Novak Djokovic will be facing a fourth consecutive unseeded opponent when he runs into Jan-Lennard Struff at the French Open on Monday. Fourth-round action is also wrapping up with a showdown between Alexander Zverev and Fabio Fognini.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
Djokovic is going for the proverbial “Djokovic slam” at this year’s French Open, currently holding titles from Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian. The world No. 1’s bid has certainly been a successful one so far, as he has blown out Hubert Hurkacz, Henri Laaksonen, and Salvatore Caruso. Djokovic had already started emerging from his Indian Wells-Miami slump with a triumph in Madrid and a runner-up performance in Rome.
Up next for the 2016 Roland Garros champion is a second career contest against Struff, who lost their only previous meeting 7-6(1), 6-3 on the hard courts of Doha in 2017. At 29 years old, the German is enjoying by far his best season on tour. He is especially hot right now, coming off a third-round showing in Rome (beat Grigor Dimitrov and Marin Cilic, lost to Kei Nishikori in three sets) and having defeated Denis Shapovalov, Radu Albot, and Borna Coric so far this fortnight. Of course, this is almost certainly where Struff’s run ends. Djokovic’s defense and service return will be too tough–especially on this surface–and Struff needed four hours and 22 minutes to get past Coric.
Cheryl pick: Djokovic in 3
Ricky pick: Djokovic in 3 losing 11-14 games
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(9) Fabio Fognini vs. (5) Alexander Zverev
Zverev might have been in the top four for much of the past year, but it’s not because of the German’s record in the slams. The best major result of Zverev’s professional career was a quarterfinal showing at last year’s French Open, where he lost to eventual finalist Dominic Thiem. On Monday, he’ll be fighting for the chance to defend his quarterfinal points. The bad news for the world No. 5 is that he has already put in a pair of five-set efforts en route to the fourth round. His first-round match against John Millman went the distance, as did his third-round encounter with talented Serb Dusan Lajovic.
At No. 12 in the world, Fognini is just off his career high of 11th, which he achieved a few weeks ago–at age 32. The rankings boost is mostly down to his surprise title in Monte-Carlo. Unfortunately, the higher ranking did not translate to an easy French Open draw. He battled Federico Delbonis, Andreas Seppi, and Roberto Bautista Agut, each of whom took a set. And while he hasn’t struggled quite as notably as Zverev, Fognini has still been forced to work hard for his wins. This is a winnable match for Fognini, but he’ll probably need to go after Zverev’s legs in order to do so.
Cheryl pick: Fognini in 5
Ricky pick: Zverev in 5
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WWW?
Fognini in 4, Djoker in 4
Djoko in four; Foggy in four.
Djoker in 3, losing 10 games, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4
Foggy or Zverev? H’mmmm. Neither has looked like a worldbeater here, but I’ll give the nod to Foggy in 4. I think fatherhood and/or age has settled him down enough so he won’t beat himself.
I think Struff will take a set off of Novak. He’s looked very good when I’ve seen him this year. When he’s on, his power is very hard to handle. In the other one, I think Zverev will get tired. Fognini in 4.
joker in 3 sets one tiebreak.
zverev in 5 hopefully this win will give him the confidence boost he needs badly !!!
Struff is crushing it, so much time of the ball its scary. This is a danger match for Djokovic.
Not quite. lol He started well.
I also think that Struff wins a sert, but only one….and Zv in an entertaining 3.
Hope not, i win a lot of $$ if Fognini wins.
Sasha’s tennis has really deteriorated so much, don’t understand why. One year ago, he was the number two or three guy on clay, now he’s struggling to win matches on the surface!
What happened to his serve? DF so often when at Madrid last year, his serve was unbreakable!
Zverev has had a lot of luck so far. Lucky its not 2-zip already.
Fognini’s lost his bearings. hjad chances to break early in the 2nd and now down 2 sets to 1.
Fognini, calls the trainer. Trainer and referres come over and look at Fognini and try not to laugh.
Lol!
Fognini beats Rafa on clay this season and he thinks he can win RG!!! Pffffff!!
They really thinks that’s all it takes!!! Ask Roger and Novak!!!
Yes, Sasha wins and into the QF, vamos!
He will still be ranked ahead of Tsitsipas, so it’s good for him. I hope he improves from now on and gives Djoko a good fight in the QF.
Whatever problems he has, I hope he could resolve them and starts playing well again. Good luck for the QF.
Very happy that Sasha won n Thiem won too handsomely..atleast djoker won’t get free ride in qf n sf..he will be made to play Vs Alex n Thiem/delpo