2026 French Open Draw Breakdown | Roddick & Wertheim Pick The Winners

Summary

Served with Andy Roddick — Episode Summary

Episode: 2026 French Open Draw Breakdown | Roddick & Wertheim Pick The Winners

Date: May 21, 2026
Host: Andy Roddick
Guests: Jon Wertheim (JW), Producer Mike, Techie Sean
Podcast Network: Served Media Network

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Overview

This episode is the much-anticipated draw breakdown for the 2026 Roland Garros (French Open), with in-depth analysis from Andy Roddick, Jon Wertheim, and the team. The crew breaks down both the men’s and women’s singles draws, makes predictions, highlights dark horses, and debates potential upsets. Entertaining banter, expert insights, and plenty of opinionated picks make for a lively conversation aimed at both die-hard tennis fans and casual listeners preparing their bracket picks.

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Format & Bracket Challenge Details

• The Served team hosts a yearlong bracket challenge for all four Slams at servedpodcast.com.
• Scoring system:
  • Round 1: 10 pts per pick (64 matches)
  • Round 2: 20 pts (32 matches)
  • Round 3: 30 pts (16 matches)
  • Round 4: 40 pts (8 matches)
  • QF: 60 pts, SF: 80 pts, Final: 100 pts
  • Bonuses for unseeded upsets and relative seed upsets (based on seed gap)
  • Picks can be edited until start of play, including to account for qualifiers.
    • "The rules are that you can change your picks until the start of play. So, yes." — Mike (05:09)

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Men’s Draw Breakdown

Top Quarter: The Sinner Section

[06:21] Andy:

• "Jannik Sinner is a big favorite..."
• Sinner is widely seen as the overwhelming men's favorite—"Is Sinner the biggest favorite since Nadal?" (06:37)
  • JW: "2009 is the only time with the odds makers we had a bigger men's favorite... and Nadal didn't win." (06:39)
• JW & Andy both have Sinner sailing into the semifinals; little faith in major early upsets despite a few French wild cards and young Spanish talents discussed.

Popcorn Early Matchups:

• Fucsovics vs Berrettini: Potential third-round, but both Andy and JW have Berrettini losing to Rinderknech. (07:59)
• "Someone step in here, shock the world. I have Sinner through to the semis." — Andy (08:17)

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Quarter 2: The Soft Middle

Potential Upsets:

• FAA (Auger-Aliassime) vs Altmeyer — JW picks Daniel Altmeyer to upset FAA in round one, highlighting FAA's recent struggles and Almeyer's clay success. (12:25)
  • "Daniel Altmeyer to beat the fourth seed in round one." — JW (12:37)
• French teenager Kwame flagged as a player to watch if not this year, then soon. (13:54)

Who Emerges?

• Chaos predicted; players like Vacherot, Kaboli, and Monfils floated as possible deep runs from "the mushy midsection" (13:35–15:13)
• Andy: "Just literally take my draw and light it on fire." (14:20)
• JW, Andy, and Mike all hedge; consensus leans toward Medvedev and Vacherot as quarterfinalists.
• "Do you have Medvedev beating Sinner in the semis, right, JW?" — Andy (16:42)
  • JW: "No, no, no, I have Sinner beating Maddy." (16:48)

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Quarter 3:

Blockbuster Picks:

• Ben Shelton vs Tsitsipas: Both have question marks; Andy leans Ben Shelton (10:25, 10:50).
  "This is an interesting opportunity..." — JW (10:50)
• Consensus: Sinner to semis is a lock, but open season for upsets in this section.

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Bottom Half: Novak, Casper Ruud, Zverev Landmine

Rublev/Echeverri Section

• Rublev expected to reach quarters by Andy. JW flags first-round upset potential (19:13).
• "Wait, I have Rublev first round upset to Ignacio Bouzay." — JW (19:16)

Casper Ruud/Novak Djokovic Section

• Debate over Ruud's schedule (playing Rome and Geneva back-to-back).
  • "I know that's weird. I mean, he likes to play the week before slam." — Andy (21:03)
• Novak's health is the X-factor—nearly everyone torn on whether to back Ruud or Novak for the semis.
  • "If Novak gets to the fourth round, I would love to be able to switch my pick..." — Andy (24:18)
• Mike: "I have Ruud in the semis."
• JW: "I've got Novak to the semis." (25:25)

Zverev/Fils/Feast Quarter

• Lively discussion of young French wildcard Fils (Feast), but consensus is Zverev to the semis.
  • "I have Zverev to the semis. Does anyone else have anyone besides Zverev to the semis?" — Andy (34:40)
• JW: "Nope." (34:43)
• Andy: Zverev–Sinner final, Sinner wins Roland Garros: "I have Sinner winning Roland Garros completing the career Grand Slam." (35:23)
• JW: Sinner’s run over the last 36 months described as "phenomenal." (36:04)

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Men’s Finals Picks Recap:

• Andy: Sinner over Zverev (Final).
  • "I have Sinner winning Roland Garros, completing the career grand Slam." (35:23)
• JW: Finalists include Novak in several scenarios.
• Mike: Takes a "long shot" on Kaboli, but ultimately agrees Sinner is the clear favorite.
• General Consensus: Sinner is the overwhelming choice to win, with much more uncertainty in the lower half and dark horses in the mix, especially with questions around Novak's fitness.

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Women’s Draw Breakdown

Top Quarter: Sabalenka Section

• "Anyone not have Sabalenka in the fourth round?" — Andy (36:37)
• Early popcorn match: Jovic vs Yala (37:05). Andy reluctantly picks Jovic to the third round.
• Osaka debated as a dark horse – possible run to R4? JW: "I have Sabalenka beating Osaka, but I'm glad you mentioned Osaka-Siegmund..." (38:56)

Predicted QF Opponent:

• Imboko, Sinyakova, and Pegula all floated.
• JW: "I think whoever wins [Mboko/Sinyakova] gets to the 4th round. So I'll say Mboko." (40:41)

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Quarter 2: Coco Gauff’s Section

• Andy: "I actually like her draw." (41:04)
• No objections — all have Coco Gauff through to the fourth round.
• Short conversation on Boisson and Alexandrova as possible spoilers, but Coco picked confidently.
• JW highlights Kaja Hirobo as a young American to watch (42:34).

Quarters/Semis:

• Coco through to the semis for most (43:12)
• Noskova/Anisimova considered dangerous floaters; Andy and JW both have Noskova in the quarters to face Coco.
  • "I have Noskova through to the quarters." — Andy (44:02)

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Bottom Half: The “Stacked” Section

• Andy: "The bottom half of the women's draw is stacked." (46:40)
  • Svitolina, Kostyuk, Iga Swiatek, Paolini, Haddad Maia, Rybakina, and Bencic all mentioned as in form.
• Svitolina picked as a strong quarterfinalist: "I have Svitolina to the quarters." — Andy (47:40)
  • JW flags Katie McNally as a surprise run (48:34)

Kostyuk & Iga Swiatek:

• Both expected to advance; Svitolina, Kostyuk, and Iga set up possible QF/SF showdowns.
• Ostapenko flagged as a dangerous floater; Andy pushes for IGA to semis. JW makes a gutsy call: "Jumping ahead, I think Svitolina beats Iga." (50:37)

Mira Andreeva & Rybakina Section:

• Both seen as favorites to advance.
• JW: "[Andreeva] plays, so take her to a seeding." (52:10)
• JW and Andy both have Rybakina over Andreeva, with Svitolina and Iga potential final opponents.

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Women’s Finals Picks Recap

• Andy: "Iga wins the tournament." (54:04)
• Mike: "I'm going to go with Coco. Defend. She looks great." (56:05)
• JW: "I'm going Sabalenka to beat Svitolina. No handshake." (56:10)
• Others: Svitolina, Iga, Coco, and Sabalenka all get support — much more split than the men's side.

