Expert picks are back for the French Open semifinals on Friday, when Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz renew their rivalry. A three-team panel previews the highly anticipated matchup and makes its predictions.
(3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (2) Jannik Sinner
Ricky: Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz. The best current rivalry in tennis and the heir apparent to Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal. Obviously neither the rivalry nor the individual players involved stack up to Federer and Nadal (yet?), but the matchup itself is arguably more interesting–it’s certainly tougher to predict. Relative to Fedal, the surface is close to meaningless when it comes to Sinner vs. Alcaraz. Both guys are all-court players; in fact, both may be the two best in the world on all three surfaces right now.
The result could be yet another instant classic between the two–and it would be one that was far from a sure thing when the tournament began due to respective injuries (Sinner hip and Alcaraz arm). To me Alcaraz has looked more convincing from a physical standpoint throughout this fortnight, but Sinner has at least seemed healthy enough to assume that Friday’s showdown will feature two guys at 100 percent. If that is the case, Sinner has looked like the best player in the world from a pure tennis standpoint. That’s exactly what he has been dating back to last fall and that’s exactly what the rankings say he will be next week. The Italian is striking the ball better than anyone these days and he also plays with more margin for error than Alcaraz, a factor that could make the difference in the pressure moments. If it goes five I would probably give the physical edge to Alcaraz, but I think Sinner–who has won two of their last three meetings–will be able to finish the job in four. Sinner in 4: 6-4, 6-7(3), 7-5, 7-6(6).
Cheryl: Sinner vs. Alcaraz is the premier matchup in men’s tennis right now–and perhaps more importantly seems like it will be for the foreseeable future. They are an even 4-4 in the head-to-head, although Friday marks just the third slam meeting (Sinner won the first at Wimbledon two years ago and Alcaraz won the second in the best match of 2022 at the U.S. Open). Both men are huge talents, likable on court and off. Alcaraz is the flashier player of the two, a shotmaker who can hit a winner from seemingly anywhere on court. Sinner is the better ball-striker, though. He’s clever and versatile, a strategic opportunist who generates a surprising amount of power from such a lean frame. He will become No. 1 in the world on Monday for a good reason.
The surface gives a slight edge to Alcaraz, but this match is likely to come down to current form. Alcaraz has looked better in Paris, owing perhaps to the injury Sinner picked up in Madrid and the subsequent rust from taking a month off. It won’t be in straight sets, but look for Alcaraz to squeak by. Alcaraz in 5: 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-5.
Pete (Tennis Acumen): At any other time in the last few years, one would look at the draw and simply fast forward to the semifinals with a Sinner-Alcaraz matchup. However, this year–due to injuries and uncertainties–these logical predictions were hardly guaranteed. Yet here we are, with the overwhelming majority of higher-ranked players living up to their seedings and playing surface specialties as the 2024 edition of Roland Garros approaches conclusion. Ironically, this (the ninth overall matchup in the series) will be just the second meeting between these two players on clay–as well as their third meeting at a third different major.
Sinner will wake up on Monday as the world No. 1 regardless of his result the rest of the way in the tournament. That said, perhaps that element of pressure will be absent for the Italian as he attempts to reach the final. Concurrently, Alcaraz will also play his brand of fearless tennis in this semifinal. The winner already knows that his opponent in the final will not be Djokovic. Neither player has been sternly tested thus far, as each dropped just one set en route to the the semis. Alcaraz will swing freely more on this day and he will be three-fourths of the way to completing the Grand Slam. Alcaraz in 4: 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(6), 6-3.
WHO YA GOT?
Sinner in 5.
Will be interesting to see if the hip & the arm both hold up.
Alcaraz is 5 sets
Sinner is a better player than Alcaraz but this is the red dirt. May be close but Alcaraz for me
Sinner is great on clay
‘Victory comes to the most tenacious’
The word tennis actually comes from that
Is that true?? Not that I doubt you but a,lot of myths get perpetrated by commies.
Especially that Chris Bradnam guy who I don’t like. Never had to listen to him on Amazon. He will be back for the Beeb for wimby unfortunately.
Dreadful, just drones on and on and his voice is so tedious.
Him and Balding and Castle and I’ll have to mute the sound.
Dreading wimby with Boulter in top 20 and Emma playing decent again. Bouncy and Balding will be utterly unbearable…
Just noticed with Bradnam they are the 3 bs!! 3 bores more like!
And so jingoistic…!!
Balding was awful last year about the Boulter/De Minaur romance! Sickly sweet, vomit inducing tripe.
When you dont complain about something , I really must have a look at it with open mind:)
Jingoistic is a word I haven’t heard used in a long time, and I have to look it up again when I see it. It’s a perfect word. I won’t mention any names, but it describes most tennis commies I am forced to listen to if I choose not to hit mute.
