2024 French Open Day 5: Monfils v Musetti, Djokovic, Sabalenka Headline

While there’s no blockbuster match during the day, it is a case of quantity over quality Thursday at the French Open.

During the day, Novak Djokovic returns to face Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena who he defeated twice prior at Slams in easy straight sets.

“I’m glad that I started the way I started, the way I felt on the court,” Djokovic said Tuesday night. “Comparing to, you know, the previous weeks of tournaments I played, I felt good, better. So I’m moving in a positive direction. Yeah, it’s just the beginning.

“So it’s something that I have been saying from the beginning of the year and from the last whatever years that Grand Slams are the ones that are basically getting me up from the bed every day and knowing that I have to hit the practice courts. I always think about what I can do in Grand Slams. So here I am. Hopefully I can have another deep run.”

Alexander Zverev duels David Goffin for a sixth time but first in a Slam. Zverev leads 3-2. And Daniil Medvedev is on the docket opening play on Lenglen against Miomir Kecmanovic. The Russian is 3-0 against Kecmanovic including a straight set win at the French in 2022.

Also, No. 7 Casper Ruud gets Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, No. 8 Hubert Hurkacz will finish his battle with Brandon Nakashima, No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov faces Fabian Marozsan, No. 11 Alex De Minaur clashes with Jaume Munar, No. 12 Taylor Fritz draws Dusan Lajovic, No. 13 Holger Rune tests Flavio Cobolli, No. 14 Tommy Paul meets Fabio Fognini and No. 15 Ben Shelton battles Kei Nishikori.

In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina return.

Sabalenka battles Moyuka Uchijima in a first-time tour-level clash while Rybakina will meet Arantxa Rus.

A total of 55 second round matches are scheduled for Thursday with the night match between French favorite Gael Monfils and the flashy Italian Lorenzo Musetti featured. Monfils defeated Musetti in their only prior meeting at 2021 Vienna.

The tournament is 23 matches behind schedule and many winners Thursday will have to play Friday.

THURSDAY FRENCH OPEN SCHEDULE
Court Philippe-CHATRIER – Début à 12h00
Moyuka UCHIJIMA (JPN) contre Aryna SABALENKA (—)[2]
Elina SVITOLINA (UKR)[15] contre Diane PARRY (FRA)
Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB)[1] contre Roberto CARBALLES BAENA (ESP)
Pas avant 20h15
Gael MONFILS (FRA) contre Lorenzo MUSETTI (ITA)[30]

Court Suzanne-LENGLEN – Début à 11h00
Miomir KECMANOVIC (SRB) contre Daniil MEDVEDEV (—)[5]
Arantxa RUS (NED) contre Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ)[4]
Alexander ZVEREV (GER)[4] contre David GOFFIN (BEL)
Madison KEYS (USA)[14] contre Mayar SHERIF (EGY)

You Might Like:
Bencic, Sabalenka Lead Shenzhen Field
Monfils, Cilic, Khachanov Headline ATP Adelaide 1
2024 French Open Day 7: Djokovic Faces Musetti, Sabalenka v Badosa
2024 US Open Women’s SF: Sabalenka v Navarro, Pegula v Muchova
Defending Champion Sinner, Monfils The Favorites In Bulgaria