Key Quotes:

• "Isn't it crazy to think that Iga's gonna win Roland Garros? What a night job." — Andy (55:46)
• "Overwhelming men's favorite. Women's draw — up for grabs. That's fun." — JW (58:11)
• "I think the women's is wide open and I'm sure there are a lot of players like Haley Baptiste going, 'Okay, well, is it time?'" — Andy (58:37)

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Notable Moments & Quotes

• Bracket System Advocacy:

  • Andy pushes for more interesting/braggable prizes, not just hats:
    "We could probably do it better..." (02:56)

• Snappy Banter:

  • "I've been a sweaty bastard for a long time." — Andy, post-tennis (05:53)
  • "Are you drunk?" — Andy (20:16), after a wild bracket pick from JW

• Classic Trivia:

  • Saffin "de-pantsing" story and Roland Garros tennis lore (08:56)

• Bracket FOMO:

  • Andy: "Miss me with that shit, I'm trying to win this bracket. You know what I'm trying to get? I'm trying to get a fucking served hat." (54:44)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:14] — Bracket challenge and scoring explained
• [06:21] — Deep dive into Sinner’s quarter
• [12:25] — FAA vs Altmeyer, Kwame, other French prospects
• [13:54] — Mid-draw chaos, Vacherot/Kaboli/Monfils talk
• [16:42] — Sinner vs Medvedev, top half recap
• [21:03] — Ruud’s schedule, Novak’s form, lower half debate
• [34:40] — Zverev’s half, Fils/Feast health speculation, everyone picks Zverev to semis
• [36:37] — Women's draw discussion begins
• [38:56] — Osaka vs Siegmund — match dynamic breakdown
• [41:04] — Coco Gauff’s section
• [44:02] — Noskova as a quarterfinal pick
• [46:40] — Bottom half deep dive: Svitolina, Kostiuk, Iga, Rybakina
• [50:37] — Svitolina/IGA picks and debate
• [54:04] — Final picks: Andy (IGA), Mike (Coco), JW (Sabalenka)

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Takeaways

Men’s Draw:
Sinner is the overwhelming favorite, with Zverev and Novak as main threats. The field is unpredictable in the middle; many names could emerge, but Sinner stands above all.

Women’s Draw:
A true toss-up. Four or five legitimate favorites (IGA, Sabalenka, Coco, Rybakina, Svitolina), with bracket choices reflecting a lack of consensus. The crew agrees—it’s wide open, and there’s real potential for surprises.

Humor & Style:
Lighthearted, conversational, and chock full of inside-tennis knowledge. Frequent good-natured ribbing keeps things lively ("You just want wristbands!" — JW).

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How to Enter the Bracket Challenge

Go to servedpodcast.com, click "Brackets," sign up, and try to beat Andy, Jon, and the crew. Picks lock at the start of play.

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Final Word

"Overwhelming men's favorite. Women's draw up for grabs. That's fun."
— Jon Wertheim ([58:11])

"Miss me with that shit, I'm trying to win this bracket."
— Andy Roddick ([54:44])

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For more picks, analysis, and daily updates, check out the Served Podcast and follow their social media channels.

Transcript

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[Mike]

Let's go.

[Andy]

Brought to you by ServiceNow producer Mike JW in the house. Techie Sean, hit them with what they need to do to come beat us in the draw show.

[Mike]

Well, go to Serve Serve podcast.

[JW]

I think it's a breathe.

[Mike]

Go to serve podcast.com click on bracket and you can sign up there. We've had some people obviously that did the Australian Open that are currently leading, but again, we're going to play the whole year as well. But each. Each draw will be its own special gift for whoever wins. And then whoever wins the whole season, we'll also get something special.

[Andy]

Can we, like, come up with something better?

[Mike]

Yeah, sure.

[JW]

We'll chip in.

[Andy]

Well, I'm not saying hats aren't tripping.

[Mike]

I'm just saying let's get a sponsor to get us a really good gift card. How about that?

[Andy]

Okay. Yeah. Okay. And, and, and we could probably do it better.

[Mike]

I think. I think. I think one of our. One. I think one of our winners last time was like, from Hong Kong.

[Andy]

Hong Kong. Yep. Yeah. Yeah.

[Mike]

So we got to find an international.

[Andy]

Okay, let's think about. I have one thing. Can you go through the point system that you've, like, done and figured out and.

[Mike]

Ah, yes. Scoring each round, he'll earn points for each correct pick. And the winner will be the player with the most points from both the men's and women's draws at the end of the tournament. Round 1, 64 matches, 10 points per pick. Round 2, 32 matches. 20 points per pick. Round 3, 16 matches. 30 points per pick. Round 4, 40 points. Quarterfinals, 60 points. Semifinals, 80 points. Finals, 100 points. Unseeded upset bonus. If you correctly pick an unseeded player to beat a seeded player, that match will be worth double the points. You asked me to read this. Seed gap bonus. If you correctly pick a player with a lower seed to beat a higher seed, that match will get the bonus of the seed difference.

[Andy]

Can you repeat that?

[Mike]

Tie break.

[Andy]

Can I add one thing so I'm looking at the draw. Can I just ask for one little caveat? Sure. Okay, so I'm guessing when most people fill their brackets out, they'll wait until the qualifiers are done. Am I allowed to go back and switch once the qualifiers are in, or do I just have to commit blindly?

[Mike]

Sean shook his head. No, this isn't me. Sean's saying no.

[Andy]

But why not? What is this? Fucking served with techie, Sean? What do we. I mean, what. I didn't think I was going to be consulted. I was just shaking my head to be. Why can't he pretty adamant.

[Mike]

It was like one of the.

[Andy]

But like your brain was shaking.

[Mike]

The brackets get locked so you can hypothetically go back and change your pick up until play starts.

[Andy]

I won't change it. I just want like the ability for. If this is the question is who the qualifier is going to determine how

[JW]

you feel about that.

[Andy]

Like, is that potentially, potentially most? Like, most likely not. I would just like it if there's someone in qualys. Who's I realize has won three challengers in a row and they're playing someone who can't play on clay and is ranked 97. I would like the guy.

[Mike]

The rules are that you can change your picks until the start of play. So. Yes.

[Andy]

Okay. So we could, we could change your picks and we can update people on the first day of quick serves. I'm just telling the only picks.

[JW]

I'll.

[Andy]

I'll really change if you just have

[Mike]

to do it in the computer.

[Andy]

The files like there's a qualifier, qualifier match up here. Right. Like, I just, I would like to. Like, who am I going to pick? Actually, this could have worked the other way. I could just pick qualifier and be right.

[Mike]

Yeah.

[JW]

No, but look at. Wait, serious like that. Pellegrino, Sloan, Stevens came within a set of the title once. There's some interesting, interesting players in the quality straw. All right, there we go.

[Andy]

Let's get going. This is going to be. We're going to go. I get a little mouthy on these sometimes and I acknowledge that you're sweating

[Mike]

because you just finished tennis.

[Andy]

Just.

[Mike]

People are watching.

[Andy]

Well, I mean, if, if anyone ever watched my career, then if you're just served people, great. Welcome. I've been a sweaty bastard for a long time. Like, this isn't. This isn't news to anyone. I finished playing 50 minutes ago and I'm still sweating.

[Mike]

But yes. Okay.

[Andy]

I have a. I have an extra shirt here that I might have to like, switch into on the break. It's the exact same anyways, so let's just start off with a bang. Jw, I'm assuming we're on the men's draw. I'm assuming you're going to take center to lose first round.

[JW]

Exactly. Clement Taboor going with the upset pick here, French wild card.

[Andy]

Are you taking Taboor to the quarters?

[JW]

Yeah. We'll see how he pulls up after. Yeah, but I'll give you a quick one. Remember you asked me a few weeks ago, is Sinner the biggest favorite since Nadal?

[Andy]

Yep, I did.

[JW]

Nadal. 2009 is the only time with the odds makers. We had a bigger men's favorite and ironically enough in 2009, Nadal did not win. Make of that what you will, but. Yeah, Jannik, let's. Let's just shorthand this. Jannik, center, is a big favorite and I don't have him losing to Clement Taboor. What about you?

[Andy]

I haven't looked at the rest of it yet and I put Jannik in the semis. I just did It. I just. I'm going to work backwards from there. I don't know. I think Landa Lutha is going to be really fun. I have him in the third round. Spanish teen did well. Quarters of Miami just played well again in Rome. I think he takes out Mutet. I think this week's Q and Andy guest. I mean, if they come on Q and Andy, we can't really choose against them before the third round, can we? Rinder Kanesh. I have potentially beating qualifier, lucky loser. I think I'll take that one either way. Ooh, Popcorn Fuchsiavich Baratini.

