2024 French Open: Simi-finals Preview

Following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal in the French Open due to injury then a new champion will be crowded in the men’s side. It all means that Djokovic won’t be able to repeat the three Grand Slams in one calendar year – the feat he accumulated last year.  Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek is on the verge of securing a third consecutive title in the French Capital, Paris. Here are the semi-final clashes. 

Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff

For the third time in three years, Iga Swiatek will face Coco Gauff in the French Open. It was a repeat of the 2022 Final when Swiatek demolished the opponent in a straight set 6-3, 6-1. Last year, it was a similar story, but they met in the Quarter-finals round. The world number one Swiatek has displayed phenomenal tennis which got all her opponents without answers to her. She is performing at the highest level at the moment and there is no stopping. A third title in a row and fourth in five years is looming. But she has to go past Coco Gauff who has been excellent too. 

The 20-year-old American survived a test from African Queen Ons Jabeur in the last eight to progress. Throughout the tournament, Gauff seems to have a good mentality which will be a huge factor especially facing an in-form Swiatek. The head-to-head is not on Gauff’s side as she has one victory out of all 11 previous meetings. And if she wants to win against Swiatek has to provide an outstanding performance. 

Prediction: Iga Swiatek to win in 3 sets

Jasmine Paolini vs Mirra Andreeva

Jasmine Paolini and Mirra Andreeva are playing in the Grand Slam semi-finals for the first time in their career. They will both be fighting for a place in the major final. The world no 12 Italian Paolini managed to come out on top in her clash against Elena Rybakina and will break inside the Top 10 rankings next week following the good run in France. Before this tournament, she hasn’t gone past 4th round in Grand Slam. She has Andreeva who has been impressive throughout. 

The 17-year-old Andreeva fought back from a set down to defeat reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the last round. He also becomes the youngest to reach the French Open semi-finals since Martina Hingis in 1997. Andreeva has already beaten the opponent this year in the Madrid Open last 16 in straight sets. 

Prediction: Andreeva to win in straight set 

Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz

Two players tipped to dominate tennis in the next decade meet on Friday in the French Open semi-finals. The former world no 1 Carlos Alcaraz cruised past Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Quarter-finals as he continued to get in better shape. He is facing Jannik Sinner who has been good so far. The pair have met eight times in their career with 4 wins apiece. The Grand Slam meeting came in the 2022 US Open Quarter-finals when Alcaraz was victorious on the day. Before the tournament, both players missed the Italian Open due to injuries, but they are showing no signs of backing down so far. 

The 22-year-old Sinner has lost only one set on his way to the last four. He is set to become a top-ranked player, removing Novak Djokovic, when the new rankings are released on Monday. So the battle is set to draw people closer as they will anticipate the results. On clay though, Alcaraz seems to be a better player even though he hasn’t managed to grab a major title on the surface. If he wins, it would be his first French Open final. But it won’t come easy. 

Prediction: Alcaraz to win in four sets

Alexander Zverev vs Casper Ruud

Alexander Zverev has made it a norm now that he always reaches the Semi-final round at the French Open. Zverev has made it to the last four for the fourth consecutive year. He is preparing to meet Casper Ruud for a place in the final. The Norwegian Ruud was lucky on his side following receiving a walkover after his opponent Novak Djokovic suffered an injury. 

The 27-year-old Zverev is riding on an 11-match winning streak so far and has been a dangerous player on Clay surface off late. Before the tournament, he successfully defended the Italian Open title to make his intentions of doing well known. The players met in this round in the French Open last year with Ruud putting in a masterclass performance to win in a straight set. So revenge is on the cards. In five career meetings between the. e players, Zverev led 3-2 in terms of wins. 

Predictions: Ruud to win in 5 sets 

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