Zverev’s time or new star? French Open contenders as favourites fall
· Yahoo Sports
Jannik Sinner’s shock exit in the French Open second round has thrown the men’s draw wide open.
The world number one had been expected to stroll to the title in the absence of reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz but ran out of energy in the Paris heat against Juan Manuel Cerundolo.
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Novak Djokovic followed on Friday, meaning a new grand slam champion will be crowned next weekend. Here, the Press Association picks out six men who could seize their moment.
Alexander Zverev
This is surely the chance Zverev has been waiting for as he chases a first slam title.
The German is arguably the best player never to have won one, having reached three grand slam finals and won Olympic gold and two ATP Finals titles.
Zverev is now the clear favourite but whether he can handle the pressure of this glorious opportunity is a major question mark.
Rafael Jodar
The blow of Alcaraz’s wrist injury has been significantly eased for Spanish fans by the remarkable rise of 19-year-old Jodar.
Ranked outside the top 150 at the start of the year, he is seeded 27th and his form on clay has been so impressive that following Sinner’s exit, he was made second favourite in only his second grand slam tournament.
This may yet prove too soon for Jodar but he already possesses a very complete game and the type of level-headed approach needed.
Joao Fonseca
As a coming-of-age statement, beating Djokovic from two sets down on one of the biggest stages in tennis takes some beating.
Expectations of the 19-year-old Brazilian have been stratospheric since he burst onto the scene with his explosive brand of power tennis and colourful fanbase.
It has understandably taken Fonseca some time to learn how best to utilise his extravagant talents, but the sky is the limit.
Casper Ruud
Clay-court specialists will be licking their lips at the opportunity and Ruud should be at the front of the queue.
The Norwegian is also a three-time grand slam finalist including twice at Roland Garros, where he lost to Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Djokovic the following year.
Ruud has survived two five-setters so it will take a huge effort but the opportunity in front of him may give him the energy required.
Matteo Berrettini
Sinner’s exit and the fact Zverev, Ruud, Fonseca and Jodar are all in the bottom half has made the top half of the draw a land of opportunity.
Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime is the highest-ranked player left but has looked unconvincing, losing three sets in his first two matches. Instead, could Berrettini make a fairytale charge?
Sinner’s fellow Italian is ranked 105th and has had his best results on faster surfaces, including reaching a Wimbledon final, but he has looked in good nick, has the experience many of his rivals lack and is a player for the big occasion.
Francisco Cerundolo
Juan Manuel Cerundolo may have caused the big story so far but his brother Francisco is more likely to have a deep run.
The 28th seed is a consistent performer, especially on clay, and, at 27, has been in the best form of his career over the last two seasons.
He is yet to make it beyond the fourth round of a slam but that moment could be now.