French Open 2021: Day 5 Predictions

The drama at Roland Garros 2021 continues to increase. Day 4 had some edge-of-the-seat 5-setters and a couple of straight-forward victories. 

Sportco takes a look at some second-round matches on Day 5 that could go down to the wire and predictions for Day 5 at the French Open 2021!

1) Matteo Berrettini vs Federico Coria

Berrettini leads the head-to-Head record 2-0 against Coria

Berrettini overcame Japanese player Taro Daniel in 4 sets. The Italian was too good in the first 2 sets with his big serve getting a lot of free points.  

Coria defeated clay-court specialist Feliciano Lopez in straight sets. The Argentinian clinched 83% of his first-serve points, However, it was a bad day with his second serve winning only 33% of points. 

Berrettini’s attacking style gives him an edge and he has never lost a set to Coria so far. The Italian must be patient against Federico as the Argentinian does not hit many winners but can capitalize on the unforced errors made by his opponents.

French Open Day 5 Predictions: Matteo Berrettini to win in four sets against Federico Coria

2) Elina Svitolina vs Ann Li

Svitolina began her run in the Roland Garros with a 6-2 7-5 victory against homegirl Oceane Babel. The Ukrainian will be satisfied with her second serve winning percentage of 78%. 

Ann Li blitzed past Margarita Gasparyan 6-0 6-1 in just 46 minutes. The 20-year-old claimed 88% of her second serve points and committed only 10 unforced errors. 

The American is an aggressive player and has all the weapons to beat Svitolina.

I am vouching for an upset here as Svitolina is yet to get her groove on clay. The Ukrainian is a tad inconsistent and can give away her leads to Ann. 

French Open Day 5 Predictions - Ann Li to win in three sets against Elina Svitolina

3) Ashleigh Barty vs Magda Linette

Barty survived a three-set scare against American Bernarda Pera. The top seed struggled with a left hip injury. The Australian took a medical timeout after losing the 2nd set. World number 1 will also have to take care of her strapped left leg after suffering an abdominal injury in the Rome Masters.

Linette comfortably defeated the local girl Chloe Paquet 6-3 6-3. The Pole won 86% of her first-serve points and claimed all 7 net points. 

Barty’s immense experience and variety of shotmaking give her a strong edge. Magda is not a big server and will aim to tire out the Australian in the long baseline rallies. 

French Open Day 5 Predictions - Ashleigh Barty to win in straight sets against Magda Linette.

4) Aslan Karatsev vs Phillip Kohlschreiber

Kohlschreiber leads the head-to-head record 1-0 against Karatsev

The 24th seed Karatsev had an easy 6-3 6-4 6-4 win against American Jenson Brooksby. The Russian grabbed 80% of his first-serve points and pounded 34 winners but could convert only 36% of breakpoints. 

In a clash of veterans, Kohlschreiber defeated Fernando Verdasco in 4 sets. The German fired 10 aces and was strong at the net clinching 75% of points.

Phillip can beat the higher-ranked Aslan with his all round game but needs to improve his breakpoint conversion rate. Karatsev’s consistency and red-hot form in 2021 will take him through. 

French Open Day 5 Predictions: Aslan Karatsev to win in straight sets against Phillip Kohlschreiber

5) Jannik Sinner vs Gianluca Mager

Sinner battled past doubles specialist Pierre Hugues Herbert in a tight five-setter. Trailing by two sets to one, the Italian showed tremendous composure under pressure. The 18th seed took 68% of his first-serve points and converted a brilliant 8 out of 10 breakpoints. 

Mager outlasted Peter Gojowczyk in 4 sets. The Italian claimed 76% of his first-serve points and also pounded 11 aces. Mager hit a whopping 54 unforced errors in his opening match and cannot afford to repeat that against Sinner who is solid from the baseline. 

The fans will be excited to witness the clash between two compatriots who are both right-handers and possess two-handed backhands. Sinner has been a stand-out performer in 2021 and will sail through after dropping a set.

French Open Day 5 Predictions: Jannik Sinner to win in four sets against Gianluca Mager

6) Karolina Pliskova vs Sloane Stephens

Stephens leads the head-to-head record 3-1 against Pliskova

Pliskova overcame her good friend Donna Vekic 7-5 6-4 in the first round. The 9th seed punished Vekic with 8 aces and also claimed 85% of points on her first serve. 

Stephens beat comeback girl Carla Suarez Navarro in 3 sets. The Spaniard played her last match in Paris after successfully recovering from cancer. 

Pliskova’s superior serving will be her X-factor against Sloane who was average winning only 58% and 46% of points on her first and second serve respectively. Stephens has never beaten Pliskova on clay and will try to plot a victory. 

French Open Day 5 Predictions - Karolina Pliskova to win in three sets against Sloane Stephens

7) Novak Djokovic vs Pablo Cuevas

Djokovic dispatched American Tennys Sandgren with just the loss of 8 games. The top seed was rock solid on his first serve bagging 86% of points. The Serb will be concerned with his net game (only 56% of points won).

Cuevas was ruthless against homeboy Lucas Pouille conceding only 7 games in a one-sided victory. The Uruguayan had some impressive numbers (zero double faults, 10 aces, 38 winners, and 77% of points won on the second serve). 

Djokovic will be wary of Cuevas’s vast experience on clay as the 35-year-old also won the French Open doubles trophy in 2008. The World number 1 has superior returning skills and will bank upon that to come good again.

French Open Day 5 Predictions: Novak Djokovic to win in four sets against Pablo Cuevas

8) Rafael Nadal vs Richard Gasquet

Nadal leads the head-to-head record 16-0 against Gasquet

Rafael Nadal plays home hope Gasquet on his 35th birthday.  Rafa negated Alexei Popyrin’s big serve and powerful returns with an impressive 3-set victory. The Spaniard showed some rustiness in the final set but was in full control in the tiebreaker taking it 7-3. 

Gasquet rediscovered his old touch, routing countryman Hugo Gaston 6-1 6-4 6-2 in just 99 minutes. The French veteran played a perfect match (77% of points won each on his first and second serve, and took 74% of net points). 

Richard Gascquet will be raring to push Nadal with his one-handed backhand. But, his poor breakpoint conversion rate will hamper his chances against the King of Clay.

French Open Day 5 Predictions: Rafael Nadal to win in straight sets against Richard Gasquet

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