[JW]

Interesting.

[Andy]

Who do you like there? J.W.

[JW]

baratini has the double bagel on clay. That's about the only clay match he's. Ironically enough, no, I'll take Baratini. Two guys in the autumn of their. I'll take Baratini on that one. Baratini gets. Yeah, all right. Good. Oh, yeah, that's good.

[Andy]

I take Baratini. I have Baratini losing to Rinder Knish. I have Rinderkanish losing to Dartery, who has been playing great. Played great in Rome, is winning matches again this week. But, I mean, I don't know, like, someone step in here, shock the world. I have sent her through to the semis.

[JW]

Yeah, I'm just looking here. Lambolucci, by the way, a Nidal academy. I'm telling you, this. This has become the premier tennis factory. If. If Mutekin can de pants himself for the second week in a row. I don't know if you guys caught that video.

[Andy]

Oh, I thought you were just taking liberties. He actually did that.

[JW]

Yeah, yeah. Mid match. The mid match. Self depancing is a new one.

[Andy]

It's actually not. Do you remember? Do you. Okay, this is good trivia for you, jw. There's actually a hall of famer who de pantsed himself at the French Open in one of his first runs. I want to say late 90s. Let me know if you need another clue.

[JW]

Is he wearing a psycho bunny hat?

[Andy]

No, I did not take off my pants at Roland Garrett.

[JW]

I got nothing.

[Andy]

No, wait, who. That's a good saffin. D pantsed himself back in the day. He was a young Russian who broke out and made the quarters, and everyone was aflutter on the bottom. I guess I jumped the gun. We went to center to the semis, but I'll take Bublek. I'll actually take Francis to the fourth round. He's got quarters coming off Shapovoff Munar. Yeah, I mean, I. I think Francis. I Like that matchup against Bublek because he kind of stick saves a bunch of returns. Ben Shelton got off to a great start in his clay court season and hasn't kind. Hasn't really played. Fantastic. Okay, Greeksport Arnaldi. I'm gonna go. Arnoldi played well in a challenger and then played someone tough in Rome. Ooh, Sitzipas.

[JW]

How about that?

[Andy]

I mean what do you do with Tsitsipas right now?

[JW]

Jw, I'm an optimist by nature. This is a. I mean if sinner didn't need additional help. This is not exactly the toughest pocket.

[Andy]

You're right.

[JW]

I mean Shelton has a clay court title and I don't know if he's won a clay court match since just lost to the dangerous Daniel Altmeyer in Hamburg. We'll get to that in a second. Crazy, crazy thought. Sits a bus, sits a pass to the.

[Andy]

Oh my gosh.

[JW]

Middle weekend. Is that crazy?

[Andy]

I'm going Ben. I just think Ben gets through the first two and I think once you win two matches I think you kind of level set he's proven in longer format and then you go to matchups like if I think Ben would almost rather play sits a post than Arnoldi just based on being able to return with two hands. Man, this, this is an interesting opportunity.

[JW]

Good. It's good to see Elliot. I think it's Elliot Spaziri's first match since center. Could that be right?

[Andy]

Yeah, I don't like this entire section. Bubla coming off quarters last year. I don't know. Someone's going to make some. I mean it could be Bublik, Tiafo Shelton are in all these sits a past to make it through. I guess I'll take Ben just based on. I'm not worried about his fitness levels. Booblock Struf first round. Like Buble's not going to be able to kind of get a lot of time. Struf hasn't been playing great. I don't know Ben, that could be a homer pick but I got Ben. No one, no one's. No one's going through center here. Center's in the semi.

[JW]

It's all moot. Yeah, right. It's all kind of a moot. Yeah but man, center. If you weren't your favorite 90 minutes ago, I'm not sure this draw did a lot of. Anyway, all right, so now we're on

[Andy]

the second quadrant and we'll go back if everyone wants to see our picks we're kind of getting through. Cause we, you know if we go Every match in Dal Deep. This will be an eight hour show and you guys would tap out if you didn't already when Mike was reading the rules.

[Mike]

I mean they'll see all the picks up on the screen and then, and then also they can go to servpodcast.com

[Andy]

brackets so you can see every match if you would like to. I have, I. I have been in the quarters, which I didn't think I was going to say before the show started based on recency. I got center in the semis. Gosh, this next section too, man. FAA hasn't won many on. I think he won a match and got a retirement in Monte Carlo and then. I don't know that much has happened. You go on upset special Altmeyer, FAA first round.

[JW]

Are you Daniel Altmire on the one handed backhand beat sinner at Roland Garros a few years ago and just beat, just beat Shelton yesterday. Daniel Altmeyer to beat the fourth seed in round one.

[Andy]

All right, I have faa I mean I didn't. I don't like any of this. I mean, am I about to say I just, I was going to go Baez to the fourth round and I just, I'm just not. I mean faa, I actually like the fact that he's going to be able to serve to Almayer's backhand pretty thick. I'm going to go reverse FAA from what I did at the US Open last year where I picked him to lose first round. I'm picking two guys, Ben and faa who haven't won a match in a month to get to the fourth round. All right, I have FAA in the fourth round. I don't like it. Who do you have in the fourth round there, jw

[JW]

um,

[Andy]

jeez.

[JW]

This is what happens.

[Mike]

Can we just point?

[JW]

You know, Carlos is not in the draw and center wins everything in sight. And the soft, it gets a little mushy in the midsection very quickly. Could I possibly have Daniel Altmeyer getting to the fourth round of a major?

[Andy]

You tell me. Oh, man.

[JW]

Hey, keep an eye real quick. This Kwame, this French teenager.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[JW]

People here in Paris, they. I think Gasquet is working with him. They love him. Plays Marin Chilich. I'm not saying he's beating a guy twice his age who won a major, but just circle this name. Kwame.

[Andy]

Yeah, he's legit. He's. He'll be fun to watch in the future.

[JW]

How about, how about Valentin Vachero to the round of 16 and is. I think he actually has played this event before. But you Know a guy who didn't qualify last year? I'm picking him to get to the fourth round.

[Andy]

I am picking him to get to the quarters. I don't. I hate everything I'm doing right now. This is the worst. Just light, just literally take my draw and light it on fire.

[Mike]

No, let's have a spin of positivity. You're doing great.

[JW]

I mean, we're not forecasting, we're.

[Andy]

This bottom section, like this is ripe for someone to like make a semi out of nowhere. I mean, let's go to the bottom of this. Caboli, Kaboli could go on a run learner. Tien's got like a sneaky tough first one against Gareen.

[JW]

That's my alarm. That was the 15 minute mark. So I'm out of here. See you guys. God.

[Andy]

Just send in your. This sucks. I got it. I mean, I guess I go Kaboli to the fourth round. Oh, no.

[JW]

What do you got?

[Andy]

We all know what happens with Serendolo when I take him at Roland Garo. Okay, do you have Serendo, Gail, Monfis, second round?

[JW]

Jw, I have Monfis. Yeah, I have Monfis winning his first match. Yes.

[Mike]

Okay, the all French first rounder.

[Andy]

Do you have Monfis? Is he going to set the world on fire and beat Cerundo with a raucous crowd? Is he going to go out with a bag? JW

[JW]

Think so. Rundelo in that forehand might take it.

[Mike]

Serendo leads the head to head. Two zero, I think.

[Andy]

Okay, so, and then we have. How far do you have Medi going?

[JW]

If I said, if I said semis, would you laugh at me?

[Andy]

No, I wouldn't. I have. I'm just going to take Gail against Serindello. Just cuz that would be fun. Kaboli, Medi, I mean, I have Medi and Vachero in the quarters.

[JW]

That's what I do too.

[Andy]

Yeah, yeah, me too.

[Mike]

I did Nakashima, Kaboli.

[Andy]

You have Nakashima and Kaboli.

[Mike]

I was just picking.

[Andy]

You have Nakashima and Kaboli in the quarters.

[Mike]

Dude, it's. I'm just, just throwing it out there.

[JW]

Do we say the win, the winner

[Andy]

gets a baseball hat? No, actually I was, I was, I was the wrong way. I was the winner. I said should get more than a baseball cap. Now I feel like they should only get a wristband. Like I've gone the other way after seeing our picks.

