Three Italians still playing in the Parisian tournament and after the exit of Medvedev and Sinner with Alcaraz injured, the German Zverev is the big favorite
“There are still many Italians, I will cheer for them”. On the day of his bitter exit from Roland Garros, Jannik Sinner sent a message to his compatriots involved in the French Internationals. A bit like saying: now it’s your turn. The first week of the most important tournament in the world on clay is not over yet and two of the favorites are already out: first the Russian Medvedev and then our Sinner raised the white flag stressed and worn out by the fatigue of modern tennis which forces players to play almost every day and often at very high temperatures. The consequences are clear to everyone, yet no action is taken. And even the tennis players themselves should demand more respect for their health, instead the only thing they complained about in Paris were the prizes which according to them are too low. Now the upper part of the scoreboard is without masters, while in the lower part all the other favorites remain, starting with the German Aleksander Zverev, seeded number two and at this point the first candidate for victory on the Parisian red clay. Zverev has never won a Slam, but has reached the final three times, always losing (New York 2020, Roland Garros 2024 and Australian Open 2025). The greatest danger could lie ahead in the quarterfinals where he should cross Jodar. Meanwhile, today the challenge between Djokovic and the young Brazilian Fonseca will tell us a lot about Nole’s ambitions in this tournament.
The Italians
Then there are the blues: Matteo Berretini, Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi all brilliant protagonists in the second round and all in the part of the scoreboard where a void opens up due to Sinner’s elimination. Berrettini and Arnaldi could challenge each other in the quarterfinals and this would mean having an Italian in the semifinals at Roland Garros. All three look in good shape. Matteo Berrettini who returned to play in Paris after five years had not reached the third round of a Major since Wimbledon 2023 and against the Frenchman Rinderknech he played an excellent match (especially on serve) finishing with a triple 6-4. In the next round he will face the Argentine Comesana who eliminated Luciano Darderi after a battle that lasted five sets and over four kings. Victory in ease also for Flavio Cobolli. The Roman who scored 85% points with the first, he beat the Chinese Wu with exactly the same score achieved by Berrettini. The next opponent will be the American Tien. Victory is more complicated Matteo Arnaldi also due to the consistency of the opponent. The Ligurian he beat the Greek Stefanos Tsisipas in four sets after a battle of three hours and 17 minutes which confirmed his competitive skills (7-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2). Arnaldi will deal with it with the Belgian Collignon. All the Italians remaining in the running at Roland Garros will take to the field on Saturday.
