The remaining spots in week two of the French Open might be handed out on Saturday, when Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz are amongst these taking the court docket. Djokovic is going through Lorenzo Musetti, whereas Fritz goes up in opposition to Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Listed here are my previews and picks for these two matchups.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (30) Lorenzo MusettiDjokovic was a query mark heading into Roland Garros due to a lackluster degree of play, however by way of two rounds it has been easy crusing for him. The world No. 1 started his fortnight by beating Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4 after which eased previous Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. It’ll seemingly get lots harder within the third spherical in opposition to Musetti, who trails the head-to-head sequence 4-1–together with 2-1 on clay. They simply squared off in Monte-Carlo, the place Djokovic acquired the job accomplished 7-5, 6-3. Their earlier matchup in Paris noticed the Serb recuperate from a two-set deficit earlier than getting a retirement from Musetti at 4-0 within the fifth. The Italian’s lone success in opposition to Djokovic got here through a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 determination final spring in Monte-Carlo.
Like Djokovic, Musetti has not misplaced a single set to this point on the French. The world No. 30 dismissed Daniel Elahi Galan 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 after which broke French followers’ hearts with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Gael Monfils. As poor as Djokovic had beforehand performed this season, he all the time appears to boost his degree at Grand Slams–to this point that’s precisely what has occurred this fortnight. Evidently, that’s unhealthy information for Musetti.
Choose: Djokovic in 4
(12) Taylor Fritz vs. Thanasi KokkinakisThis would be the first encounter between Fritz and Kokkinakis in virtually six full years, with the head-to-head sequence all tied up at one win apiece. Each conferences have come on the arduous courts of Los Cabos; Kokkinakis prevailed 7-6(5), 6-2 in 2017 earlier than Fritz scored a 7-6(6), 7-6(5) victory in 2018. Kokkinakis typically has a aptitude for the dramatic on court docket and this occasion has been no exception. The A hundredth-rankedAustralian went the gap in every of his first two rounds; 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 over fellow Aussie Alexei Popyrin and 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2 over Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri.
The story has been a lot completely different for Fritz, who wanted 4 largely routine units to get previous each Federico Coria and Dusan Lajovic. The Twelfth-ranked American has been crimson scorching on clay this yr, highlighted by a runner-up efficiency in Munich, a semifinal displaying in Madrid, and a quarterfinal effort in Rome. Rely on Fritz proceed his profitable methods on the expense of a fatigued opponent.
Choose: Fritz in 3
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
