Karen Khachanov and Denis Shapovalov are two of the big names in action on day 5 of the 2020 French Open. Our panel of Damian Kust and Steen Kirby offer their predictions.
Denis Shapovalov vs Roberto Carballes Baena
Damian: The Canadian has been constantly improving in recent times and his rallying skills are getting even better and better. On clay, he also has the time to set up the forehand as his first shot after the serve way more often. His power should see him through a pretty passive opponent. Shapovalov in 3
Steen: RCB presents a credible challenge but Shapovalov should be a step ahead here. This tournament presents a great opportunity for him and I don’t see him squandering it with an early defeat. Shapovalov in 4
Jiri Vesely vs Karen Khachanov
Damian: Still not convinced about Karen Khachanov’s form after a straight-set win in which his opponent had a couple of chances to make this match longer. Vesely has a big game that will be rewarded in these conditions and has been doing pretty well lately. This should be close. Vesely in 5
Steen: This match could go either way but Khachanov feels like more of a big time Grand Slam player. I’ll go with the Russian over best of 5. Khachanov in 5
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Attila Balazs
Damian: It’s a great story for Attila Balazs to have picked up his first Grand Slam win here but it would be a very big ask to upset Roberto Bautista Agut. This year, the conditions actually don’t punish flatter hitting that much. That is really to the Spaniard’s liking. Bautista Agut in 3
Steen: Balazs just won his first slam match and he’s a capable player but RBA makes his living winning matches like this with a steady, high level of play. RBA will be aiming to make the second week of another slam and win this round, and the next. Bautista Agut in 4
Pablo Cuevas vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
Damian: This was very, very close in Hamburg with Cuevas fading away mentally in the pivotal moment of each set. But we’ve seen the Uruguayan can still produce great tennis on the clay and after the heartbreak that Tsitsipas suffered in the final, his mentality is a bit suspect. Might be another struggle for the Greek. Tsitsipas in 4
Steen: Cuevas is a punchy underdog, but Tsitsipas won their Hamburg match and he’s far and above the more talented and better player at this point in their careers. He should show that here. Tsitsipas in 4
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