Stefanos Tsitsipas will be in second round-action against Pablo Cuevas and Canadian Denis Shapovalov will battle Roberto Carballes Baena as the top half of the men’s singles draw takes the court on Thursday.
(5) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Pablo Cuevas
This is the second meeting in a week for Stefanos Tsitispas and Pablo Cuevas. They just met in the round of 16 in Hamburg. Tsitsipas won in straight sets on his way to the final. Unfortunately for the Greek man, his Hamburg run seems to have worn him out for Roland Garros.
Tsitsipas found himself in a 5-set battle with world No. 109 Jaume Munar. The world No. 6 was down 2 sets before he battled back. It was a valiant effort by the Greek man, but he isn’t likely to have enough left in the tank for an entire fortnight.
Cuevas is ranked 60th in the world, low enough that he often is forced to qualify for events. The Uruguayan veteran would not generally be a threat to a player like Tsitsipas, but fatigue may make this one closer than expected.
Cheryl pick: Tsitispas in 4
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 3
(9) Denis Shapovalov vs. Roberto Carballes Baena
Denis Shapovalov is finally getting his feet under him on clay. The world No. 11 had an impressive run to the semifinals at the Rome Masters a couple of weeks ago, where he finally lost to runner-up Diego Schwartzman. Shapovalov dropped a set to French veteran Gilles Simon in the first round, but the result was never really in doubt.
The Canadian’s next opponent is the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, ranked 101 in the world. Carballes Baena hasn’t had a stellar clay season. The Spaniard has a couple of Challenger wins, but no main tour wins until he gave Stevie Johnson a shellacking in the first round this week.
With his current form, Shapovalov should have no trouble.
Cheryl pick: Shapovalov in 3
Ricky pick: Shapovalov in 3
Tpas in 4; Shapo in 3.
Shaps did a good job of losing that one!
It’s good Amy so that tsitsi does not get tired
Think we are pinning a lot of hopes on Tsitsi! The thing is: however well someone is playing ie Novak they can still have an off day…here’s hoping!😀
Im sorry for having to say this , but its very disappointing to read blatant anti-Nole stuff on this board,not to mention anti -Shapo etc. Double standards, when I get accused of being anti-Nadal- and -his -fans by the same poster.