2023 French Open Men’s Semifinal Picks & Predictions: Alexander Zverev vs. Casper Ruud

Based on the rankings system, we knew a semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz was possible before the Men’s French Open draw was revealed. And that is precisely what we got, as the two biggest pre-tournament favorites meet in a finals-level semifinal match.

The storyline for the first Grand Slam meeting between these two could not be any more enticing, as Djokovic is just two wins away from a record-breaking 23rd Men’s Grand Slam singles title. Meanwhile, Alcaraz was born the year Djokovic turned pro (2003) and is playing for all of the younger generations of men’s tennis to make a statement that it is their turn and the unrelenting reign of the Big Three is over.

In the other semifinal, Alexander Zverev is back in the final four just one year after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in the semifinals against Rafael Nadal. He faces Casper Ruud, who seeks a spot in the French Open final for the second consecutive year.

Read on for our thoughts and predictions for the 2023 Men’s French Open semifinals.

2023 Men’s French Open Semifinal Picks & Predictions

(odds via DraftKings)

Alexander Zverev vs. Casper Ruud Prediction

The fact that Zverev is a slight favorite over Ruud is telling, given everything the Norwegian has in his favor. Ruud made the finals in two of the last four Grand Slams (including at Roland Garros last year), while the narrative surrounding Zverev is whether or not he will be able to get over the mental hurdle of last year’s injury at this stage. However, Zverev has made the semifinals at the French Open each of the last two years and can draw from that experience on this big stage.

Zverev’s pre-tournament outlook was dampened by losses in Chris O’Connell in Munich and Nicholas Jarry in Geneva. However, we were encouraged by what we saw out of Zverev in losses to Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev in Madrid and Rome, respectively, as he possessed the fire that got him to world No. 2 as recently as June last year.

Three of Zverev’s victories in this tournament have been by straight sets, and he is an ever-important 4-0 in tiebreakers, which we figure to see in at least one set in this match. Ruud played the more formidable opponent in the semifinal in Holger Rune but was aided by 26 unforced errors from the Dane through the first two sets alone.

Zverev has won and covered the game spread in two of three matches against Ruud, and the German’s serve has looked better in the last couple of matches than it did in any tune-ups for this Grand Slam. Ruud’s fitness for a five-set match has long been a question mark, so the longer this match goes, the more it favors Zverev.

Pick: Zverev ML (-115 at DraftKings)

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