The men’s round of 16 will kick off in Paris with Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev among the players in action. Harsh Bhoot and Jim Smith offer up their predictions for the French Open day 9 including Dominic Thiem vs Gael Monfils.
Novak Djokovic vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Jim: Djokovic hit the heights against the dangerous Hubert Hurkacz in the first round, but has since regressed to his typical mean in the early rounds at a Slam, delivering solid but unspectacular performances to oust Henrik Laaksonen and Salvatore Caruso. Struff, meanwhile, came through an epic to beat Borna Coric 11-9 in the fifth in the round of 32. But that may well leave him short of the energy he needs to seriously trouble Djokovic. He’ll land some blows, but expect the Serbian to deliver the knockout. Djokovic in 3
Harsh: Stuff overcame a tough tough five setter against Coric and he’ll no doubt be feeling good but when he faces Novak Djokovic he’s going to face a player who’s looked the strongest at this year’s French Open. Expect Djokovic to move on with no mishaps. Djokovic in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Fabio Fognini
Jim: Without a doubt, this is the match to watch on day nine. Zverev has yet again struggled through the first week of a Slam, but he’s ranked inside the top ten for a reason. Fognini, meanwhile, has enjoyed a tremendous few months, highlighted by a run to the Monte Carlo Masters title. He negotiated a tricky opponent in the shape of Roberto Bautista Agut impressively in the round of 32 and expect more of the same from him in the last 16. Fognini in 4
Harsh: It’s the same old story with Zverev at Grand Slams, one moment he looks good and the next he starts playing errorprone tennis which has been his downfall a lot of times. Zverev almost blew a two sets to love lead against Lajovic, Fognini won’t be so kind to the German. The Italian, Fognini on the other hand has looked good in his wins over Delbonis and Roberto Bautista Agut. Fabio knocked over Zverev in straight sets at Monte Carlo this year which will be a major factor in play for this matchup. Fognini in 4
Dominic Thiem vs Gael Monfils
Jim: Thiem hasn’t looked entirely convincing so far in Paris, but in fairness to the Austrian, he had a difficult slate of opponents in the first week. His task gets no easier up against home hope Gael Monfils, who has been fired to three confident victories by the French crowd. He has the power and skill to cause Thiem real problems. But does he have the composure? Unfortunately, questions remain in that department and Thiem should have just enough to take advantage. Thiem in 5
Harsh: When the draw came out, this matchup created a lot of noise and it’s finally upon us. Thiem is one of the clear favourites to go deep at this year’s French Open but will have his task cut out when he takes on Monfils and the French crowd no doubt. Monfils has never beaten Thiem and he won’t be starting now especially on Thiem’s best surface. Thiem in 4
Juan Martin del Potro vs Karen Khachanov
Jim: del Potro twisting his knee in the second round was a scary moment for him and the rest of the tennis world, but he managed to come through that clash with Yoshihito Nishioka in five. He then delivered an impressive performance to dismiss Jordan Thompson of Australia 6-4 6-4 6-0. For Khachanov, after a testing year, the French Open has brought some much needed wins. But there aren’t many who can out hit the Tower of Tandil. Del Potro in 4
Harsh: The talking point would in all certainty be how Del Potro’s body holds up. A courageous win against Nishioka followed up by a confident win against Thompson would hold Del Potro in good stead. The Russian, Khachanov has been improving match by match winning a tricky match against Klizan quite easily. In the end Del Potro’s superior experience and firepower will just enable him to edge out this match. Del Potro in 4
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