Predictions for Day 10 of the French Open

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece embrace at the net following their Men's Singles Semifinals match during day 12 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 19, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece embrace at the net following their Men's Singles Semifinals match during day 12 of the 2021 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 19, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images) /
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Day nine of the French Open put an end to fourth round matches at Roland Garros, as the quarterfinal matches are set to begin on Tuesday.

In action on the men’s side on day 10 will be Alexander Zverev taking on Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Daniil Medvedev up against Stefanos Tsitsipas. On the women’s side, it will be Tamara Zidansek in action against Paula Badosa, while Elena Rybakina will be playing Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

All four of the matches on Tuesday should be entertaining, as all eight players have what it takes to win their match and advance to the semi-finals of the French. Although all eight can win, I believe that these four will. Here are my predictions for day 10 of the French Open.

Tamara Zidansek vs Paula Badosa

Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Paula Badosa (ESP) in action during her match against Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Paula Badosa (ESP) in action during her match against Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports /

This will be the first career meeting between the two when they face off against each other on Tuesday. Badosa has been the better player this year, winning the title in Serbia right before the French Open, and has continued the momentum all the way to the quarterfinals here. Zidansek has also been playing extremely well at the French, defeating Andreescu in the first round in three sets, before winning her next three matches while only dropping one set. I think this match is going three sets regardless of who wins, but in the end, I give Badosa the edge.

Prediction: Paula Badosa in three sets

Elena Rybakina (21) vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (31)

Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) in action during her match against Victoria Azarenka (BLR) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) in action during her match against Victoria Azarenka (BLR) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports /

Another first career meeting on the women’s side, as Rybakina and Pavlyuchenkova will meet for the first time on day 10 of the French Open. Both had surprise upsets in the fourth round, as Rybakina defeated Serena Williams, while Pavlyuchenkova defeated Victoria Azarenka. Neither of them will be short on confidence in the match, but I believe that the experience will help Pavlyuchenkova more in this match, as she has made the quarterfinals of the French once before.

Prediction: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets

Stephanos Tsitsipas (5) vs Daniil Medvedev (2)

Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) in action during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2021; Paris, France; Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) in action during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) on day eight of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports /

This will be the eighth meeting already between these two in their young careers, as Medvedev currently leads the head-to-head 6-1, which includes a win over Tsitsipas on clay back in 2019. This is a very difficult match to predict because Tsitsipas has been the way better player on clay this year, but Medvedev has Tsitsipas’ number. I think in the end, the better clay court player will prevail.

Prediction: Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets

Alexander Zverev (6) vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Jun 4, 2021; Paris, France; Alexander Zverev (GER) in action during his match against Laslo Djere (SRB) on day six of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2021; Paris, France; Alexander Zverev (GER) in action during his match against Laslo Djere (SRB) on day six of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports /

Davidovich Fokina has been on a remarkable run throughout this tournament, winning two matches in five sets, and then defeating Federico Delbonis in the fourth round in four sets. As good as he has played, he will be playing someone on a completely different level on Tuesday, as Zverev is one of the best in the game right now. This will be the third career meeting between the two, as Zverev currently leads the head-to-head 2-0. After the first-round scare for Zverev, where he came back from being down two sets to love, he has recovered beautifully, winning 12 sets in a row. Fatigue will definitely play a factor for Davidovich Fokina, as I believe he will have a tough time against a well rested Zverev.

Prediction: Alexander Zverev in four sets