[Mike]

A used wrist.

[Andy]

Used one at that.

[JW]

All right, all right.

[Andy]

You have, you have Medi Beating Sinner in the semis. Right, jw? Yeah. Okay, good. What do you have?

[JW]

No, no, wait, wait, wait. No, no. I have center. Center beating Matt.

[Andy]

We have it on.

[Mike]

On video.

[Andy]

Beating Maddy on video. Clip that.

[JW]

Clip that.

[Andy]

All right, I have Sinner and Medi in the. God.

[Mike]

I have Sinner. Kaboli just taking a long shot.

[Andy]

You taking Caboli all the way.

[Mike]

No, I have Sinner in the finals.

[Andy]

I would love Techie. Sean, you just.

[JW]

You.

[Andy]

You normally like to take a swing. Why don't you just listen? If Sinner doesn't make the final, you win the bracket. Do it. Great. What are you doing? Who are you doing? He looks back. Oh, man. What do you got? I don't know. I. I would love to see his ver win this. I think he could. I think. Yeah, but he's.

[Mike]

He's in the next half.

[Andy]

Oh. Out of this to the finals. Okay, let me look.

[JW]

I don't know.

[Andy]

No one does. All right, Sinner's going. We're. We tried it. We tried.

[Mike]

Maybe. Maybe Bublik. If he can get to the quarters.

[Andy]

No.

[Mike]

Shock the world.

[Andy]

No. I love Bubbleg. God, can you imagine how entertaining that press tour would be? Oh, man, that'd be fantastic. All right, let's flip to the bottom half.

[JW]

All right.

[Andy]

Next time, Demon qualifier. That is not one that I would be flipping from. Qualifier Demon blocks, second round.

[JW]

That's interesting, right? That's an interesting one.

[Andy]

It is. It is what I want to know. I mean, Blox hits it massive. And that's obviously what you have to do against Demon. Demon's winning matches this week, playing the week before Slam. He's not one that you worry about showing up and being ready. I'm not going to bet against Demon, but that's a. That's one that'll be fun to watch.

[Mike]

I mean, Blox has only lost to Zverev in the last two minutes to events.

[Andy]

Yep. Yeah. Are you going. What are you. Anyone want anyone going blocks?

[Mike]

I'm going to go blocks. Even though I love.

[JW]

I'm going blacks. Yeah. Oh, got blacks in the third round.

[Andy]

Okay. Navone Brooksby. Navoni beat FAA and Clay. I'm going to go Navoni. I hope I'm wrong. Men chic. Men chic. I have Demon in the round of 16. And I mean, you got blocks or Menchic going through guys or someone else.

[JW]

I got blocks.

[Andy]

I think I'm gonna ride it.

[Mike]

I think I'm gonna ride it. This around a six?

[JW]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Oh, okay. Echeverri Rublev, Kachmanovich Morosian. I'm going Rublev Demon in the round of 16 and I'm going to.

[JW]

Oh, man.

[Andy]

I'm going Rublev. Quarters.

[JW]

Wait, I have Rublev first round upset to Ignacio Bouzay.

[Andy]

Okay.

[JW]

Wow. Okay, so someone's getting points. Etchevery just had seven. How much do you worry about this? Seriously? Echeverry. It's going pretty well.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[JW]

Top seed. He just lost seven match points and lost to Tommy Paul.

[Mike]

He's lost twice. That's a new notice this year already.

[Andy]

Yeah, I mean, that. That has some scar tissue for sure. I don't know. He's playing pretty well. He's. He's kind of clawed himself back into the top 30 from parts unknown. All right, who do we have? Who do you. Who does everyone have to. I have Rublev through to the quarters. Before we get to the section of Casper, Root and Novak, which I think

[Mike]

I'll stick with blocks.

[Andy]

You're going blocks.

[Mike]

Quarters.

[Andy]

I don't know why.

[Mike]

I'm just.

[Andy]

You're going blocks in that block with

[Mike]

no informed decision making whatsoever.

[JW]

Hey, you and. Come on. That's you and Are you going blocks to beat Blocks to beat Ignacio Bussey.

[Andy]

Are you drunk?

[Mike]

He is six hours ahead of us.

[Andy]

Are you.

[JW]

Because I'm.

[Andy]

Are you like, before going. One thing I've learned.

[Mike]

How many Nuno Born Spritzes have you had this morning?

[Andy]

I'm a spritz guy. I'm a big spritz guy.

[Mike]

And he's a big apparel spritz guy.

[Andy]

Big spritz guy.

[JW]

That's controversial. Wait, we're about to have our first fight.

[Andy]

I'm just telling you. I've. Listen.

[JW]

All right, we'll talk.

[Andy]

There's one at Uchiha Sushi joint. Here it is. Magic at me.

[Mike]

Abroad. Abroad. Hit us up.

[JW]

All right.

[Andy]

Hit John up. He's already had four.

[JW]

Apparently when Ignacio Bouzay is the breakout star of this tournament. You'll buy me an apparatus.

[Andy]

I will. I will send you a case of whatever you would like. Yes, no problem. Casper.

[JW]

Rude Casper.

[Mike]

He's playing right now.

[Andy]

I know that's a weird. I mean, he likes to play the week before slam, but like making finals in Rome and then going to Geneva straight away. I don't know, I think I might have come up with maybe like a little. Little like groin pull or something.

[Mike]

Maybe just a pop in and pop out.

[Andy]

Just catch a bag on the way.

[Mike]

I mean, he. He actually. He actually just won 6, 4, 6, 3 over Popperin.

[Andy]

Is that good?

[Mike]

Hour and 12 minutes.

[Andy]

Does he have carpal tunnel? Does he need to pull out?

[JW]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Is that what we're. Is that we're doing okay? Anyone not have rude to the fourth round people in his section. There's a qualifier. Medjedovich Humphman. Sonico qualifier Tommy Paul. Anyone?

[Mike]

I'm gonna ride with Tommy, but I'm gonna keep Rude.

[JW]

Rude. Paul Intrigues, but I think Paul. Hey, that's Paul. That's Paul. Kansas City based comedian Paul Rude.

[Andy]

Obviously.

[Mike]

Tommy Casper leads that head to head. Three, two currently.

[Andy]

Okay, Fonseca qualifier. I have. Does anyone not have Fonseca to the third round?

[JW]

Yeah, I have. I'm worried about this risk. Yeah, you know, he pulled out this week and best of five and Dino Prismic, by the way, big, big forehand Young.

[Andy]

Yeah, I, I don't, I don't disagree with anything you're saying. I just, you know, if he's healthy talent. I don't know. I mean, who. Are you taking a third round then, jw or do you want to see the qualifiers?

[JW]

Novak Prismich. Is that right?

[Andy]

You have Novak Prismich. All right, I have Novak.

[Mike]

I mean this is that a fun first round match. Novak Paracard.

[Andy]

Py. Paracard. Yeah. I mean if you're. If Novak. This is going to be a weird thing to say. If Novak was inform and playing great, you're going. You don't want anything. That's a massive disruptor, right? If Novak is short on matches, like he's going to make returns, he's going to make enough returns and then he does. He's not going to get pushed physically. That's. This is not a match that like he's going to have to empty the tank three and a half hours and have grueling rallies. Weirdly, like if you were playing. If you're playing badly, you almost want that matchup. If you're playing really well, you don't want the threat of someone serve, right? Novak's gonna make enough stick returns. He's gonna be in his and he's gonna be able to get through service games, I think pretty comfortably against Pechy Paracard. Do you have. I have Novak in round four. Anyone disagree with me? No, I have Casper Root in the semis.

[Mike]

How about Fonseca Novak? If that happens, the crowd.

[Andy]

Yeah, it'll be intense. It's like the thing that's happening with every Novak Slam now this one especially because last year he was going into this and he was at least playing in like the semis in Geneva. Or wherever he was, which changed everything. He's played one match where he lost to a qualifier in Rome. He's won, I think, two matches since Australia. And it's that thing where it's like, I have Rude and Novak in the fourth round and I'm picking Rude because not because I think like, if Novak gets to the fourth round, I would love to be able to switch my pick. It's just if something goes sideways physically and he was pretty cagey about everything and I said I wasn't going to choose against. I hate this. I hate the Novak of things in draws now because, you know if he gets to the fourth round, he's going to make the semis. It's just shit can go sideways at some point. It has to.