Combine jingoism with it being about the cart-horse’s tennis and I’m done with the match.
It’s quite an old fashioned word but very relevant to the hideous politics and attitude s of today.
I tend to tune out of everything to do with the Cart Horse…
Yes it does. Tenez in French means hold. Its an old word .
So, when hitting the ball/serving at your opponent, you shouted ‘tenez’ ie take this /hold / try catch this.
Thanks for the French word, Tenez. Have you heard it used by players or fans at RG?
Alcaraz in 4.
I do remember a poster a few years ago on Tennis forums called himself Tenez. He was French and very knowledgeable. It was he who explained it. A Federer fan too.
Iv actually seem road signs in France saying Tenez with an arrow, meaning literally, ‘hold ‘ ie keep right/left.
Alcaraz is a better player on clay so going with him. This really should be the final.
Reply at 6.52 pm was to Amy not Margot
I haven’t been excited about men’s tennis for many years until Alcarez burst onto the scene, he has flair and is a shot-maker reminiscent of Federer. That said, I think Sinner at this time is a better player if a bit boring to watch. The cookie-cutter style of play is what disinterested me for many years.
However, Sinner’s very discipline and doesn’t go for fancy shots. I think it comes down to whether Alcarez can make an intelligent choice of shots at crucial moments. I want Alcarez to win but Sinner might have the edge based on current form.
agreed with most of this
Sinner in 3. Alcaraz feels the pressure of trying to live up to his Guru’s (Nadal) Legend and commits too many unforced errors. Sinner is the second coming of Stefan Edberg…a perpetually underrated Master of the Tennisorial (yes, not a word ) Arts.
Carlos in 4
Ruud in 5
good picks
Alcaraz way off the pace. Dropping fh short and looking uptight.
he has now arrived to the party
Yay! Carlos is back in the game!
Bret Haber is clueless as to his incessant talking, though. If Courier has gone silent, he starts mumbling his random ideas and asks Jim what he thinks; Courier doesn’t answer—he’s tuned Haber out.
The carrots are on their feet! Sinner breaks!
and takes the third
both have been bad this match
Was just thinking that!! You can’t compare this match with Fedal or Rafole as people keep doing. Nowhere near that level.
Is Alcaraz one of the best players in the world or some clown that turned up to play?
How did Alcaraz manage to lose that set up a break and Sinner cramping?
Can’t compare him with the young Rafa on clay.
Alcaraz plays better when he is either behind or his opponent is playing well. He lets up when that isn’t the case.
I had to take a break and returned to hear Sinner was cramping.
Yep, Jim says, both of them are cramping. I guess “Victory comes to the most tenacious,” just like it’s written.
My ATP bracket picking was yet again terrible. It’s tough to pick against my prejudice. I’ve got to be more realistic!
I’m not against either of these guys, but if Casper doesn’t win, the next SF will be tough.
Just when I think Sinner has this, Carlos comes through! All I ask is for both to fight for the win.
let’s hope the quality improves in the fifth
Apparently we were all rooting for a fifth set!! Not me! The fourth may have been the best but a lot of mediocrity beforehand. Would like it to be over.
Sinner seems tired now so suppose the worlds most modest player will win. Started off supporting him but he is getting on my nerves now.
Am definitely team carrot now
🥕 🥕
not looking great!
Paul Annacone has the answer.
Omg, suddenly, I want the Carrots to win.
Sinner joining in the fun with his carrot tee shirt.
Always thought Alcaraz would win as he is the one with the topspin fh and titles on clay.
Sinner was clearly done physically by 5th set.
Hope the commies were well paid for talking up that second rate fiasco. Bring back the big 3 right now please!!!
Was so dull I packed my suitcase for yet another move and went to the supermarket…was,still going on when I returned unfortunately..
‘Yet another move’? You sound like me!
Anyway…
back to tennis. All the best to you, Amy.
Amy: Another move? Poor you. Take care, good luck.
Thanks Elizabeth and Margot. I am only moving to Kingswear! ( across estuary from Dartmouth). But this is fourth holiday cottage I have moved to since April 26 because there are no longer rents and being without a home is driving me mad and making me very snappish.. Also costing me a fortune.😪
Think I am in wrong area.
Doesn’t help that water in Kingswear is contaminated and dangerous to drink!
Bring back nationalisation…
last 2 sets were actually good
Only saw the last two sets but Alcaraz outplayed Sinner and exposed his straightforward, albeit powerful, game with its lack of variety.
Also Sinner was obviously a busted flush in the last set.
There was a big push for Alcaraz in the final minutes – in from 1.40 to 1.35.
The bookies weren’t budging on the Alcaraz 3-1 also. They didn’t want to give anything away.