The third round of the French Open begins on Friday with the men and women’s last 32 getting going across the grounds at Roland Garros. It has been a tough week for the players already and with the seeds set to face each other for the first time it is about to get even worse.
Most of the big names in the respective halves of the draw on show on Friday have made it through to this stage so we are set to see plenty of glitz and glamour on the courts and most certainly no shortage of quality tennis.
Day 5 Recap
It was a largely routine day for most on Thursday with a number of comfortable wins. Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Kevin Anderson and John Isner all came through comfortably enough in the men’s draw while with the women there were easy looking wins for Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova and Garbine Muguruza while Serena Williams and Karolina Pliskova both came from a set down to win.
It was also a winning day for us too with the Isner match comfortably covering the games line. There were four sets in that match but it was covered after three. Sharapova and Donna Vekic covered their games line too but sadly there was no joy with Jeremy Chardy.
Philippe Chatrier Court
The number two seeds open up proceedings on the main court on Friday when Alexander Zverev kicks off against Damir Dzumhur before Caroline Wozniacki faces Pauline Parmentier. Lucas Pouille will look to thrill the home crowds in the third match of the day when he faces the improving Karen Khachanov before the action is rounded off with a clash between Camila Giorgi and the US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
Suzanne Lenglen Court
The US Open finalist Madison Keys meets the talented youngster Naomi Osaka in the opening match on this court before Novak Djokovic looks to make it into the second week when he faces Roberto Bautista Agut. David Goffin then goes up against the popular Frenchman, Gael Monfils before a juicy tussle between Petra Kvitova and Anett Kontaveit finishes off play for the day.
Court 1
Arguably the match of the day starts play off out on Court 1 as Fernando Verdasco takes on Grigor Dimitrov before pre-tournament favourite Elina Svitolina goes up against Mihaela Buzarnescu of Romania. There are only three singles matches on this court on Friday. The last one sees Dominic Thiem facing Matteo Berrettini.
Court 18
There are three singles matches on what is fast becoming one of the most popular courts on the complex too. Daria Kasatkina gets things off and running when she plays Maria Sakkari before Kei Nishikori goes up against Gilles Simon. The final match on the court sees Marco Cecchinato facing Pablo Carreno Busta who is starting to put solid Grand Slams together.
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Men’s Betting
There is one bet I like in the men’s draw on Friday and it comes in the big match up first on Court 1 when Fernando Verdasco takes on Grigor Dimitrov in what surely must turn into another mini-marathon. All four meetings between the two men have gone to a deciding third set and both have already been pushed to five sets already this week. It might become survival of the fittest the longer this one goes on but whoever has the most stamina and however it is won I’m confident we’re going to see in excess of 38.5 games in this one.
Women’s Betting
There isn’t a whole lot that I like in the women’s draw on Friday either but one that I do fancy taking a chance on is Naomi Osaka in her match against Madison Keys. I think Keys is getting better from a temperament point of view but I still wouldn’t want to be on her side in a real battle and I think this could turn into one of those. Osaka is improving all the time and is gaining plenty of confidence along the way. We saw when she took care of Serena in Miami that she loves the big stage and she has it here. At odds against I think she can break down Keys’ heart and belief.
Tips
Back F.Verdasco vs G.Dimitrov – Over 38.5 games for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Boylesports
Back it here:
Back N.Osaka to beat M.Keys for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with BetVictor
Back her here:
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