The top half of the French Open draw has completely blown up, leaving Felix Auger-Aliassime as the highest-ranked man remaining. Auger-Aliassime, Flavio Cobolli, and Frances Tiafoe are the only seeds still left on that side — a side once occupied by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Alejandro Tabilo, Zachary Svajda, Matteo Arnaldi, Matteo Berrettini, and Juan Manuel Cerundolo are the unseeded challengers.
Four of the eight players listed above will secure spots in the quarterfinals. Here are my picks for two of Monday’s best matchups.
(4) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Alejandro Tabilo
It might as well be an all-Canadian affair Auger-Aliassime and Tabilo go head-to-head. Tabilo plays for Chile but was born in Canada and grew up there exclusively before moving to Chile shortly after going pro. The lefty is through to round four of a major for the first time in his career thanks to defeats of Kamil Majchrzak and Moise Kouame in addition to a walkover from Valentin Vacherot.
In an incredibly upset-filled FO draw, FAA is one of the most realistic title contenders remaining. The fourth seed is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist (both at the U.S. Open) and has reached the quarters at two other majors. He is one win away from his first QF spot at RG after scraping past Daniel Altmaier in a fifth-set tiebreaker, Roman Andres Burruchaga in a routine four-setter, and Brandon Nakashima in a competitive four-setter. Auger-Aliassime has the edge in form and experience, while the surface is a non-factor since both guys are all-court players. FAA has to be the choice.
Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 4
(10) Flavio Cobolli vs. Zachary Svajda
Among a whole host of incredible storylines at the 2026 French Open is that of Svajda, a 23-year-old American who is ranked 85th. Prior to this event, Svajda was 3-7 on the main tour in 2026 and 11-26 in his career. He had won just two major matches lifetime — none outside the U.S. Open. From simply out of nowhere, Svajda suddenly finds himself in round four following wins over Alexei Popyrin, Adam Walton, and Francisco Cerundolo. Svajda’s dad passed away from cancer in 2025, and the biggest moment of his professional life — a five-set upset of Cerundolo — came on his day’s birthday.
Next up is Cobolli, who won their only previous meeting 6-4, 6-7(1), 6-2 two years ago in Delray Beach. The start of Cobolli’s 2026 season was woeful but to say he has caught fire would be a gross understatement. The world No. 14 reached the Delray Beach semis, won an ATP 500 title in Acapulco, finished runner-up in Munich, and made a run to the QFs of the Madrid Masters. So far this fortnight he has steamrolled in straight sets at the expense of Andrea Pellegrino, Yibing Wu, and Learner Tien. Count on Cobolli remaining on a roll, but take nothing away from Svajda’s French Open.
Pick: Cobolli in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on Twitter at @Dimonator.