Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the ATP Roland Garros match.
This match-up could easily have been a quarter-final clash, but the draw has matched these two in the round of 64. Both players made headlines last season and will be eager to extend their stay in Paris.
Matteo Arnaldi
Matteo Arnaldi arrives from Geneva, where he reached the quarter-finals. Along the way, he defeated Fabian Marozsan (6:3, 7:6) before facing Novak Djokovic. Despite the high-profile opponent, the Italian remained composed and put up a solid fight, eventually going down 4:6, 4:6. Arnaldi has shown consistent form on clay this season, with 11 matches played on the surface, winning six. Notably, two of his losses came in deciding third sets.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Felix Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, recently featured in Hamburg, advancing to the semi-finals. There, he faced Andrey Rublev but was outplayed in a 1:6, 4:6 defeat. After a run of disappointing results, this campaign represented a turning point, suggesting the Canadian arrives in Paris with renewed confidence. His most impressive performance came against Alexandre Muller, where he fired six aces en route to a 7:6, 6:7, 6:3 win.
Matteo Arnaldi vs Felix Auger-Aliassime Prediction
This contest looks finely balanced. Both players bring different strengths and vulnerabilities, and it’s unlikely either will dominate from the outset. A five-set battle is certainly on the cards, which makes backing the Total Over 4.5 Sets a tempting option. We're prepared to take that gamble.
