Alexander Zverev will start his 2018 French Open campaign on Sunday (from about 4 p.m. in the LIVETICKER), and defending champion Yelena Ostapenko will also be competing for the title.
By Jens Huiber in Paris
Thiem-Zverev-Watch: Dominic Thiem will train at the Bois de Boulogne for the first time in Lyon after his strenuous but highly successful campaign against Gilles Simon. Last year, the Austrian learnt to appreciate the neighbouring Jean Bouin complex, especially on days when Roland Garros reigned full of games at the Stade. After the men’s games of the lower half of the tableau were scheduled for Sunday, it can be assumed that Thiem will have to go on Monday. Unless the organisers allow the Saturday finalists a breather.
Alexander Zverev, on the other hand, has been in Paris since Wednesday. The number two of the French Open 2018 did nothing sporty for three days after the final in Rome, was with friends in Monte Carlo at the sea. Zverev’s match is scheduled as the fourth after 11 o’clock on the court Suzanne Lenglen. Ricarda’s Berankis will not become a stumbling block. On Friday evening a mighty thunderstorm was still brewing in Paris, but rain would not help Zverev, as he emphasized on Media Day. After all, the 21-year-old lives from the speed of his strokes.
The German glasses: Not much going on next to Alexander Zverev at the beginning. The only player who has to prove himself on Sunday is Oskar Otte. He came into the main field as Lucky Loser and will meet Matteo Berretini (in the LIVETICKER) in his third match after 11 o’clock. One of the most pleasant potential opponents in round one.
Upset Alert: Elena Ostapenko against Kateryna Kozlova (fourth match on Philippe Chatrier after 11 am). Jelena Ostapenko already had a great performance at this year’s French Open, the Latvian came late with Rafael Nadal and in the best twist at the draw on Thursday evening. However, the result speaks against the defending champion: Kozlova has won both previous matches against Ostapenko.
Match of the day: David Goffin v Robin Haase (fourth match 11:00 am on Court 1). Goffin didn’t get a bad draw in principle. The biggest rival for the semi-final will be Grigor Dimitrov (first round against Viktor Troicki in the LIVETICKER). It’s no gift to play Robin Haase in round one. The experienced Dutchman has a lot of potential to annoy an opponent. A verbal exchange of blows is also to be expected between the two fan departments, which always appear reliably and in large numbers in Roland Garros. Goffin leads in the balance sheet with 4:1 victories.