French Open 2018: Draw preview of the Men's singles contenders at Roland Garros

Fourth Quarter

Projected Quarter Final: #2 Alexander Zverev vs #7 Dominic Thiem

Alexander Zverev all set to sizzle at the French Open 2018

Thiem leads 4-2 over Alexander Zverev

The World No. 8 Dominic Thiem has the roughest draw possible at the French Open 2018. After what looks like a quick win over a qualifier in the opening round, a second round encounter with the very talented Greek, Stefanos Tsitsipas can rattle the Austrian.

Should he still manage to shake this hurdle off, a third round awaits with Gilles Muller or Matteo Berrettini. The fourth round with Kei Nishikori looks like a very mouth-watering clash for tennis fans, should it all sail smooth till then.

The Austrian has made the semi-finals in Paris in each of his last two appearances. But, this season on clay has not been too impressive for Thiem. Ofcourse, he did defeat the 'King of Clay' Nadal in the quarters in Madrid but, went on to lose to Zverev in the finals.

Also an opening round defeat in Rome at the hands of Fabio Fognini underlined the kind of form Thiem is in. Should he sprint past these hurdles, a fourth-round clash against Zverev is on the cards.

On the other hand, Alexander Zverev is yet to make the quarterfinals of any Slam. He also has not been able to go past the third round at the French Open.

Last year in 2017, he was pipped with an opening-round exit at Roland Garros. The Madrid Champion and Rome finalist, starts his campaign in Paris against Ricardas Berankis. A possible second-round meeting with Jiri Vesely or Dusan Lajovic looks slated.

Very convincingly though, Zverev has shown better mental fortitude in the past few months. He lifted the title in Munich, before a semi-final finish in Monte Carlo, a finalist at Miami, and a Semi final again at Rotterdam. Consistent results of the Austrian make him the most dangerous players to watch at the French Open 2018.

Zverev can most likely run into last year's French Open runner-up Stanislas Wawrinka in the Round of 16. But, given the poor form of the Swiss, it should be difficult to predict if he can make it that far.

All facts and form of the players put together, Zverev looks to make it safely through to the quarters from this section of the draw.

With all these analysis and predictions it would be interesting to watch who will make it until the end of the tournament and lift the French Open 2018 title.

Goes without saying that the ten-time Champion Rafael Nadal, is the overwhelming favorite for the crown, as there is barely anyone who can dethrone the King from his Fortress.

Afterall, Nadal takes to clay like a fish takes to water.

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