For Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish phenomenon (19 years old; 6e world) came close to leaving the road at 2e turn, had to save a match point before getting out of the clutches of his compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas. He will be at the heart of the night session, this Friday, against the American Sebastian Korda (seeded n ° 27). The young players have faced each other twice on the circuit. In 2021, in the final of the “ Next gen ATP Finals », Carlos Alcaraz won. Last April, on 1is tour of Monte-Carlos, Sebastian Korda took his revenge, inflicting on the Spaniard his only defeat on clay in 2022. The match, scheduled during the night session, could make sparks.
To discover
For Diane Parry. After a resounding success against the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (seeded n°2 and defending champion), the young Frenchwoman (19 years old; 97e world) managed to follow up, eliminating the Colombian Camila Osorio. She will face the formidable American Sloane Stephens (winner of the US Open 2017; 64e world): “ It will be a very tough, complicated match. She has a lot of experience in Grand Slams. I believe she has already made the final here (in 2018, beaten by Simona Halep). It will be a good opponent. I will continue to give my maximum and produce my best game possible “, promises the French.
For the Djokovic-Nadal distance match. 15 games lost for Novak Djokovic in two rounds; 14 for Rafael Nadal. 4h11 spent on the court for the Spaniard; 4:14 for the Serb. Glued, tight. Placed in the same part of the table (in the company of Carlos Alcaraz), the Serb and the Spaniard mark themselves in the pants. They will once again have the opportunity to face each other… at a distance, this Friday, before possibly crossing swords in the quarter-finals. Novak Djokovic (n°1) will face the Slovenian Aljaz Bedene whom he dominated in the three matches played against him; Rafael Nadal (n) 5) will be opposed to the Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp (seeded n°26) whom he has never met on the circuit. Nadal will aim for a 108e victory at Roland Garros…
For Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian (seeded n°9) entered the tournament upside down. Close to sinking against the Peruvian Juan Pablo Varillas from qualifying, before managing to score his first victory in the big picture at Roland-Garros (he who was a finalist in the junior tournament in 2016). He then chained with authority against the Argentinian Camilo Ugo Carabelli. At 3e turn, after having built up a little confidence, Félix Auger-Aliassime wants to confirm his return to the fore, he who was a flamboyant quarter-finalist of the Australian Open, stopped with difficulty by Daniil Medvedev, before dominating Stefanos Tsitsipas in final in Rotterdam, to experience a final in Marseille, then to gradually fade away. He has an appointment with the experienced Serbian Filip Krajinovic (55e world).
Pour Cameron Norrie. He is one of the rising players. The Briton snuck into the Top 10 in April. Seeded n°10, Cameron Norrie (26 years old, seeded n°10) has never crossed the milestone of 3e Grand Slam round. Winner this year of the Delray Beach and Lyon tournaments, he will face Karen Khachanov. “ His backhand is great and he has a good first serve. When he looks for the forehand, he is dangerous. It will be a tricky game. I look forward to the challenge he salivates.