[Mike]

It looks like the last time Casper and Novak met in Roland Garros was in 2024 and it was a walkover.

[Andy]

Yep.

[Mike]

By Novak.

[Andy]

Yep. That's after he, that's after he toughed out Cerundo in the, in the five setter. Okay, I have Rude in the semis. Who do you guys have in the semis? I have Rude over Rublev to make the semis.

[JW]

Well, you, you and I had the same logic and then we departed. I think if Novak gets going and playing a huge server who can't return isn't kind of people are going to say, oh, it's dangerous. This guy's going to serve. Yeah, he'll serve 20 aces. And you know what? Novak's going to win three, three and three.

[Andy]

Yep.

[JW]

Once Novak gets going, 30, 39 years old is like, grandpa, let's get you to bed age. Except for this guy. And I've got Novak to the semis.

[Andy]

Yeah, I don't hate it. I, I, I don't know. Like, I, Yes, I agree with everything you're saying. I just. Yes. And Rude made. I don't know, whatever. You could pick against me and probably win the bracket. Who do you have in the semis?

[Mike]

I'm going to go rude to the semis.

[Andy]

Rude techie. Sean, what do you got? Who do you. Hold on, I'm going to try to guess who. Chucky Sean has Techie. Sean has Rinky Hijikata in the semis. No, Unc.

[Mike]

Unc.

[Andy]

You can see. Go heels, go heels. Okay, so we got one Novak, a couple of Rudes. I don't hate the Novak. I mean, whatever. I'm gonna be so mad when it happens.

[Mike]

Probably stick with blocks.

[Andy]

It'll be the best, the best story is probably Novak getting there, playing Zverev. Challenging sinner, et cetera, et cetera. The amazing thing is that Novak has barely played tennis since Australia and he's seated three. He literally doesn't play tennis and he's seated three in a slam. It's absurd. Taylor, Fritz, Boz of a Ready, Mickelson, Duckworth, Giallo.

[JW]

Ooh.

[Mike]

So Fritz lost the popper in first round in Geneva.

[Andy]

Yeah, he, he's been dealing with the knee, didn't play any of the lead up, tried to sneak one in Geneva, lost first round. All right, I have Hodar in the fourth round.

[Mike]

Oh yeah.

[Andy]

Anyone, Anyone mad at that? Kovacevic, who Hodar plays first round. Just as an aside, Kovacevic is still in Hamburg. He's won like two or three matches and still going there. So that will be something to watch expectation for the first time for Hodar. That being said, I mean, the only thing that he didn't beat was his own body against Dartery in Rome. After playing well in Madrid, he's playing great. I'm curious to see if he has to get into a nasty five setter. We don't know how someone young reacts to that. For the first time, he struggled in three sets against Artery but had played a bunch of tennis. But I have Hodar in the fourth round. Jw.

[JW]

Yep. Wait, wait, give us.

[Mike]

Hold on, jw. Before you give us that answer, let's take a bracket.

[Andy]

Thanks for listening to served. We will be right back. Guys, it's almost here. This year's Roland Garros. Not my best service, but one of my favorite cities. Paris or Paris for you, producer Mike.

[Mike]

Oh, thanks, Andy. You know, I actually am going to Paris this summer, but not for the French Open. My boss wouldn't let me off.

[Andy]

Your boss sounds lame.

[Mike]

You're my boss.

[Andy]

You're not wrong. But what isn't lame is this. When a tournament like Roland Garros hits, thousands of fans are suddenly trying to figure out where they're staying.

[Mike]

So basically the whole city turns into a scramble for where to stay 100%.

[Andy]

And it's not just Paris, any city on the tennis calendar. Think about it. Fans are making last minute decisions right now based on where their favorite players land in the draw. And if you're like me, I usually look for a place to stay before I even book my flights. And personally, a home near the tournament beats a hotel room every time. I know because I was the guy staying in those places for 15 years.

[Mike]

15 years. How old are you?

[Andy]

So don't be the reason someone didn't book that plane ticket be the reason they do. If you're planning to be away, list your space on Airbnb. When fans are flooding into town, you're not just giving someone a place to stay, you're putting them right in the middle of the tournament experience, where your home becomes part of their memories, too. And yeah, you'll pick up some extra cash while you're at it. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host AI is only as powerful as the platform it's built on. With the ServiceNow AI platform, your AI data and workflows all work together, connecting every corner of your business. To see how you can put AI to work for people, visit servicenow.com AI agents. The road to the NBA Finals ends here. With star guard setting the tone, the Cavs eye another upset while the Knicks carry the dreams of all of New York. The eastern conference finals continue on espn and abc. All right, back to the show. Welcome back to Serve. Roland Garros Ross Special presented by serve. Before we left, I had taken Hodar to the fourth round, and I think JW was about to tell me that he had two

[JW]

I had as well. Yeah, I mean, this, it's, it's an incredible, this, this rise, but not a lot of dense. But you know, we're moving to best of five. So this will be a new phase in this kid's kids development. But yeah, I have Hodar to round four.

[Andy]

I have Davidovich, Fokina, Lahechka. I have Lahechka to round four to play Hodar. I have Hodar in the quarters.

[JW]

Jw, I think Laheska might get him. Laheska's had a weird year. Not a clay court specialist, but he's really come alive, obviously, good Miami and then come alive on clay. Hey, let me ask you real quick. Just give us your 30 second answer. You go to the site today, as I did, and it feels like a tennis tournament. And there are people wearing credentials and their qualifying matches and players and bags. It feels like a tournament started. It's bizarre to me that dozens and dozens of players are in Geneva, Switzerland and Hamburg, Germany, 72 hours before this thing's ready to start. Playing in different tournaments.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[JW]

Have we reached the point in tennis where it's kind of a little weird not to leave this week open?

[Andy]

I think it's leading question. No, I don't think so. I think. Well, I know because you're getting like, what other weeks are you going to have? 250s that have top 10 players in it, like, is Casper Root. And I'm not saying it's the best decision for the. For someone. But, like, Fritz going and trying to sneak in some matches is great. You know, Novak was there last year, right? I think Rafa played one of these things, like, a couple years ago. Like, I think it's great. I would definitely not get rid of the weeks. Now, from a player's perspective, if I had made the finals of Rome, there is exactly zero chance. And before you laugh too hard, I made the semiswise. If I had made the finals of Rome, I would be straight in Paris. Like, best case scenario is you play well and then you can skip that week and go to Paris and prepare because you have confidence. But no, I think there's actually a real value add with the tournaments the week before for players looking for matches for smaller markets that would never get Casper Rude and Taylor Fritz to get those players.

[JW]

I mean, these tournaments have good draws and I'm just like, guys, the big show starts. And like.

[Andy]

And if there are appearance fees, you get a big discount because people are looking for matches. So I think there's actually a really. A real value out there. Okay. Hodar quarters, yes or no? You have Lahechka?

[JW]

No, no, I have Lachka. I have Lahechka quarters.

[Andy]

All right. I don't hate that at all. This is a tough one. Like, I know the eyes of Paris are going to be an artifice. I think he's got a rough one here and, you know, pulled out. Is battling an injury of some sort. Hatching off Arter. Obviously, though, the Arthur Feast Stambol Rinko one's going to be on Chatrier, like, first out of the gate. Great popcorn match. Does Stan have enough to beat some guy who plays very similarly like that? First Strike tennis with a big heavy. I don't know if Stan has that now. I like Feast. Definitely. To the third round. Hatching off in the third round. Who do you like hatching off Feast, if you have those two through jw.

[JW]

I do. I mean, the scuttlebutt is Feast hasn't been practicing on site. And there's some. Still some. I mean, he. He said we're. We had precautionary tests and we're doing fine, but there hasn't been a lot of. Hasn't been particularly visual, I think. Yeah, I'll go. I'll go. Feast. I have zvere of beating fees.

