Carlos Alcaraz - Jannik Sinner predictions and free betting tips [07/06/2024]

Some matches are only worth watching in the finals of any ATP super tournament, especially a Grand Slam. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will battle it out in the semi-finals for a chance to fight in the main event of the tournament. This is precisely the kind of contest anticipated as a treat, yet we’re getting it as an appetizer before the super game that will decide who takes home the Roland Garros trophy, showcased on the Philippe Chatrier Court. There’s no doubt that the Alcaraz vs. Sinner match is a top-tier fixture, but it’s crucial that the performance matches the billing.

Carlos Alcaraz

It hasn’t been the best year in tennis for Alcaraz, largely due to injuries that hindered his ability to shape up for the clay season and other tournaments he missed. Nevertheless, the Spanish tennis player always aims to be ready for the Grand Slams.

In previous years, Alcaraz started with titles, securing up to four accolades at the season's start on hard courts and working diligently on clay before transitioning to grass. He puts in strong performances at specific tournaments, but his form often dips in the season’s middle stretch, especially during the Asian tournaments and the year-end finals.

This year, the Spanish tennis maestro won the Masters in Indian Wells and reached quarter-finals in Melbourne, Miami, and Madrid, where he surprisingly lost despite being the heavy favourite.

At Roland Garros, Alcaraz had no exceptionally tough matches, save for the encounter with Jesper De Jong, who snatched a set from him. The rest of the matches were straightforward, including a hassle-free win against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous round, despite the expectation that the Greek player would deliver a more precise and solid game.

Against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz will need to stay solid in defence and deliver strong first serves, or else the Italian could capitalise on his offensive play, which must be avoided. On clay, Alcaraz’s technical skills should outshine Sinner’s creativity, but crucially, he must not be outwitted tactically by the 'clay specialist' in this match.

Jannik Sinner

Sinner is in excellent form, and he’s not daunted by the clay surface. The Italian tennis player has become more technically adept and strategic on clay, although he still lacks major titles on this surface, barring a tournament win in Croatia a few seasons ago.

Sinner has improved significantly in offensive play, with a better serve and other statistical parameters matching those of his top-5 ATP peers. This season, Sinner’s triumph in Melbourne, defeating all the top Russian players, his victory in Rotterdam (500), and Miami (1000) earned him impressive titles despite not facing exceedingly tough brackets. However, he met several challenging opponents where he had to play smartly to succeed.

At Roland Garros, the Italian had a poor first set against Corentin Moutet but then comfortably outplayed the French crowd’s favourite. Against Dimitrov, it was smooth sailing, despite having to rely on his serve, eventually winning 3:0 in sets.

In the match against Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner will need strong offensive tennis, utilising powerful cross-court shots. He will likely avoid lengthy rallies with the Spaniard, instead converting each exchange into an attack to keep Alcaraz on the defensive, preventing him from playing in his comfortable mode and skilfully rolling his shots.

Head-to-Head

The players will face off for the 10th time, with the head-to-head standing at 5:4 in favour of Carlos Alcaraz. However, they are evenly matched on clay, with one win apiece.

Match Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner

The match is prime for a TO 4.5 sets or TO in games, but I believe it’s worth considering a bet on the first set: TO 9.5 games. The intriguing tennis won't start immediately as the players will initially rely on their serves before adapting and showcasing their best qualities in this match.