Preview: French Open: Jannik Sinner vs. Andrey Rublev - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

Into another fourth round at a Grand Slam, Jannik Sinner aims to extend his 17-match winning streak at major events when he faces Andrey Rublev in Monday's French Open contest.

The Italian No. 1 secured a comprehensive victory over Jiri Lehecka on Saturday to progress in Paris, setting up a 10th ATP Tour matchup with Rublev, who advanced without playing after Arthur Fils withdrew due to injury.

Match preview

© Imago

Lehecka was tipped to take a set off Sinner on Saturday, but the top seed had other ideas, claiming a 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 victory in one hour and 34 minutes.

The No. 1 player on the men's tour won 83% of first-serve points and 85% on seconds in a resounding performance, giving up one break point that was not converted by his Czech opponent while converting seven of the 18 on the world No. 34's deliveries.

By defeating the former No. 22 player in the world, Sinner has now improved to 17-0 at Grand Slams since suffering a quarter-final loss to Daniil Medvedev at last year's Wimbledon, thereby becoming the fourth player in the current millennium to win 17 matches or more at the majors, joining Novak Djokovic (30), Roger Federer (27) and Rafael Nadal (25).

Aiming to secure an 18th victory, the 23-year-old, who has reached the last 16 in eight consecutive major events, seeks a positive outcome against Rublev for a third quarter-final appearance in Paris following those in 2020 and 2024.

Fresh off recording his 71st Grand Slam success, the French Open contender is the favourite in Monday's clash to notch a 72nd victory at this level.

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It will be intriguing to see if Rublev can snap the Italian's winning run at the leading tournaments, refreshed after having Saturday off.

Fans were denied what would have been an exciting third-round contest with Frenchman Fils after the home player, who struggled with a back injury against Jaume Munar, withdrew on the eve of Saturday's meeting with the world No. 15.

Fils's misfortune is the 17-time ATP champion's gain, as the 27-year-old thereby moved into the fourth round for the first time since 2022 after suffering third-round exits in 2023 and 2024.

Aiming for a stunning victory over Sinner to reach a third quarter-final in the French capital, the 17th seed, who was one of two players to defeat the top player on the men's tour on a hard court in 2024, hopes to end the Italian's dominance at the majors.

After reaching the Hamburg final before Roland Garros commenced, the former world No. 5 carries momentum into Monday's fourth round, seeking a ninth clay victory in 2025 to upset the top seed.

Tournament so far

Jannik Sinner:

First round: vs. Arthur Rinderknech 6-4 6-3 7-5
Second round: vs. Richard Gasquet 6-3 6-0 6-4
Third round: vs. Jiri Lehecka 6-0 6-1 6-2

Andrey Rublev:

First round: vs. Lloyd Harris 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1
Second round: vs. Adam Walton 7-6[1] 6-1 7-6[5]
Third round: vs. Arthur Fils walkover

Head To Head

Cincinnati Masters (2024) - Quarter-final: Sinner 4-6 7-5 6-4

Canada Masters (2024) - Quarter-final: Rublev 6-3 1-6 6-2

Australian Open (2024) - Quarter-final: Sinner 6-4 7-6(5) 6-3

Vienna (2023) - Semi-final: Sinner 7-5 7-6(5)

Miami Masters (2023) - Round of 16: Sinner 6-2 6-4

Fourth round (2022) - Fourth round: Rublev 1-6 6-4 2-0 ret

Monte Carlo Masters (2022) - Round of 16: Sinner 5-7 6-1 6-3

Barcelona (2021) - Quarter-final: Sinner 6-2 7-6(6)

Vienna (2021) - Round of 16: Rublev 2-1 ret

Sinner leads his head-to-head with Rublev 6-3 heading into their 10th meeting on the men's tour.

Although both players split their first four encounters, the Italian has since claimed four of the last five tussles to establish a significant advantage.

Notably, Rublev was one of two players to defeat Sinner on a hard court in 2024 (Carlos Alcaraz managed it twice), winning against the world No. 1 in Canada in three sets, although the top seed appeared to be struggling with a hip issue.

This theme has characterised the Russian player's victories over Sinner, as highlighted by the Italian retiring in Vienna five years ago and at this stage in Paris in 2022.

The No. 1 player in the world holds a 2-1 record against Rublev on clay, although their last match took place at Roland Garros three years ago.

© PA Photos

We say: Sinner to win in three sets

Sinner's victory over Lehecka raised alarm bells through the draw, considering Lehecka's strength on serve in the first two rounds.

Although many will back Rublev to possibly claim a set, the Italian's high-level play in Paris leads us to predict that the top seed will get the job done in straight sets and advance to the last eight.

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