[Andy]

Okay. I have Hatchinov. Only because of what you just said with Feast. I. I take. I think Feast has been phenomenal. He was one of my favorites two weeks ago before this injury. I think the injury has to be significant for him not to play in Rome after Madrid, like, with what he's. With the form he was in, there's plenty of time to play a two week master series, take a week off, get into Paris. Like, that concerns me. So if Feast is healthy the first two rounds, I would flip my pick. But not knowing what's going on, I don't want to commit to Feast too far. I have Zverev. I have Zver, and you have Lehecka. I have Hodar. I have Zverev to the semis. Does anyone else have anyone besides verb to the semis?

[JW]

No.

[Andy]

Jw.

[JW]

Nope.

[Andy]

So you have Novak against Zverev in the semis? Jw,

[JW]

I have Novak to the final.

[Mike]

I love it.

[Andy]

I have. I have Zverev in the final.

[Mike]

I have Casper. Just because I'm.

[JW]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Playing a JW and writing the story.

[Andy]

Yep. All right, so I have Zverev and center in the final based on their recent matchups. I'm going Zverev. I'm not. I'm going. I'm not. Yeah, I'm not. But play that. Play that. There's your clip. Play that. And then before I say I'm not doing that, I have Sinner winning Roland Garros completing the career grand Slam a week after he commits or wins the Golden Masters, which is apparently a thing. What?

[JW]

The Golden Masters?

[Andy]

Apparently.

[JW]

You know, Mike had a crazy stat that I feel like we glossed over, which is he's done this all. I don't even remember now, which. Which kind of deflates the point. But didn't he do this all in, like, the last 36 months? Yeah, I think you're right. I think he wins the career major. This is the last significant title, and we forget that his first one was in, like, 2023. This is a phenomenal run he is on.

[Andy]

Yep. Anyone have anyone but Sinner winning this tournament?

[Mike]

No.

[JW]

It almost feels gratuitous, doesn't it?

[Andy]

It does. And I will fill in every name later. I have to bolt after this, but I will get it up by the end of the day.

[Mike]

I think mother nature is going to be the only thing that could stop him.

[Andy]

Yeah. I don't know if Paris dials it up to 90 degrees maybe, but I don't. I don't know. I don't see that happening. All right, let's flip to the women's Sabalenka Boosa. I mean, does anyone not have Sabalenka in the fourth round? Can we just.

[JW]

That's a no. But that's a tough first rounder. Booza Spinero on clay. Kind of a scratchy player still in

[Andy]

winning matches the week before, which I value. She's Strausberg or one of the two. She's. She's still in the quarters, I think. And I have Sabalenka in the fourth round.

[JW]

Agree.

[Andy]

Next one is maybe the biggest popcorn match of the first round. On the women's side, Eva Jovic versus Yala. Do you think anyone's going to be watching that?

[Mike]

Two besties.

[JW]

Yeah, exactly.

[Andy]

I am going to take Jovic. It pains me to say that, because I just like them both so much. They've both been on the show recently. I'm going to go Emma Navarro, Jovic. I'm going Jovic, third round.

[Mike]

Ooh, we gloss over some as, too. Like, she's. She might be facing Sabalink. Around a 32.

[Andy]

Yeah, some as is awesome. And Kazakina is awesome. And I have Saba in the fourth round. This is a trick. Go ahead.

[JW]

Emma Navarro beating Jovic in Strasbourg, like, yesterday. Six one in the third. Now they meet again, potentially.

[Andy]

Yeah, that's. I mean, that's okay.

[JW]

It's nice to see Emin Navarro playing some nice ball again.

[Andy]

This one's kind of open, honestly, like, if you look at the players, like, I know Naomi is the name candy in this section. Laura Sigmund beats a lot of high seeds and slams. She's tricky. It's these sliced forehands. Is gritty. Not scared to kind of make it grow. She has a lot of feel. Like, Naomi is a fantastic ball striker when she's on her front foot. If you can play against her movement with, like, little drop shots and that. That's not a place that she likes to be. Right. She likes to kind of get in there and throw punches. If someone is dancing around and jabbing a little bit, it. It. It kind of takes away what she does really well. Vekic has made the deep run. I guess I go soccer. I guess I've. I mean, Jovic could lose first round and second round, and I have her in the fourth round.

[JW]

Same in. In her debut. I don't. She didn't. She didn't like this event.

[Andy]

I don't like that. I mean, either way, doesn't matter. I have Sabalenka going through. Who do you have Sabalenka beating in the fourth round? Jw?

[JW]

I have her beating Osaka, but I'm Glad you met Osaka. Siegmund, Naomi, Osaka non confrontational. This is not someone who's going. And Siegman is one of these players who relishes friction. That could be a really entertaining sort of agitation match. But I have. I have Sabalenka beating Osaka.

[Andy]

I'm just saying Osaka could win that match two and two and Siegman could win that in like a nasty three setter where it's like drama and she's doing something and that's good.

[JW]

She.

[Andy]

She wants to create a differentiated energy. Let's. Is that a good way to say it?

[Mike]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Um, Boko City. Akiva. I don't see anyone. Um, Boko is still playing the week before. Uh, Maddie Keys. I am. I have Maddie dinged up.

[Mike]

Huh?

[Andy]

She's dinged up. She has not gotten a lot of matches. I don't. I have Imboko in the fourth round. Even in spite of Maddie Keys placement there. I have Jess Pugula in her section through to the fourth round. Dana Schneider, Lefty McCartney, Kessler Biro. I have. Do you have Mbuko and Pegula in the fourth round?

[JW]

Jw, I worry about Sinjakova and Mboko. I don't even worry. I highlight that one because Sinakova is one of these big game. James. She plays well in these big events. I think whoever wins that match gets to the fourth round. So I'll say Mboko. But that Sinyakova match. If I were coaching Mboko as wimfacet is recently, I would work about Senyakova as a dangerous veteran. But I'll take Imboko to the fourth round.

[Andy]

Who's your quarterfinalist against Sabalenka in the fourth round? Is it Mboco or Pula Pagula? I have Mboco. I know I don't. I hate it. I hate doing this because I like people so much.

[JW]

Yeah, I know.

[Andy]

Like, it sucks. I don't like doing this. I have Sabalenka in the semis. Any difference there? Bueller. Bueller anyone?

[Mike]

Same.

[JW]

Not here. Nope.

[Andy]

Okay. Coco in the bottom half. I actually like her draw. Love Taylor Townsend. Coco is inform. Maybe Patapova. Third round. Anyone not have Coco in the fourth round?

[JW]

No.

[Andy]

Okay.

[JW]

Keep an eye. Keep an eye on Potapova. But I think I give. I give defending champions wide berth. Coco. Coco.

[Andy]

Does lightning strike twice? Kalinskaya versus Boisson.

[Mike]

How is.

[Andy]

How does Boisson follow up that fairy tale semi run last year?

[Mike]

She.

[JW]

Sadly, I don't think she does. Because the word. The word here is she is not in great physical Shape and she'll. She'll play. But it's been a rough. It's been a rough nine months or so for her physically.

[Andy]

All right, so who do you have through to the third round or fourth round there to play? Coco Kalinskaya, Alexandrova, Osorio, Putin Sava, who's always fun and is going to get in a fight with someone, most likely Kutchy Retto.

[JW]

Oh, man. I know an interesting.

[Andy]

This is like.

[JW]

I wish four people could be playing. Kova had a better draw because I. Yeah, let's just. I guess Alexandrova, but Coco probably shouldn't complain about her draw too much.

[Andy]

I don't think so.

[JW]

I'm.

[Andy]

I don't know. I could choose any one of four people to play Coco in the fourth round, but it doesn't matter. I have Coco through to the quarters. I'm going to think about.

[JW]

Wait, real quick. Akasha Hirobo. I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right, but I know multiple people from the usta, including former guests on this show who we both like a lot, speak very, very highly of her. Just circle that name. Young American prospect.

[Andy]

Okay, great. Has a first round matchup against Katie Bolter, who I think is going to be on a Q. And Andy. Is it.

[Mike]

Is it? I think we're trying to work it out with their schedule. No, no. Ahead of Wimbledon. Yeah, we're working out with her schedule right now.

[Andy]

Oh, great. I hope that she seems awesome. All right, I have Coco through to the quarters. Anyone not have Coco through to the quarters?

[Mike]

I have her through to the semis.

