2024 French Open Day 8: Recap

Day Eight French Open 2024 Round of 16 Results

Tstisipas Passes Arnaldi Assignment

Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a tough challenge on Sunday against Matteo Arnaldi but managed to rally for a quarter-final spot where he’ll meet Carlos Alcaraz who knocked him out at the same stage last year. Trailing 3-6, 3-5, Tsitsipas saved three set points on serve at 3-5. He then fended off another in the next game to break back for 5-5, closing the set and powering to a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-2 victory. Arnaldi has been the dark horse over the last seven days. He played some impressive tennis en route to knocking out Andrey Rublev, and he dictated the match early on with some heavy hitting. Tsitsipas isn’t one to lack perseverance, and he stuck around, improving as the match wore on, whereas Arnaldi’s level faded.

“I had to push today. It was one of the craziest comebacks I have had. The momentum seemed to be going his way the entire match. It was very frustrating because I thought I was trying my best to make him move, but nothing really seemed to be working. The spirit is the reason I managed to come back today. Even at 3-5 in the second set, I felt I could return. There was power in me to turn this match around, and I think the game at 5-4 when I broke him was the biggest pleasure I experienced in tennis for a long time because I felt there was a chance. Now, me and the crowd are on this, and it felt amazing.” – Tstisipas on his comeback win over Arnaldi.

Alcaraz Aces Auger-Aliassime

Carlos Alcaraz made swift progress into the Roland Garros quarter-finals for the third consecutive year, defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Alcaraz played aggressively from the start and quickly zapped Felix’s belief despite him leading the H2H 3-2 before today’s loss. The Canadian also struggled with a groin injury, which clearly hindered his performance, and Alcaraz was far too strong despite often playing within himself.

“I am really happy with my performance today. I think I played a really high level of tennis. I was really focused, and there were no ups and downs in the match. That is something I am working on. I am really happy with everything: my serve, my movement, and my shots. I know that Felix is a great player and is playing great tennis. In the Head2Head, he was up, and I was looking forward to being equal with him. I am really happy to get the win in the end. I had to put in as many returns as I could and get in the rallies. I feel strong in the rallies, playing five, six, and seven shots at every point. I was going to have my chances to break his serve and to be with a good intensity in the match, and I think that helped me get a good rhythm, to get my good tennis and to beat him.” – Alcaraz on his win.

Other Matches of Note

Dimitrov Downs Hurkacz

Grigor Dimitrov defeated Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) to secure his first quarter-final at the French Open. He has now reached the last eight at all four Grand Slam tournaments. Dimitrov has a flawless record against the Pole and saved all five break points he faced in the first set, including three from 5-5, 0/40, before clinching the tie-break.

Sinner Figures Out Moutet

Jannik Sinner overcame an out-of-kilter start to take out the crafty Corentin Moutet 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-1 to book his spot in the last eight. Moutet has an idiosyncratic game and early doors; he caused Sinner many problems with his lefty shot-making, spins, pace changes and drop shots. However, that style of the game typically has an expiry date against the elite level if you can’t combine it with a ‘weapon’ type shot, and once Sinner got going, his ball recognition got much more au fait with Moutet’s style, and he started getting the upper hand to ride through the next four sets.

French Open Day Nine Round of 16 Matches

Novak Djokovic (1) vs Francisco Cerundolo (27)
Taylor Fritz (12) vs Casper Ruud (7)
Alexander Zverev (4) vs Holger Rune (13)
Alex de Minaur (11) vs Daniil Medvedev (5)