For Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish phenomenon (19 years old; 6th in the world) came close to leaving the road in the second round, 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, in the 1st round of Monte-Carlo, Sebastian Korda took his revenge, inflicting on the Spaniard his only defeat on clay in 2022. The match, scheduled during the night session, could spark some sparks.
For Diane Parry. After a resounding success against the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (seeded n°2 and defending champion), the young Frenchwoman (19 years old; 97th in the world) managed to follow up, eliminating the Colombian Camila Osorio. She will face the formidable American Sloane Stephens (winner of the US Open 2017; 64th in the world): “It will be a very tough, complicated match. She has a lot of Grand Slam experience. 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 max and produce my best possible game, ”promises the Frenchwoman.
For the Djokovic-Nadal distance match. 15 games lost for Novak Djokovic in two rounds; 14 for Rafael Nadal. 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 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 108th 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. In the 3rd round, after having gained 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 the final in Rotterdam, to experience a final in Marseille, then to gradually fade away. He has an appointment with the experienced Serbian Filip Krajinovic (55th in the world).
For Cameron Norrie. He is one of the rising players. The Briton snuck into the Top 10 in April. Seeded No. 10, Cameron Norrie (26, seeded No. 10) has never made it past the third round in a Grand Slam. 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 can’t wait to take up the challenge,” he salivates.
