Arguably the most intriguing Roland Garros third-round matchup will see Richard Gasquet and Nick Kyrgios renew their rivalry on Friday. Gilles Simon and Viktor Troicki are also in action.
(17) Nick Kyrgios vs. (9) Richard Gasquet
Unlike the case at the other three Grand Slams, the combination of Kyrgios and the French Open has never quite delivered any real drama. That could change on Friday, when Kyrgios faces a familiar foe in Gasquet. Of their six previous encounters, four of which Gasquet has won, two have been Wimbledon thrillers. Kyrgios prevailed 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, 10-8 in 2014 after saving nine match points, but Gasquet exacted revenge with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-7(7), 7-6(6) victory in 2015. They have faced each other once this season, when Kyrgios was blazing through Marseille and clobbered the Frenchman 6-0, 6-4 in the quarterfinals on his way to his first career ATP title.
The 21-year-old Australian has advanced so far at Roland Garros with straight-set routs of Marco Cecchinato and Igor Sijsling. He is a stellar 24-7 this season with semifinal showings in Dubai, Miami, and Estoril plus a quarterfinal performance in Madrid to go along with his Marseille exploits. Gasquet is through to the last 32 by virtue of straight-set victories over Thomaz Bellucci and Bjorn Fratangelo. The world No. 12 is looking to improve on his recent third-round exits in Madrid and Rome, where he lost in straight sets to Kei Nishikori on both occasions. Current form may favor Kyrgios, but he would rather go up against Gasquet once again on either grass or indoors. In addition to the surface, the ninth seed should benefit from a raucous crowd that will be eager to get itself under Kyrgios’ skin.
Pick: Gasquet in 5
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(16) Gilles Simon vs. (22) Viktor Troicki
What will Simon do for an encore? That is the question after the Frenchman outlasted Guido Pella in a five-set thriller that lasted four hours and 32 minutes on Wednesday. Simon trailed by two sets and by 4-2 in the third before storming back, eventually breaking when Pella served for the match in the fourth, and prevailing 4-6, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-4 thanks to a conversion of his eighth match point. The world No. 18 preceded that victory with a much more routine straight-set win over Rogerio Dutra Silva.
Up next for Simon on Friday is a seventh career meeting with Troicki, who is a woeful 0-6 in the head-to-head series. In fact, you will struggle to find more lopsided matchups on tour. Simon is a perfect 12-0 in total sets against Troicki following straight-set victories in 2007 (Bastad and Sopot), 2009 (Bangkok and Shanghai), 2011 (Sydney), and earlier this spring (Monte-Carlo via a 6-4, 6-4 decision). Troicki outlasted Grigor Dimitrov in five sets on Monday before getting a retirement from fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic, who was trailing two sets to one. The world No. 24 is a decent 18-12 for the year and 13-7 lifetime at Roland Garros. In part due to Simon’s inevitable fatigue, Troicki should be able to make this one more competitive than usual–but it probably won’t end well.
Pick: Simon in 4
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whp ya got?
Nick in 4
Simon in 3
Go Nick!!!
same
#HerbertWillWin
Simon in three and Nick in four
Kyrgios in 4 and Simon over TroiScky in 4
YEEEEEEHL SIMOOOON (read in Mohamed Lahyani voice)
How ya still got Simon to win. He stated two times post match interview he is exhausted and he feels like he is dead. Simon is going to lose to fatigue and pay out +240
Except it’s troicki and Simon had a day of rest.
Yes! Good point! That helps a great deal after a tough match. I think Simon will be okay.
Gillou in 4
Nick in 4. Go Nick!
Agree with the majority.
Allez Simon, get it done in 3
Kyrgios in 4 ‘cos Reechard as usual will buckle under the pressure of home crowd support.
Simon in 3
Kyrgios in 4
Gasquet up a break early.
Sock loses to Ramos-Vinolas!
Gasquet up 3-0.
Maybe Nik hasn’t gotten going yet.
Kyrgios on the board.
3-1
What’s up with Nik?
Down 5-2.
Nik called the trainer for his shoulder.
Gasquet won the first set breaking Nik 6-2.
nick hits long on set point…
he does make some very bad errors..
another bad nick error to give richard set point
gasquet takes it!! some dreadful errors from nick there…he doesn’t engage his brain…
Nadal OUT of Roland Garros
i didn’t see this. they just announced it on the tv and so i ran to the rafa thread.
gutted beyond belief.
Has he got one?
good question! it’s not in evidence most of the time.
am glad richard won.
hard to see nick coming back from 2 sets down…
Oh God!
Rafa is withdrawing from RG because of a wrist injury.
I cannot believe it!
Was not able to watch most of today’s matches but most of my predictions have been proved wrong – or the scoreline was way off the mark. Glad I don’t go in for betting.
Did Murray perform a lot better or was Dr. Ivo playing poorly.
karlovic was terrible.
Yeah he couldn’t hit anything in besides his serve today and even his serve wasn’t on par today.
Gillou looking somewhat pooped. Also he has flexed his wrist a few times as if it’s bothering him.
Like I said yesterday simon is very tired from his last match but everyone thinks one day rest is enough. I got money against him +240. $$$
It’s going to go down like this. Simon will work hard to take second. Then third trioki edges a win. Fourth simon gives everything he has to win. Then 5th simon is gased out and has nothing left and gets a bread stick.
no way Troicki wins a 5th set against Simon. I don’t care if Simon is in a wheelchair.
I agree I’m sorry. Simon will lose straight sets instead