[Andy]

You have her in the semis. I probably do, too, but we should just probably do the. Yeah, I have Noskova. Noskava Sakuri is a interesting name. Value 1. No, Scova is just really inform. Ana Samova has not played much. Diane Perry just won. I think a challenger. I mean, Ian Lee Zhang. This is. I have no scuba. I have no scuba through to the quarters.

[Mike]

Wow.

[JW]

Look up Junction win. Who won an Olympic gold medal at this venue less than two years ago.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[JW]

That's had the injury bug since. But no. Unseated.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[JW]

Not. And Lee. King of Prussia.

[Andy]

Yep.

[JW]

Queen of Prussia. Seated American And Lee. Good for her. But I have. So who do you have?

[Andy]

I have no Scava through to the quarters to play Coco and no. Scova has beaten some big seeds. She has enough firepower to actually take big players out. I have Coco through to the semis. Sabalenko Coco. But I. I like Noskova A Lot.

[Mike]

You have no Scova beating Anisa in round of 16.

[Andy]

I do, yeah. I don't even know if I'm gonna. I actually don't know if I'm gonna put Anisimova 30 the round of 16. I don't think she's played too much on. On clay going in, but, yeah, I have. I have no Scaba in the quarters.

[Mike]

Okay.

[Andy]

Jw,

[JW]

Strangely enough, I do, too. I worry about Anisa Mova's wrist and overall health. Not. Not a lot of match play coming in. Mertens is always just really solid junction win. I mean, clearly not 100% physically, but yeah, I think after the US there are more checks in the top 50 than any other player. They just keep coming. Any other country, they just keep coming. I'll go not. Yeah, I have Coco to beat Noskova. Yeah, exactly. Same as you.

[Andy]

The bottom half of the women's draw is stacked, so there are a lot of pockets. There's going to be. There could be someone like a Boisson type that makes a run. The bottom half of the women's draw. What are you. Why you. What are you doing?

[Mike]

I was gonna say let's take a break before we get to that. We'll be right back.

[Andy]

Always with these fucking brains. Thanks for listening to Served. We will be right back. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. You know those friends who support your preference for podcasts over music on road trips. That's the energy State Farm brings to insurance. With over 19,000 local agents, they help you find the coverage that fits your needs so you can spend less time worrying about insurance and more time enjoying the ride. Download the State Farm app or go [e-mail] like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. You don't wash your jersey during a win streak. You don't switch seats when your team's

[JW]

up big, and you definitely don't shave during the playoffs. When things are working, you don't change them. That's why when you drink Jagermeister, you drink it ice cold.

[Andy]

Anything else?

[JW]

Well, that'd just be bad luck. Drink it cold or don't drink it at all. Jagermeister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly. Jagermeister Liqueur, 35% alcohol by volume, imported by Mast.

[Andy]

Jagermeister US White Plains, New York. All right, back to the show. All right. And we are back on served with ServiceNow. Hopefully Mike lets us get through.

[Mike]

We'll get through now.

[Andy]

Are we good?

[Mike]

You're not good.

[Andy]

Break us. Maybe I will. Don't do it.

[Mike]

Keep you on your toes.

[Andy]

I will fucking tackle you. Okay, the bottom half of the women's draw. There is. There, there's. There's some people who are playing like they. They have the form coming in, right. You have Svitolina leading it off. Costia, who wins in Madrid, who was brilliant on our show this week. I really enjoyed talking to her. Fiatak, who's won this a million times. Andrea, who's been in form. Paolini is always dangerous on clay. Baptiste, who just beat Sabalenka in Madrid, plays Krichikova, who's won this before. And then Rabakina down below, who's been, I think, far and away the second best player on earth this year, if not the best. So there are a lot of people in a lot of form on the bottom half of, say, Belinda Bencic of the women's draw. Bencic, too. Like there's spoiled for choice. I love the way Svitolina is playing. She is tested. I have her to the quarters.

[JW]

Svitolina.

[Andy]

I have Svitolina to the quarters.

[JW]

Further than that. How about look at some. There's some really nice matches here, too, just for Ken and Stearns. Kenny McNally's here. A lot of Cincinnati.

[Andy]

My producer, Mike Canon, former finalist at Roland Garros, I think, in. In 2020. Yeah. A lot of. A lot of form in this. In this bottom half. Do you have Svitolina to the quarters? Jw.

[JW]

I have Svitolina, Yes.

[Andy]

At least the quarters. And from over. Whoever over benchage,

[JW]

I have a surprise week two run from. Oh, no, no. Yeah, you're right. I have Kostiak. I have Kostiak.

[Andy]

Well, Kostik is the next section. So do you have. Do you have Spinolina beating bench? It's to get to the quarters.

[JW]

No, I have Katie McNally making a surprise run.

[Mike]

Oh, okay. Okay.

[JW]

Can we get some reasoning? She can play on clay. Nice. Very nice. Spring. Who did she beat in Wait, she beat someone really good and I'm blanking and I shouldn't be.

[Mike]

She beat Cine Akiva in Madrid.

[Andy]

You have McNally through the fourth round recently. All right, well, I hope you're. I hope you're correct. All right, let's get to that next section with. Anyways, we both have Svidolina through to the quarters.

[JW]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Kostiak through to the third round. I'm assuming volley nets. I don't good players, but I don't see anyone who's going to take that form out of her hand unless she just has a Hard time dealing with expectations off of the Madrid win. Maybe first time she looks at herself as a complete contender, and rightfully so at a Grand Slam. Do we have Layla Fernandez in the third round, or do we think Alicia Parks, Golubich or Advarti? I have that. Alicia.

[JW]

Layla Fernandez. Alicia Parks is a great contrast match.

[Andy]

Yep.

[JW]

Isn't it?

[Mike]

Yeah.

[Andy]

I. That could very easily be an upset. I have Layla through to the third round. I have Kostiak through to the fourth round. Jw, how do you feel about that?

[JW]

Same. Yep. Kostiak to beat Layla Fernandez.

[Andy]

All right, Face.

[JW]

All right, go. Give me your. I'm curious, what you. What do you do in that next little pocket?

[Andy]

Iga.

[Mike]

Iga. Iga. Iiga.

[Andy]

I have Iga.

[Mike]

Iga.

[Andy]

IGA. Iga. Let's get to Iga. Svitolina, in the quarters, I am guessing, do you have anyone but IGA playing Kostiek in the fourth round?

[JW]

Well, the IGA Ostapenko match bringing to bear one of the stranger head to heads in WTA.

[Andy]

I think he's gotta get Astapenko.

[JW]

IGA gets on the board against Ostapenko. IGA beats Kostcuk. But jumping ahead, I think Svitolina beats iga.

[Mike]

Wow.

[Andy]

I have IGA in the semifinals. Mike, it's a tough one.

[Mike]

You have iga. IGA right now leads their head to head. Four. Three. I don't know. I think Svitolina is playing well. Maybe it's.

[Andy]

What was it, four in the third in Rome, in the semis? It does play a little faster. Roland Garros plays a little faster. Iga's ball jumps off the clay a little bit more. Like you'd see Rafa go from Rome, which he only won 10 times or 12 times, to Roland Garrus, where he won 14. It plays a little faster. The clay is a little dustier. Right. So, like, you don't have that firm clay. I. I think movement matters a little bit more. I think IGA's better at Roland Garrus than she is at Rome. I like iga.

[Mike]

Ah, you just swayed me. He just swayed me.

[JW]

Oh, you're changing. I'm going to go based on that.

[Mike]

I mean, it all made sense and I still don't know what the hell.

[Andy]

So after. After I said that you switched to iga.

[Mike]

Yeah, I went to Ego.

[Andy]

Good. I switched to Svitolina. No, I have. I have IGA through to the semi.

[JW]

You persuaded Mike and you talked yourself out of it.

[Andy]

I have Mira and Drava to the fourth round in the Next section, Buskova down there, Haddad, Maya down there. I don't see a lot of trouble for. For Mira. Jw, how about you?

[JW]

Yeah, I mean, Muhava is always a bit hot and cold and dangerous and fun to watch, but I think Mira plays.

[Andy]

So you're taking mirror quarters then?

[JW]

Yeah, she's player. Take her to a seating.

[Andy]

Okay, I agree with you. I think I move on that bottom section. But streaky weeks, a long time to survive. But we will get to it. Paolini Yastremska, your Stremsk upset special.

