French Open in Paris, 3rd round, Friday, 02.06.2023
The title favourite attacks in the 3rd round! At the French Open 2023, the matches are now becoming more and more exciting, the opponents of the world-class players more demanding. The world number 1 must also feel this first hand.
On Friday evening, it could be late due to the previous matches, he will meet a Canadian who has been searching for form for some time. The favourites at Bwin? More than clear! In my Alcaraz Shapovalov tip I now reveal why I have more than 28,5 games on the cards!
The first small slip, albeit without consequences, has been made by the currently best player in the world! After three Masters titles, Carlos Alcaraz wants to be better than all the competition at the French Open.
After starting with a 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 win over Flavio Cobolli in Paris, his next opponent was Taro Daniel. Alcaraz allowed his opponent two breaks, which promptly brought him a 6-1, 3-6 and thus a 1-1 after two sets.
However, the 20-year-old did not fall victim to this slight weakness, quite the opposite. He followed it up with a 6-1, 6-2 and thus put his opponent in his place. He may only win about 70% of the points on the first serve, but the second service is brutal.
68% and 78% collected by the Spaniard here, an absolute top value for serve number two. Should the 3rd round now be a hurdle? He last failed so early at the Australian Open 2022, with Matteo Berrettini, an absolute top man, responsible for that.
Now he is up against Denis Shapovalov, a player who has a completely different style of play. He attacks with the one-handed backhand and also hits with his left hand. Right-handed Alcaraz, who plays two-handed, will have to adjust to this.
Our betting providers can’t imagine that he will have any difficulties, the odds come to an average of 1.03 to 15.0! That means even an outright win only comes in at 1.40.
Nothing less than a brilliant masterpiece is expected, but has the calculation been made without Denis Shapovalov? The Canadian, known as the enfant terrible, is no longer in the Top 30.
Since the Australian Open, he has not reached more than the last 16, which is far too low for his own standards. The French Open is not Shapovalov’s favourite Grand Slam, he is actually in the 3rd round for the first time ever in 2023!
He almost squandered his advantage in the 1st round, winning 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 against Brandon Nakashima. He did not go without losing the next set against Matteo Arnaldi.
The 24-year-old secured a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, only allowing his opponent one break chance. Nakashima he had conceded eleven more chances, so here he has clearly improved.
First 15 double faults, now five, you can definitely see that Shapovalov manages to learn from his weaknesses. Carlos Alcaraz, however, is of course a completely different matter.
Whether Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz, Hubert Hurkacz or Novak Djokovic, Shapovapov has not been able to prevail against any of the big, strong opponents this year, which should not exactly boost his self-confidence.
My Alcaraz Shapovalov Tip
Carlos Alcaraz would like to reach the last 16 of the French Open in slow motion, if possible, in order to be able to save important energy. He lost one set against Taro Daniel, but won three sets.
With Denis Shapovalov, you never really know what you’re going to get. It is also very difficult for us to pigeonhole the Canadian. I believe in the favourite, but he will have to work a little bit. Therefore, I enter:
We see more than 28.5 Games!
