In the midst of the 2025 French Open’s intense battles on the red clay of Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev, the world No. 3, has made a bold prediction about defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s prospects. Fresh off his commanding 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-1 victory over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the third round, Zverev expressed unwavering confidence in Alcaraz’s ability to reach the final, despite the Spaniard’s shaky start in Paris. As Zverev advances to face Tallon Griekspoor in the fourth round, his endorsement of Alcaraz underscores the young star’s resilience and the favorable draw that could pave his path to another Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed and 2024 French Open champion, faced a stern test in his third-round match against Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, dropping a set in a 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 struggle that exposed moments of vulnerability. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who arrived in Paris with concerns over a lingering arm injury, admitted to limited preparation, having played only four clay matches this season due to withdrawals from Monte Carlo and Barcelona. “It was something that I started to feel in the semifinal,” Alcaraz said of his leg discomfort during his 2024 final against Zverev, hinting at the physical toll of his all-action style. Yet, Zverev dismissed these hiccups, stating, “It doesn’t matter,” when asked about Alcaraz dropping sets in his second and third rounds. “I honestly think that Carlos will be in the final, to be very fair. I don’t think there’s anybody on that side of the draw that will challenge him too much,” Zverev declared, pointing to the relatively lighter competition in Alcaraz’s half, which includes players like Ben Shelton, Casper Ruud, and Holger Rune, but lacks the top-half heavyweights like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/alexander-zverev-predicts-how-far-carlos-alcaraz-will-go-at-roland-garros-after-the-spaniards-near-scare-in-round-three/)[](https://x.com/TheTennisLetter/status/1928879921671324154)
Zverev’s prediction carries weight given his own history with Alcaraz at Roland Garros. Their 2024 final, a grueling five-set epic lasting 4 hours and 19 minutes, saw Alcaraz triumph 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, becoming the youngest man to win Grand Slams on all three surfaces. “Congratulations Carlos. Third Grand Slam, 21 years old. It’s incredible,” Zverev said post-match, acknowledging Alcaraz’s prowess. “You won three different ones. You’re already a Hall of Famer.” Despite Zverev’s 5-5 head-to-head edge, including a 2022 French Open quarterfinal win, Alcaraz’s clutch play in big moments—like saving four break points in a pivotal fifth-set game in 2024—has set him apart. Zverev’s own journey in Paris has been marked by consistency, with four straight semifinal appearances, but also heartbreak, including his 2024 loss and a 2022 ankle injury against Rafael Nadal. “This court is very special to me,” he said after defeating Cobolli, reflecting on both triumphs and setbacks.
Alcaraz’s path to the final is not without challenges. His fourth-round clash with No. 14 seed Ben Shelton, their first on clay, promises fireworks, with Shelton’s Nadal-esque lefty forehand posing a threat. “Playing the defending champion, round of 16, I’m guessing center court, that’s a pretty cool opportunity,” Shelton said, relishing the matchup. Should Alcaraz advance, he could face Tommy Paul or Alexei Popyrin in the quarterfinals, with potential semifinal opponents like Lorenzo Musetti or Taylor Fritz. “I want to be one of the best tennis players in the world, so I have to give an extra in those moments in the fifth set,” Alcaraz said, emphasizing his resolve to shine under pressure.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/alexander-zverev-predicts-how-far-carlos-alcaraz-will-go-at-roland-garros-after-the-spaniards-near-scare-in-round-three/)
Zverev, meanwhile, navigates a tougher top half, with potential clashes against Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic, or Sinner looming. His third-round performance against Cobolli showcased his elite backhand and serving prowess, landing 77% of first serves and eight aces. “He probably should’ve won the second set,” Zverev admitted of Cobolli’s fightback, but his tiebreak poise secured the win. At the net, Zverev’s sportsmanship shone as he told Cobolli, “Congratulations on everything you have done this year. You will do much more,” a nod to the Italian’s Hamburg title and seven-match win streak.
As Roland Garros unfolds, Zverev’s prediction paints Alcaraz as the man to beat, a sentiment echoed by analysts who see the Spaniard’s flair and resilience as unmatched in his half. “Carlos played fantastic,” Zverev said of their 2024 final, and with Alcaraz’s knack for five-set heroics—11-1 in such matches—he seems poised to fulfill Zverev’s prophecy. For Zverev, the road to a maiden Grand Slam title remains steep, but his belief in Alcaraz’s destiny adds intrigue to a tournament brimming with drama on the Parisian clay.
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