French Open: Day 8 – Zverev, Thiem around Rendez-Vous, Djokovic around veteran duel

The second week of the French Open also starts on a Sunday. For Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem it’s about arranging a joint meeting.

Thiem-Zverev-Watch: His brother is the one who can defeat Rafael Nadal in Paris. Mischa Zverev announced this in his press conference after the end against Kevin Anderson, but with one important restriction: If Nadal played in his very best form, it would also be almost impossible for Sascha. In the near future, however, the limits of Germany’s number one would continue to shift upwards, which is now 100 percent, but in three or four months, there may only be 95. 91.4 percent could possibly be enough to win against Karen Khachanov (11:00, Suzanne Lenglen, in our LIVE-TICKER), Mischa Zverev did not say, of course.

Dominic Thiem must bring full power, against Kei Nishikori are still zero victories. Like on Court Philippe Chatrier (second match after 11:00 am, in our LIVE-TICKER). The French Open are not bad for premiere victories, in 2017 Thiem cleaned Novak Djokovic for the first time in Roland Garros. Thiem trained with a hitting partner on Saturday, so the Austrian is not tricky. Should Thiem reach the second week, juniors will probably be recalled to sparring again.

Oh, yes: In the mutual victory case Zverev and Thiem would see each other in the next round.

Match of the day: Novak Djokovic (SRB/20) vs. Fernando Verdasco (ESP/30). Is the inclined tennis lover Djokovic wrong to be called an old warhorse? After all, the twelve-time major winner already counts 31 Lenze, Verdasco three more. The Spaniard defeated Alexander Zverev in round one of Roland Garros last year, Grigor Dimitrov in the current competition, but already in his third match. The balance speaks for Djokovic, but not even so clearly. Verdasco has won four games, the man from Belgrade their ten. The last one at the Australian Open 2017, fourth match also chatrier after 11:00 am (in our LIVE-TICKER).

Upset-Alert (balance: five correct tips, two wrong ones): Daria Kasatkina (RUS/14) vs. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN/2). If anyone can find their way around Court Philippe Chatrier, it’s the Dane. Darling not only of many fans, but obviously also the game planner. Three matches, three center courts. This time Wozniacki really got it, it was the last game on Suzanne Lenglen. The Russian could score with the surprise effect, but so could Wozniacki: it will be the first meeting of the two players.

Employees of the previous day: the Belgian tennis fans. Of course, Gael Monfils could count on greater support in the continuation of the third round match against David Goffin than the guest from the neighbouring country. However, the enthusiasm of the Belgians for their number one was almost contagious.

Here are the most important matches of Sunday in Roland Garros: