We will have a new French Open winner this year and with a host of big names crashing out early, the men’s singles looks wide open.
In the first quarterfinal, two players who have never met before go head-to-head, as Spain’s Rafael Jodar comes up against Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
Zverev is the highest-ranked player left in the draw but there are plenty of question marks over his temperament and ability to get over the line.
Jodar is 10 years younger than his opponent and this is the furthest he’s ever been in a Grand Slam event. In a tournament full of shocks, could he pull off another surprise?
Rafael Jodar vs. Alexander Zverev betting picks and predictions
Set Betting - Alexander Zverev 3-1 (+260)
Zverev has made the final of three of the four Grand Slams, but is yet to get his name engraved on any of the big-four trophies.
His title frustration has baffled the pundits for years and this looks like a great opportunity to end his wait and put the demons to bed.
The 29-year-old reached the final at Roland Garros in 2024, when he was 2-1 up against Carlos Alcaraz before the Spaniard took charge to win the last two sets 6-1 6-2.
Zverev, who has a 79% win record in the French Open, has won four clay court tournaments to date and lost four other finals,
The German has dropped just one set so far in the first four rounds of the tournament, although this will be his toughest test yet.
Teenager Jodar looks like a star of the future and although he has only won once on the ATP Tour to date, that was on clay.
The 19-year-old took the title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Morocco last month and already has a big scalp to his name on this surface.
The Spaniard beat world number eight Alex de Minaur at the Madrid Open, giving him the confidence that he can mix it with the best players.
Experience can play a big part though at this stage in the event and Zverev should be able to see it through and reach the semifinals for the fifth time in Paris.
First Set Total Games - Over 9.5 (-150)
Expect the first set to be a tight affair and there looks to be a good chance that the over/under target will be hit.
Jodar won his third-round first set, against American Alex Michelsen, on a tie-break before losing the first set in round four - going down 6-4 to fellow countryman Pablo Carreno Busta.
Second-seed Zverev won his opening set against Quentin Hayes 6-4 in round three, before needing a tie-break in the fourth-round first set against Jesper de Jong.
Same Game Parlay: Rafael Jodar to Win a Set, Alexander Zverev to Win a Set, Over 0.5 Tiebreaks (+150)
Jodar, who has won 84% of his service games on clay this year, has shown enough in this tournament to suggest he can take a set off Zverev.
However, with such a big opportunity to end the wait for a Slam, the German should have enough overall to make the semifinals.
It’s also worth noting that both players have been involved in tie-breaks in this tournament - one for Zverev and three for Jodar.
Rafael Jodar vs. Alexander Zverev odds
Rafael Jodar | +240 |
Alexander Zverev | -300 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
