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We are arriving towards the end of the 2023 clay-court swing with just one major tournament left on the calendar – Roland-Garros!
Tennis Channel broadcaster Gill Gross joins Match Point Canada as a first-time guest this week to discuss action that unfolded in Rome as Daniil Medvedev won the first title of his career on clay.
With the result, he’s now moved himself into the conversation as a French Open contender.
“I really think he’s right there,” says Gross. “You look at the facts with Medvedev. We’ve seen him do it before. He’s won a Slam, multiple finals. He’s first in the race and he’s now won Rome. What more criteria are you looking for?”
In the meantime, Holger Rune stunned Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals with a tough three-set victory, raising some alarm bells on the chances of the 22-time major champion.
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“I think he eats up big matches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” joked Gross on Rune’s upset.
“He’s 7-2 against Top 5 opponents. He doesn’t seem to get nervous at all. He enjoys those opportunities.”
The trio all give their list of top five men’s contenders heading into the French Open.
Elena Rybakina has a second WTA 1000 of her career, winning in Rome, while a couple of Canadians are taking the court this week for match play including Felix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Annie Fernandez.
We also discuss what the French Open will look like without its greatest-ever champion, as Rafael Nadal pulled out of the event and will take some time off due to injury.
Listen to our newest episode of Match Point Canada, available on Megaphone, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify below. Enjoy!
