This year’s French Open men’s singles draw is the most unpredictable in recent memory.
Two of the big favourites, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, failed to reach the fourth round, and five other top-10 seeds, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, and Alexander Bublik all suffered early exits.
Their loss is going to be someone else’s gain, but who can capitalise on this golden opportunity?
Which player do you want to see win their first Grand Slam at Roland Garros?
Alexander Zverev is the favourite…
During TNT Sports’ French Open coverage, John McEnroe named the player he would like to see ‘make a run’ at Roland Garros.
John McEnroe wants to see Matteo Berrettini make a run at the French Open
McEnroe and Mats Wilander were full of praise for Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, who has impressed on his return to the French capital.
“This is the guy I would like to see make a run,” he said.
“First of all, he’s a great guy. Second of all, he has been in the top 10. Third of all, the injuries have just been an absolute nightmare.
“So, to me, it would be awesome if he made the quarters or semis.
“This is an amazing draw. He should get to the quarters the way I am seeing it.”
Berrettini is in the top half of the draw, which opened up when Sinner exited the competition.
He is the only former Grand Slam finalist among players in his half of the draw, and may now be dreaming of a second major final appearance.
Matteo Berrettini’s route to the final
- 4R vs Martin Landaluce/Juan Manuel Cerundolo
- QF vs Frances Tiafoe/Jaime Faria/Matteo Arnaldi/Raphael Collignon
- SF vs Felix Auger-Aliassime/Brandon Nakashima/Moise Kouame/Alejandro Tabilo/Flavio Cobolli/Zachary Svajda
Former French Open champion Wilander has liked what he’s seen from Berrettini during the first few rounds.
“He is loving it. It’s great for his serve; his serve bounces so high. It’s unbelievable for his forehand, because it’s still incredible,” he said.
“To be honest, his backhand was looking really solid the other night, and that’s another reason I want to see him through, because he mixes it up. He slices his backhand, he mixes it up, he comes to the net. He plays an all-court game.
“I think in the latter stages of his career he is most probably better on clay than he is on hard and maybe on grass, because it’s a bit slower and he has a bit more time to set up for the shots.”
Berrettini reached his one and only Grand Slam final on grass, at Wimbledon, but has never returned to that stage of a major.
Injuries have held the Italian back for several years, but he finally looks fit and ready to compete at the highest level.
Playing the French Open for the first time in five years, Berrettini is one to watch!
Matteo Berrettini reacts after winning the longest match of his career to reach French Open fourth round
Berrettini booked his place in the fourth round of the French Open with an epic win over Argentina’s Francisco Comesana.
Trailing by two sets to love, Berrettini fought back to force a match tiebreak.
There, he saved several match points before sealing the win 7-6 [7-3], 5-7, 6-7 [4-7], 6-4, 7-6 [15-13].
The match was both the longest of Berrettini’s career and the tournament so far.
Berrettini was emotional yet delighted during his post-match interview.
“I don’t know [what is on my mind] I’m just happy, tired, and so grateful for this unbelievable team,” he said.
“They are part of my family, my brother over there, we grew up together, played tennis, and this is an unbelievable crowd that supported me under the heat, under the sun, two sets to one down, we fought through this match, guys, thank you very much!”
Matteo Berrettini vs Francisco Comesana – Match stats
| Stats | Matteo Berrettini | Francisco Comesana |
| Aces | 20 | 20 |
| Double faults | 3 | 7 |
| 1st Serve % | 65% | 75% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 81% | 76% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 58% | 56% |
| Break points | 3/13 | 3/8 |
Berrettini was then asked what he found most difficult about the match.
“I have to say Francisco [Comesana] played an unbelievable match, I think he missed two balls in five hours!” said Berrettini.
“An unbelievable match, I really had to find my way to win this match, and I gave everything that I had.
“This long tiebreak, it’s a curse, and it’s a blessing; you always have time to recover, but it’s never-ending! I was 6-4 [up], and it was still so long. I’m so happy, and I just need to rest and enjoy this win now.”
Finally, Berrettini shared whether he expected to make it this far on his return to Roland Garros.
“No, that’s it, no!” he said.
“I’m so happy for that; there is so much work behind that my team knows. We work hard mentally and physically to come back and enjoy these kinds of events, conditions, and matches.
“That was what I was telling myself during the match. I was telling myself that I deserved to be here. Even if I lost the match, it would have hurt a lot, but it would have been a great battle, and I’m so thankful for that.”
Berrettini battled past Comesana and can now look forward to his fourth-round match against either Juan Manuel Cerundolo or Martin Landaluce.
The Italian will play his fourth-round match on Monday, June 1.
