone and their dog anointed Tsistipas” passage into the final but even if he wins this match he really doesn’t look convincing for the final and definitely not the trophy!
Meanwhile, I find u guys r a little bit hard on Rublev. Some ppl just r not born to win a slam! It’s that simple! If that were the case u would not have great players like the big 3, would u?! Rublev plays well enough to challenge the top players and perhaps that”s his legacy! 🤷🏽♀️
But Rune is really up to the task, he’s playing smart and crisp tennis. Had he not lost focus in second set he would have sent Tsistipas packing in str8ts!!! He puts pressure on EVERY ONE of Tsistipas” serve games!! Now that’s saying something!!
Looks like Tsistipas is toast!! Rune is giving him the business!!! Will Rune be able to close though?! Great match so far!!
I only saw a bit of the match but Tsitsi wasn’t playing well. I don’t think he will get through to the final. His shots have very little bite.
It’s quite odd that we are constantly told that Tsitsi has never recovered from losing last year.
Why not??!!
That’s a long time to still be moaning over a loss!! How many times Rafa, Roger and Novak have been there?!
Where has this kid Rune been? He is quite the talent!! He is about to serve for the match! 😱
After today, I’m definitely a fan!! 🤣😂
C what I was saying about closing? Good thing Rune has two breaks or else that would be the end of the set and perhaps match! Tsistipas has been thrown a lifeline!!
But finally he got it done!!! Now the bottom half is really really lopsided!!! The FO must really rethink their draw going forward bcoz this year it’s quite ridiculous!!!
Rune for the final! Given the players in this half practically anyone can get there…
Rune won! Tsitsi is out! No big surprise given how poor he has been..
This half of the draw is as bad as the other half is good…
🤣😂😂😂 I like ure last statement!!! But seriously, that’s really pathetic!! Meanwhile Rafa has to part the Red Sea to get a chance to the finals!!
I am not surprised that Tsitsipas lost. He has been very inconsistent recently. It is true that anyone can get to the final now. The lopsided draw is a total disgrace. Not good for tennis.
I am fed up with Rafa getting stiffed with these idiotic draws! Yes, he does have to part the Red Sea and walk on water these days to get to the final!
Rublev made it through. Sinner retired – no idea why- just caught the score.
Important win to the bottom of the draw bracket.
Sinner has knee injury, seemed the better player for a set and a half but could not keep it up. His knee was taped.
Gosh is Med on his way out? I just looked at live scores.
This half of the draw is a joke…
Yes dear! He’s down 2 sets to none!! I’m very happy this is happening that should teach the FO to develop the draws properly!!! I”s laugh so hard if Cilic ends up winning the coupe des Mousquetaires!!!’😂🤣🤣🤣
U know my views on the Nazi hugger Mona! I would not be overjoyed…!!
Oh?! Uhmmmmm……..didn’t know that about him!!!
It’s no wonder Cilic is playing so well, if one was to analyse his stats they’re quite impressive but no one’s taking about him!!! His going about his business winning his matches flying high under the radar (like he did at the US Open) and in the mean time he’s frustrating the fark out of Daniil!!
So Med is out in straights!
Sacre bleu!
There is an element of farce about this side of the draw..
Sacre blue indeed!
The bottom half of the draw is wide open now. The two top seeds are out. It really is a farce, but there is nothing funny about this idiotic lopsided draw.
Rune is good and he’s up and coming. I’m not surprised he beat Tsitsipas, given how defensive Tsitsipas’s game is these days. Anyone who could pin Tsitsipas to his BH corner could have an edge over him.
Rune is 19 yo and he’s showing lots of promises; I feel he’s another one like Alcaraz – aggressive, quick, fearless, powerful, and plays with varieties and flare. I do hope he is one to challenge Alcaraz in the future, when those in the 20s age group are not able to do so now, and most likely will not be able to do so in future.
It’s too early to say so, but I think and hope that Rune could rise to challenge Alcaraz in future and form a new rivalry; if not, things will get boring again if one player is going to win all the prizes.
Sinner is so injury prone, what a pity. He can play well in one match and suffers injury in the next match, so unfortunate. If he’s fit and healthy, he and FAA may have the game and the guts to challenge the rising Alcaraz.
I don’t pin my hope on Zverev, Tsitsipas and Rublev to challenge Alcaraz, Meddy maybe still could challenge Alcaraz on the HCs. I like Meddy for his guts and defiant nature; he’s matured enough not to give up easily and he would chase after every ball, but clay is not his surface and he comes here after playing only one warm up match which he lost. I’m surprised he is able to make it to R4 without dropping a set.
I like to see how Alcaraz performs against Zverev in a slam BO5 format, is Zverev able to beat Alcaraz over four or five sets or is he still hopeless against Alcaraz. Rune vs Rudd, I think that will be interesting too because clay is Rudd’s favourite surface so let’s see whether Rune could cause another upset.
Wow, Cilic was channeling USO 2014 or something. I never thought he could have played like that again. That was a serious beat-down of the world #2. Even if it’s Medvedev’s worst surface, he has been playing pretty well lately. And I didn’t think he played badly; Cilic was just from another planet today.
Meddy didn’t play pretty well lately, lost early at both IW and Miami, went for a minor operation, missed most of the clay season, played only one warm up match on clay and lost. I don’t call that playing pretty well lately!