We’re back! It’s the last match of the French Open, between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Our panelists are here to predict just how the final will go. Today’s panelists are myself (Yesh Ginsburg), editor Steen Kirby, LWOS contributors Harry Dry and Jake Davies, along with guest Manuel Traquete. Also, please check out our predictions of the women’s final.
Panelists Predictions French Open Men’s Final
Steen:
Djokovic looked at ease after finally getting to play in regular conditions in the semifinals. Though Dominic Thiem was likely fatigued, Novak looks beyond ready to take home a maiden Roland Garros title. Murray earned a huge win and cemented his #2 status against Wawrinka, but he won’t be able to win enough rallies to prevail.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Harry:
Anyone who hasn’t predicted Djokovic in 4 has either predicted Djokovic in 5 or really doesn’t have any awareness of tennis. Djokovic will complete the career Slam a bit too easily, throwing yet more question marks into the GOAT debate. Andy Murray will provide the commentary (Parental Advisory; Explicit Language). Seriously, though, Djokovic is marginally better in all departments and although I expect him to drop a set, over best of 5 sets Djokovic’s average level is sure to be better than his opponent’s.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Yesh:
Everyone seems to favor Djokovic here, but I’m not buying it. Djokovic has not looked in Slam-winning form all tournament and Murray has been pushing inside the baseline and playing more aggressive in the biggest of matches all year. There is no reason for this to go differently than the Rome final. If Murray plays his aggressive tennis, he’ll win. If he’s his usual passive self, this will get away from him very quickly.
Prediction: Murray in 4
Jake:
This is a match that can go either way. Djokovic leads the head to head 23-10. Until Rome 2016, Djokovic had never lost to Murray on a clay court. I think Murray has played himself into great form, getting better match by match in this tournament. That Wawrinka match will give him a lot of confidence and I have the feeling that Djokovic might feel the pressure of the expectation of winning his career grand slam set of titles.
Prediction: Murray in 4
Manuel
After Sunday, the top two ranked players in the world will have faced in the final of all 4 Grand Slam tournaments. Earlier this year, Djokovic beat Murray in the Australian Open final with relative ease; the pair faced off again in the finals of Madrid and Rome earlier this clay season, with Djokovic winning in Madrid and Murray finally getting the better of the Serb in Rome.
Now in Paris, Djokovic will be looking to make history by securing a 12th Grand Slam title, completing the career Slam and becoming the first player since Rod Laver to hold all four Slams at the same time. Unlike Murray, Djokovic has faced no problems at all en route to the final and should be very fresh and ready to finally win in the Parisian clay.
Prediction: Djokovic in 4
Enjoy what you read? Check out all of LWOS’ complete coverage of the 2016 French Open.
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