Swiatek to claim a fourth? A new men’s winner? 24hscore’s 2024 French Open predictions

The French Open is just around the corner, and while there’s a clear favorite on the women’s side, the men’s Grand Slam is set to be the most open in years, with top players either dealing with injuries or struggling with poor form. Predicting the outcomes in Paris is no easy task, but 24hscore’s Finley Crebolder and Tolga Akdeniz have given it a go.

What will be the best match of the first round?

Tolga Akdeniz: Although Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev is the big headliner of the first round, I don’t think it will be the ‘best’ match, as I struggle to see this version of Nadal really challenging an in-form Zverev.

So I’m going to go with Andy Murray vs Stanislas Wawrinka. Two former multiple Grand Slam champions in their late 30s, both past their prime but still determined to be as competitive as possible. They’ve had a great rivalry over the years, playing 22 times with Murray leading 13-9. It’s going to be a totally unpredictable match and an extremely entertaining one.

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Finley Crebolder: Like Tolga said, the clash between Nadal and Zverev probably won’t be the best in terms of quality unless Nadal can raise his game massively, but I’m still going to go for it for the atmosphere alone. With the French Open crowd knowing that they might never see their king play on their courts again if he loses, they’ll be supporting him more than ever. Nadal thrives off the crowd’s support, and that might be enough for him to cause Zverev problems. In terms of spectacle, it’ll be unforgettable. Besides, this is Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, so you never know…

Who will be the biggest underperformer?

Tolga Akdeniz: I can’t believe I’m going to say this… but Novak Djokovic. I don’t like what I’m seeing with him currently. He looks out of sorts and has nothing going for him at the minute. He’s been knocked out of his last two tournaments by Tomas Machac and Alejandro Tabilo, which isn’t a good sign. He also hasn’t won a single tournament in 2023, which is unbelievable by his standards.

Obviously, Grand Slams are different, and he has the experience to maneuver through five-set contests, but the way he’s playing, I could see Lorenzo Musetti or Tommy Paul giving him a hard time. And if he makes it to the quarters, can he get past Casper Ruud? I’m not sure.

If Djokovic suddenly finds his form and wins Roland Garros, it wouldn’t surprise me either because he’s the greatest player ever, but there are zero signs of that, and I can see him having a bad time.

Finley Crebolder: I’m going with Djokovic too, despite his fairly straightforward draw, which says a lot. He’s entered Grand Slams in mediocre form and won them before, but things feel different this year. In every area, he looks a shadow of the player he was six months ago when he won the ATP Finals.

Even a quarter-final exit to Ruud would be underperforming for him given the standards he’s set, and I think he’ll go out then if not sooner.

Who will be the biggest surprise package?

Tolga Akdeniz: I’ll go with Hubert Hurkacz from the men’s draw and Madison Keys from the women’s. I always back Hurkacz at Grand Slams because he’s such a good player, yet he’s never really clicked at this level. I feel he will have a good run at a major eventually.

For Keys, she’s in good form. She played well in Madrid and Rome, losing to Iga Swiatek both times, and reached the Strasbourg final, beating Danielle Collins, one of the players of the year so far.

Finley Crebolder: The second quarter of the women’s draw is open with Coco Gauff and Ons Jabeur not having the best clay-court seasons. So I’m backing world number 19 Liudmila Samsonova. She has a tough route but beat Beatriz Haddad Maia comfortably in Strasbourg and can do so again, and get past Jabeur at least.

On the men’s side, I see unseeded veteran Jan-Lennard Struff making it to the quarters. He won the Munich title and has a favorable draw.

Who will reach the women’s final and who will be champion?

Tolga Akdeniz: Unless Danielle Collins or Jelena Ostapenko produce magic, Swiatek will definitely be in the final. She’s dominant on Paris clay, winning both WTA 1000 tournaments on clay this season.

In the other half, I’ll pick Aryna Sabalenka over Elena Rybakina due to concerns about Rybakina’s health. If Rybakina reaches the final, she has the best chance of beating Swiatek due to their match-up. But with Sabalenka in the final, I think Swiatek will be too strong and win her fourth French Open, especially given her mental edge over Sabalenka.

Finley Crebolder: I think Collins will put up a fight against Swiatek, but I’d be mad not to back Swiatek given her record at Roland Garros. Picking between Sabalenka and Rybakina is tough, but I’ll lean towards Sabalenka. She looks like the second-best clay-courter right now.

Swiatek is still the best, especially at the French Open, so I feel confident in saying she’ll win her fourth title.

Who will reach the men’s final and who will be champion?

Tolga Akdeniz: This is tough. It’s the most open men’s Grand Slam in years with many top players in poor form or dealing with injuries.

In the top half, I’ll go with Zverev reaching the final. Djokovic’s form is bad, and Zverev likes clay and has been playing well, winning the Rome Masters. In the bottom half, I think Tsitsipas will be a big threat, but I’ll pick Sinner because of his kind draw.

A Zverev vs. Sinner final would be compelling, but I’ll give the edge to Sinner because he’s a Grand Slam champion now, possessing the experience to get over the line, unlike Zverev.

Finley Crebolder: This is the part where I regret offering to do predictions because I really don’t have a clue. As Tolga said, a men’s slam hasn’t been this open in a long time. The top half is easier to call. Zverev won Rome, has reached the French Open semis three years in a row, and I don’t see anyone stopping him unless Djokovic ups his game massively.

I’ll take a punt with the other side and say Sinner and Alcaraz won’t produce their best tennis in Paris. Monte Carlo champion and Barcelona runner-up Tsitsipas will take advantage to reach the final for a second time.

Tsitsipas beat Zverev in Monte Carlo, and I think he’ll do so again in a nervy final to become a Grand Slam winner.