There should be plenty of entertaining action on day seven at the French Open, with eight third-round matches on the slate and every member of the Big Three set to take to the court. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate, including Cameron Norrie vs Rafael Nadal. But who will book their place in the second week?
French Open Day 7 Predictions
Novak Djokovic vs Ricardas Berankis
Jim: Ricardas Berankis deserves great credit for his efforts so far at the French Open, with the Lithuanian achieving a career-best result in Paris by reaching the French Open. But he has not been able to lay a glove on Djokovic in any of their three previous meetings, including last season at Roland Garros. This should be a comfortable day at the office for the world #1.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Yesh: Berankis is probably another step up in competition so far for Djokovic after a comfortable start for the top seed, but he still can’t hold a candle to the Serbian. Expect another straightforward match for Djokovic.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Damian: It’s one thing to have an opening in one’s draw, and quite another to take advantage of it. But while Berankis certainly deserves a lot of praise for doing just that to reach the round of 32, defeating Djokovic here would be the upset of the century. Don’t expect it.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
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Matteo Berrettini vs Kwon Soon-woo
Jim: Matteo Berrettini is a player worth watching at this year’s French Open. It is hard to see the Italian going all the way in Paris, but he has looked sharp so far, with his all-court game and formidable power from the back of the court making him a dangerous opponent. He should have far too much for Kwon Soon-woo.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Yesh: Madrid runner-up Berrettini is quietly becoming a dangerous force in this tournament. Kwon had an amazing run to get here, but he’s just outclassed in this round.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Damian: The Italian is in brilliant form at the moment and shouldn’t have much trouble ripping through yet another opponent. It was a great effort from Kwon to reach the third round, but his clay-court experience is very scarce.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
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Jannik Sinner vs Mikael Ymer
Jim: One suspects that this meeting will probably be repeated in the later stages of Grand Slams in the years to come. But it is surely Jannik Sinner who has the greater potential, despite the impressive strides that Mikael Ymer has made recently, and there is a reason that it is the Italian who is the seeded player. Expect him to have the edge.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Yesh: Ymer has officially distanced himself from his brother, with a third-round appearance at a second Major now, and a great win over Gael Monfils. It has to come to an end here though, as Jannik Sinner is a major force on clay and in fine form.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Damian: Ymer somehow managed to bring his best to a Slam again and his defensive abilities can make him a nightmare to hit through. However, something Sinner’s definitely improved a lot since they last played though is his rally tolerance, and the Italian is now able to use his great accelerations with much better accuracy. That should grant him the victory here.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Jan-Lennard Struff
This has the makings of an interesting match. Carlos Alcaraz clearly has an exceptionally bright future, particularly on the clay, and he has excelled so far in Paris, coming through the qualifying before beating Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Nikoloz Basilashvili in comprehensive fashion. But Jan-Lennard Struff has been in fine form too and the German has the power to take the racket out of the teenager’s hands.
Prediction: Struff in 5
Yesh: This is a great matchup between the rising Alcaraz and the resurgent Struff. The German has been playing so well this tournament, and he has the experience and variety to handle the Spaniard. Barely.
Prediction: Struff in 4
Damian: One could wonder if Alcaraz was ready for a deep run at Paris already but that unbelievably clean performance against Basilashvili definitely cleared it up. Youngsters tend to have dips in level but he dealt so well with the Georgian’s power, he should manage to do that against Struff as well.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 4
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