With a number of star names in action on day five at the French Open, there should be plenty of entertaining tennis for the crowds. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Daniil Medvedev vs Miomir Kecmanovic, Novak Djokovic vs Roberto Carballes Baena, and Casper Ruud vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. But who will live to fight another day at Roland Garros?
French Open Day 5 Predictions
Gael Monfils vs Lorenzo Musetti
Damian: Monfils might have had a dreadful clay season, but he finally played something in front of the home crowd in Paris. Its magic can be a powerful weapon and Musetti will need to be cautious, especially with his own dirt swing being so up and down. But the Italian usually delivers here too and is the better player at the moment.
Prediction: Musetti in 4
Ateet: Monfils played a solid match in front of his home crowd to put a stop to his three-match losing streak. He faces the talented Musetti, who also won his first-round match comfortably. This will be a big test for both players but one thing is for sure there will be lots of entertaining points. Monfils is short of match practice and if it goes to 5 sets, Musetti will have an advantage.
Prediction: Musetti in 5
Tope: Both players have the weapons to outdo one another as they showed in their first-round victories. However, in this swinger, I’ll back Gael Monfils, who seems to elevate his game in front of the Paris crowd.
Prediction: Monfils in 5
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Alexander Zverev vs David Goffin
Damian: Goffin took out Lyon champion Mpetshi Perricard in round one and seemingly took out a lot of excitement out of this match too. The former Top 10 player has been a shadow of his prime self for a couple of years now and it’s just tough to see how he beats Zverev at the moment. It’s also simply not a good matchup, never has been.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Ateet: Zverev played a brilliant match from start to finish to defeat Rafael Nadal. He is hitting his forehand as well as ever and his backhand is always great. It’s hard to see him losing to anyone right now, at least until the later stages. Goffin had to fight off the in-form French player and the rowdy crowd to get his win in the first round. Goffin has caused Zverev problems in the past but he is not at that level anymore.
Prediction: Zverev in 3
Tope: Goffin ignored the hostile Parisian crowd to defeat last week’s ATP Lyon champion Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a brutal five sets. The victory will provide a highlight for the Belgian’s lack-lustre season as he prepares to be sent packing by one of the favourites for the title.
Prediction: Zverez in 3
Alex de Minaur vs Jaume Munar
Damian: de Minaur lost just three games against Michelsen in the opening round, which was probably more of a reflection of the young American looking completely lost on clay. His edge against Munar on this surface seems completely marginal and with de Minaur’s attacking arsenal being a bit neutralized on clay, you just know this will be a very physical affair as well.
Prediction: de Minaur in 5
Ateet: de Minaur was flawless in his first-round match. One of those days where everything he tried was coming off. It’s so hard to trouble him on these slow courts without a consistent weapon. Clay is by far the best surface of Jaume Munar but this year he has been shaky. He doesn’t come into this match with huge confidence behind him and De Minaur will take advantage of it.
Prediction: de Minaur in 3
Tope: The only reason the Australian isn’t the overwhelming favourite to win this encounter is because it’s on clay. It is Jaime Munar’s preferred and 16 of the 18 wins he has picked up this season have been on clay. However, he is 0-3 in second-round matches at this event and 0-8 in the second round at Grand Slams. But it is time for him to break that jinx and go ahead in their traded head-to-head.
Prediction: Munar in 5
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Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Giulio Zeppieri
Damian: Zeppieri took the dream draw of facing Mannarino on clay in the opening round and has a winnable second-round opportunity. But is he the favourite to take it? Don’t forget about the Kokkinakis forehand absolutely loving higher-bouncing courts. Slams have been the saving grace of Zeppieri’s season though and this just projects to be extremely tight.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Ateet: Kokkinakis has been grinding in the qualifiers and challengers so far in this clay season when it’s not his best surface so seeing him win a tough five-setter against his compatriot was nice. Giulio Zeppieri came through his first-round match relatively easily but has a tougher test now. This is a match where neither player has a clear advantage and whoever plays their best will win.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 5
Tope: Fitness issues have always been the Australian’s undoing, Kokkinakis but he showed remarkable resilience to overcome his compatriot, Alexei Popyrin in a gruelling five-set opener. To advance further, however, he must get past the experienced clay courter Giulio Zeppieri who has four wins on the bounce. If Kokkinakis stays fit, he has the weapons to win this battle
Prediction: Kokkinaki in 5
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports