Third round singles action commences on Friday in Paris, featuring some big names and some big matchups. Major champions Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Angelique Kerber, Victoria Azarenka, and Sloane Stephens will all be in action, as will Carlos Alcaraz and Sascha Zverev, both of whom had to save match point on Wednesday. Overall, six singles matches see seeded players face off.
Throughout the tournament, this preview will analyze the day’s five most prominent matches, while highlighting the other notable matches on the schedule. Friday’s play begins at 11:00am local time.
Amanda Anisimova (27) vs. Karolina Muchova – 11:00am on Court Suzanne Lenglen
Both players have already earned impressive wins this fortnight: Anisimova over Naomi Osaka, and Muchova over Maria Sakkari. And both are Major semifinalists: Amanda at this event three years ago, and Karolina last year in Melbourne. But due to an abdominal injury, Muchova has only played eight matches since last August. Anisimova is a strong 22-8 on the year, and has reached the quarterfinals or better at every clay event she’s played in 2022. In their first career meeting, Amanda’s superior level of confidence, paired with her impressive backhand, make her the favorite to prevail.
Diego Schwartzman (15) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (18) – 11:00am on Court Simonne Mathieu
Schwartzman is the far more accomplished clay court player, but Dimitrov is the player who has advanced much more comfortably to this stage. Grigor has dropped only 10 games across six sets, while Diego has survived a four-setter and a five-setter. And Dimitrov is 3-1 against Schwartzman, having taken their last three meetings. That includes a dominant win on clay just a few weeks ago in Madrid by a score of 6-0, 6-3. Based on recent evidence, Dimitrov may be poised to advance to the second week of this tournament for just the second time in his career.
Belinda Bencic (14) vs. Leylah Fernandez (17) – 12:00pm on Court Philippe Chatrier
In the last round, Bencic earned an impressive straight-set win over another young Canadian, Bianca Andreescu. Neither Belinda nor Leylah has dropped a set through two rounds. Bencic was a champion on clay last month in Charleston, but Fernandez has struggled at WTA clay events this season, with a record of only 2-3 before arriving in Paris. Yet it’s worth remembering Belinda’s past struggles at this event, as she held a 5-5 record prior to this fortnight. And as we learned at last year’s US Open, Fernandez thrives on big stages. Their only previous encounter occurred two years ago in the Billie Jean King Cup, which went to Fernandez in straight sets. And I give Leylah the slight edge to defeat Belinda again on Friday after what will likely be an extended tussle.
Rafael Nadal (5) vs. Botic van de Zandschulp (26) – Third on Court Suzanne Lenglen
Nadal arrived in Paris with questions swirling regarding the status of his chronically-injured foot, which was obviously bothering him in Rome. But it hasn’t impacted his performance thus far, as he’s dropped only 14 games through six sets. Van de Zandschulp made his Major breakthrough at last year’s US Open, when he was a surprise quarterfinalist as a qualifier ranked 117th in the world. And he’s followed that up with more good results, such as reaching the final in Munich last month. But defeating the King of Clay, who is 107-3 at Roland Garros, would be a truly shocking result, though I’m curious to see if Botic can provide Rafa with his first real test this week.
Carlos Alcaraz (6) vs. Sebastian Korda (27) – Not Before 8:45pm on Court Philippe Chatrier
Korda remains the only player to defeat Alcaraz on clay this year, which he did in Monte Carlo. It was quite a dramatic three-hour affair. Carlitos was fresh off the biggest title of his career in Miami, so a letdown was only normal. And Alcaraz hasn’t lost since. The 19-year-old Spaniard is on a 12-match winning streak, and is now 30-3 this season. Korda has earned up-and-down results this clay court season, with some first-round losses as well as a semifinal run in Estoril. Their other prior meeting was the championship match of November’s NextGen Finals, which Carlitos won in straight sets. And considering Alcaraz will likely play more freely on Friday after escaping near-defeat in the last round, he is a clear favorite to be victorious on Friday night under the lights on Chatrier.
Other Notable Matches on Friday:
Coco Gauff (18) vs. Kaia Kanepi – When these players met last year on clay in Parma, Gauff prevailed after two tight tiebreak-sets.
Angelique Kerber (21) vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich – The only other time since 2016 Kerber has advanced out of the first round, she made the quarterfinals. Sasnovich took out Emma Raducanu on Wednesday. Angie leads their head-to-head 2-0, which includes a three-set match just last week in Strasbourg.
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Aljaz Bedene – Djokovic hasn’t lost in the third round of a Major since Wimbledon 2016, when he was upset by Sam Querrey. Bedene has never gone beyond the third round at a Slam, and is 0-3 against Novak, having never claimed a set.
Victoria Azarenka (15) vs. jil Teichmann (23) – This is a rematch from the second round of the last Major, when Azarenka comfortably dismissed Teichmann 6-1, 6-2. Jil is 10-3 on clay this season, while Vika is 6-2.
Sloane Stephens vs. Diane Parry – Coming into this event, Stephens was 0-4 on clay this year, yet has toughed out two three-setters this week. Parry is a 19-year-old Frenchwoman who upset defending champion Barbora Krejcikova in the first round.
Sascha Zverev (3) vs. Brandon Nakashima – Zverev saved match point in the last round against Sebastian Baez. This is 20-year-old Nakashima’s first appearance in the third round of a Major. Two years ago at the US open, Sascha defeated Brandon in four.
Cam Norrie (10) vs. Karen Khachanov (21) – Khachanov has reached the fourth round in four of the last five years. Norrie is yet to do so at any Slam, with an 0-4 record in this round. But the Brit is 3-2 against Karen, and 2-0 on clay.
Friday’s full Order of Play is here.
