Paris Olympics 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

Carlos Alcaraz had to sweat a bit against an inspired Tallon Griekspoor in the second round.

Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to book a quarterfinal spot at his debut Olympics, as he takes on World No #66 Roman Safiullin who is participating as a neutral at Paris Olympics 2024.

The Spanish young star has started on the right note with two straight sets victories. In the first round, he thrashed World No #274 Lebanese Hady Habib 6-3 6-1.

The 21-year old then continued where he had left off, against World No #28 Tallon Griekspoor, winning the first set 6-1. The second set, however proved to be much closer. The Dutchman raised his level and started matching Alcaraz shot for shot. Alcaraz had to save a set point too, in the 10th game. The Spaniard eventually held his nerve, taking the tiebreak 7-3.

Roman Saifullin, on the other, entered Paris Olmypics 2024 in poor form but has put up solid displays of groundstrokes at Paris. He first defeated 15th seed Alejandro Tabilo of Chile 6-4 6-4. He then defeated World Number #36 Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in a second-round match similar to that of Carlos Alcaraz.

The Russian dished out a bagel in the first set. In the second set, he squandered a match point, but safely picked up the tiebreak, winning it 7-1. Saifullin will have to bring out his A-game in the third round, to put up a challenge against the second seed.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin Match Details

Date: July 31 (Wednesday)

Time: TBD

Venue: Roland Garros Stadium

Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin Preview

Carlos Alcaraz is currently experiencing a peak in form having picked up his fourth Grand Slam title recently. His footwork and recovery on the court will pose trouble for Safiullin.

Also Read: Top five tennis matches to watch on Day 5 of Paris Olympics 2024

He had a number of form and injury concerns at the beginning of the clay season. He put all those doubts to rest at the French Open, eventually defeating Alexander Zverev in the final after being 1-2 down.

He then got through a very tough draw at the Wimbledon, but managed to conjure up an answer to every challenge thrown. In the final, he defeated Novak Djokovic in three sets, making the Serb legend look clueless. He, thus, completed the Channel Slam at the age of 21, becoming the youngest to do so.

His opponent for tomorrow has had a decent run, exactly opposite to that of the Spaniard. Roman Safiullin couldn’t string together two consecutive wins in the clay season this time. He exited the French Open in the first round. The grass season was equally bad.

However, he has gained a lot of momentum here at Paris, having not dropped a set yet. The 26-year-old, though, will face his sternest test against one of the best players on the circuit currently, if he has to enter the quarterfinals.

It will be interesting to play if fatigue plays a role. While the duo of Safiullin and Danii Medvedev got knocked out in the first round of men’s doubles, the Spanish pairing of Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have entered the second round. In fact, Alcaraz, on Wednesday, would be on court for a fifth consecutive day, having played singles and doubles in an alternate manner.

The star would be hoping that so much time on court in the heat of Paris doesn’t take a toll on him. Alcaraz’s endurance could be tested by Safiullin if he manages to get his forehand on target.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin Head-to-Head

Matches: 1

Carlos Alcaraz: 0

Roman Safiullin: 1

The Russian stunned the Spaniard in straight sets last year, in the only meeting between the two, incidentally at Paris, albeit on indoor hard court. Safiullin won the match 6-3 6-4.

Where and how to watch live streaming and TV broadcast of Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin, Paris Olympics 2024 tennis men’s singles third round match in India?

In India, you can watch Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin, tennis men’s singles third round match at the Paris Olympics 2024 on the Sports 18 network on TV. The match will also be telecasted on its streaming service Jio Cinema application and website and can be watched for free by all users.

Prediction

Carlos Alcaraz is arguably the favourite to win the gold medal, followed by first seed Novak Djokovic. He doesn’t have too many chinks in his armoury and his game is suited for all three surfaces. Former World No # 1 Mats Wilander had declared that Alcaraz has the “greatest forehand of all time”. That, combined with his disguised drop shot, makes him exceptionally lethal.

Roman Safiullin, who was inspired by the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer is predominantly a hard-court player. His forehand is a handful for anyone, and he also has a good serve.

Safiullin has done well to reach the third round and has defeated decent clay-court players, here at Roland Garros. However, he will find it very tough to challenge someone of the calibre, pace and skill of Alcaraz.

Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz to win in direct sets.

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