French Open R3 previews and predictions: Zverev vs. Lajovic, Khachanov vs. Klizan

This will not be the first French Open rodeo for Alexander Zverev and Dusan Lajovic when they face each other during third-round action on Saturday. Karen Khachanov and Martin Klizan are also aiming for a place in the last 16.

(30) Dusan Lajovic vs. (5) Alexander Zverev

Zverev and Lajovic will be squaring for the second time in their careers and for the second time at the French Open when they meet again on Saturday. They previously collided in the second round last year, when Zverev survived 2-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. He went on to reach the quarterfinals, but that hardly puts to rest questions about his relative shortcomings at Grand Slams. The 21-year-old German is still alive at this one for now, but he needed five in his opener against John Millman before making more routine work of Mikael Ymer.

As their 2018 scoreline suggests, Lajovic is a tough customer. The 35th-ranked Serb is plenty capable on all surfaces and his 2019 efforts include a runner-up performance on the clay courts of Monte-Carlo. Lajovic is through to round three of a major for the third time in his career following straight-set defeats of Thiago Monteiro and Elliot Benchetrit. This should be competitive, but Zverev is gaining confidence with a title last week in Geneva and now two wins at Roland Garros.

Pick: Zverev in 4

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(10) Karen Khachanov vs. Martin Klizan

Khachanov and Klizan broke the hearts of the French faithful on consecutive days, thus setting up a first-ever head-to-head showdown on Saturday. In his second-round tilt with wild card Gregoire Barrerre, Khachanov survived a roller-coaster affair to the tune of a 6-3, 7-6(6), 0-6, 7-5 victory. Klizan returned from a darkness-delayed battle with Lucas Pouille and finished off a 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 9-7 upset on Friday after play had been halted with the Slovakian leading by a break in the fourth set. He lost five straight games upon the resumption of play but eventually broke Pouille at 5-4 in the fifth to remain alive and finally triumphed after a total of four hours and seven minutes.

The fact that it was spread out over two days should help Klizan recover, and Khachanov also struggled physically in his match against Barrerre–so it is hard to say which player will be in better shape for this one. All things being equal, the 11th-ranked Russian has been a huge disappointment this season with a modest 12-12 match record. Although Khachanov is quite adept on clay, it is without question Klizan’s best surface and the the underdog should take confidence from his level displayed against both Pouille and Mikhail Kukushkin.

Pick: Klizan in 4

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