Day six of the French Open marks the beginning of the third round in the men’s singles event. The number of competitors is dwindling and the level of competition is getting intense. Friday, 31 May, features one of these competitive matchups, with a highly anticipated clash between Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastian Korda.
Alcaraz began his quest for his first Paris title with a commanding 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 victory over J.J. Wolf. He then defeated Jesper de Jong in the second round and earned his spot in the third round at Roland Garros.
The 21-year-old defended his Indian Wells title in March, showcasing his best form, but has since been hindered by a troublesome forearm issue. It's unclear if he has fully recovered, particularly mentally, as he strives to find his best tennis again.
On the other hand, Korda defeated Harold Mayot 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to advance to the second round, where he faced Kwon Soon-woo. Their match on Thursday was halted midway through the first set due to heavy rain. When play resumed on Thursday, Korda secured a 6-4, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory.
This matchup between two of the game's young talents promises to be one of the most compelling encounters of this year's French Open so far. Who will emerge victorious? Read on for our Alcaraz vs Korda prediction and betting tips.
How the Bookies View It: Alcaraz the Winner
Bookmaker bet365 is heavily favouring Alcaraz to be the winner of this encounter at 1/10, whereas, Korda stands at 6/1. Set betting suggests a 3-0 win for Alcaraz, with this outcome paying 5/6.
Recent Head-to-Head: Advantage Alcaraz
This matchup marks the fifth meeting between Alcaraz and Korda, with the Spaniard leading 3-1. Their last encounter was back in 2023 in the Cinch Championships, London, where Alcaraz beat Korda, 6-3, 6-4. Last time they met at Roland-Garros, two years ago, Alcaraz won in straight sets.
Anything Else Catch the Eye?
Alcaraz faced a challenging match against qualifier Jesper de Jong on Wednesday, dropping the third set before the Dutchman struggled with cramping in the fourth. In the match, Alcaraz scored 128 points compared to De Jong's 108 and maintained a 64 percent first-serve win rate.
There has been a lot of focus on Alcaraz's forehand strength, particularly in light of his recent injury on his dominant side. However, the Spaniard put such concerns to rest even further against De Jong. He showcased his forehand prowess by hitting 26 of his 34 winners with his forehand, demonstrating his ability to recover when facing pressure.
Notably, the reigning Wimbledon champion has not exited a major tournament at the third round stage since the 2022 Australian Open. Instead, he has reached at least the quarter-finals in his last five Grand Slam appearances.
The 27th seed Korda reached the fourth round of the French Open in his Grand Slam debut in 2020, followed by a quarter-final appearance at the 2023 Australian Open. Again, he has shown promise early on in Paris with a couple of notable performances.
Korda defeated Kwon in the second round in a four-setter with a 65 percent first-serve win rate, while also recording 34 winners to clinch the win.
Alcaraz vs Korda Betting Tips and Predictions
Alcaraz and Korda, both young and talented, share a competitive rivalry alongside a history of injuries. Despite Korda's massive frame, he has faced defeat multiple times due to Alcaraz's agility. A completely healthy Alcaraz stands a better chance of winning this match.
- Alcaraz to win 3-1 @ 9/4
- Korda +7.5 handicap @ 4/5
Alcaraz and Korda will play on Court Philippe-Chatrier, not before 8:15pm local time. While you wait, check out our overall women’s predictions for the French Open 2024.
Bren is our resident Kiwi, and has been playing or watching sports down under in New Zealand for the better part of three decades. With 12+ years experience as a professional writer, Bren loves to dive deep into all things sport to bring the best betting analysis and predictions here at Mr Fixits Tips.
