There should be no shortage of entertainment on the fifth day at the French Open with a number of star names set to take to the court. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Daniil Medvedev vs Miomir Kecmanovic, Gael Monfils vs Lorenzo Musetti, and Novak Djokovic vs Roberto Carballes Baena. But who will advance?
French Open Day 5 Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Damian: The thing with Ruud is that he’s got a rather tricky draw but because of his clay season (or even the whole campaign overall), you still expect him to make it. Davidovich Fokina already owns a win against him at the French though in that crazy encounter when he won 15 fewer points but still prevailed. It will be tougher this time around.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Ateet: Casper Ruud has one of the toughest draws for a top player at this year’s French Open. He is in solid form and displayed that in the first round. He was efficient on serve and has to be in top form to progress through the draw. Davidovich Fokina has won just two matches this clay season but he can produce a great level when he is confident. He beat Ruud here in 2021 which will give him a lot of confidence going into this match. Can he cause an upset again?
Prediction: Ruud in 4
Tope: Ruud is in supreme form and looks in top condition to make it to the final for the third year running. However, he has to get past his Spanish opponent who they’ve traded their head-to-head and who beat him here three years ago. It’s time for Ruud’s revenge.
Prediction: Ruud in 4
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Holger Rune vs Flavio Cobolli
Damian: Cobolli defeated dark horse contender Medjedovic in round one and he should be just as dangerous for Rune here as the Serbian would have been. The 13th seed at the French Open is just a big question mark right now with his performances this year often breaking down completely within minutes. But the talent is there, so he remains a very slight favorite.
Prediction: Rune in 5
Ateet: Rune played one of his best matches from start to finish in a while. He was locked in and avoided any mental collapses. Flavio Cobolli is one of the many talented Italians on tour right now. He took a set from Casper Ruud last week and is progressing quite quickly. If Rune doesn’t play at a high level and loses concentration, Cobolli will make him pay. This should be fun.
Prediction: Rune in 4
Tope: Cobolli is having the best season of his career and he will be confident he can get a result against an unstable Rune who hasn’t won consecutive matches in three attempts. Cobolli will nick a set and will believe this is for the taking.
Prediction: Cobolli in 5
Tommy Paul vs Fabio Fognini
Damian: Fognini almost played a perfect match against van de Zandschulp before the third set hiccups, but the quality of the competition goes up so much here. It’s also pretty unclear if he has what it takes physically at this stage of his career to beat someone as deadly solid as Paul. Likely not, but it will be fun to see him try.
Prediction: Paul in 4
Ateet: Paul is playing great tennis this year and he has improved on clay. To beat him it would take a very high level of performance from his opponent. Fabio Fognini doesn’t have the consistency these days to cause any real trouble to the American player.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Tope: There were no signs of what was to happen before Fognini took favourite Botic van de Zandschlup to the cleaners in a truly majestic first round display. The 37-year-old Italian rolled back the years to win consecutive first-round matches in Paris. If Fognini is in the party mood, Paul might be in for a shock. However, the American is by far the more consistent player and will be determined to advance beyond the second round for the first time.
Prediction: Paul in 4
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Alexander Bublik vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Damian: Struff has some very vulnerable seeds next to him in the draw, but it’s not like Bublik is just going to roll over and let him take this. When he wants to, the Kazakh can compete even with the very best on clay and he’s been extra determined pretty much the entire season. Especially if he serves well, he’s got the tools to make this one not that clear. Struff has the edge though.
Prediction: Struff in 4
Ateet: This has been the best clay season for Bublik so far in his career and he is playing with some purpose. He looked pretty serious in his first-round match at the French Open and put in a solid performance. Jan-Lennard Struff is in the form of his life and has a great record against Bublik. Predicting Bublik’s match is a tough job but Struff is too good right now to lose this on clay.
Prediction: Struff in 4
Tope: Struff created 16 breakpoint chances in his dominant win over Roman Andres Burruchaga in the first round. Only Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas have defeated him on clay this season. That being said, a determined Bublik is capable of defeating anyone including the in-form Struff. However, the German has shown considerable improvement on this surface and has lost only once to Bublik in four encounters
Prediction: Struff in 5
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
