Novak Djokovic Survives Five-Set Thriller to Advance to French Open Quarterfinal

June 3, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Novak Djokovic faced quite a difficult test during his fourth round match at the French Open on Monday.

The World No. 1 defeated No. 23 Francisco Cerúndolo after being down 2–1 sets in a five-set thriller, 6–1, 5–7, 3–6, 7–5, 6–3. The match lasted four hours and 39 minutes.

Djokovic was close to losing the match in the fourth set as Cerúndolo held a 4–2 lead. The 24-time Grand Slam champion came back to tie 4–4, then eventually won the set. This momentum propelled him to victory in the final set.

With this win, Djokovic also made tennis history by surpassing Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam match wins in history.

Back to back five set victories! 💥 @DjokerNole fights past Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach the final 8 in Paris. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/iEeB1e9mRO

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 3, 2024

Monday’s fourth round match was reminiscent of Djokovic’s third round match, which he also won in five sets. Djokovic won the first set vs. Lorenzo Musetti, then dropped the next two before winning the final two sets. It’s been a long week for Djokovic on the court, to say the least.

The fourth round win didn’t come without other obstacles, too. The 37-year-old appeared to injure his knee in the second set, which caused him to plead for the grounds crew to sweep the court more often. The umpire denied his request.

The reigning French Open champion now awaits the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.

3 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jasmine Paolini vs. Elena Rybakina Prediction, Odds and Pick for French Open Quarterfinal

After years of futile efforts, Jasmine Paolini is enjoying her career-best run at the 2024 French Open, into the quarterfinals for the first time in six attempts.

The World No. 15 has struggled at Roland-Garros but has won four straight to set up her first opponent inside the world No. 70 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.

The world No. 4 Rybakina is enjoying her best appearance at the French Open since 2021, which ties for her career-best mark. Can she extend it and make the semifinals?

Here’s the full betting preview:

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 20.5 (Over -110/Under -122)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

The two top 15 players have played two full matches against one another, both won by Rybakina, but the most recent one was a three-set match on (indoor) clay in Stuttgart (6-3, 6-7, 6-3). Paolini couldn’t make good on her second serves, winning 39% of those points and facing 15 break points to Rybakina’s seven BPs.

So, how can the Italian close the gap against Rybakina after facing a low level of competition thus far? I’d say it's on Paolini holding serve and dragging the match into potential tiebreak situations. Ryabakina has a vicious first serve on clay and has held on nearly 75% of her 70 tracked matches on clay, per TennisAbstract. However, she has only broken opponents on about 38% of return games.

A lot of Rybakina’s matches in the run-up to Roland-Garros featured longer matches. In eight clay court wins before the French Open, four of them went to three sets, including her win against Paolini. While I won’t call for the outright upset, I think we see a bit more resistance than the odds expect and this is a longer match.

I’ll back the over games as my preferred bet in this French Open quarterfinal.

PICK: OVER 20.5 Games (-110)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

8 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Alexander Zverev vs. Carlos Alcaraz Odds and Pick for French Open Finals

A new French Open champion will be crowned on Sunday with Alexander Zverev gunning for his first Grand Slam title against two-time Grand Slam champ Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz, the heavy favorite to claim his first title at Roland-Garros, is off a five set thriller against soon-to-be-named No. 1 player in the world Jannik Sinner, while Zverev finally breakthrough after making three consecutive semifinals in the French Open, beating Casper Ruud in four sets.

Zverev has had a grueling journey to his second ever Grand Slam title, starting by beating the best clay court player in Rafael Nadal, playing two five set matches, and now facing arguably the future of the sport in Alcaraz.

The Spaniard is the heavy favorite, here’s our full betting preview for the French Open Finals.

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 38.5 (Over -112/Under -118)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

The question surrounding this one will be if Zverev can finally get the monkey off his back and win a Grand Slam title.

Despite some long matches, Zverev has been at the top of his game in 2024, one set away from advancing to the Australian Open Finals and 12 straight wins on this surface that includes a title in Rome. However, this will be by far his stiffest test against the phenom that is Alcaraz.

Fitness concerns have plagued Alcaraz for much of this year, but there has been no denying his excellence at Roland-Garros. Last year, as the tournament favorite, Alcaraz lost to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, cramping up in the middle of the match. Can he avenge his own loss?

There is no denying Alcaraz is the better player, and that’s indicated in the odds, but Zverev has proven to be capable of neutralizing some of the Spainard’s physical success on the court, sporting an elite backhand.

It’s worth noting that Zverev leads the head-to-head between the two 5-4, winning two of three on this surface, including a four set victory at the 2022 French Open.

Alcaraz has the firepower to win this match in straight sets, but Zverev has improved on his service games to drag matches into tiebreakers and extend the match.

An upset could be brewing at Roland-Garros, but I believe it will take a while. I’ll go for the over games as my preferred bet in the French Open Finals.

PICK: OVER 38.5 Games (-112)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

3 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Carlos Alcaraz Prediction, Odds and Pick for French Open Quarterfinal

Two top 10 foes meet at Roland-Garros in the French Open quarterfinals on Tuesday evening.

World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz has owned his career series against No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas, winning all five matches against his Greek opponent in his career. Can the Spanish phenom continue his excellence on clay in hopes of pushing closer to winning his first French Open title?

Here are the odds and our best bet for the Tuesday quarterfinal matchup:

Spread

Moneyline

Total: 36.5 (Over -112/Under -118)

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Both players have been lightly tested during this Grand Slam tournament, but it’s tough to look past the historical results and see that Alcaraz is a justified favorite, winning all five matches, including last year in this same situation.

In the 2023 French Open, Alcaraz beat Tsitsipas 3-0 (6-2, 6-1, 7-6) to advance to the semifinals. While Alcaraz has dealt with some injury issues this year in the lead-up to Roland-Garros, there is still a gap between the two and I believe the Spaniard is well-equipped to handle his opponent.

Alcaraz has made his first serve at 67% or higher in all four matches thus far, making it hard for any opponent to generate much traction while returning and hoping to get breakpoints. Further, given Alcaraz’s ability on clay to return, he has broken 35% of opponent's games in 86 non-French Open clay matches in his career, I trust him to cash in on more opportunities throughout the match.

Tsitsipas hasn’t proven to be able to compete with Alcaraz in the past, and while fitness concerns were an issue at the start of the tournament, I’m confident that the former No. 1 in the world can win in straight sets to get to the semis.

PICK: Alcaraz 3-0 (+145)

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

US Sports News

Novak Djokovic Survives Five-Set Thriller to Advance to French Open Quarterfinal

Related Posts

Jimm Sallivan