The final round of round-robin play begins on Friday in Fort Worth. Maria Sakkari is 2-0 and has already qualified for the semifinals. But Ons Jabeur (1-1), Aryna Sabalenka (1-1), and Jessica Pegula (0-2) can all still claim the second semifinal spot in this group. Here are Friday’s advancement scenarios, as per the WTA:
In Paris, it’s quarterfinal day featuring top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, and a match between two of the ATP’s hottest players: Felix Auger-Aliassime and Frances Tiafoe.
Each day, this preview will analyze the most intriguing matchup from both the WTA Finals and the ATP Paris Masters, while highlighting the other matches on the schedules. Friday’s play in Paris begins at 2:00pm local time, while play in Fort Worth begins at 3:00pm local time.
Frances Tiafoe (16) vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime (8) – 2:00pm on Court Central in Paris
These were two of the big reasons why Team World finally earned their first victory over Team Europe at September’s Laver Cup. Auger-Aliassime defeated Novak Djokovic, and Tiafoe defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas. Both also earned important points for their team in doubles. And both have been exceling outside of Laver Cup as well. Felix is on a 15-match win streak, having won back-to-back-to-back titles the last three weeks. Frances reached his first Major semifinal at the US Open, where he upset Rafael Nadal and nearly took out eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. He followed that up with a run to the final in Tokyo. FAA leads their head-to-head 2-0, with a four-set victory in the fourth round of last year’s US Open, and a straight-set win earlier this year on clay in Barcelona. And based on his current streak on indoor hard courts, it’s hard not to pick Auger-Aliassime to prevail again on Friday.
Ons Jabeur (2) vs. Maria Sakkari (5) – Not Before 7:00pm in Fort Worth
Regardless of the result of the Pegula/Sabalenka match earlier in the day, Jabeur will have a chance to qualify for the semifinals if she can defeat Sakkari, though she may need to win in straight sets if Sabalenka does the same. Jabeur lost a tight three-setter to Sabalenka on Monday, but came back from a set down against Pegula on Wednesday. Sakkari defeated both Sabalenka and Pegula in straight sets. At tour level, Jabeur and Sakkari have split two previous meetings. Maria was victorious two years ago in Ostrava on a hard court, while Ons prevailed earlier this season in Rome on clay. Both matches went the distance. On Friday, another extended contest would not be surprising. But having won six of her last seven matches, dating back to her run to the final in Guadalajara, Sakkari is the favorite to remain undefeated.
Other Notable Matches on Friday:
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Hulger Rune – It’s the top seed at the 2021 ATP Next Gen Finals against the projected top seed at the upcoming 2022 event. Alcaraz has not dropped a set in two matches this week. Rune has claimed 16 of his last 18 matches, and earned impressive victories this week over Stan Wawrinka, Hubert Hurkacz, and Andrey Rublev.
Novak Djokovic (6) vs. Lorenzo Musetti – Djokovic is on a 12-match win streak in Bercy, dating back to 2019. Musetti won a hard court event last month in Naples, and already upset Marin Cilic and Casper Ruud this week. Lorenzo had a two-set lead over Novak at last year’s Roland Garros before succumbing to the eventual champion. He also lost to Djokovic in straight sets this year in Dubai.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) vs. Tommy Paul – Tsitsipas was only 2-4 lifetime at this event prior to this week, but is yet to lose a set. Tommy Paul has defeated three consecutive Spaniards this week: Roberto Bautista Agut, Rafael Nadal, and Pablo Carreno Busta. Stefanos is 2-0 against Tommy.
Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (7) – Sabalenka has a strong chance of advancing with a win, but Pegula will need some considerable help even with a victory. Aryna is 3-1 against Jessica, having claimed their last three encounters, though those were all on clay. Pegula took their only hard court matchup back in 2020.
Friday’s full Order of Play at the WTA Finals is here, and the Paris Masters schedule is here.
