Second-round competition at Roland Garros wraps up on Thursday with a showdown between Frances Tiafoe and Hubert Hurkacz. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Matteo Arnaldi will meet for a second time at this event after previously squaring off in 2024.
Hubert Hurkacz vs. (19) Frances Tiafoe
Tiafoe and Hurkacz will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers when they collide in round two of the French Open on Thursday. The head-to-head series stands at 4-3 in favor of Tiafoe, who won their first two encounters, lost three in a row, and then took each of the last two. They have not squared off since 2024 and have never met on clay.
Both players could really use a big result this fortnight. Tiafoe is a modest 5-3 on clay this spring and has quarterfinal points to defend from his 2025 Roland Garros performance. Due to both injury issues and straight up poor form, Hurkacz finds himself down at No. 99 in the world. The 29-year-old Pole still has a losing record this season (9-10) after beating Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 on Monday, while Tiafoe opened with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-3 defeat of fellow American Eliot Spizzirri. In better form and with a far superior Grand Slam history (outside of Wimbledon, at least), Tiafoe should have the edge in this one.
Pick: Tiafoe in 4
Matteo Arnaldi vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas has fallen off a cliff from his days as a Grand Slam title contender (yes, he once came within a set of winning the French Open), but his draw at this year’s event is such that he has a realistic chance of reaching the quarterfinals before inevitably running into Jannik Sinner. Of course, Tsitsipas will have to raise his level considerably to make it that far — and perhaps even to survive round two. The 27-year-old Greek, who got a retirement from Alexandre Muller on Tuesday, is toiling away at 79th in the rankings and has not reached an ATP final since February of 2025 (Dubai).
Up next for Tsitsipas on Thursday is a second contest against Arnaldi, who lost their only previous matchup 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-2 in the 2024 French Open fourth round. The 104th-ranked Italian has dealt with his own struggles in recent seasons, but he is suddenly enjoying somewhat of a resurgence. Arnaldi won the Cagliari Challenger, reached round three of the Rome Masters, and is coming off a 6-7(9), 6-3, 7-6(6), 6-3 victory over Tallon Griekspoor. Most importantly, this is not the same Tsitsipas whom Arnaldi faced in 2024. Over the course of up to five sets, it’s hard to see the former world No. 3’s consistency — or lack thereof — holding up.
Pick: Arnaldi in 5
WWW?
Foe in four 64 67 64 76
Arnaldi in five 76 67 64 57 64
Tsitsi will have his chances
Tiafoe and Tsitsi (hopefully) both in 4.
Hurkacz in5 and Tsitsipas in 4.