[JW]

I like that one upset pick.

[Andy]

She just won a challenger. I mean, all the Ukrainian women have just been winning everything. So she won.

[Mike]

She's won her last five matches.

[Andy]

Yeah, so she's got a little bit of form coming in. And Paolini may be searching a little bit based on her own shadow, which is sizable the last two years.

[Mike]

Yeah, I think she's six and one in the head to head. Not if that is informative at all.

[Andy]

Iveliz Radhakanu, Kirstea. I know what JW's doing. You're going to take her stay to the fourth round.

[JW]

No, I'm thinking poor Kerstea finally gets this stage. I mean, she made her first Roland Garros quarter when you were playing and now here she is deep into her 30s, career high ranking 2009. 2009 quarter finalist here. She finally cracks the top 20. She's the 18th seed and she's in Rybakina's little pocket here. I think Kirstea will win a few matches, but I don't.

[Andy]

Yeah, I mean, but you're taking her to the fourth round.

[JW]

Oh, yeah, yeah. She'll get to the third. Yeah, third, fourth round.

[Andy]

Okay, I have fourth round. Christea. I have Rybakina.

[JW]

Yeah.

[Andy]

I have Mira. Okay, Mira Rybakina. Who's doing it? JW wants to fire here so bad.

[JW]

No, I can't. I gotta go. Rebakana.

[Andy]

I have Rabbakina. You have Rybakina. Svitolina in the semis. Jw, you going Svitolina to the final. I know you are.

[JW]

You know I am.

[Andy]

I'm doing. I'm going IGA Witek to the final. You ready?

[JW]

All right.

[Andy]

IGA wins the tournament.

[JW]

Wow, Really?

[Mike]

I like it.

[Andy]

Iga's my champion.

[Mike]

All right, so she's going to face off against Sabalenka in the final.

[Andy]

It's going to be really hard to

[Mike]

head on the head to head.

[Andy]

I haven't chosen Sabalenka and Coco yet. I don't think any of us have. Who do we have? Sabalenka. Coco in the final.

[JW]

I think Sabalenka. But it's so funny. You're picking the like four time champion.

[Andy]

I'm just saying I'm trying to win this thing. Everyone's going to choose Sabalenka. Everyone's going. I'm going. If I can get iga. And I'm guessing people filling out the draws are going to make her like the fourth or fifth favorite.

[Mike]

It.

[Andy]

I'm in. I want to win this thing. I don't care about finishing middle of the pack. Miss me with that shit? I'm trying to win this bracket. Give me. You know what I'm trying to get. I'm trying to get a. I'm trying to get a fucking served hat. All right?

[JW]

This is you. You just want the risk. You just want the. The game warden wristband. It's so funny though. I mean, she. She's not won a title since Wimbledon, right? Yeah, I don't think. I know, I know. She hasn't won a title this year. I don't think she's won a title since Wimbledon. And no, it's a. It's a balls.

[Andy]

She won Cincinnati after Wimbledon, I think. But anyways, good. Pretty sure she won. It's.

[JW]

Point being it's. It's a ballsy pick. And yet you're picking the four time champion. Yeah, I mean, it's. No, I mean it's who just made

[Andy]

the semis in Rome.

[JW]

Yeah, exactly. I mean, it's not. It's not crazy Time. I. All right, that's good. Take it.

[Mike]

She did run with Cincinnati.

[Andy]

I'm taking Coco in the final just because that imbuko Sabalenka match stresses me out a little bit. I got Coco. Iga. I got ego winning Roland Garros. Crazy. I know. Isn't it crazy to think that ego's gonna win Roland Garros? What a night job.

[JW]

Four time champion's gonna win a fifth. No way.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Just to correct the record if you want John, she won Cincinnati and Korea Open.

[JW]

First title of the year.

[Andy]

I don't even know if she's been in a final this year. To John's point.

[Mike]

I don't believe so.

[Andy]

Yeah. Okay, so who's. Who, who's our winners on the women's side? I have. I have iga, which apparently is nuts.

[Mike]

I'm going to go with Coco. Defend. She looks great.

[Andy]

Mike's got Coco.

[JW]

Kw, you're going to win Sab. No. It's the last few weeks have given me pause, but I'm going. No, I'm going. I'm going. Sabalanka to beat Svitolina. No handshake.

[Andy]

Oh, Sabalenka to beat Svidla. I mean, we are all over the place on the women's side. Like, we don't even have fun, though. Yeah, that was great.

[Mike]

You know, you skipped over, which I thought was a good first round match was Haley Baptiste and Kurchikova.

[Andy]

No. Yeah, Yeah. I mean, that's, that's fantastic. Former Roland Garris winner vs. Baptiste, who beat Sabalenka in Madrid and made semis. I like Baptiste in that one. Just because I, I think is. Unfortunately what's been all too frequent is just not knowing what type of physical condition health that Krishikova is in just because she's just battled a ton of injuries in the last couple years, you know, so we know what she is when she's healthy, firing, prepared and has matches. She has just not been any of those things consistently enough. But yeah, that'll be, that'll be a great popcorn match. But crazy time, crazy town. IGA to win. You got a Coco, we got a. Whatever John said we need to get, we need to.

[Mike]

Kim and Blair's picks in. Hopefully they'll do those. And you can get your picks in by going to servepodcast.com click on brackets and don't.

[Andy]

Hey, listen, just for the listeners, don't choose iga.

[Mike]

He's trying to stack the deck here.

[Andy]

Taking a shot.

[Mike]

He spent all this time convincing me of iga. Now he's trying to unconvince everyone.

[Andy]

No, I'm not. I'm just saying stick to, you know, she's been in. She's, you know, been up and down. You don't want to take a lack of consistency to win. You want to make it so that I'm only one of four people who are taking her in the bracket challenge so I can win the. I'm trying to win this thing.

[JW]

Where did that competitive juice go once you stopped playing tennis? It's so strange. It's like it turned off.

[Andy]

I don't think I've ever won one of these. I want to win one.

[JW]

You just want wristbands.

[Mike]

You just want.

[JW]

Honestly, though, just, just like take a step. So the men's draw, Overwhelming champion, you know, overwhelming favorite.

[Andy]

Yep.

[JW]

Women's draw up for goods. I'm in. That's fun.

[Andy]

We have a bunch of different winners even just at the show. On the women's side I don't know that it's. I think you have like four or five co favorites. Yeah, right. You know, and that's maybe even before you get to like, Mira or Jess or whoever else. So I think the women's is. Is. Is wide open and I'm sure there are a lot of players like, like a Haley Baptiste is going. Okay, well, is it time? The top half of the women's draw, I think is open. Like, we could see something crazy happen. I love Imboko. I'm like. I just. I like there are a lot of really good women.

[Mike]

Women's players around the 16 is going to be very exciting.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[Mike]

I mean, it can go a lot of different directions.

[Andy]

Yeah. But to John's point, I think if Sinner is one of the biggest favorites ever, it's the opposite on the women's side, you know, with. With, you know, Sabalenka, like, weirdly not playing perfectly every week coming in. I don't know. It'll be. It'll be. It'll be fun to watch. But listen, tell them where to go again to enter these bracket challenges.

[Mike]

Podcast.com click on bracket. Throw your email in there. Sign up. You'll get a newsletter every day updating us on how wonderful Andy's picks are.

[Andy]

Doing just what everyone wants. More emails. Great.

[JW]

No.

[Mike]

Why would you.

[Andy]

What?

[Mike]

You're supposed to want people to get these things.

[JW]

Exactly. Sell the soap.

[Andy]

I want. No, just. You don't speak for me. Just.

[Mike]

He doesn't know how to open his computer, guys. Don't listen to him.

[Andy]

That is true. I don't, actually.

[Mike]

You said address is from 1997.

[Andy]

Also true. I have the same email address from high school. And like you said, he doesn't open his computer.

[JW]

Yeah.

[Andy]

I'll do you one better. Yeah, I don't have a computer. Thanks for watching.

[Mike]

Serve.

[Andy]

Presented by ServiceNow. We'll see ya. AI is only as powerful as the platform it's built on. With the ServiceNow AI platform, your AI data and workflows all work together, connecting every corner of your business. To see how you can put AI to work for people, visit servicenow.com AI agents.