The teenagers are back in action on Wednesday, with Rafael Jodar taking on Pablo Carreno Busta for a second straight major and Joao Fonseca facing in-form Dutchman Jesper de Jong. Fonseca and Jodar both reached the quarters in Paris.
(23) Rafael Jodar vs. Pablo Carreno Busta
We just saw this one a few weeks ago, when Rafael Jodar climbed out of a two-set hole to beat Pablo Carreno Busta in the Roland Garros fourth round. Both have been quick to wave that result away, and they are right to. That was a long, grinding clay match with PCB nursing a sore shoulder. Grass is a different matter entirely — a matter that has spelled nothing but defeat and heartache for the veteran. Carreno Busta endured seven consecutive first-round round losses in SW19 before he got his spot in the second round thanks to a retirement from Denis Shapovalov on Monday.
Jodar, meanwhile, posted a solid tournament debut. His win over Felix Gill was the first tour-level grass match of his life, but he served like he had been doing it for years — winning 84 percent of his first-serve points and holding firm when Gill grabbed an early break in the third. Jodar has the bigger weapons, fresher legs, and no abdominal trouble showing after the injury that sidelined him since Paris. Look for Jodar to serve his way through without much fuss.
Cheryl pick: Jodar in 3
Ricky pick: Jodar in 4
(24) Joao Fonseca vs. Jesper de Jong
Here’s the contrast that jumps out: Fonseca cruised past Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets and banked an extra rest day, while De Jong had to survive a two-day, five-set slog against Rinky Hijikata just to get here. On paper that should make this straightforward. Fonseca’s game translates pretty well to grass. He made it to the third round in his maiden Wimbledon bid in 2025.
But I’m not calling it for Fonseca quite that easily — because the one time these two met at a clay Challenger in Estoril last year, De Jong solved him in straight sets. Moreover, the Dutchman just reminded everyone that he will claw through anything you put in front of him. Fonseca, for all that is his ceiling, still runs hot and cold (see his first-round flameout in Melbourne against Eliot Spizzirri). I trust the Brazilian’s class and firepower to come through.
Cheryl pick: Fonseca in 4
Ricky pick: Fonseca in 4
WWW?
Fonseca was awesome in this match. He is playing well enough to reach the QF at least.
would have to beat Djoker in R4
He is establishing himself as a threat on all surfaces.
Well I don’t want him to take out Novak and then be useless next round. RG might have been better in the end of he hadn’t played great against Novak and Ruud and then lost tamely to Mensik.
Just gifts for Zverev.
welp