2022 French Open Men’s Singles Semifinals: Nadal, Ruud to set up Sunday showdown

After nearly two weeks of exciting action in Paris, the 2022 French Open is winding down at Roland Garros. The women’s singles final pairing was determined today, while the men’s singles final pairing will be decided tomorrow with what should be two exciting matches.

Nadal-Zverev Winner to Meet Ruud-Cilic Winner in Sunday’s Men’s Singles Final

Today, the women’s singles semifinals took place. In the first match, favorite and world number one Iga Swiatek extending her win streak to 34 matches with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win over Daria Kasatkina, while rising American star Coco Gauff booked her first Grand Slam singles final with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Martina Trevisan.

Tomorrow, the men’s singles semifinals will take place, with #5 seed/tournament favorite/King of Clay/Mayor of Paris Rafael Nadal taking on #3 seed Alexander Zverev in the first semi and #8 seed Casper Ruud facing off with #20 seed Marin Cilic in the other semi.

Many were hoping to see Nadal meet Carlos Alcaraz in an all-Spanish semi, but Zverev threw a wrench into those hopes by downing the 19-year-old in four thrilling sets on Tuesday.

That match served as a nice precursor to the 59th competitive match between Nadal and Novak Djokovic, which ended after four hours and four sets and with Nadal celebrating his eighth French Open win over Djokovic in ten meetings.

What do Friday’s semifinal matches have in store?

2022 French Open Men’s Singles Draw/Schedule – Semifinals

Viewers in the United States can watch both matches in full on Tennis Channel, while NBC & Peacock will also carry the action from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.

Paris time is Eastern Time + 6 hours. So, 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time is 2:45 p.m. local time, for example.

Friday, June 3

#5 Rafael Nadal vs. #3 Alexander Zverev, 8:45 a.m. Eastern Time (2:45 p.m. local time)

#8 Casper Ruud vs. #20 Marin Cilic, 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time (5:30 p.m. local time)

2022 French Open Men’s Singles Semifinals Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Nadal vs. Zverev Odds

Moneyline

• Rafael Nadal -350
• Alexander Zverev +275

Game Spread

• Rafael Nadal -5.5 (-118)
• Alexander Zverev +5.5 (-112)

Total Match Games Over/Under

• OVER 36.5 Games (-130)
• UNDER 36.5 Games (-120)

Ruud vs. Cilic Odds

Moneyline

• Casper Ruud -245
• Marin Cilic +198

Game Spread

• Casper Ruud -4.5 (-110)
• Marin Cilic +4.5 (-120)

Total Match Games Over/Under

• OVER 38.5 Games (-125)
• UNDER 38.5 Games (-130)

2022 French Open Men’s Semifinal Predictions and Picks

Nadal vs. Zverev

Since making headlines for all of the wrong reasons at the event in Acapulco, Mexico in February, Zverev has seemingly made a concerted effort to make headlines for better reasons.

He has yet to win a tournament, but after getting bounced by Tommy Paul in his first match at Indian Wells, Zverev reached at least the quarters at the following four Masters 1000 events: the quarters in Miami, the semis at the Monte-Carlo Masters, the final in Madrid, and the semis in Rome.

After coming into the tournament in solid form, he is now making his second straight semifinal appearance at Roland Garros and his fifth Grand Slam singles semifinal appearance overall.

But can he finally get over the hump? He showed some mettle by rallying from two sets down against Sebastian Baez in the second round, and he made a serious statement in the quarters against Alcaraz, who beat him 6-3, 6-1 in the Madrid Open final and was a firm favorite entering the match.

Zverev has embraced not getting a lot of love, but a French Open semifinal at Roland Garros against the guy who more or less owns the place at this point is a different challenge entirely.

There is reason to wonder if Nadal’s body will continue to hold up. He needed four hours, 23 minutes to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime in five sets in the fourth round and four hours, 12 minutes to defeat Djokovic in the quarters.

But he will have had two days off to rest up and get ready for this match, and he held up just fine in his latest taxing encounter with Djokovic.

I do think Zverev can push Nadal to the point of taking a set or even taking him to five sets, but his wait for a second career Grand Slam singles semifinal will continue for at least a handful of weeks.

Nadal vs. Zverev Prediction and Picks

Nadal vs. Zverev Prediction – Nadal to win in four sets

Nadal vs. Zverev Betting Tip – Nadal -5.5 games (-106 at BetUS) & Nadal to win and both players to win a set (+135 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Ruud vs. Cilic

Entering the French Open, Cilic was not in superb form, having won only four of eight matches in four clay tournaments on the spring clay swing. His best result in those four tournaments was a trip to the round of 16 at the Italian Open, his last pre-French Open preparation.

So, of course he would make the semifinals at Roland Garros after never previously advancing past the quarters there and after not making the semifinals of any Grand Slam since reaching the final of the 2018 Australian Open.

Of course.

So, there is really only one logical way to go here, and that’s to back his astounding run to continue to the final.

Ruud vs. Cilic Prediction and Picks

Ruud vs. Cilic Prediction – Cilic to win in five sets

Ruud vs. Cilic Betting Tips – Cilic ML (+198 at BetOnline), Cilic +1.5 sets (+102 at BetUS) & Cilic +4.5 games (-118 at BetUS)