Men's French Open 🇫🇷 Day 5 Results
Soon-woo Kwon d Andreas Seppi 6-4 7-5 7-5
Seppi was definitely the more defensive one, allowing Kwon to control the point. Seppi defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round because although Seppi was a bit defensive, Auger-Aliassime was not consistent in his aggressive play. Kwon however, was aggressive, and it paid off as the 37yo could not answer.
Matteo Berrettini (9) d Federico Coria 6-3 6-3 6-2
A straight-forward match defeating the Argentine, only losing one service break. Berrettini faces Kwon in the third round, which will be an entertaining matchup.
Mikael Ymer d Gael Monfils (14) 6-0 2-6 6-4 6-3
Speaking of entertaining, the Swede swept the Frenchman off his feet. Although many like to consider Monfils as one of the fittest men on tour, now that he is 34yo, he may no longer be as fit. After an enthralling last round against Ramos-Vinolas, the motivation and energy could have been lacking to reach the third round against Jannik Sinner (18).
Jannik Sinner (18) d Gianluca Mager 6-1 7-5 3-6 6-3
Sinner has not been playing amazing tennis recently, but he got the job done against his fellow compatriot. A confident match from Sinner, not letting any nerves get the better of him.
Phiipp Kohlschreiber d Aslan Karatsev (24) 6-3 7-6(4) 4-6 6-1
The roar has been silenced! The German playing an unbelievable match to defeat the Russian. This was a HUGE upset. Karatsev had his chances but only breaking 1/5 (20%) compared to Kohlschreiber's 3/3 (100%).
Diego Schwartzmann (10) d Aljaz Bedene 6-4 6-2 6-4
Bedene fancies himself on clay, but the Schwartzmann can play a level higher. Although the Argentine has not been in great form as late, he may be finding some form this grand slam. Schwartzmann plays Philipp Kohlschreiber in the 3rd round, and it will be interesting how the German performs.
Dominik Koepfer d Taylor Fritz (30) 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-4
Last round it was reported Fritz's returning game was getting better, but this was the worst returning match seen from him this season. Koepfer was returning great, providing 17 break point opportunities throughout the match and serving relatively well too. The German faces Roger Federer (8) in the 3rd round.
Lorenzo Musetti d Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5 6-3 6-2
Reviewing last match between these two which Nishioka won 6-3 6-2, it was incredible watching Musetti's shift in mindset to break the man from Japan twice in the first set, and continuing to break and hold in the final two sets. Musetti no doubt loves the crowd, and Nishioka shies away from one, but Musetti did an awesome job to keep his cool and focus on closing the match out in 3 sets. Many young players can lose focus even when they are winning, and can often lose a set, but Musetti broke twice in the third set to close the match out in style.
Cameron Norrie d Lloyd Harris 4-6 6-3 6-3 6-2
The Nottingham Nadal was in no doubt of winning despite dropping the first set. The Brit quickly regathered his gaming, breaking 3-1 in the second set to continue his great clay season. Norrie's first serve of 83% win rate was a stat outlier, and his left-handed style is effective to others, especially younger players like Lloyd Harris.
Ricardas Berankis d James Duckworth 7-5 2-6 7-6(4) 6-0
Neither players served incredible, but it was Berankis the more consistent on clay, providing 17 break point opportunities compared to just 8 for the Aussie. Berankis is a much more natural clay-courter compared to Duckworth, as the Aussie was caught out of position, behind the baseline many times, allowing the Lithuanian to come to the net and finish easily.
Novak Djokovic (1) Pablo Cuevas 6-3 6-2 6-4
A confident match from the world no 1, only conceding a break once. Djokovic faces Berankis next round, which should be another straight forward match.
Marco Cecchinato d Alex De Minaur (21) 6-4 6-1 3-6 6-1
De Minaur is a much more defensive player on clay, and similar to James Duckworth, gets caught out in position a lot, allowing the Italian to hit to the other side of the court. De Minaur is a great player, but on clay, is not as good as Cecchinato, who is a home-grown clay player.
Roger Federer (8) d Marin Cilic 6-2 2-6 7-6(4) 6-2
This was the expected outcome of the match, as Federer is now known for not being as consistent, but still having class. Cilic grabbed a set, but it was all aboard the Swiss train, departing for the 3rd round!
Jan-Lennard Struff d Facundo Bagnis 7-5 7-6(1) 6-4
Some were worried that after Struff's first round victory over Andrey Rublev (7), that Struff may be gassed out, but the German played a very clinical match, to secure a straight sets victory over the world no 104. Struff can be questionable at times, especially in close matches, but his game has gone up in this Grand Slam. A great maturing of his game.
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia d Nikoloz Basilashvilli (28) 6-4 6-2 6-4
The Spaniard was just too good for the 28th seed, playing some sensational tennis to wipe just another seeded player out of the tournament.
Rafael Nadal (3) d Richard Gasquet 6-0 7-5 6-2
Nadal was once again, clinical in his straight sets victory over the Frenchman. The world no 53 was playing well to reach a close second set, but after Rafa won the second, there was no coming back from Gasquet. Nadal has now won 29 sets in a row against the Gasquet.
