The 2025 French Open promises to be filled with intriguing storylines on the men’s side, but who will lift La Coupe des Mousquetaires?
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who are the the top two seeds, are widely seen as the two clear favourites, while Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic are at the front of the chasing pack.
With the men’s singles draw out, we break down each quarter and make our predictions.
First quarter
Sinner showed little rust on his return from a three-month suspension at the Italian Open as he won five matches before losing to Alcaraz in the final.
The world No 1 has a challenging early draw in Paris as he could face the dangerous Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round before a thrilling potential last 16 match with 14th-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils.
Despite this, Sinner — who reached the last four at last year’s French Open — has made at least the semi-finals at five of his last seven majors, and he has gone deep at every event he has played since late 2023.
The Italian could face any one of Jack Draper, Alex de Minaur, Jakub Mensik, or Joao Fonseca, in the last eight. Fifth seed Draper, who has had an impressive clay season, is the most likely.
Quarter-final prediction: Jannik Sinner d. Jack Draper in 3 sets
Second quarter
Zverev, a runner-up at Roland Garros last year, faces a daunting path in the latest stop on his quest to win his maiden major.
The No 3 seed should reach the fourth round unscathed, but he could then run into 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo — who has become his nemesis.
The German has a 0-3 record against the Argentine, with all three meetings on clay, although this would be a first Grand Slam encounter.
Zverev is tough to stop over the best-of-five format and has reached at least the semi-finals at the last four French Opens.
If he reaches the quarter-finals, Zverev would likely be set for a showdown with sixth seed Novak Djokovic — who has a very good draw.
On paper, the biggest hurdle between Djokovic and the last eight is Daniil Medvedev, who is not at his best on clay and looks some way off the level that saw him challenge for Grand Slams consistently.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion als0 looks set to arrive at Roland Garros with momentum from the Geneva Open.
Quarter-final prediction: Novak Djokovic d. Alexander Zverev in 5 sets
Third quarter
Taylor Fritz is the No 4 seed, but he is 3-3 on clay this year and has only gone beyond the third round at the Paris major once in eight previous appearances.
The American has a great chance to make the quarter-finals for the first time, though, as he is in a fairly weak section — with fellow Americans Frances Tiafoe, Sebastian Korda and Alex Michelsen the other seeds.
Eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti is the clear favourite to advance from this quarter on the back of his red-hot form at the clay-court Masters events.
The Italian should face no real threats until the fourth round, where he could have a tricky clash with Holger Rune or Tomas Machac.
Quarter-final prediction: Lorenzo Musetti d. Taylor Fritz in 3 sets
French Open News
Jim Courier reveals what is a ‘good sign’ for Novak Djokovic ahead of French Open
Andy Roddick sends warning to Jannik Sinner ahead of French Open campaign
Fourth quarter
With Zverev and Djokovic landing in the top half with Sinner, No 2 seed Alcaraz was the big winner from the draw.
The four-time Grand Slam champion arrives after winning the Monte Carlo Masters and Italian Open, as well as finishing as a runner-up in Barcelona.
The Spaniard could face the talented Fabian Marozsan in the second round, and Stefanos Tsitsipas or Ben Shelton in the last 16, but it is difficult to see him being troubled.
Seventh seed Casper Ruud and No 12 seed Tommy Paul look set to battle it out for the chance to meet Alcaraz in the last eight.
Quarter-final prediction: Carlos Alcaraz d. Casper Ruud in 3 sets
Semi-finals
A semi-final clash between Sinner and Djokovic would be a potential blockbuster.
The world No 1 would be the favourite given he has won his last three matches with Djokovic — who would potentially be coming off a tough quarter-final against Zverev.
In the bottom half, a highly watchable last four battle between Alcaraz and Musetti looks on the cards.
Musetti is certainly a dark horse in Paris, but Alcaraz’s Grand Slam pedigree and 5-1 head-to-head record against the Italian — including two wins on clay this year — would give him a clear edge.
Semi-final predictions:
Jannik Sinner d. Novak Djokovic in 4 sets
Carlos Alcaraz d. Lorenzo Musetti in 3 sets
Final
This would lead to a first Grand Slam final between Sinner and Alcaraz and a rematch of the Rome championship match.
It would be a fascinating battle, but Alcaraz’s clay-court prowess, four-match winning streak against Sinner, and greater match toughness in 2025, could all prove decisive.
Final prediction: Alcaraz d. Sinner in 4 sets
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The post Alcaraz beats Sinner to defend French Open title as Djokovic outperforms Zverev – our predictions appeared first on Tennis365.
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